The Work Couch Podcast from RPC

Hosted by Ellie Gelder, a senior editor specialising in employment and equality law, the podcast offers a refreshing blend of practical legal insight and real-world experience.

Rather than focusing solely on black-letter law, The Work Couch brings together legal experts, HR professionals, and individuals with lived experience to explore the evolving world of work, people management, and workplace wellbeing. For in-house lawyers juggling the legal, cultural, and operational aspects of employment issues, it’s a valuable resource for staying informed, challenged, and connected to the human side of law.

What does it contain?

With a diverse library of over 60 episodes, each one explores a topical issue in employment law or workplace culture, with a strong focus on how legal obligations intersect with organisational practice. Recent episodes have touched on subjects such as the duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees, carers' rights, addiction in the workplace, and trauma in legal environments; topics that are increasingly relevant for in-house teams navigating post-pandemic working patterns, wellbeing expectations, and evolving statutory obligations.

For instance, the episode on neonatal care leave highlights not only the legislative changes that came into force in April 2025 but also the practical considerations for implementation and the importance of offering effective support - something many in-house legal teams are already grappling with as they update policies and advise HR.

In another standout episode, the podcast explores the implications of trauma in legal workplaces, prompting valuable reflection on leadership, psychological safety, and the duty of care owed to staff. Similarly, conversations around unpaid carers, addiction at work, and the recent Supreme Court ruling on the definition of "sex" for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 all demonstrate not only the podcast’s depth but also its strength in tackling nuanced and challenging issues from both a legal and human perspective.

How can this help in-house lawyers?

What’s especially useful for in-house lawyers is the way The Work Couch encourages proactive thinking. Rather than waiting for problems to surface, the episodes often highlight the need for early action, whether that means anticipating legal changes, auditing outdated policies, or creating guidance for line managers. A recurring theme is the importance of clear, inclusive, and legally robust internal policies that reflect not only current law but also the lived reality of employees.

The podcast also champions intersectionality and reminds listeners that employment issues rarely affect all individuals in the same way; this nuance is critical when designing effective workplace strategies or advising senior leadership.

The Work Couch is not just informative - it’s practical. Many in-house lawyers will find the episodes a helpful tool for internal conversations, whether to kick off a policy review, feed into training materials, or build awareness among non-legal stakeholders. It’s also a useful horizon-scanning tool, giving legal teams a clearer view of what’s coming down the track in terms of legislative or cultural shifts.

The tone is accessible and engaging, making it easy to share with HR or business leaders who may not have a legal background but still need to understand the risks and responsibilities surrounding employment matters.

For legal teams seeking to strike the right balance between compliance, fairness, and culture, The Work Couch is a podcast well worth tuning into. It’s a reminder that behind every policy or tribunal risk is a person - and understanding that human context is as important as knowing the law.

Access here.