Episódios
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Get ready for your HR news fix! This week we're diving into three timely stories: guidance on how to approach the administration change, Apple's response defending their DEI initiatives against shareholder pushback, and a potential emerging trend of "reverse discrimination" lawsuits. Join us as we unpack what these developments mean for workplaces and HR professionals, share our takes on the latest industry moves, and break down why these stories matter. Whether you're in HR or just interested in how companies are navigating these challenges, we've got you covered with clear analysis and real talk.
Connect with Aubrey
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adblanche/
https://aubreyblanche.com/
Connect with Stacey
https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceynordwall/
Articles
How HR leaders can prepare for a new administration and congress
‘Inappropriate’ micromanaging: Apple pushes back on anti-DEI proposal
‘Reverse’ discrimination claims may pose a class-action threat
Stacey made reference to this LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/franbenjamin_dei-activity-7283595143100690432-0HFw -
In this week's special episode, your host Stacey Nordwall joins the Toot or Boot hot seat with Erica Spitale and Rebecca Taylor, and producer Lexi comes out from behind the scenes for a rapid-fire edition of Toot or Boot, all about 2025 HR predictions.
Lexi reviewed 15 different predictions sources (that’s over 75 predictions) which were organized into five different themes: AI, Remote/Hybrid Work, Leadership and Organizational Change, Employee Experience and Well-being, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Unlike a usual episode of Toot or Boot, Stacey, Erica, and Rebecca had no idea what predictions/trends they would encounter. They were put on the spot to take each trend at face value, Toot or Boot it at the same time, then discuss.
Internal processes get an AI makeover: 5 predictions for HR and the world of work in 2025 | Culture Amp PR comes to HR: 2024 HR Trends and 2025 Predictions | SHRMDespite the benefits of AI in powering accessibility tools, this author predicts that the cybersecurity risks from AI will lead to some organizations prohibiting such tools in greater instances in 2025: Neurodiversity and Disability Employment – Reflections on 2024 and Predictions for 2025 | Nathan Chung Mental Health Gets Personal. 7 Seismic Shifts Coming to HR in 2025 | Bill BrownLeadership That Actually Leads: 2025 HR Predictions: Looking Into the Crystal Ball | Katarina Berg
Afterwards, Lexi reveals each trend's source.
Here are the trends we cover on this episode:Other articles referenced:
I talked to Meta's Black AI character. Here's what she told me.
The excerpt from Culture Amp's article that Lexi references about their cohort using internal AI: "When used right, Gen AI tools can dramatically improve workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, and make information available in seconds. In 2024, some Culture Amp employees gained early access to an internal Gen AI tool. They now show higher engagement levels and report having more energy at work than employees who weren’t in the pilot cohort. We’re only one company, but we can’t help but share our own experimentation with people solutions and strategies. We’re excited about the possibilities!"
Connect with Erica Spitale
On LinkedIn
Connect with Rebecca Taylor
On LinkedIn or email [email protected]
Rebecca hosts the HR Confessions podcast with Kim Rohrer. The premise of HR Confessions is we collect anonymous stories of things that happened in HR, and Rebecca reads them live for Kim to react and respond to. Find it wherever you get your podcasts, and if you have your own HR confession that you want to submit, email [email protected] -
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What do we mean when we say DEI? Are the companies rolling back their DEI programs making substantive changes? And what is DEI going to look like under the new administration?
In this episode of Toot or Boot, we welcome back guests Vijay Pendakur and Tara Turk-Haynes for an in-depth discussion on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in the workplace. We discuss three articles, including Vijay's own HBR piece on reframing diversity's value proposition, as we explore how DEI initiatives are evolving in today's climate.
The episode tackles current DEI discourse through three main articles:
1. "Reframe the Value Proposition of Diversity" from HBR, written by guest Vijay Pendakur, which explores new ways to understand and communicate diversity's impact on organizations
2. "Change Is Here: 5 Hard Truths & A Blueprint for Your DEI Plan in 2025," which presents a possibly controversial perspective on the future of corporate DEI initiatives
3. "What Trump's Second Term Could Mean for DEI" from HBR, which outlines strategic models for organizations to maintain inclusive practices in potentially challenging political environments
Join us as we examine the broader implications for the future of workplace DEI initiatives.
