Who does HR really protect—the employee or the employer? And can good leadership replace the need for trade unions?
On this episode of TheGoodCastShow, Vinodh sits down with HR professional and author Thila Suppiah for a frank conversation about workers’ rights, trade unions, stagnant wages and the balance of power in Malaysian workplaces.
What begins as a discussion about her book, The Shark Who Forgot to Swim: A Reality Check Beneath the Surface, turns into a spirited debate about whether employees can rely on management to protect their interests. Drawing on three decades in human resources, Thila explains her approach to resolving workplace disputes without unions, while Vinodh challenges whether internal mediation can offer the protection of collective bargaining.
The conversation explores salary increments, rising living costs, leadership accountability, workplace hierarchy and why employees sometimes stop believing their organisations will change.
Thila also shares the deeply personal story behind her book: a medical crisis, 26 days in hospital and how writing about self-leadership became part of her recovery.
IN THIS EPISODE:
• Can HR represent workers fairly when the employer pays its salary?
• Why do companies resist trade unions?
• Can employee engagement replace collective bargaining?
• Are salary increases keeping up with the cost of living?
• Do companies practise what they preach about valuing people?
• Why do employees hesitate to challenge their bosses?
• When should you stay in a difficult workplace—and when should you leave?
• Self-leadership, career stagnation and the story behind Thila’s book.
Do workers need independent unions, or can strong HR and responsible leadership provide enough protection? Share your views and workplace experiences in the comments.
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