HR Works: The Podcast for Human Resources

Madeline Miller, Leadership & Executive Coach; Ann Marie Morris, President of AM Morris Consulting; and Sarah Devereaux, Leadership Coach and Advisor at Third Coast Coaching & HCI Facilitator; dive into the top L&D trends of 2024.

Guest: Ann Marie Morris, President, AM Morris Consulting What are HR teams looking to achieve when building mentorship programs and offering career-coaching resources to their employees? Are unrealistic expectations being put on mentorship programs serving as a 'magic bullet' and the easy solution to the demand for career development resources? Where do these employer-backed mentorship programs often come up short on their R.O.I.? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Ann Marie Morris, President of AM Morris Consulting, returns to help us take a closer look at the impact and effectiveness of employer-led mentorship programs. Widely viewed as a go-to option for supporting employee learning initiatives and career growth resources, Ann Marie explains why the traditional approach to mentorship may not the optimal solution for HR teams and organizations, and offers alternative approaches for HR teams to consider when building professional development and career-coaching resources for their employees.

Low levels of employee engagement have a negative effect on productivity, retention, wellbeing, and more. So, what can leaders do to keep their workforce engaged? Shannon Gabriel, Vice President of Leadership Solutions at TBM Consulting, shares her advice and best practices.

While most of us would never dream of ostracizing our coworkers—especially those who have been historically excluded in the workplace because of their perceived “otherness”– many people routinely feel left out of workplace culture. According to DEI strategist Amri B. Johnson, it’s because truly good people, who wholeheartedly support diversity, equity, and inclusion, don’t go far enough to show they care. He notes that, “real inclusion is rooted in what’s in our hearts, but it must live in our daily actions.” That good intentions aren’t enough, and while leaders can set the tone for everyone to follow, caring peer-to-peer interactions make the biggest positive impact. Listen in as we discuss his new book: Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable. Reconstructing Inclusion offers a guide to better understanding the historical context of inclusion, a rethinking of the efforts organizations are undertaking now, and an actionable, robust approach to carrying this work into the future.

Has the perception of workplace romance evolved in recent years? What are some of the common challenges that HR teams still run into with romantic office relationships, and how can the introduction of 'love contracts' provide a practical, effective solution to HR teams looking to implementing workplace romance policies and best practices? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, we are joined by Vanessa Matsis-McCready, Vice President of HR Services and Associate General Counsel at Engage PEO, to discuss what employers need to know about having an up-to-date, 'Gen Z-proof' love contract that establishes clear, realistic guidelines to building a practical workplace romance policy that protects both employers and employees.

or this episode of A Seat at the Table, I’m joined by Ryan Whitacre and Toya Lawson, partners at executive search firm Bridge Partners LLC. Ryan and Toya have joined to share valuable insights from Bridge Partners’ recently commissioned survey of C-Suite leaders and HR decision-makers on DEI. Listen in as we discuss the firm’s inaugural DEI Barometer survey and some of the key findings, which include: - 80% of Large Employers See DEI Programs as Positive - 88% of Large Employers See DEI Programs as Necessary - 96% of Large Employers Believe DEI is the Most Impactful Social Impact Initiative - 60% of large company leaders use an increase of racially and ethnically diverse employees as a metric of success for DEI programs.

Sandra Moran, CMO of WorkForce Software, joins HR Work Break to discuss “Super Sick Monday” and why employers need to embrace flexible, empathetic management strategies.

Guest: Vicki Salemi, Career Expert at Monster What is causing so many employees to have this ‘wandering eye’ in 2024 and consider these new career opportunities? Are the same factors in play that we saw driving the Great Resignation back in 2021 or are we looking at something entirely different? And most importantly, what can organizations and their HR teams do to ‘re-recruit’ their existing talent and make them want to stay? Monster’s very own career expert, Vicki Salemi, returns to the HR Works Podcast to help us take a closer look at what the 2024 Work Watch Report. Vicki explains why a reported 57% of recruiters will be shifting their focus to retention strategies over acquisition in the coming year, and we discuss some key areas of the employee experience that matter right now for prospective talent and existing employees. And don't miss as Vicki offers some effective strategies for HR teams to consider when re-recruiting and reengaging their existing workforce!

