HR Works: The Podcast for Human Resources

Guest: Kelly Scheib, Chief People Officer at Crunchbase Can company culture still be built and clearly defined with a fully remote workforce? Are employees less productive when they are not in a shared office space together? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, we are joined by Kelly Scheib, Chief People Officer at Crunchbase, to discuss her first-hand experiences in leading the people operations of a ‘remote-first’ company. Listen as Kelly helps us bust a few of the myths and misunderstandings that are commonly associated with distributed and remote-first workforces.

Melissa Danielsen, CEO and Cofounder of Joshin, joins to discuss the importance for companies to adopt a human-first approach to disability inclusion though leadership, policies, benefits, and more.

In the latest episode of Pages of HR, I’m joined by Josh Bersin, author, global HR research analyst, and CEO of The Josh Bersin Company. Listen in as we discuss his new book, Irresistible: The Seven Secrets of the World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations. This HR management book is a leader’s handbook for today’s unpredictable business world, where people and culture are more important than ever. Irresistible challenges companies to rethink their current approach to organizational design, leadership development, and human resources strategy. Listen in as we discuss the seven principles detailed in Irresistible, which are designed for remote and hybrid work, and reflect the need for diversity, purpose, and belonging, all with the goal of higher performance at work.

Guest: Paige Hoster Good, Attorney and Shareholder with McAfee & Taft What constitute as "reasonable accommodations" under the newly proposed Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) regulations? What steps are employers required to take when a qualified employee requests accommodation for a “known limitation” due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition? Our coverage around the PWFA continues, as McAfee & Taft's Paige Hoster Good joins the HR Works Podcast to discuss the EEOC's recently proposed regulations that are currently subject to a 60-day comment period, ending on October 10, 2023. An expert in employment law, Paige shares what employers and HR teams need to be aware of in the current regulation proposal and breaks down the PWFA's interpretive guidance on employer responsibilities.

Originally presented as part of a panel discussion from HR Daily Advisor’s Employee Benefits Week 2023, we’re sharing the audio from this great, informative conversation with experts Joshua Dunsby from One Medical, Gwen Gollmer from Ally Financial Inc, and Sony Jean-Michelle Thornton from Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center. Tune in for an exciting conversation about the evolving landscape of employee benefits.

Guest: Neil Bryant, Vice President of Coaching and Leadership at Bluepoint Are all business leaders great communicators? Why is it important for organizations to focus on developing flexible communication skills are part of their leadership development initiatives? Listen as we examine the multiple lenses of leadership communication and the need for adaptive, unique methods to messaging with Bluepoint’s Vice President of Coaching and Leadership, Neil Bryant. Originally presented as part of HR Daily Advisor‘s HR Leadership Week, Neil and host Josh Zygmont take a closer look at the four major language dimensions that all effective leaders must harness and understand. Learn how how HR teams play a crucial role in helping their organization’s develop their leaders and strengthen their essential communication skills in a workplace that is anything but “one-size-fits-all”.

Allison Ellison, CHRO of Avesis, joins HR Work Break to discuss how employee recognition programs benefit company culture, employee happiness, and retention.

Guest: Ken Schmitt, CEO and Founder of TurningPoint Executive Search What factors define an employment brand? More importantly, do organizations have a true understanding of how their employment brand measures up in this highly-competitive hiring market? Recruiting expert, author, podcast host and CEO and Founder of TurningPoint Executive Search, Ken Schmitt, joins this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast and shares why employment brand matters for hiring teams, HR teams, and the C-suite of organizations, especially in 2023. Ken shares the red flags that signal an employment brand is working against efforts to attract and retain top-talent, and we learn some quick and simple ways for HR teams to immediate improve their organization’s reputation out in the hiring marketplace. Ken also shares some great leadership lessons and learnings from his recently released book (and so to be audiobook), The Practical Optimist: An Entrepreneurial Journey Through Life’s Turning Points.

In the latest episode of A Seat at the Table, Leslie Wingo, DEIB Strategic Consultant and CEO of Sanders\Wingo, an independent advertising agency that specializes in multicultural marketing, joins to discuss the importance of storytelling within and about DEIB, the value of listening to understand, why DEIB cannot be “lip service,” and more.

Curtis Bateman, Vice President of Internarial Direct Offices at Franklin Covey and co-author of the book, Change: How to Turn Uncertainty into Opportunity, joins to discuss best practices for leaders in times of change. Tune in for our discussion on change management, leadership best practices, change fatigue and more. This podcast is presented as part of the HR Daily Advisor’s HR Leadership Week 2023. Don’t miss your chance to check out the full lineup of leadership-focused programming!

