HR Connect

HR Connect, an initiative from Robert Half, is an international program of exclusive invite-only events, offering fresh insights on topics high on the agenda of HR executives, and providing them with a platform to share their knowledge and expand their networks.

On Wednesday 29 June, our first HR Connect event in Dubai will take place at the prestigious Monarch Hotel. During the evening, the highly recognized and respected HR professional and public speaker, Robert St-Jacques, will share his fascinating view on ‘the gap between what science knows and what business does’ – and how HR can bridge that gap.

If you have questions or require additional information about the event, contact us at 00971 4 382 6700.

Robert St-Jacques

Robert St-Jacques is an international labor and employment attorney and HR specialist, with over 16 years experience working with major employers around the globe. He began his career as a legislative aide for a Member of Parliament in Canada, where he was involved in reviewing and drafting federal labor legislation. 

After attending law school in New Orleans and Paris, Robert began practicing labor and employment law in the Caribbean and continued his legal career in the US. He began his HR career with Luxottica, a company that was listed in the Top 100 Best Companies To Work For during his tenure. He went onto serve as a senior HR manager for two Fortune 150 companies. 

Since coming to Dubai, Robert has set up and/or developed four HR departments, recently completing a project as Head of HR for twofour54. He has won national and regional awards related to the creation of a corporate careers website and for a successful e-learning/LMS implementation.

Robert has taught negotiation and mediation at Tulane Law School in New Orleans, and been a conference chairman and/or keynote speaker at numerous several HR conferences in the US and Middle East. He is also an adjunct professor, teaching courses in HR management, change management and organizational development to MBA and executive MBA students.

The gap between what science knows and what business does – and how HR can serve as the bridge.

In the past 50 years, there have tremendous advances in the fields of sociology and behavioral economics. Recently, summaries of this research have appeared in such bestsellers as Tipping Point, Predictably Irrational, Drive, Nudge, and Freakonomics. What the studies in these books show is that the way business operates, especially in relation to the motivation of people, is in many cases contrary to what science has proven through extensive research that, in many cases, has been globally validated.

After a brief review of the science, Robert will look at what successful organizations are already doing to implement some of this research to the benefit of both themselves and their employees.