Guest: Jason Cerrato, Vice President of Market Strategy at Eightfold Why should talent intelligence be a top priority for HR leaders as they build out their tech stack for 2024? What advantages can HR teams gain from utilizing talent intelligence in their people operations functions and how do those advantages translate up at the C-suite? Organizations have access to more data than ever before! So, how can HR teams and their organizations use that information to make more informed strategic decisions regarding one of their most prized resources…their talent? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Eightfold‘s VP of Market Strategy, Jason Cerrato, joins to help us take on these question and take a closer look at the emergence of talent intelligence as an essential tool in winning the talent battle. Listen as Jason shares key metrics that HR teams should be paying attention to when using talent intelligence and how to build a case for buy-in from key decision makers can start with shifting to a mindset of using data and analytics as solutions.

As HR pros adapt to the ins and outs of artificial intelligence, compliance is top of mind for most leaders. In the past year alone, President Biden issued an executive order that seeks to manage the risk of AI and the EEOC created a resource on AI and its relation to Title VII of Civil Rights Act. Tune in for best practices for AI compliance in 2024!

Guest: Lauren Winans, CEO and Principal HR consultant of Next Level Benefits How has the growth and embrace of pay transparency impacted the hiring process in 2024? Does pay transparency offer more to organizations than just checking-box for compliance, and what are the common concerns that accompany pay transparency for HR teams? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Next Level Benefits’ Lauren Winans returns for a conversation about the impact pay transparency is having across HR and hiring teams, and its emergence as a compliance trend within the modern workforce. Listen as Lauren discusses the benefits employers can draw from embracing a proactive and productive pay transparency process and conversely, how it can ‘go off the rails’ when not treated with intentionality and proper communication across an organization’s prospective and existing workforce.

2023 was a whirlwind for the HR industry. We saw everything from massive tech layoffs, return to office mandates, back-peddling on DEI efforts, AI and tech advancements that threatened some jobs, and so much more. Because of the way these messages and announcements were delivered, buzz words like emotional intelligence, empathy, kindness, and gratitude were tied to not only the workplace, but also leadership. In this episode of Pages, Jann Freed – author, leadership development coach and speaker, joins to discuss her book “Leading with Wisdom: Sage Advice from 100 Experts.” This book aims to help leaders integrate the best of themselves and their lives into the tasks and roles of leaders. Listen in as we discuss leadership do’s and don’ts, why excelling as a leader has much to do with self-management and overcoming one’s ego, and more.

Guest: Jessica Artz, Executive Vice President and CHRO of ViaPath Technologies What is second-chance hiring, and could it be your solution for overcoming hiring challenges and opening up a new talent pipeline in 2024? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Jessica Artz, Executive Vice President and CHRO of ViaPath Technologies, helps us take a closer look at second-chance hiring and the opportunities these programs can create for hiring teams in search of their next great wave of talent. Listen as Jessica addresses some of the misconceptions that often challenge second-chance hiring programs, while offering the major benefits that introducing second-chance and fair-chance hiring can provide to an organization’s DEI and ESG efforts, in addition to opening an untapped market of talent.

Timothy Flacke, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Commonwealth, joins to discuss how employers can support their workers’ financial wellbeing, the impact of the Secure Act 2.0, and more!

Guest: Jesse Meschuk, Senior Advisor at Exequity How have employee expectations around total rewards changed going into 2024? What non-cash benefits should hiring teams be considering to keep up in the compensation ‘arms race’ when competing for talent? And while equity incentive awards once served as a unique way to provide employees value, are they still a viable option in the current economy? If you are been a regular listener of the HR Works Podcast, then you are certainly familiar with Jesse Meschuk (Senior Advisor with Exequity) and the great insight that he’s been providing during his 20+ year career as a member of the HR community. Certainly qualifying for “friend of the podcast” status at this point, Jesse makes his triumphant return to help us prepare for this new year in HR and shares some of the workforce trends that he sees on the horizon for 2024. Listen as we dive into his recent HR Daily Advisor article, and Jesse offers a closer look at how the current economy is changing the viability of certain non-cash compensation strategies, such as equity incentive awards, for organizations aiming to compete in the compensation ‘arms race’.

