Break The Wheel: An HR Podcast Confirm

Join our host, David Murray, on another episode of Break the Wheel, where we tackle a seldom-discussed topic in the public sphere. In this episode, David is joined by Stephanie Lemek, a former HR Executive and Founder of The Wounded Workforce. Together, they explore various aspects of the workplace, HR practices, and employee well-being.
With over 16 years of HR experience, Stephanie shares valuable insights from her passion project, The Wounded Workforce, shedding light on the prevalence of workplace trauma and the critical importance of fostering safe and supportive environments. The conversation touches upon key issues such as the significance of pay transparency, the influence of Gen Z on work culture, and the necessity for trauma-informed workplaces.
David and Stephanie delve into broader themes, addressing mental health, the establishment of healthy boundaries, and the evolving dynamics of the modern workplace. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of these crucial topics and learn how we can create more compassionate and inclusive workspaces.
Cheers to creating positive change in the workplace and fostering a culture of well-being and inclusivity!
Key Takeaways:
-Trauma-Informed Workplaces: Stephanie Lemek emphasizes the importance of creating safe, empowering, and inclusive work environments that support employees' mental health and well-being.
-Generational Dynamics: The discussion highlights the shifting expectations of different generations in the workplace, emphasizing the need for boundaries, empowerment, and meaningful work.
-Transparency and Trust: The episode underscores the significance of transparency in pay raises, AI monitoring, and workplace communication to build trust and foster a positive work culture.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and Unique Workplace Perspectives
01:54 - Impact of Pay Raises and Ethical Compensation
03:11 - Changing Work Relationships and Pay Transparency
04:16 - Gen Z's are about to join our workforces, are we ready?
06:29 - AI Monitoring Employee Messages in the Workplace
08:21 - Trust and Transparency in Technology Use
10:02 - Leveraging Technology with Trust and Intent
10:48 - Building Trauma-Informed Workplaces
14:33 - Principles of Trauma-Informed Cultures
15:14 - Implementing Trauma-Informed Practices
17:49 - Why having a Trauma-Informed Workplaces Important in Businesses
19:35 - Talent Shortage and Future Workforce Challenges
23:29 - People Misunderstand: About Mental Health, Mental Health at Work and Trauma
28:06 - Break the Wheel or Break a Heel: All about Employee Mental Health
32:02 - Wheel Breaker of the Week: Starbucks Prioritizes Accessibility and Inclusivity
41:57 - Workplace Horror Story: Dealing with Sensitive Information
44:23 - Wobbly Wheel of the Week: Layoffs at Broadcom
45:06 - HR Speak Funny: Golden Handcuffs
46:39 - Decline to Comment: Navigating Workplace Challenges
48:20 - Cheers to Change: Setting Boundaries for Work-Life Balance

You can also watch Break the Wheel on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ConfirmHR

Connect with Stephanie Lemek:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanielemek/
Website: https://www.thewoundedworkforce.com/

Connect with Confirm:
Website: a...

In this thought-provoking episode of Break the Wheel, host David Murray is joined by Craig Foreman, the founder of CultureC Consulting and former lead people scientist at CultureAmp. The conversation kicks off with a deep dive into the ethical use of artificial intelligence in hiring processes, spurred by New York City's upcoming law that regulates AI tools in this domain.
Craig shares his nuanced perspective on the balance between technological advancement and ethical considerations, highlighting the complexities businesses face in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
They also discussed about the impact of AI on productivity and the workforce. Craig brings up the phenomenon of individuals holding multiple jobs without their employers' knowledge, thanks to AI's efficiency boosts. This leads to a broader conversation about the future of work and the importance of understanding where to focus energy in a changing job market.

Additionally, the episode touches on the trend of 'quiet cutting,' where companies reassign employees to less desirable roles instead of laying them off, and the implications this has on workplace culture and employee engagement.

This episode is a must-listen for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology, culture, and the future of work.


Timestamps:
00:00 - Company Culture and Leadership Impact
00:16 - Introducing Craig Foreman and CultureC Consulting
01:19 - New York City's AI Hiring Law
02:57 - The Ethical Use of AI in the Workplace
03:51 - AI's Impact on Productivity and Employment
07:30 - Quiet Cutting Trend in the Workplace
11:32 - The Importance of Listening and Data in HR
15:08 - The Reality of Data and Story in Organizational Change
19:21 - People Manager Interactions
25:08 - Workplace Relationships and Boundaries
29:29 - Inclusivity of Alternative Lifestyles in the Workplace
32:50 - UPS's New Warehouse with Robots
36:33 - Workplace Incident: What Should I Have Done?
42:23 - Layoff Horror Stories and Company Responsibility

You can also watch Break the Wheel on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ConfirmHR

Connect with Craig Forman:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/culturecraig/
Website: https://www.culturecraig.com/

Connect with Confirm:
Website: https://www.confirm.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/confirm.hr/

Connect with David Murray, host:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimurray/

Be updated and know the latest in the world of HR ?
Join our Weekly Newsletter: https://www.confirm.com/newsletter

