WorkTech Podcast

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The WorkTech Podcast explores the critical trends shaping the future of work and HR tech. George LaRocque of WorkTech, drawing from years of advising top innovators, investors, and enterprises, guides you through market deals, issues, opportunities, and trends—all through a strategic, actionable lens.

  1. JAN 29

    AI on Trial: Lawsuits, Labor Power, and HR Tech’s Reckoning

    2026 kicks off with a jolt as George and Kate unpack a wave of developments reshaping HR tech. They dive into the new class action lawsuit against Eightfold, exploring what it signals for AI transparency, compliance, and vendor accountability. The conversation widens to worker power, including Microsoft’s landmark agreement with Australian unions, and the heated rhetoric coming out of Davos about AI and jobs. They also break down Apple and Google’s unexpected AI partnership and the first acquisitions of the year. A fast‑moving, insight‑rich episode for anyone tracking the future of work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min
  2. Workday’s PipeDream, Payroll Pitfalls, and HR’s Strategic Crossroads

    2025-11-28

    Workday’s PipeDream, Payroll Pitfalls, and HR’s Strategic Crossroads

    Exploring venture capital paradoxes, Workday’s agent ambitions, payroll automation risks, workplace safety, and HR’s evolving role in the future of work. George and Kate 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.” This episode blends market intelligence, AI agent trends, and human resources strategy for the future of work. In this episode we look at HR Tech, Work Tech, AI agents, Human Resources strategy, Future of Work, payroll automation, and venture capital trends. These high-volume keywords frame the conversation around funding paradoxes, workplace safety, and the evolving role of HR leaders in technology-driven organizations. Key Takeaways HR Tech funding paradox: Despite $4.9B invested in 2025, early-stage founders face unprecedented challenges in raising capital. AI agents in Work Tech: Workday’s PipeDream acquisition positions it as a leading enterprise AI agent platform for HR and finance. Payroll automation risks: AI-driven payroll failures highlight the need for human oversight and off-cycle payment safeguards. Workplace safety in HR Tech: The Amber Check tragedy underscores the importance of escalation processes, psychological safety, and frontline worker protection. HR’s evolving role: The Economist’s claim that HR has “taken over the world” sparks debate on strategy, DEI, and AI disruption. Future of Work trends: Integration platforms, AI-enabled SaaS, and HR acuity tools redefine how organizations manage people, culture, and compliance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min
  3. Inside Workday’s Acquisition of Paradox: Conversational AI Meets Enterprise Scale with CEO Adam Godson

    2025-11-17

    Inside Workday’s Acquisition of Paradox: Conversational AI Meets Enterprise Scale with CEO Adam Godson

    Workday’s acquisition of Paradox marks a pivotal moment in HR Tech, combining enterprise scale with conversational AI to transform recruiting workflows. CEO Adam Godson joins George LaRocque to unpack the deal’s strategic rationale, market impact, and future of hiring across ecosystems and industries. In this episode, we look at: HR Tech innovation, M&A strategy, conversational AI, frontline hiring, recruiting automation, platform consolidation, and the Future of Work. Key Takeaways Deal Rationale: Workday’s acquisition of Paradox was driven by a shared mission to reduce hiring friction and serve the full market, including the SAP and Oracle ecosystems. Market Impact: Paradox schedules 32M+ interviews annually, representing 1 in 10 U.S. interviews, dramatically accelerating time-to-hire across industries. Frontline Focus: The deal strengthens Workday’s position in high-volume, frontline hiring across the retail, restaurant, and franchise sectors, where traditional HCM platforms have struggled. Client Continuity: Paradox will continue to operate as a standalone platform, supporting integrations with non-Workday systems and maintaining innovation velocity. Agentic Architecture: The future lies in agentic workflows, combining Paradox’s conversational AI with HiredScore’s matching intelligence for seamless candidate experiences. Buyer Sentiment: Customers praise Paradox’s scheduling capabilities and real-world impact, with hiring managers reporting improved staffing and job satisfaction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min
  4. Up Next @WorkTech: Funding, Fumbles, and the Future of Work

