AI can fake a photo, a screenshot, and even your voice—which means Laura Azzarella’s “trust but verify” rule just became non-negotiable for HR leaders, managers, and anyone handling workplace investigations. Laura breaks down several examples that most miss out on when considering investigations (related to people falsifying things) i.e. how to spot manipulated digital evidence, and how to protect yourself from bogus complaints. Our host, Tom Schin, brings the recruiting and leadership lens, while Laura - co-founder of Applied Potential Solutions - brings deep expertise in employee relations, workplace investigations, and the digital-age realities employers are now facing. Together, they get into the messy intersection of AI, documentation, and judgment, including why a screenshot is only proof that a screen existed at a moment in time, not that the story behind it is true. Let’s dive into what we discuss in this episode: How confident are you in your human based AI detection skills? How to sanity-check screenshots, timestamps, metadata, and Slack messages before over reacting What EXIF data can reveal when someone tries to fake an excuse Why “trust but verify” matters more than ever in workplace investigations How deepfakes and voice cloning are changing the risk landscape for employers Laura also shares the practical side of building her new content library, Applied HR, a master class in employee relations that covers positive workplace frameworks, conduct and performance, leaves of absence, and investigations in the digital age. Beyond their nerding out. Tom and Laura get candid about loyalty, burnout, side hustles, and the reality that “pick your suck” may be the most honest leadership advice you’ll hear all year. If you’re trying to balance a W-2 with a consulting business, build boundaries around moonlighting, or figure out what you actually do and do not tolerate at work, this conversation hits home. Keywords HR, AI, workplace investigations, digital evidence, employee relations, professional development, HR tech, generative AI, HR courses, leadership Key topics AI safeguards and investigations Digital evidence and AI-generated content Workplace investigation best practices HR course development and training Career growth and side hustles in HR Takeaways Trust but verify digital evidence, especially with AI-generated content. Build strong boundaries between side projects and W-2 employment. Stay informed about AI risks like deepfakes and AI hacks. Develop practical skills through targeted HR courses. Leverage networking and continuous learning for career growth. Guest Laura Azzarella Sound bites "Trust but verify in digital investigations." "AI is coming faster than we think." "Find your passion projects and pursue them." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Laura Azzarella and Tom Schin 02:08 The importance of AI safeguards in HR 03:59 AI-generated content and digital evidence 06:02 Verifying evidence in the digital age 07:59 The future of AI and workplace security 10:05 Launching HR courses and training programs 12:06 Balancing side hustles and W-2 employment 13:54 Legal considerations in HR and side projects 15:53 Networking and professional growth in HR 18:07 The impact of generational shifts on work loyalty 20:02 The importance of setting boundaries in side work 22:00 The evolving landscape of HR and technology 23:55 The role of continuous learning and adaptation 25:54 Strategies for high turnover environments 28:03 The future of work and AI integration 29:58 Closing thoughts and resources Bio: Laura is Co-Founder of Applied Potential Solutions, where she advises organizations and develops HR professionals through consulting, training, and certification programs focused on employee relations, workplace investigations, and the impact of technology and AI on the modern workplace. With more than 17 years of experience spanning aerospace, manufacturing, higher education, and the public sector, Laura brings a unique combination of employment law knowledge, operational HR leadership, and technical expertise. Her work includes leading HR transformations, implementing enterprise HR systems, and developing employee relations and modern investigation practices for international organizations. Laura is a frequent speaker on workplace investigations, digital evidence authentication, and the impact of artificial intelligence on employee relations. She is particularly known for helping HR professionals navigate complex workplace issues through the dual lens of human behavior and emerging technology. In her spare time, she volunteers as President of her regional SHRM chapter (https://www.bnhra.org ). Links: Web www.appliedpotentialsolutions.com Employee Relations Courses applied-hr.trainercentralsite.com Newsletter appliedhr.substack.com LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/laura-azzarella/ LINKS to info referenced in our episode: https://ifamagazine.com/the-hidden-career-cost-of-hushed-coping-why-women-need-to-stop-silencing-themselves-at-work/ Name Drops of awesome people mentioned: John Bernatovicz https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbernatovicz/ Music provided courtesy of our friends from The Break Signals. Listen or download on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/0N7XL0GhzD4xNtzoqhfcxR?si=s0dwq9XNQ1CXOk1oGy1pRA Where you can find this show: WrkDefined: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/this-meeting-should-have-been-a-podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisMeetingShouldHaveBeen Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51irFfpU6n8PiOE6mIS7xw iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-this-meeting-should-have-b-294545078/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-meeting-should-have-been-a-podcast/id1840061864 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomntompodcast Substack: https://thismeetingshouldhavebeen.substack.com/