Connect with Vijay Pendakur
Dr. Vijay Pendakur is the author of the highly anticipated book, “The Alchemy of Talent: Leading Teams to Peak Performance.” A true multi-sector organizational leader, Vijay has held senior roles at four companies: Zynga, VMware, Dropbox and Salesforce. He has also served as the Dean of Students at Cornell University. In his time at Cornell, he was named Presidential Advisor for Diversity and Equity, as part of a new approach to campus-wide transformation at the largest Ivy League institution. A widely recognized thought leader, Dr. Pendakur’s writing has been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Time. Vijay is a board advisor with Ezra Coaching, Enterprise Ireland, and Wisq. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Katie, a psychotherapist and yoga teacher, and his two young daughters, Mira and Savi.Find Vijay here: www.vijaypendakur.com
More about his bestselling new book: https://a.co/d/bSb1lxh
For Fractional DEI Advising: https://www.vijaypendakur.com/fractional-dei-advising
Or sign up for his newsletter: Quick tips for leading high performance teams.
Connect with Tara Turk-Haynes
Tara is a first generation college graduate, corporate worker, and the first of her immediate family to reach an executive level. She is a Talent, Engagement, DEIB, Internal Comms operator and strategist. She has worked in house and as a consultant, helping other businesses develop and grow with equity embedded so they have a higher chance of having a strong, sustainable operations for the future.
Find Tara at Equity Activations.
You can also connect with Tara on LinkedIn
Or sign up for her newsletter: https://equityact.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Read the articles:
Reframe the Value Proposition of Diversity
Change Is Here: 5 Hard Truths & A Blueprint For Your DEI Plan In 2025
What Trump’s Second Term Could Mean for DEI -
In this episode, we explore the turbulent landscape of modern workplaces, starting with Greenhouse's survey revealing that over half of job seekers experience ghosting or "love-bombing" during the hiring process—creating frustration and mistrust in organizations. What’s driving these behaviors, and how can HR professionals and hiring managers do better?
Next, we delve into the lawsuit against CloudKitchens and its controversial CEO, Travis Kalanick. Allegations of wrongful termination and a return to toxic “bro culture” raise questions about how far workplace culture has—or hasn’t—evolved since the Uber scandals.
Finally, we shift to a brighter topic: the power of volunteer programs. Studies show volunteering as the most impactful workplace wellness initiative. But is the real benefit the program itself or the sense of support employees feel when they’re encouraged to participate? We’ll unpack how organizations can build meaningful well-being into their cultures.
Tune in for insights on the good, the bad, and the transformative potential of today’s workplaces.
Connect with Kate
On LinkedIn
KJS Consulting
Articles
Most job seekers say they’ve been ghosted or ‘love-bombed’ during interviews—it can make them ‘question their career and sanity’
From dinners with Travis Kalanick to fired after maternity leave: One of CloudKitchens’ earliest employees is suing
Volunteering programs are probably the most powerful well-being benefit in your toolkit -
2024 was a challenging year. We saw the implementation of six-day workweeks, so many layoffs, return-to-office (RTO) mandates, and DEI rollbacks. SHRM removed the E from DEI and Silicon Valley CEOs and VCs seemed to want a return to days of HR past (or no HR at all.
We also had some progress with parental leave policies, new prenatal care protections, and much-needed conversations around the realities of HR work sparked by a viral NYT article.
Join us as we award the first ever Golden Toots and Coal-filled Boots and recap the highs and lows of 2024.