My guest for today’s episode, Monica Davis, has dedicated her professional journey to creating inclusive and equitable workplaces that celebrate diversity and foster belonging. She also has a background in HR management and extensive experience in organizational and leadership development. Currently, she serves as the Director of Talent Experience, DEIB at software development company EngageSmart, where she leads with unwavering determination and a passion for creating lasting change. Listen in as she shares advice for HR leaders looking to push for positive change in their organizations, why it’s important to reframe the benefits of DEIB, and more.

Originally shared as part of our HR Learning & Development Week, listen as Dr. Trish Holiday, VP of HR and Corporate Services at Nashville Electric Service, and Kara Hardin, CEO of The Practice Lab, help us take a closer look at how the learning and development space is poised to change and evolve.

How do organizations benefits from building a culture of real-time feedback and regular performance conversations? Does the annual employee performance review process still work in 2024? In this latest episode, Jason Walker, Thrive HR Consulting's Fractional CHRO and Founder, joins for a conversation about the latest trends in employee feedback and how the access real-time information is changing the employee experience. Listen as Jason explains how embracing a culture of constant feedback and actionable data can unlock talent development and a more effective, engaged workforce in 2024. And don't miss as Jason shares the thing that surprised him most from the HR community in 2023, and offers some workforce predictions for the new year.

In the final week of 2023, now is an excellent time for leaders to consider how to best prepare themselves, their teams, and their organizations for a successful New Year. Tune in for HR Work Break’s special end-of-year episode that highlights trending topics in the HR world!

Guest: Ann Marie Morris, President, AM Morris Consulting How has the rise of employee self-service functionality, present in many of today’s latest HRIS and HR software tools, changed the role people operations teams across organizations? What benefits do organizations experience when implementing employee self-service, and are there any specific functions that HR teams should never automate? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Ann Marie Morris, President of AM Morris Consulting and one of Human Capital Institute’s newest adjunct facilitators, helps us take a closer look at the growth of self-service functionality within HRIS tools, and the impact this technology is having on the HR teams that rely so heavily upon them. Listen as we discuss the appeal of implementing employee self-service and HR task automation across the modern workforce, and ways that organizations and their HR teams can assess the ROI of adopting these employee-first tools. How can teams determine the technology investment is worth it?

Sam Zheng, CEO & Founder of DeepHow, joins HR Work Break to discuss the benefits of employee-led training, best practices for employee growth, and L&D trends that will shape the year ahead.

In a recent survey, McKinsey highlighted three major trends that will likely continue to reshape work as we know it: remote work, e-commerce, and the adoption of automation and AI. Jared Pope, Co-Founder & CEO of Work Shield, joins HR Work Break to discuss how these topics will affect the future of work, the importance of employee engagement, and other trends to keep an eye on in the new year.

Guest: Daniela Elazari, Director of Well-Being in the Office of Work/Life at Columbia University Have employee expectations around work/life balance and flexibility changed? Why is it vital for employers to show their investment and commitment to workplace wellness, and what elements of employee well-being should HR teams be paying close attention to as many teams return to the office in 2024? In this week’s episode of the HR Works Podcast, we are joined by Daniela Elazari, a workplace well-being expert and Director of Well-Being in the Office of Work/Life at Columbia University. Listen as Daniela helps us take a closer look at how workplace well-being has changed in recent years, and learn why a renewed support of work/life balance and employee wellness is essential for organizations, especially as RTO mandates and policies ramp up in 2024. And don’t miss as Daniela offers some must-have wellness and nutrition tips for HR teams to support employee health, both mental and physical, during this holiday season. This is one you’ll definitely want to check out!

Guest: Simon Taylor, Head of Organizational Effectiveness at Gap Inc. Why is organizational effectiveness essential in building thriving, high-performing workforces? Where can HR teams make their biggest contribution to organizational effectiveness, and what are some red flags of organizational ineffectiveness that HR leaders should be looking out for in 2024? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, we are joined by Simon Taylor, a globally recognized organizational leadership thought leader and Head of Organizational Effectiveness at Gap Inc. Listen as we discuss the importance of maintaining a dedicated workforce strategy, built to withstand challenges and ultimately lead to long-term success, and Simon shares a preview of his upcoming book, Build Smart: A Blueprint for Building a High-Performing Organization that is set to release in April 2024.