    2025-11-12

    Up Next @WorkTech: Funding, Fumbles, and the Future of Work

    Mapping durable skills, decoding labor data, and chasing sun with unused PTO. In this crosspod episode, George and Kate unpack a week of seismic shifts across the HR and Work Tech landscape. UKG launches a venture fund, Personio exits the U.S. with layoffs in tow, and Mercor’s $10B valuation sparks debate about the ethics and economics of AI training. They spotlight Plum’s Durable Skills Index, explore Gen Z’s pivot toward “boring” jobs, and navigate the fog of missing labor data with alternative sources. Plus, a clever Florida tourism campaign reminds us to use that PTO before year-end. Pit and peak reflections round out the episode with personal and policy-driven insights. Topics in this episode: UKG launches venture fund, backing early-stage HR tech innovation. Personio exits U.S. market after limited traction and layoffs. Mercor’s $10B valuation raises concerns about AI training labor. Plum’s Durable Skills Index maps soft skills by city and role. Gen Z embraces “boring jobs” for AI-resistant career paths. HR leaders turn to private data amid missing jobs report. St. Pete offers PTO incentive for end-of-year beach travel. Subscribe to catch new episodes of Up Next at WorkTech every other week, where we cut through the noise and surface what matters most in HR and Work Tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min
  5. Shadow AI, Bold Bets, and Digital Twins: What’s Really Happening in Work Tech

    2025-10-28

    Shadow AI, Bold Bets, and Digital Twins: What’s Really Happening in Work Tech

    This episode of Up Next at WorkTech dives into the latest HR Tech funding rounds, bold M&A strategies, and the rise of AI governance. George LaRocque and Kate Achille explore digital twins, shadow AI, and the growing tension between innovation, compliance, and workforce equity in 2025. From Findem’s $51M Series C to Humanly’s three-way acquisition and FairNow’s surprise exit, the conversation blends strategic insight with editorial edge. Key Takeaways: 1. Findem’s $51M Series C signals a shift toward AI-powered talent intelligence and potential acquisition strategy. 2. Jack and Jill’s $20M seed round raises questions about agentic AI, job marketplaces, and LinkedIn disruption. 3. Humanly’s triple acquisition of Qualifi, Sprockets, and OurWork marks a bold move in high-volume hiring tech. 4. FairNow’s acquisition by AuditBoard highlights the growing demand for AI governance and compliance in HR Tech. 5. Shadow AI and mobile GenAI usage expose major gaps in enterprise risk management and IT oversight. 6. 450,000 women have exited the workforce due to childcare costs—underscoring the urgent need for flexible work policies. Connect with Kate at https://www.devonpr.com/ Connet with George at https://1worktech.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min
  6. PitchFest Prize Winner, Market Standout: Spirence’s Scalable Approach to Mental Wellness

    2025-10-15

    PitchFest Prize Winner, Market Standout: Spirence’s Scalable Approach to Mental Wellness

    In this episode of WorkTech, George LaRocque sits down with Laura Kunz, co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Spirence, the runner-up at this year’s HR Tech PitchFest. Spirence is tackling a critical gap in workplace mental health: the 75% of employees who don’t need clinical care but still want support. Laura shares how her background in behavioral health shaped the platform’s preventive approach, why Spirence is designed for daily use rather than crisis moments, and how their model is driving unexpected engagement with traditional EAPs. They also unpack the PitchFest experience, the credibility boost it delivered, and Spirence’s momentum with partners like Aon and PEOs. If you’re thinking about mental health benefits, distribution strategy, or what it takes to stand out in a crowded HR Tech market, this one’s for you. Key Topics in the Episode: Why most workplace mental health solutions serve only 25% of employees Spirence’s behavioral health roots and preventative care model How Spirence drives EAP utilization by building trust and accessibility The PitchFest experience: refining the message, building credibility, and accelerating partnerships Spirence’s go-to-market strategy through PEOs, resellers, and Aon What’s next: product evolution, growth targets, and Series A planning Learn more about Spirence at spirencewellness.com Get more HR and Work Tech market intelligence and tech insights at 1worktech.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min
  7. Humanly's Bold Roll-Up to Become A Comprehensive AI Hiring Platform