Connect with Kim:
On LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimrohrer/
Or at her website Patchwork Portfolio: https://www.patchworkportfolio.com/
Articles and resources we discussed:
You Got This Journal: https://a.co/d/d417s5V
PaidLeave.ai : https://www.paidleave.ai/
No HR Playbook
SHRM to lead with inclusion and diversity
Today, Lattice Makes History and Leads the Way in Responsible Employment of AI
Yes Madam clarifies on firing over 100 employees for being stressed, says, 'No one was fired;
What You Should Know About the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
New York becomes first state to mandate paid time off for prenatal care
Citi boosts paid parental leave to match industry peers
So, Human Resources Is Making You Miserable? -
In this episode, we dive into Elon Musk's and Vivek Ramaswamy's controversial task force, cheekily named the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Their mission? To slash federal workforce numbers by targeting remote and hybrid work—impacting up to a million federal employees. We unpack the implications, including potential productivity myths and disproportionate impacts on marginalized groups.
Then, we pivot to Grindr's clash with the NLRB. Accused of retaliating against unionizing employees by enforcing an in-person return-to-office mandate, Grindr’s case is a litmus test for RTO policies and their role in modern labor relations. Are we seeing the start of a broader worker movement?
Finally, we explore the “human factor” in workplace design. How can organizations create an employee experience that values flexibility, connection, and well-being in a hybrid world? From balancing tradition with innovation to rethinking digital workspaces, we’ll share insights on fostering environments where employees truly thrive.
Tune in for a conversation that bridges the political, legal, and cultural landscapes of today’s workplace!
Connect with Kate
On LinkedIn
KJS Consulting
Articles:
Elon Musk’s first order of business in Trump administration: Kill remote work
NLRB: Grindr retaliated against unionizing workers by forcing a return to office
The human factor: 5 ways to prioritize what employees really value -
This week I'm joined by Vijay Pendakur, an author and HR advisor and consultant, to dive into toxic positivity, toxic leadership and more. First, we chat about managers glossing over bad news, creating an atmosphere of toxic positivity, and losing employee trust. Next, we talk about the leadership style of Steve Jobs, and how many too often misattribute his bullying behaviors for good leadership. And we wrap up by chatting about the potential for a 2025 quitting spree due to declining employee satisfaction - do we think a quitting spree is likely or just hype?
Connect with Vijay Pendakur
Dr. Vijay Pendakur is the author of the highly anticipated book, “The Alchemy of Talent: Leading Teams to Peak Performance.” A true multi-sector organizational leader, Vijay has held senior roles at four companies: Zynga, VMware, Dropbox and Salesforce. He has also served as the Dean of Students at Cornell University. In his time at Cornell, he was named Presidential Advisor for Diversity and Equity, as part of a new approach to campus-wide transformation at the largest Ivy League institution. A widely recognized thought leader, Dr. Pendakur’s writing has been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Time. Vijay is a board advisor with Ezra Coaching, Enterprise Ireland, and Wisq. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Katie, a psychotherapist and yoga teacher, and his two young daughters, Mira and Savi.Visit his website https://www.vijaypendakur.com/
Connect with him on LinkedIn
Or sign up for his newsletter: Quick tips for leading high performance teams.
Articles
Managers Are ‘Glossing’ Over Workplace Issues And Pushing Toxic Positivity, According To Report
I worked with Steve Jobs. Here’s what he’d say about today’s leadership style
Brewing worker resentment could fuel a 2025 quitting spree -
Lindsey Caplan joins us again to discuss the stats showing that fewer than one in three employees trust their senior leaders. Next we talk about the employees fired by Meta for misusing their meal credits and what it means about org culture, trust, and how we write and implement our policies. Then, we dig into the stats that a record-low percentage of employees feel genuinely cared for by their employers, and talk about why wellness programs without real action backfire.
Connect with Lindsey on LinkedIn or at The Gathering Effect. -
On this week's episode, we're doing something a little different. I invited Morgan Williams, Tracie Sponenberg, and Sarika Lamont to go in-depth on one topic - SHRM.
