Up Next @ Work

In the latest episode of Up Next @ WorkTech, Katie Achille and George LaRocque navigate another packed week of industry turbulence, from Workday's ongoing age-discrimination lawsuit to Senator Hassan's public rebuke of data-broker practices reaching HR Tech. Episode highlights include: Meta's recent acquisition spree, followed by rumors of major layoffs New research from Brookings forecasts profound AI disruption, with a recommendation of how to adjust the path forward The potential for 30 percent unemployment for new grads entering the job market What corporate jargon really signifies, according to a study out of Cornell One of the biggest TA tech funding rounds in recent memory - Series B secured by the folks at Juicebox

In the latest episode of Up Next @ WorkTech, Katie Achille and George LaRocque dive into the latest updates impacting the world of work, from companies like Accenture tying promotions to AI usage and Burger King's voice agent Patty tracking upsells and friendliness scores to the security risks of OpenClaw and the soon-to-be omnipresence of the AI native everything. Episode highlights include: AI‑driven performance management enters the chat, or in some industries, the headset. Agentic security risks escalate with the introduction and rapid adoption of OpenClaw. Reverse recruiting surges, revealing predatory practices in a down market. HR tech funding continues to accelerate with new capital flowing into a variety of solutions and regions.

Katie Achille and George LaRocque are back with a fast-moving breakdown of the changes over at Workday, the hype and hazards of vibe coding as it relates to the software market at large, findings from the latest Corporate Equality Index, and more. Episode highlights include: Does Workday’s CEO transition signal deeper strategic and market pressures? Vibe coding might be accelerating, but remains risky, lacking compliance, scalability and security AI adoption is shifting from “build” to “buy,” with enterprises rapidly increasing investment HR’s role is transforming (again!), requiring new skills to manage AI agents, automated workflows and hybrid human‑machine teams Early‑stage HR Tech funding remains active, while mid‑stage companies face pressure

In this crossover episode, Katie Achille sits down with Pete A. Tiliakos and Julie Fernandez, hosts of the popular podcast, HR & Payroll 2.0, to discuss where public relations stands in 2026 in the HR tech space. During their rapid-fire conversation, Katie, Pete, and Julie cover everything from the value of the industry analysts to the ongoing emergence of AEO and GEO. Episode highlights include: The trouble with the term "public relations" nowadays The AI of it all and what that means to vendors versus practitioners The importance of nailing your message right in a crowded market How brand awareness infiltrates the psyche, even without a mention in WSJ For more from Katie, you can connect with her on LinkedIn or subscribe to her newsletter, The How, over on Substack. And of course, don't forget to listen to HR & Payroll 2.0 and follow Pete and Julie.

2026 kicks off with a jolt as Katie Achille and George LaRocque unpack a wave of developments reshaping HR tech. They dive into the new class action lawsuit against Eightfold, exploring what it signals to the market, around AI transparency, vendor accountability, and compliance. The conversation widens to worker power, including Microsoft's landmark agreement with Australian labor unions, and the heated rhetoric coming out of Davos about AI's impact on jobs. Katie and George also consider Apple and Google's latest partnership and the first acquisitions of the year.

As we start the New Year, Jeanne Achille welcomes guest Robert Mattson of Intrigue Communications and Coaching to Up Next @ Work. Mattson helps us understand the importance of storytelling on a corporate level, leaning into the tried-and-true three-act structure: the introduction, the conflict, and persuasive conclusion. He discusses the curse of knowledge and why storytelling from the inside out doesn’t produce optimal results. Robert also gives us some gems from his workshops that can help all of us create the emotional connections with our target audiences through better storytelling. Bonus feature: We discuss favorite movies – the ultimate expression of storytelling – and why AI only makes you sound like everyone else. Learn more about Robert's work and follow him on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Up Next @ Work, Jeanne Achille speaks with Tracee Bowles, CPP, SHRM-SCP, Global Payroll & Workforce Management Advisory Practice Leader at The Hackett Group (R). Tracee’s expertise in payroll is unprecedented – whether discussing geo-fencing, mobile-based workforces, job costing in the construction industry or certified payrolls – she understands what’s complicating the inherent complexities of payroll and how to sort through them. Her career started as a practitioner, leading a team of 30 HR, payroll admin and ops, UE, IT, recordkeeping and reception professionals across 10 locations. With that strong foundation in place, she took her knowledge of how to streamline this business-critical function from lots of moving parts across shared services, PEO, direct, and partnership models. Oh, and did we mention she is also a tax and wage garnishment expert? Take a listen and learn about one of the toughest challenges faced by employers: paying their workforces accurately and on time. Learn more about Tracee's work at The Hackett Group and connect with her on LinkedIn.