Guest: Dr. Jessica Kriegel, Chief Scientist of Workplace Culture for Culture Partners Are we reaching a virtual meeting overload? In this post-pandemic, modern workplace, the use of virtual meetings and communication tools have become as second-nature to the workplace as desks, chairs, conference rooms, and break rooms (Some of you still remember when those were a thing, right?!). Are these tools that were initially meant to make us more efficient and better communicators, actually become a threat to workplace culture and productivity? Dr. Jessica Kriegel, Chief Scientist of Workplace Culture for Culture Partners, has the answer and is calling for a “Meeting Apocalypse” as the solution! Jessica joins this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, as we discuss the current trends (and challenges) defining today’s workforce culture and unpack the burden that the current trend of virtual communication has placed on our overall productivity. She explains how an approach that she has dubbed the “Meeting Apocalypse”, can help teams break away from their challenges of burnout, while supporting efforts to realign their workplace culture and start driving meaningful results.

In last month's Pages of HR, I chatted with Genevieve Hawkins, a senior executive with extensive experience in leading major change programs in large organizations. Welcome back to part two of our discussion as we delve further into her book, Mentally at Work: Optimizing Health and Business Performance Through Connection. In this episode of Pages, listen in as we discuss why leaders should take employee mental health seriously rather than delegating the responsibility, the importance of conversations and the way we interact with each other, what a mental health workplace strategy is and isn't, and more.

Guest: Sadie Funk and Sara Redington from The Best Place for Working Parents What family-friendly policies matter most to working parents in 2023? As recent workforce studies have shown parents making a return to the workplace, with participation totals for parents with children under 18 now climbing back to pre-pandemic levels, how can companies build a more supportive employee experience to keep them there? In the latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Sadie Funk and Sara Redington, leaders from The Best Place for Working Parents, joins to discuss some of the latest workforce trends and their impact on the working parent population. As members of an expanding national network of business leaders committed to providing support for working parents, Sadie and Sara explain the recent resurgence of parent participation in the workforce and offer a look at why family-friendly policies can make good business for HR teams and their organizations. And for those organizations committed to building a more inclusive and DEI-focused workplace in 2023, you will learn from this conversation why the parent population can play a vital role!

Guest: Jessica Zwaan, speaker, author, HR thought-leader, and Chief Operating Officer at Whereby Is it time to start looking at the employee experience as a subscription product? What advantages can organizations and their workplace cultures gain by taking a product-management approach to leading people? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, we examine this innovative, product-influenced approach to people operations with Jessica Zwaan, an author, speaker, HR thought-leader and COO of Whereby. With extensive experience leading global people and talent teams across the startup and technology space, Jessica is introducing philosophies that are common across product management teams and demonstrating their broader application across entire workforces. Listen as she shares how HR leaders can improve their workforce performance by embracing evidence-based decision making, while establishing a culture of continuous feedback and iteration. We also take a closer look at her latest release, Built for People, a must-have guide for leaders looking to proactively develop an employee experience which attracts, engages and retains the talent the business needs and supports them to operate at their full potential.

Guest: Sony Jean-Michel Thornton, Sr. HR Business Partner at Columbia University Irving Medical Center When it comes to employee benefits, what does “flexibility” mean to workers and their employers in 2023? How can HR leaders and organizations know if flexible benefits, such as unlimited PTO or hybrid work, are the right fit for their corporate culture? In the latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Sony Jean-Michel Thornton, Sr. HR Business Partner at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, joins as we take a closer look at the growing demand for employee benefits that offer more flexibility and choice. With over 20 years of HR experience in strategic HR practices including total rewards and talent engagement strategy, Sony brings her first-hand insight and expertise into our conversation and shares her prediction for the future of employee benefits. And don’t miss her advice for the one thing HR teams should START doing today to help create a more productive and attractive employee experience!

Companies have procedures about what to do if one of their team members has a death in the family, must take care of a child who is sick, or is suffering from a long-term illness. But although 10% of their workforce goes through a divorce every year, most companies don’t have plans to support these employees. Fortunately, my guest for today’s episode, Sheri Atwood, is an expert in this area. Sheri is CEO and Founder of SupportPay, which offers first-of-its-kind employee benefits for divorce and separation. Listen in as we discuss the stigma of divorce in the workplace and its implications for employees and managers, what companies can do about divorce inequality, and more.