The Problem With SHRM: Why HR Professionals Feel Disappointed, Disillusioned, and DesertedSHRM faces discrimination lawsuit from former employee and criticism from some HR professionalsSHRM announces removal of E from DEISHRM Stands Ready to Partner with Biden Administration to Support Work, Workers and WorkplacesJury may decide whether SHRM conducted sham bias investigationSHRM letter to President-elect Trump‘It would be an honor’: SHRM’s Johnny C. Taylor reportedly on Trump’s short list for labor secretary
SHRM has been the talk of HR news a lot over the past year - they dropped the E from DEI, are facing a lawsuit from a former employee who is alleging discrimination and retaliation, and most recently the CEO was added to a shortlist to serve as Secretary of Labor.
So we dive deep on SHRM - who they are, how they've changed, who they serve, and why it all matters.
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Connect with Sarika Lamont on LinkedIn
Connect with Tracie Sponenberg on LinkedIn or visit her website to sign up for her newsletter. Click on "resources" on her website for the SHRM-alternative list!
Connect with Morgan Williams on LinkedIn and check out PeakHR for learning programs designed by HR practitioners for HR practitioners.
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In this episode, we talk about a new HR buzz word “polyworking” – juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. But is it just hustle and grind culture 2.0? Then, we explore recent moves by the CFPB to extend consumer protection into employment data and cautioning businesses about surveiling employees. Finally, we revisit the debate on whether HR is truly “miserable” and talk more about how HR experiences tensions that aren't felt by other roles and departments.
Connect with Lindsey at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseycaplan/ or https://www.gatheringeffect.com/ -
Is the supercommute making a comeback? In this week’s episode, Cassidy Edwards joins as we dive into the story of a man who *loves* his 7-hour daily trek. We also unpack the chaos caused by Dell's sudden return-to-office (RTO) mandate, and explore why HR needs to rethink how they roll out major changes, because lives don’t flip with the stroke of an RTO mandate. Last, we chat about how Workday's disastrous decision to send police to a hospitalized Black employee's home for a wellness check made headlines.
Connect with Cassidy or subscribe to Yo! You're on Mute on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-edwards-yyom/
Find the articles we discussed here:
Black Worker Sues US Company After They Sent Police To His Home For A 'Wellness Check' During His Medical Leave
I supercommute over 7 hours for work. I won't move out of NYC, and the journey is productive and relaxing
Dell staffers scramble to find childcare after 5-days-a-week office mandate gives just a few days’ notice: report -
This week Kim Rohrer and Cassandra Babilya are back to discuss parental leave and policies and practices that support parents. We start off by discussing a lawsuit where a former employee of a law firm alleges that the company’s leave policy violates civil rights law because it offers an additional eight weeks of paid disability leave only to birth mothers.
icaretoomuch.substack.compatchworkportfolio.compeakhrlearning.com
Find the article we discussed here
Law firm Jones Day must face bias lawsuit over parental leave policy
Follow Kim RohrerFollow Cassandra Babilya
cassandrababilya.comYou Got This journal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPMJ5K5RMake Work Suck Less newsletter https://pages.cassandrababilya.com/posts -
Are we on the verge of losing key HR leaders due to burnout and lack of strategic support? Tara Turk-Haynes, founder of Equity Activations, joins us to discuss the possible HR leadership exodus along with the EEOC’s 25-year high in disability discrimination charges and how flat hierarchies may be keeping women from applying. Plus, we explore what it all means for DEI programs as middle management roles vanish. Don’t miss it!
And -> If you'd like to participate in Tara's survey about the experience of middle managers, please do so here: https://lnkd.in/gGjT8Zwm
You can also connect with Tara on LinkedIn
The articles we discuss can be found here:
A leadership exodus looms as HR leaders consider leaving their jobs
EEOC Sues Three Employers for Disability Discrimination
Research: Flat Hierarchies Can Discourage Women Applicants -
This week on Toot or Boot, Tara Turk-Haynes, founder of Equity Activations, joins us to break down Amazon's RTO mandate and the myth of in-office culture-building. Then we dive into the latest tech layoffs—is it the economy, real estate, or the upcoming election driving them? And we ask: Does simply being in the same office foster real collaboration and culture? Get ready for a wild ride!