In this episode of the Break the Wheel, host David Murray and guest Lauren Koester, a People Leader Expert, discuss various topics related to the workplace and HR. They start by discussing the desire for a four-day workweek and the importance of finding a job that aligns with one's values and brings happiness.
They also delve into the issue of gender disparities in healthcare expenses, with women paying significantly more than men. Lauren emphasizes the need for fair healthcare packages and the inclusion of additional benefits to ease the financial burden.
The conversation then shifts to Lauren's experiences as an HR professional and the importance of empathy, transparency, and authentic communication in the workplace. She highlights the misconception that HR is solely focused on the company's interests and emphasizes the need for HR to advocate for employees while considering the bigger picture.
They also discuss some juicy topics in the segment "Break the Wheel or Break a Heel," where they discuss what topics are appropriate for workplace conversations, and "Horror Story of the Week," where Lauren shares a story about offer letters being sent without being countersigned.

Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the world of HR, emphasizing the importance of employee happiness, effective communication, and fair treatment in the workplace.

"I truly believe that the people, teams and HR teams are completely driven by employee happiness. So if our employees are leaving or employees are complaining, we're not doing a good job.” - Lauren Koester

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:25 - The Big Quit in France
02:02 - Job Satisfaction and Career Paths
03:39 - Four-Day Work Week Discussion
04:07 - Long work hours lead to less productivity.
04:48 - HR News Flash: Gender Disparity in Healthcare Costs
08:14 - Reality Check: Authentic, honest communication is essential in HR.
11:19 - Effective leaders embrace receptivity, openness, and uncertainty.
14:01 - Misconceptions about HR
14:49 - Internal communication importance and impact on employees.
17:13 - The Potential of HR Leaders as CEOs
19:07 - Workplace Conversations: What's Okay to Discuss
28:22 - Ikea's Workforce Reskilling Initiative
31:08 - HR Wisdom: The Importance of Communication
34:01 - What Should I Have Done: Hostile Work Environment
37:32 -HR Horror Story: Offer Letters Not Countersigned
40:01 - Wobbly Wheel of the Week: TikTok's Performance Reviews
41:43 - Water Cooler Whispers: Return to Office Rumors
43:03 - HR Speak Funny: Golden Parachute
46:24 - Cheers to Change: Labor Department proposes raising overtime pay threshold.


You can also watch Break the Wheel on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ConfirmHR

Connect with Lauren Koester:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-piazza-koester-8b28695/

Connect with Confirm:
Website: https://www.confirm.com/

Connect with David Murray, host:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimurray/

Be updated and know the latest in the world of HR ?
Join our Weekly Newsletter: a...

In this episode, host David Murray speaks with Julia Psitos from Alfred, a technology platform for residential managed housing. Julia discusses various HR topics, such as the importance of removing barriers in job roles, the challenges of remote work, and the benefits of a four-day work week. 
They also touch on the need for clarity around job roles and expectations, employee development, company culture, and the significance of learning and development. 
Julia highlights the concept of people ops, focusing on compensation, trust-building, community connection, skill mastery, and job fulfillment. And she calls the Employee Hierarchy of Needs.
Make sure to subscribe and follow "Break The Wheel" wherever you get your podcasts, for a dose of workplace reality and innovation.
“A lot of times we jump to the shiny new thing or the thing that everybody's talking about. And maybe that's career pathing right now, if you're so far down the path on career pathing, but then you're not communicating, you're not responsive, you've messed up, people's pay. It really doesn't matter." - Julia Psitos

Timestamps:
00:00 Gen Z workers optimistic, all face workplace challenges.
06:26 Remote work, hybrid, and four-day work week.
08:00 Workers embrace the four day work week.
10:25 Avoiding office policy by creative scheduling.
14:01 Choosing the unseen option in negotiations.
17:43 HR leaders cautious but eager to adopt AI.
23:03 Gen Zers cannot afford, kudos to you.
24:14 Julia highlights "Employee hierarchy of needs vs. People Ops Approach"
29:39 David's embarrassing work story from early days at Google.
34:12 Company performance issues lead to layoffs surprise.
40:31 Potential increase in learning and development budgets.
41:12 Embrace and invest in your talent wisely.
46:21 Recognizing and celebrating the quiet contributors.

You can also watch Break the Wheel on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ConfirmHR 

Connect with Julia Psitos:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-psitos/

Connect with David Murray, host:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimurray/

Connect with Confirm:
Website: https://www.confirm.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/confirm.hr/

Be updated and know the latest in the world of HR ?
Join our Weekly Newsletter: https://www.confirm.com/newsletter

Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Break The Wheel HR Podcast! In this episode, David Murray, our host, will be joined by Josh Merrill, Cofounder and CEO of Confirm.
Together, they delve into the fascinating world of HR, exploring topics such as the performance reviews today how and when it started and the importance of recognizing talent beyond managerial perspectives.
Josh shares thought-provoking stories and insights, ranging from personal experiences to industry trends. Tune in as they discuss the impact of storytelling for founders and CEOs, the potential pitfalls of AI in recruiting, and the ever-changing landscape of work measurement.
Get ready to expand your HR knowledge and challenge traditional practices as we break down the wheel in this captivating episode. 
Topics Covered:
-They introduce the concept of organizational network analysis (ONA) as a way to measure work based on how it is actually done.
-The podcast explores the optimism of Generation Z workers compared to Millennials and Gen X.
-They highlight the struggles and challenges faced by workers across all generations, including excessive work and lack of clarity in job roles
-The conversation touches on the bias in manager ratings and the need for more objective evaluation methods.
-They discuss the potential benefits and limitations of continuous feedback in performance management..
-The episode ends with a segment on personal experiences and insights, including the importance of being mindful of one's actions and the challenges of being fired.