Guest: Alexandra Levit, Founder and CEO of Inspiration at Work What unique skills and competitive advantages are recent 2023 graduates bringing into this highly-competitive talent marketplace? For the HR teams that are hiring these newest members of the workforce, what skills training should be prioritized to set up their new Gen Z hires for long-term success? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, we tackle these questions and so much more about future workforce trends with the impressive Alexandra Levit, author, speaker, workplace futurist, and Founder and CEO of Inspiration at Work. Listen as Alexandra shares her insight on the strengths (and weaknesses) that 2023 graduates are offering organizations, what sets them apart from their Millennial and early-Gen Z predecessors, and how organizations can best prepare for the future of work. She also helps debunk a misconception with AI that challenges HR leaders, as we take a closer look at her latest book release “Deep Talent: How to Transform Your Organization and Empower Your Employees Through AI”.

Jared Pope, Co-Founder and CEO of Work Shield, joins to discuss the importance of transparency, best practices when developing an employee misconduct reporting system, and more.

Lou Bachenheimer, CTO of the Americas for SS&C Blue Prism, joins the show to discuss the advancement of intelligent automation (IA) and artificial intelligence (AI).

Guest: Darci Dunn, President of EssentialHr – HR Done Right With the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) taking effect on June 27th, the onus is on HR departments to review their accommodation policies for their U.S.-based employees during pregnancy and childbirth. So what does the PWFA entail and what do organizations and their HR teams need to know to ensure they remaining compliant under these updated EEOC standards? Employee relations and benefits expert Darci Dunn, President of EssentialHR – HR Done Right, joins the HR Works Podcast and helps us take a closer look at the details of the PWFA. Listen as she shares some must-have insight and next steps to help HR leaders meet the updated standards for reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees. Darci also offers some effective ways to communicate these policy changes across a workforce, and provides predictions for the next wave of workplace protections that could be on the horizon.

One week after SHRM23, we take some time to reflect on hot topics in HR, the future of work, the importance of flexibility, and more.

In the latest episode of Pages of HR, I'm joined by Genevieve Hawkins, a senior executive with extensive experience in leading major change programs in large organizations. We’re discussing her book, Mentally at Work: Optimizing Health and Business Performance Through Connection. “Mentally at Work” is about understanding the science behind why connection matters and the practical strategies to build your mental health, the mental health of the team, and the strength of connection that delivers results. In an ever-changing, complex world, how we lead has become an increasingly critical skill. Genevieve hopes that this book can guide leaders to lead in a sustainable way for them, their teams, and their businesses, so that we may collectively reverse the trend of mental illness in the developed world. In part one of this two-part series, listen in as we discuss Hawkins' 20-year career in senior management and knowing exactly what this level of leaders face, as well as how a leader’s mental health reverberates through their ranks, the value of connection and what connection with others virtually and physically means for mental health, and more.

Guest: Caroline Dowd-Higgins (Executive leadership coach, media host, public speaker and best-selling author) How are we seeing the emergence of artificial intelligence in the workplace impacting some of HR’s most valued and prioritized elements, such as workplace culture and employee wellbeing? What are some of the long-term challenges from being solely focused on goals without celebrating achievements? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Caroline Dowd-Higgins joins to share her new philosophy that encourages employers and HR leaders to embrace a new kind of AI - Achievement Intelligence. Listen as Caroline explains why workforces should start embracing an approach that looks beyond the quantity of work being done and instead values the quality of the work being accomplished from a workforce.

Guest: Will Clive, Chief People Officer at Pluralsight Where are managers making the greatest impact to an organization, and how can HR leaders provide the support and training to successfully navigate the demands of their roles in 2023 and beyond? In this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Will Clive (Chief People Officer at Pluralsight) helps us take a closer look at the value and impact that a team of effective managers can have on a workforce and an organization’s overall performance. Learn the skills and training that organizations and their HR teams should prioritize, helping to set their managers up for success and effectively lead in this digital economy.

Vicki Salemi, Career Expert at Monster, joins to discuss some of the common challenges and disconnects seen between employers and LGBTQ workers.

Guest: Larry Nelson-Guillen, Senior Talent Management Product Manager at American Family Insurance What are some best practices for HR teams to support and fortify their DEI culture, and avoid backtracking during challenging times? In the latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, we are joined by Larry Nelson-Guillen, an experienced DEI practitioner and Senior Talent Management Product Manager at American Family Insurance, to discuss how the recent wave of layoffs is impacting DEI efforts across organizations. Listen as Larry explains how organizations should consider shifting their approach to DEI culture in 2023, moving beyond simply creating awareness across the workforce and instead utilizing their diversity as a strategic asset for long-term success and growth.