In episode five of Up Next @ Work Tech, Katie Achille and George LaRocque talk through the turbulence defining today's labor market. From conflicting signals and the rise of AI-driven HR roles to the urgent need for thoughtful regulation, Katie and George consider how to navigate this liminal moment. Key Takeaways Gartner's predictions for the HR roles of the future The disconnect between layoffs and stock market highs What ServiceNow's acquisition of Veza represents The importance of Findem's partnership with AnitaB.org And of course, the SHRM lawsuit as it unfolded

In this installment, Katie Achille and George LaRocque dissect the paradox of HR Tech funding, Workday’s Pipedream acquisition, payroll automation failures, workplace safety concerns, and The Economist’s claim that HR has “taken over the world.” Key Takeaways Despite $4.9B invested in 2025, early-stage founders face unprecedented challenges in raising capital. Workday’s acquisition of Pipedream positions it as a leading enterprise AI agent platform for HR and finance. AI-driven payroll failures highlight the need for human oversight and off-cycle payment safeguards. The Amber Czech tragedy underscores the importance of escalation processes, psychological safety, and frontline worker protection. The Economist’s claim that HR has “taken over the world” sparks debate on strategy, DEI, and AI disruption. Content Warning: There is a discussion of workplace violence in this episode.

In this episode, George LaRocque and Katie Achille dig into another whirlwind week in HR and Work Tech, from massive valuations and new funds to geographic exits and the morass of missing data. Key Takeaways Demand and the impact on valuation The ethics and economics of AI training How durable skills are influencing a shift toward "boring jobs" The need for alternative data sources Clever marketing reminds us to use that PTO

Katie Achille and George LaRocque are back with another episode of Up Next @ WorkTech, and this time, they're talking about everything from the latest M&A wave to hit HR Tech to Microsoft's introduction of "Mico," the so-called Clippy of the modern era. Key Takeaways Humanly, Jack & Jill, Findem and FairNow were out there making moves. Is AI augmenting our work or coming for our jobs? Seems like the jury's still out as Amazon, Meta, and the like lean into layoffs. Reddit is suing everyone, particularly Perplexity —what does that mean? Women leave the workforce in droves in 2025. And the rise of vibe working brings us new AI "assistants" to keep us company.

In this episode of Up Next @ Work, Jeanne Achille talks to Phillip B. Wilson, labor lawyer turned leadership consultant and CEO of LRI Consulting Services. While there’s no shortage of leadership advice out there, it’s rare to find a proven framework that sticks. Drawing from his Amazon No. 1 bestseller, The Leader-Shift Playbook, Phil shares what he believes drives meaningful change in the workplace: approachable leadership. Phil also opens up about his own professional journey, including what’s worked, what failed, and how listeners can learn from it. Episode highlights include: Your impact matters—every time. Leaders leave every interaction either better or worse. There’s no neutral. Real relationships are a leadership superpower. It’s not about perks or policies—it’s about trust, vulnerability, and genuine interest in people’s lives. Feedback is a gift. Phil shares a candid moment when a team member told him, “I told your dad I’d never work for you.” That feedback became the turning point in his leadership evolution. Whether you're a rising manager, seasoned executive, or someone passionate about organizational culture, this conversation will leave you with tangible strategies to build a more human-centered, high-performing workplace. Connect with Phil on LinkedIn.

In this must-listen episode, host Jeanne Achille sits down with Beth White, the dynamic founder of MeBeBot, to explore how AI is transforming the employee experience—and why HR professionals must take the lead in this shift. Beth shares her fascinating journey from decades in HR to leading enterprise retail tech sales, where she learned firsthand how consumer experience principles can and should be applied to the workplace. Episode highlights include: AI isn’t new—but it is different now. Beth reminds us that AI has been around for decades. What’s new is the accessibility and mainstream application of tools like ChatGPT, which demands broader organizational understanding. The power trio: HR, IT, and Finance must collaborate to build AI strategy. HR should not be sidelined—if you’re not invited to the table, invite yourself. Responsible AI matters. With regulation catching up (EU AI Act, U.S. executive orders, state-by-state laws), HR leaders must be proactive in understanding AI governance, fairness, and vendor accountability. Jeanne and Beth also unpack the ethical, operational, and emotional challenges of AI adoption, from the organizational silos stifling innovation to the unexpected grief employees and leaders may experience as work evolves. This episode is packed with wisdom on change management, cross-functional collaboration, and governance frameworks that can help companies implement AI responsibly—and effectively. Follow Beth on LinkedIn.

