Dr. Rosina McAlpine - The Hidden Driver of Retention

Dr Rosina McAlpine | Parenting and Family Wellbeing expert Interviewed on People Strategy Forum

In this episode of the People/AI Strategy Forum, host Sam Reeve speaks with Dr Rosina McAlpine, parenting, work and family wellbeing expert about a critical but often overlooked driver of retention, the unmet needs of working parents.

While many organisations focus on compensation, flexibility, and career development, this conversation reveals why these efforts can fall short when the realities of parenting stress are not addressed. Dr Rosina McAlpine explains how working parent burnout is a hidden force behind disengagement, reduced performance, and turnover, yet remains largely unmeasured and unsupported in most workplaces.

Listen to the Full Interview

Drawing on her experience working with organisations and leaders, Dr Rosina McAlpine introduces a practical framework to help move beyond good intentions and into structured, effective support. The discussion highlights the strong link between parental wellbeing and workplace performance, and why managers play a pivotal role in shaping outcomes for their teams.

The episode also explores how organisations can design targeted wellbeing programs that genuinely support employees, build a truly family-friendly culture, and measure the impact of these initiatives over time. Importantly, it reframes retention not simply as a compensation issue, but as a reflection of how well organisations understand and support the full realities of their workforce.

For HR leaders, executives, and people managers facing ongoing retention and engagement challenges, this episode offers a fresh and practical perspective on what may be driving those issues, and where to start in addressing them.

Listen to the full interview.