This Week at Work

Rethinking Compensation: Pay Well, Not Competitively

Download your compensation cheat sheet here: https://shorturl.at/OcOYG
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Ep. 329 This Week, Are you paying to win or just to survive? In this week’s episode of This Week at Work, Phil and Burt flip the script on “competitive pay” and reveal why average compensation is costing you top talent. They’ll unpack why your well-meaning raises might be fueling turnover, how inflation is sabotaging morale, and what it really takes to build a compensation strategy that retains your best people. Join us as we challenge outdated pay norms and share actionable steps to rethink, realign, and actually reward your workforce. It's not about paying more, it's about paying smarter.
Timestamps:
00:53 – Intro & Episode Theme: Benchmarking Pay in 2025
03:18 – Why Phil’s “Phired Up” About Compensation
06:13 – Competitive Pay vs. Paying Well
09:17 – The Three-Part Quiz: Defining and Implementing "Paying Well"
20:09 – Lawyer on the Clock: Missouri’s Paid Sick Leave Repeal
27:03 – Trump-era Firings & Supreme Court Decision
30:45 – Phil’s on Phire Cheat Sheet, Upcoming Compensation Events & Final Thoughts
31:58 – Wrap-up & How to Join the Movement

Engagement 2.0: Redefining What It Means to be Productive

Send your burning questions to hrask.org Ep. 328 This Week, Phil and Burt tackle confusion in the new workplace: Are we measuring the wrong things? As discussed last week, employees are happier with flexibility, yet engagement, and productivity, are trending down. It’s time to rethink what productivity really means in the age of remote work. Join us for a provocative conversation about redefining success, aligning expectations, and building a culture that supports both autonomy and accountability.
Timestamps:
01:46 – Intro: Productivity vs. Activity in a Hybrid World
03:22 – Gallup & Forbes Stats: Why Manager Trust Is Broken
04:54 – Why Measuring HR Productivity is So Hard
07:20 – Visibility Bias: Why Remote Work Breeds Distrust
08:54 – How to Fix Broken Productivity Metrics
09:53 – RECAP: Missouri Paid Sick Leave Law Fallout
11:47 – Employer vs. Employee Perspectives on Policy
16:46 – Burning Question: Should You Share Personnel Files?
19:58 – HR Strategy Lightning Round: How Should We Define Productivity?
26:13 – In-Office vs. Remote Resentment and How to Handle It
27:56 – Lawyer on the Clock: No Tax on Tips, Independent Contractors, EEO-1 Data Cautions
35:19 – Final Thoughts and How AAIM Supports Your HR Team

Unveiling the 5 Top Challenges of Remote/Hybrid Work

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Ep. 327 Remote and hybrid work are no longer the exception, they’re the expectation. But even after years of experimenting, employers are still navigating some tough waters. In today’s episode, we’ll quiz Burt on the top five challenges HR professionals report in managing hybrid models, and reveal why solving those doesn’t mean the job is done.
00:48 - Introduction from Phil
02:15 - Look back at AAIM Leadership Conference
05:09 - Remote Work and Engagement
06:06 - Survey of Remote Work at AAIM
08:30 - Burt on Remote Work
10:40 - Phil's Tough Truth
14:17 - Burt's Work from Home Policy Thoughts and Remote Work Agreements
15:39 - Phil on Bending Work from Home Policy
18:08 - AAIM Membership
18:40 - Lawyer on the Clock
19:15 - No Tax on Tips
24:50 - 8th Cricut EEOC Case of Deaf Truck Driver
30:15 - More thoughts on legal issues from Burt
35:05 - Pop Quiz with Burt on Remote/Hybrid Work

This Week at Work: What Surveys Reveal About Trust After Covid and an Update on Missouri Prop A