This episode of A Seat at the Table is not only featured as part of HRDA’s HR Diversity week but it also celebrates Pride Month, which recognizes the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on the world. This is the perfect time for HR leaders and organizations to assess their company’s DEI efforts. One of those important efforts is implementing and using pronouns at work. According to a recent report by the Pew Research Center, about 1.6 percent of adults are openly transgender or nonbinary, and about 5 percent of people younger than 30 are transgender or nonbinary – that is, their gender differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. My guest today is one of the world’s few transgender CEOs, Wynne Nowland, and she transitioned at the age of 56, coming out as trans in an email to her entire company at Bradley & Parker. Listen in as we discuss tips for employees and employers who are implementing a preferred name at work.

46% of LGBTQ+ workers have experienced unfair treatment at work at some point in their lives. In light of events both past and present, we’ll dive into the history of the US’s protections of LGBTQ+ workers and best practices.

Guest: Sadhana Bhide, Strategic Workforce Planning Lead at Faethm by Pearson Why should strategic workforce planning (SWP) be at the front of priority lists for HR leaders and their organizations in 2023? What are the most common roadblocks getting in the way of building a successful workforce strategy? Well, we went right to the source and asked Faethm by Pearson's SWP expert, Sadhana Bhide for the answers! Sadhana joins this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast and explains why a well-executed SWP is a must-have for organizations and HR leaders, along with a walkthrough of a 6-step approach to creating a workforce plan that actually works.

Kylie Luff, Senior HR Consultant at OneDigital, joins to discuss stay interviews, what you can learn from them, best practices for retention, and the affect of turnover on businesses.

Guest: Sarah White, CEO, Founder and Head of Research at Aspect43 How is technology shaping the agendas and driving top-priorities for many HR teams in 2023? What are some ways that HR teams can leverage technology to better support the employee experience and win the battle for talent? In the latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, we are joined by HR Tech expert Sarah White (CEO, Founder and Head of Research at Aspect43), as we discuss the current state of HR Tech and how teams can introduce the right technology to unlock the full potential of employee experience.

Gloria St. Martin-Lowry, President of HPWP Group, joins to discuss how trust impacts retention, motivation, and employee engagement.

Welcome back to part-two of my conversation with Ramona Shaw, author of “The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role.” Listen in as we discuss how new leaders can crush self-doubt and build confidence, the importance of managing your mind, listening to your inner dialogue and challenging it, and more.

Guest: Aradhya Srivastava, Group Technology Manager of HR Tech at Intuit How is technology playing a key role in retaining top talent and creating a consumer-like experience at work? How can employers and HR teams utilize technology to meet the expectations of the modern-day workplace experience? Intuit's Group Technology Manager of HR Tech, Aradhya Srivastava, joins the HR Works Podcast and helps us answer these questions and more! Listen as Ardy discusses the importance of creating an employee experience that treats employees as customers, as well as best practices for onboarding and adopting new technologies across organizations.

James Micklethwait, Vice President of Kahoot! at Work, joins to discuss the need for interactive L&D, how to create customized learning opportunities, and the importance of employee engagement.

Guest: Cassandra Margolin, Head of People Operations at Jasper Can technology be the unique advantage for organizations looking to expand their teams? What impact is technology having on the onboarding process for new employees? Cassandra Margolin, Head of People Operations at Jasper, helps keep our conversation around HR technology going as she joins this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast. Since joining Jasper in 2022, Cassandra has helped scale a workforce from 25 employees to now over 200, and she brings first-hand experience and insight into the impact technology is having on the HR role.

The pandemic has shifted many of our priorities in the workplace and this includes Generation Z. According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index Annual Report, 51% of Gen-Z employees are more likely to prioritize health and well-being over work. Gen Zers also want to see values reflected in their workplace as well as diversity and inclusion. In the latest episode of A Seat, Brian Anders, Director of Human Resources at WorkSmart Systems, joins to discuss the arrival of Gen Z in the workplace and ways HR leaders can prepare for this generation that has many expectations. Listen in as we discuss a few key things Gen Z looks for in the workplace, the benefits of a multigenerational workforce, social media’s impact on the workplace, and more.

Colin Redbond, Global SVP of Product and Strategy at SS&C Technologies Blue Prism, joins to discuss the pros and cons of intelligent automation, how artificial intelligence affects employees, and best practices when incorporating AI into the workplace.