The US Surgeon General recently deemed loneliness and isolation and “epidemic” as over half of Americans reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. What can HR leaders do to better support their employees' mental health? Bestselling author Erica Kezwin joins HR Work Break to discuss the loneliness epidemic, employee mental health, and more.

Guest: Thomas Leeper, Vice President of Client Solutions at Sevenstep What are successful talent acquisition and hiring teams doing differently to address the latest challenges of the labor market? Could predictive workforce intelligence tools and talent analytics be the difference makers for the organizations looking to attract top-talent in the marketplace? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Thomas Leeper, Vice President of Client Solutions at Sevenstep, joins to helps us take a closer look at how are hiring teams and organizations taking advantage of an evolving access to analytics and deeper understanding of the talent market. Listen as Thomas shares findings from a recent Sevenstep report, Predictive Workforce Intelligence Comes of Age, explaining what the latest workforce analytics are telling us about the future of the talent market, and which data sets and trends hiring teams need to be paying closer attention to going into 2024.

What is the best piece of professional advice that you’ve received and could pass along to HR and recruiting professionals? We ask this question every week to our first-time guests on the HR Works Podcast and each time we get a truly unique and impactful response. In this week’s episode of the HR Works Podcast, we are sharing some our favorite responses from our 2023 season and paying it forward, giving the gift of game-changing advice as we head into the gift-giving season.

In last month‘s Pages of HR, I chatted with Patti Temple Rocks. Over the course of her four-decade career in the communications industry, Temple Rocks has held senior leadership positions in different sectors including PR, advertising, and the corporate client side. Patti is also an inspirational leader, builder of teams, creative thinker, problem-solver, and agent of change. Welcome back to part two of our discussion as we delve further into her book, "I’m Still Not Done: It’s Time to Talk About Ageism in the Workplace." Listen in as we discuss how to use the mirror test to determine if you or your organization is being ageist, five tips for mentoring employees over 50 years old, 10 steps to creating an anti-ageism organization, and more.

Guest: Dr. Trish Holliday, Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Services at Nashville Electric Service (NES) What are some of the biggest challenges facing new managers transitioning from roles as individual contributors into managerial and leadership positions? What skill gaps need to be immediately addressed to prepare new managers and what should be built into a long-range learning plan? In the latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Dr. Trish Holliday, Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Services at Nashville Electric Service, helps us take a closer look at the challenges facing employees as they take on their first roles as managers and leaders. Listen as Dr. Holliday offers her expert insight and shares how HR teams can support their advancing workforce in their career growth, becoming effective, successful future leaders of their organization.

As many companies contemplate a return to office, the digital nomad trend has since shifted into "tethered nomading." Audra Nichols, Chief Operating Officer at MBO Partners, joins to discuss this trend, the importance of flexible work, and more!

Guest: Lauren Winans, CEO and Principal HR consultant of Next Level Benefits What are the biggest challenges facing HR teams during open enrollment? What are some effective methods for driving employee engagement when selecting their 2024 benefits, and have any new must-have benefits emerged to attract talent in recent years? With open enrollment season underway, HR teams are collectively diving into the challenge of educating and assisting their workforce with enrolling in 2024 benefits. So what better time than right now to check-in on the pulse of employee benefits and unpack some of the most-common challenges facing HR teams during the open enrollment process? Next Level Benefit’s CEO and Principal HR consultant, Lauren Winans, joins this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast and offers her expert insight and advice for HR leaders looking to navigate a successful and productive open enrollment process.

Guest: Eduardo Briceño, CEO of Growth.how and author of The Performance Paradox How can HR leaders unlock a culture of constant growth, development and performance from their workforce? Why does the Performance Paradox challenge so many employees, making them feel stagnant and disengaged, and what can HR leaders do to help break the cycle? In this week’s episode of the HR Works Podcast, we are joined by Eduardo Briceño, CEO of Growth.how and author of the recently released book, The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action. Listen as we explore Eduardo's keys to unlocking employee growth potential and he helps us explore the connection between professional growth, upskilling, and employee retention.