    2025-10-14

    Humanly's Bold Roll-Up to Become A Comprehensive AI Hiring Platform

    In this Breaking News episode of WorkTech, George LaRocque sits down with Prem Kumar, CEO of Humanly, alongside AJ Richichi (Sprockets) and Darrian Mikell (Qualifi) to unpack Humanly’s acquisition of three high-impact platforms: Sprockets, Qualifi, and HourWork. This move marks a major milestone in the evolution of high-volume hiring tech, consolidating capabilities across screening, scheduling, interviewing, and post-hire retention. Prem shares how customer demand for tool consolidation and deeper conversational AI drove the deal, while AJ and Darrian reflect on their differentiated approaches to candidate engagement, from SMS-based retention insights to automated phone interviews. Together, the trio outlines a shared vision for a unified platform that reduces time-to-hire, combats fraud, and delivers a more empathetic candidate experience across voice, video, and text. The episode also explores the strategic timing behind the acquisition, the ethical foundations of each brand, and Humanly’s roadmap—including Series B fundraising and expanded candidate-facing services. If you’re tracking the future of AI in recruiting, this is a must-listen. Takeaways Humanly has acquired three companies to enhance its recruitment technology offerings. The focus is on reducing time-to-hire and improving candidate engagement. AI is being leveraged to automate screening, scheduling, and interviewing processes. Consolidation of tools is essential to provide a seamless experience for customers. The acquisition aims to address the challenges of high applicant volume and fraud detection. Each company involved brings unique strengths to the table, enhancing the overall product. Customer feedback has driven the strategic direction of the acquisition. The future of recruitment technology lies in ethical AI development and compliance. Building relationships with candidates is crucial for effective recruitment. The integration of various communication channels will improve candidate experiences. Learn more about the deal and follow Humanly at humanly.io Learn more about the Work Tech category and the deals and capital driving it at 1worktech.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min
  8. Up Next at WorkTech: The Resume Isn’t Dead, the Jobs Report Is, and Other HR Tech Headlines

    2025-10-13

    Up Next at WorkTech: The Resume Isn’t Dead, the Jobs Report Is, and Other HR Tech Headlines

    In the premiere of our new bi-weekly crossover series, George LaRocque of the WorkTech and the WorkTech Podcast and Kate Achille of the Devon Group and the Up Next at Work Podcast, team up to bring a sharp, strategic lens to the headlines shaping HR and Work Tech. From the quiet but consequential developments in the Workday Mobley case to the missing BLS jobs report and the viral return of resume “cheating,” they unpack what’s real, what’s hype, and what it all means for practitioners, vendors, and investors. They also touch on the latest M&A moves, including SAP’s plans for SmartRecruiters, and the investor sentiment shift that’s making Q4 feel a lot like 2021. Plus: Sora, AI avatars, and a John Candy documentary to end on a high note. Topics Covered: Workday Mobley case update and implications for employers The missing BLS jobs report and what HR pros should do instead Resume gaming with AI: new tricks, old playbook SAP’s SmartRecruiters acquisition and roadmap Investor sentiment shift post-HR Tech Conference Sora, AI avatars, and the future of creative labor John Candy, Nor’easters, and finding levity in the chaos Conversational, strategic, and slightly irreverent. George and Kate bring complementary perspectives—rooted in HR tech, communications, and market analysis—with a shared commitment to clarity, context, and candor. Subscribe to catch new episodes of Up Next at WorkTech every other week, where George and Kate cut through the noise and surface what matters most in HR and Work Tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min
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About

The WorkTech Podcast explores the critical trends shaping the future of work and HR tech. George LaRocque of WorkTech, drawing from years of advising top innovators, investors, and enterprises, guides you through market deals, issues, opportunities, and trends—all through a strategic, actionable lens.

Information

  • Channel
    WRKdefined
  • Creator
    WRKdefined
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved by WRKdefined
  • Show Website
    WorkTech Podcast

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