Guest: Shira Ravid, HR Manager at Walmart Technology How have HR departments been able to utilize recent technology and HR tools to improve their talent and performance management processes across an organization? Can technology be the key to developing an organization’s future leaders? In the latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, Walmart Technology's Shira Ravid joins to discuss the impact technology is having on people operations role and how HR teams can use their access to data to drive the overall employee experience.

Lauren Fitzpatrick Shanks, CEO of KeepWOL, returns to continue our discussion on gamification. Tune in to learn about how gamification improves employee retention, the affect of L&D on company culture, and the importance of measurable success in L&D investments.

Guest: Jenna Everhart, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Health-E Commerce Does it feel like your HR department is carrying a reputation as being the “fun police”? When your responsibilities include enforcing disciplinary actions, establishing employee regulations, and terminating employees, it can often create the impression that HR solely exists to make rules and ruin the workday fun. By no means is this a new struggle and let’s be honest, those well known characters of TV and film are not helping the matter (I’m looking at you, Toby Flenderson!). So how can HR leaders and their teams help change the narrative of their relationship with employees? Jenna Everhart, Health-E Commerce’s SVP of Human Resources, joins this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast and helps us tackle this long-standing challenge facing HR professionals.

Lauren Fitzpatrick Shanks, CEO of KeepWOL, shares what gamification looks like in L&D, best practices for employee training, and much more.

Ramona Shaw, a Certified Professional Leadership Coach, podcast host, and author, discusses the four critical mindset shifts new leaders should consider to become a people leader people love to work with, why 60% of first-time managers underperform in their first two years, the value of soft skills, and more.

Guest: Caroline Werner, Chief People Officer at LogicGate As organizations continue to evolve and adapt throughout this new world of business, could the HR department be the MVP of your workforce – Most Valuable Partner? If an organization has yet to realize the importance of integrating their HR members into every aspect the business in 2023, they are clearly missing out! Caroline Werner, LogicGate’s Chief People Officer, joins this latest episode of the HR Works Podcast, and we discuss the importance of embedding HR in the business and how HR can help build the organization of the future.

Karen Siegel (HR and Business Development Manager at Delta Hire) joins to discuss “Bare Minimum Mondays,” burnout, how work/life balance improves retention, and more!

Guest: Mark Hager, Senior Recruiter of Financial Advisor Recruitment at Edward Jones How can recruiters make the most of the current hiring slowdown, continuing to provide impact and unmatched value to their organizations? Mark Hager joins the HR Works Podcast to discuss some of the challenges facing recruiters during this current job market, as layoffs and hiring freezes are becoming far too familiar for organizations. Listen as he shares some unique skills that make recruiters and HR professionals an untapped resource for improving corporate culture and making an impact with long-term dividends.

In the latest episode of A Seat, our guest reminds us that the “beautiful thing about progress is that we’re constantly reinventing every facet of life.” Listen in as Jennifer Armstrong-Owen, VP of People at talent platform SeekOut, shares why understanding that progress is perfection, DEIB must be part of a company’s DNA, the importance of aligning values and company culture, as well as why leaders should get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and more.

This week, we discuss how President Biden's 2024 budget proposal showcases trending topics within the benefits and compensation space.

Guest: Kathie Patterson, Chief Human Resources Officer at Ally Financial What role are employee benefits playing in an organization’s ability to retain top-talent in 2023? In this week’s episode of the HR Works Podcast, Ally Financial's CHRO, Kathie Patterson, joins for a great conversation about the value and impact of employee benefits in 2023. Listen as Kathie shares expert insight into how a thoughtful, strategic benefits package, along with a simple equation that she shares, can help win over the hearts of employees and drive success for an organization.

Now more than ever, both leaders and their teams crave deeper connection and more authentic relationships. But how can organizations accomplish this goal — particularly knowing that it will require a reset of how leaders and teams interact? Leaders and team members must embrace a new mindset. They need to acknowledge that the leader-team relationship is more than a one-way service-oriented arrangement. Both sides need support equally if the relationship and what they do together is to be successful. In this episode of Pages, we're joined by Seth R. Silver, Ed.D., principal of Silver Consulting, Inc., and Timothy M. Franz, Ph.D., an Organizational Psychologist, Professor of Psychology, and Chair at St. John Fisher College. Their new book is Meaningful Partnership at Work: How the Workplace Covenant Ensures Mutual Accountability and Success between Leaders and Teams. Listen in as we discuss how to create a new paradigm of partnership through the development of a workplace covenant. Ultimately, this process enables essential dialogue and engagement, which in turn helps create and continuously improve empathy, respect, trust, alignment, and — ultimately — partnership.