Carol Howard, Chief People Officer at Eptura, joins to discuss the pros and cons to hybrid work and a RTO and best practices for developing a remote, hybrid, or in office work plan for your employees.

Over the past two years, perceptions of older Americans took a deep dive downward and those negative perceptions – that older people are frail and weak and, sadly, disposable – have crept into the workplace. In fact, before the pandemic, an AARP survey showed 61 percent of people ages 40 to 65 had either seen or experienced ageism in the workplace. In May of 2021 that number jumped to 78 percent, the highest number AARP has ever recorded since they began tracking in 2003. My guest for this episode, Patti Temple Rocks, is passionate about discussing and fighting age discrimination as well as helping people understand how ageism stunts business growth and reflects poorly on our society. Temple Rocks is also an author and we’re discussing her book,”I’m Still Not Done: It’s Time to Talk About Ageism in the Workplace.“ In part one of this two-part episode, listen in as we discuss why retirees are returning to the workplace and the value they provide, why senior employees are less likely to quiet quit and why organizations should care, the hidden cost of turnover that organizations risk by excluding workers over 50, and more.

Guest: Kamaria Scott, Founder and CEO of Enetic and host of the Manager To Manager podcast As the employee experience continues to become more and more personalized, how can HR teams help ensure their company culture remains shared and unified? What are the most-effective ways for HR teams to measure and truly understand the impact of their employee experience in 2023? Kamaria Scott, founder and CEO of consulting firm Enetic, joins the HR Works Podcast and helps us answer these questions and more! Listen as Kamaria discusses the path to creating effective corporate cultures and building an employee experience that supports personalization, while maintaining a shared and distinct identity.

Welcome back to part 2 of my conversation with Brianna Rooney, CEO of TalentPerch, about Barbie and what recruiters can learn from the blockbuster film. Tune in as we discuss how to contextualize various skills for career growth, the importance of diversity and representation, and more.

Guest: Jesse Meschuk, Senior Advisor at Exequity Change is never easy and it’s safe to say that in 2023, many workforces and employees have encountered their fair share of change. From companywide layoffs to organizational restructuring to announced RTO mandates, the morale of many workforces have been put to the test. So what role should HR teams play in those challenging moments immediately following a major company announcement or change impacting the workforce? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Jesse Meschuk, Senior Advisor at Exequity, makes his return to the HR Works Podcast and joins us for a conversation about the impact that major company announcements can have on a workforce and the role HR leaders can play in preserving their ever-important company culture in those moments of change. Tune in as we discuss some of the practical ways that organizations and their people teams can help recover and re-inspire a workforce, turning around morale and getting employees back onboard for future success.

As the Barbie movie continues to dominate headlines, is there anything HR professionals can learn from Barbie and her friends? Briana Rooney, CEO of TalentPerch, joins to discuss what recruiters can learn from the Barbie movie, the importance of DEI, and more.

In the latest episode of A Seat at the Table, I am joined by Savina Perez, co-founder of Hone, the all-in-one talent development platform based on small-group, expert led, live virtual classes. Savina’s passion for DEI is both personal and professional as she helps leaders uncover bias in the workplace – and offers data points to back it up. Listen in as we discuss mental healthand wellbeing, unconscious bias, employer accountability from employee’s, workplace empathy, and more.

Guest: Marc Ramos, Chief Learning Officer at Cornerstone How has the emergence of generative AI impacted employee upskilling and training initiatives? What are some innovative ways that L&D leaders can utilize technology for the skills development and growth of their workforce? In this week’s episode of the HR Works Podcast, we are joined by Marc Ramos, Chief Learning Officer at Cornerstone, as we examine how AI and modern technology is changing the employee experience as we know it. Listen as Marc shares the must-have AI skills that L&D leaders should be focused on learning right now and the best thing he's seen come out of the HR community in 2023. This is one you'll definitely want to check out!