Amazon calls workers back 5 days a week—other companies may be ‘right behind them,’ expert saysCisco's huge layoff round slams Bay Area offices, more than 800 workers cutIntel is laying off over 15,000 employees and will stop ‘non-essential work’PwC fires 1,800 employees. What’s driving Big 4’s major U.S. layoffs?Working in the office 5 days a week to build company culture is a myth, PwC report says
Connect with Tara on LinkedIn
Here are the articles we discussed: -
We dive into the "meeting industrial complex" and whether our work culture has really adapted to remote and hybrid models. Join Noah Warder, VP of People and Culture at Accent Inns, and me as we discuss how to reclaim focus time, explore Gen Z’s impact on sick days and discuss whether HR has swung too far in favor of employees.
Gen Z is redefining sick daysI've worked in HR for 36 years. Here are the 3 biggest changes I've seen in the workplace — and why I think the dial has swung too far in employees' favor.White-Collar Work Is Just Meetings Now
Connect with Noah on LinkedIn.
Articles -
Noah Warder, VP of People and Culture at Accent Inns, joins to talk about founder mode and what it gets wrong. We also dive into the debate around right-to-disconnect laws. Are they necessary protections, or do they create unnecessary urgency? Plus, we explore how organizations can weave social activism into their governance. Don’t miss it!
Why Silicon Valley Is Abuzz Over ‘Founder Mode’How to build social activism into your governance structure‘Who dreams this crap up?’: Kevin O'Leary slams new rule that allows employees to ignore their bosses after hours
Connect with Noah on LinkedIn
Articles: -
Morgan Williams, CEO and co-founder of PeakHR, joins me to break down messy Texas court rulings on noncompetes and overtime laws, and unpack this new HR trend called "The Great Detachment." Buckle up—this one's a wild ride!
Federal judge strikes down FTC rule banning noncompete agreementsState employees in Texas not subject to overtime rule, judge holdsWelcome to ‘The Great Detachment’: Workers are checked out—and so are their bosses
Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn
Follow PeakHR on LinkedIn
Articles: -
Morgan Williams, CEO and co-founder of PeakHR, joins me to explore the latest round of companies announcing they're dropping or scaling back their DEI initiatives. And we connect those dots to the closing of Women Who Code, Girls in Tech, and the VCs of Silicon Valley who are putting their support behind Republican politicians.
Harley-Davidson is dropping diversity initiatives after right-wing anti-DEI campaignhttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/whats-happened-silicon-valley-insane-170023210.htmlThe movement to diversify Silicon Valley is crumbling amid attacks on DEI
Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn
Follow PeakHR on LinkedIn
Articles: -
Welcome to another Tootsday! This week Sheila Krueger of The Benefits Bungalow, joins me to dive into the latest HR news: Are women struggling to join the gig economy because they worry about sacrificing benefits? And are return-to-office mandates driving away female talent? We also chat about the latest Textio report that found high performers are getting the worst feedback. Plus, we explore why quality feedback matters for everyone.
Women want to join the gig economy — but they can't sacrifice their benefits‘The system is not working for women’: Companies with return-to-office mandates are hemorrhaging female talentHigh performers at work get the worst feedback, and it's driving them to quit
Follow Sheila on LinkedIn
Articles: -
This week Cassandra Babilya and I break down some of the latest HR buzzwords. Is "Hushed Hybrid" just another overhyped term and is it a case of disempowered managers? And do leaders really care about employee engagement? Then we've got the Great Resignation 2.0—Cassandra calls BS on this one—and the bizarre rise of Employee Nesting. Are employees doomed whether they job-hop or stay put? Tune in for the trend-busting breakdown!
cassandrababilya.comYou Got This journal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPMJ5K5RMake Work Suck Less newsletter https://pages.cassandrababilya.com/posts
Follow Cassandra BabilyaArticles
Hushed HybridLeaders don’t really care about employee engagement. Here’s whyGreat Resignation 2.0 could be on the horizon, with 3 in 10 workers planning to quit in 2024, survey shows3 Ways To Know The Difference Between ‘Employee Nesting’ And Company Loyalty - Mostrar mais