The incentive structure of how we do work today is that your destiny, your future as an employee, your opportunities for advancement and for growth really depend on your manager's ability to advocate and to influence on your behalf." — Josh Merrill

Timestamps:
(00:23) - Introduction
(01:16) - Uncork and Unwind: Discussing Severance Pay and Social Safety Nets
(02:42) - The Cost of Health Insurance and Hiring Abroad
(03:27) - The Challenge of Contractor vs. Employee Definitions
(04:48) - HR News Flash: Generation Z's Optimism in the Workplace
(07:26) - Reality Check: Reinventing Performance Reviews with ONA
(09:49) - The Impact of Manager Advocacy on Career Progression
(12:06) - Avoiding Popularity Contests in Performance Feedback
(14:08) - People Misunderstand: Misconceptions About Being a Founder or CEO
(20:00) - Break the Wheel or Break a Heel: Continuous Feedback
(22:12) - Manager Ratings and Their Effectiveness
(23:33) - Peer 360s vs. Organizational Network Analysis
(28:02) - The Effectiveness of OKRs
(29:23) - The Future of Performance Reviews with ONA
(30:02) - Wheel Breaker of the Week: LinkedIn's AI-Assisted Recruiting Tools
(37:39) - What Should I Have Done: Working with Pneumonia
(37:57) - HR Horror Story: Mismanaged Performance Reviews
(45:09) - Water Cooler Whispers: AI Bubble in Venture Capital
(46:24) - HR Speaks Funny: The Peter Principle
(48:16) - Decline to Comment: Josh's hardest work moment
(49:43) - Least Enjoyable Co-worker Traits
(50:39) - Eye-Rolling LinkedIn Posts Template
(53:21) - Cheers to Change: Celebrating Thoropass Use of ONA

You can also watch Break the Wheel on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ConfirmHR 
Connect with Josh Merrill:
Linkedin: a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshio/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Welcome to the first episode of Break The Wheel. Join David Murray, our host, and guest, Kyle Lagunas, to discuss the slow adoption of AI and automation in HR and the obstacles faced along the way. 
Kyle Lagunas is the Head of Strategy and Principal Analyst at Aptitude Research. He diligently monitors pivotal practices in talent transformation, spanning operations, technology, and innovation. Through rigorous primary research and profound analysis, he contributes to keeping individuals attuned to crucial discussions and emerging trends in the dynamic realm of work. With a focus on delivering a fresh perspective on the role of technology within integrated talent strategies, Kyle dedicates his expertise to furnish actionable insights that keep leading organizations a step ahead. 
During the conversation, Kyle addresses the gaps in understanding and concerns related to bias that impede the progress of AI in HR. However, he also shares an encouraging statistic: 62% of respondents anticipate increased investment in AI for HR in the near future.

Join us as we delve into the intricacies of AI algorithms and explore the paramount goal of enhancing employee experience. Kyle further imparts unique insights on the significance of addressing biases, the role of HR in the gaming industry, and the necessity for a relationship-driven approach. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between technology and human resources.

"Although concerns with bias are high up there, the number one reason why we were seeing this slow adoption are gaps in HR's understanding of AI and automation." - Kyle Lagunas

Timestamps:
(00:23) - Introduction
(00:59) - Uncork and Unwind: Discussing Work Culture 
(03:46) - HR News Flash: The State of AI in HR
(08:28) - Reality Check: Slow adoption of AI in HR
(15:20) - People Misunderstand: The Real Role of an HR Analysts
(17:39) - Break the Wheel or Break a Heel: Uses of AI
(22:05) - Wheel Breaker of the Week: KPMG's Video Game Training
(24:01) - Wisdom on the Rocks: HR Insights
(25:05) - The Knowledge Gap in AI for HR
(25:26) - Embracing Vulnerability and Risk in HR
(26:20) - The Bandwidth Problem and Burnout in HR
(28:02) - What Should I Have Done? David’s personal experience at work
(32:29) - Horror Story of the Week: Uncomfortable Encounters 
(35:48)  - Wobbly Wheel of the Week: Shopify CEO's Stance on Side Hustles
(37:12) - Water Cooler Whispers: Upcoming Season  of Transformation Realness
(38:26) - HR Speak Funny: The Concept of Boomerang Employee
(41:13) - Decline to Comment: Tough Questions
(44:27) - Cheers to Change: The Four Day Work Week


Connect with Kyle Lagunas:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelagunas/
Connect with David Murray (Host):
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimurray/
Connect with Confirm:
Website: https://www.confirm.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/confirm.hr/
Be updated and know the latest...