As burnout, depression, and anxiety affect more and more of the population, what can employers do to support their workers’ mental health? Jeri Hawthorne, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Aflac U.S., joins to discuss burnout prevention, the importance of wellness benefits, and more!

Guest: Whitney Walker, Director of People Operations at Rhymetec What are the signs of a healthy coaching culture? What role can HR teams play in keeping their organization’s approach to coaching fresh, innovative, and engaging? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Whitney Walker, Director of People Operations at Rhymetec, helps us take a closer look at the benefits of building a people culture that creates and supports good coaching habits from the bottom up. Listen as Whitney shares some of the key indicators of healthy coaching culture and how a companywide buy-in to coaching can unlock your workforce’s full potential!

What can leaders do to address workplace toxicity and other culture issues? Lena McDearmid, Co-Founder, COO, and Chief Culture Officer at Momnt, joins HR Work Break to discuss Toxic Behavior Carryover (TBC), company culture, and more!

Guest: Jâlie Cohen, Group SVP and Head of Global Talent at The Adecco Group Is the 'September Surge' actually happening in 2023 or is it just optimistic buzz? And who is currently driving the talent marketplace – Existing employees, prospective talent, or the employers? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, we check on the pulse of the hiring market and examine the current buzz surrounding 'September Surge' with Jâlie Cohen, The Adecco Group's Group SVP and Head of Global Talent. An expert in leading talent acquisition and the talent experience initiatives, Jâlie shares her great insight on unique trends from the current talent pool and offers valuable advice to HR and talent acquisition leaders on where they should be investing their resources to be most-effective in the final months of 2023.

What should hiring teams keep in mind as they incorporate new technologies into their recruiting strategy? Will Rose, Chief Technology Officer at Talent Select AI, joins to discuss the future of hiring technology, the influence of AI in recruiting, and more!

Guest: Lisa Ryan, Founder and Chief Appreciation Strategist of Grategy With five generations of workers currently coexisting in the modern workforce, is each generations looking for the same thing out of their workplace experience in 2023? What factors are keeping these unique generational groups ‘locked-in’, engaged, and motivated? In this week’s episode of the HR Works Podcast, we are joined by Lisa Ryan, engagement expert, best-selling author and Grategy’s founder and Chief Appreciation Strategist, as we examine what it takes to build a corporate culture that meets the needs of multiple workforce generations. Originally shared as part of our recent HR Now: Turnover & Retention virtual summit, listen as Lisa brings her expert insight and passion for engagement strategy into a conversation that gives HR leaders and their organizations the keys to creating a culture that all generations of employees will want to be a part of in 2023!

Sadie Funk and Sara Redington, leaders from The Best Place for Working Parents, join HR Work Break to share best practices for supporting parents, the importance of flexible and inclusive benefits, and more!

Guest: Kathy Cullen-Cote, Chief People Officer at Teradata What does it mean to have a fully flexible work environment in 2023? What elements of the employee experience need to be factored into making a decision on the balance between in-office and remote work? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Kathy Cullen-Cote, Teradata‘s Chief People Officer, helps us understand what it means to embrace a fully flexible work environment – one that provides employees with the right balance between in-office and remote work, all without sacrificing the employee experience. An expert in building engaged, connected, and caring workplace cultures, Kathy explains how organizations and their HR leadership teams are being defined by their decisions of being in-office, fully remote, or hybrid and shares how HR leaders can best determine the right balance for their workforce.

Building a better culture is a wise investment in your organization’s future. Like a gardener, organizations must keep their garden (workplace) healthy and productive. So, what does this entail? Well, mindfulness and intentionality are key. And that starts with being intentional about what seeds you plant in your organization. My guest today is all about intentionality and mindfulness. Listen in as Tiffany Castagno, CEO and founder of HR consulting firm CEPHR, LLC, discusses seeds organizations should be intentional about planting to harvest a healthy culture, how organizations can use their company handbook to design a thriving workplace culture, and what it takes to maintain a healthy and productive workforce.

How can HR professionals bring together the power of AI while maintaining the human connection in interviews? Rich Mendis, CMO of HireLogic, joins this episode of HR Work Break to answer this question and more.