In the first episode of "Up Next @ WorkTech," George LaRocque and Katie Achille look at AI in recruiting, HR Tech lawsuits, resume optimization, applicant tracking systems (ATS), workforce planning, HR compliance, and future of work trends. Key Takeaways Workday’s age discrimination lawsuit moves forward, with court-mandated social media outreach and protected client disclosures—raising major compliance and reputational risks for HR Tech vendors. AI-generated resume hacks resurface, including embedded ChatGPT prompts and invisible keyword stuffing—reviving concerns about ATS manipulation and ethical recruiting practices. The missing BLS jobs report disrupts Q4 workforce planning, forcing HR leaders to rely on alternative labor market data from ADP, Paychex, and Lightcast. Sora’s viral explosion surpasses ChatGPT downloads, spotlighting the growing influence of generative AI in entertainment, recruiting, and digital identity. Major M&A activity reshapes the HR Tech landscape, with Workday acquiring Sana and Paradox, SAP absorbing SmartRecruiters, and Sage buying Criterion HCM. Investor sentiment rebounds in HR Tech, with Q3 funding surging and AI dominating deal flow—signaling renewed momentum for startups and strategic innovation.

In this episode of Up Next @ Work, Jeanne talks with Ranya Nehmeh, a senior HR strategist based in Vienna, about her latest book titled “In Praise of the Office: The Limits to Hybrid and Remote Work.” Co-authored with Peter Cappelli of the Wharton School, the book delivers a balanced, research-based approach to navigating the complex landscape of remote and hybrid work. Jeanne and Ranya explore when in-office works best, when fully remote is viable, and what’s required to make hybrid work. Episode highlights include: The hidden benefits of being in person The new employee journey, examined in the context of in-office What leaders need to know to navigate these conversations Leaders everywhere are grappling with this post-pandemic dilemma, and this episode provides a helpful framework for rethinking return-to-office conversations. Learn more about Ranya's research and follow her on LinkedIn.

Recent research from Gallup puts U.S. employee engagement at only 31 percent. That means for every one of your three employees sitting around the conference room table, two of the three might be looking for a new job or doing the minimal amount of work to get by. There’s a direct correlation between engagement and culture, and Jenni Catron, author of “Culture Matters,” joins host Jeanne Achille for this episode of Up Next @ Work to explore how to help your team grow and thrive. Episode highlights include: The intersection of culture and business goals What it takes to build teams in today's world Real-life stories of impactful leadership You’ll definitely enjoy this podcast episode on why planning and strategy need to be part of any organization’s culture-building journey. Learn more about Jenni's work at her website.

In this episode of Up Next @ Work, host Katie Achille sits down with Joey Price and Tami Nutt of Aspect43 to demystify the role of the HR tech analyst in 2025. What exactly is an analyst today, and how have their responsibilities evolved? Joey and Tami bring their decades of HR practitioner experience to the conversation – discussing how analysts serve as strategic advisors to both HR leaders and tech vendors alike. From decoding buyer sentiment and trends to helping HR teams make more informed business cases, Joey and Tami share what it really means to connect the dots between HR needs and tech innovation. Episode highlights include: The day-to-day life of an analyst (hint: it’s more than just writing reports) What ROI really looks like in 2025 How HR professionals and tech vendors can make the most of conferences like HR Tech Why analyst days are no longer just for the “big guys” in tech Upcoming research from Aspect43 Whether you're an HR leader, tech vendor, or getting ready to kick off the fall conference season, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the critical role analysts play. Connect with Joey and Tami on LinkedIn and follow their work at Aspect43.

In this powerful episode of Up Next @ Work, Katie Achille welcomes members of Labor Tech Research Network — a transnational, member-driven community examining the intersection of labor, technology, and social justice. Katie is joined by Steph Jordan (Board Member), Winnie Poster (Director), and Karina Ripley (Lead Organizer) for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the realities of visible and invisible labor reshaping both physical and digital landscapes. Episode highlights include: Background on the network’s 750+ members across 55 countries How the network collaborates on research, policy, and grassroots organizing Why “labor,” not just “work,” is the focus — highlighting global inequalities, power dynamics, and firsthand accounts of global labor challenges A look at how communities are beginning to respond — and where resistance and refusal are still possible. Whether you're in HR, HR Tech, academia, or simply interested in how the future of work is being built, this episode is a must-listen. Learn more about the Labor Tech Research Network at labortechresearchnetwork.org or follow on BlueSky and LinkedIn.

In this thought-provoking episode, Katie Achille is joined by Mary Faulkner of IA. The two dive deep into the growing gap between AI excitement at the executive level and the real-world readiness of organizations able to implement it meaningfully. Looking at the first half of 2025, Kate and Mary unpack the disconnect between vision and execution in today's HR tech landscape. Episode highlights include: The myth of the "quick fix" AI Implementation vs. adoption Frontline workforce tech gaps Change management that actually works Decision-making chaos in executive teams The future of AI, hallucinations, and therapy bots Whether you're a tech vendor, HR leader, or just trying to stay afloat in a year of AI overwhelm, this episode delivers clarity and candor you won’t want to miss. Be sure to find Mary on LinkedIn and learn more about IA.