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Ep. 326 In this episode of This Week at Work, Phil Brandt, President & CEO of AAIM Employers Association, and employment attorney Burt Garland take a look at trust in the workplace through a post-covid lens. They also break down Missouri's new Paid Sick Leave law taking effect May 1st and what HR professionals need to know now, how to prepare for the rest of 2025, and why trust is the foundation of employee engagement and productivity.
We also explore:
- Surprising ADA accommodation trends linked to return-to-office policies
- The impact of transparency and leadership on trust
- Shocking case: 110-hour workweeks lead to hospitalization
- "Lawyer on the Clock" with urgent compliance deadlines
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction from Phil Brandt & Nick Barton
02:00 – Missouri Paid Sick Leave Is Official: What HR Needs to Know
05:06 – Strategy Tip: Interim Policies Until Dec 31
07:00 – Predictions: When Will Employees Use Their First Sick Hour?
08:00 – Leadership Conference Preview: AAIM’s Premier Event
10:08 – Why Trust in the Workplace is Broken
13:25 – Ways to Rebuild Workplace Trust Post-COVID
16:00 – Hybrid Work & Trust: What Really Works
18:00 – Trust & Turnover: The Hidden Link
22:47 – Upcoming AAIM Course: Conflict Resolution (May 21)
22:55 – Lawyer on the Clock: EEO-1 Reporting Surprise
24:56 – ADA Accommodation Surge & Remote Work
29:12 – Extreme Example: 110-Hour Workweek Backfires
32:47 – Final Thoughts + See You at the Conference!

Hard Talks, Real Results: How to Have Difficult Conversations

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Ep 325. This week on This Week at Work, Phil and Burt dive into one of HR’s most uncomfortable but essential responsibilities: having difficult conversations. Inspired by a viral workplace scenario where a manager struggled to address an employee’s provocative attire, we'll unpack how to approach sensitive topics, whether it’s dress code, performance, or conflict, address it without damaging relationships or morale. Tune in for expert strategies, real-world examples, and a few laughs to help make those tough talks a little easier.
 
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction & Show Overview
01:30 – Live from Las Vegas: Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategy Seminar
02:40 – The Cost of No Training: Phil’s Son’s Experience as a New Manager
07:00 – HR Scenario Q&A: Handling Difficult Conversations
13:00 – Preparing Managers for Sensitive Talks: Tools & Frameworks
20:00 – Supporting Managers: HR as a Partner in Performance
21:00 – Lawyer on the Clock – Missouri Proposition A Update
24:00 – Paid Sick Leave Policy Advice: Interim Solutions
26:00 – Federal Executive Orders: DEI, Disparate Impact, and Legal Trends
30:00 – Final Thoughts: HR Leadership & Legal Foresight
 
Brought to you by AAIM Employers Association, your partner in HR support, compliance, and professional development.

Communicating Change Without Losing Your Team

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How do you lead your team through uncertainty without losing trust, momentum, or top performers? In this episode of This Week at Work, Phil Brandt (President & CEO of AAIM Employers Association) and employment attorney Burt Garland (Ogletree Deakins) dive deep into how HR leaders can communicate change effectively — and empathetically.
Discover practical strategies to guide your team through role changes, restructures, and even layoffs while keeping morale and culture intact.
Also in this episode:
- The potential repeal of Missouri’s Paid Sick Leave Act
- How to respond if ICE visits your workplace
- A Supreme Court decision that changes how performance reviews could be seen legally
This is a must-watch episode for HR professionals navigating a rapidly shifting workplace — brought to you by AAIM Employers Association, your go-to partner for leadership development, legal compliance, and workforce strategy.
Timestamps:
The Danger of Delaying Paid Sick Leave Compliance – 00:03:03 – 00:06:08
What to Do When ICE Shows Up at Your Workplace – 00:06:33 – 00:09:35
Performance Reviews as Discrimination? – 00:09:58 – 00:14:25
How to Communicate Change Without Losing Your Team – 00:22:25 – 00:24:54
Supporting Your Team During Layoffs: What HR Gets Wrong – 00:30:02 – 00:31:03
Brought to you by AAIM Employers Association — your partner in HR support, compliance, and professional development.
#HRCompliance #MissouriLaw #ChangeManagement #AAIMEmployersAssociation #HRLeadership #WorkplaceStrategy #EmployeeEngagement #OgletreeDeakins #LaborLaw #PaidSickLeave

Change Happens, HR Makes It Work: 5 Ways to Master Change

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Change is constant—but how you lead through it makes all the difference. In this episode of This Week at Work, Phil Brandt, CEO of AAIM Employers Association, is joined by change expert Tanya Zion to explore the most effective strategies HR professionals can use to manage organizational transformation.
From the neuroscience of employee resistance to actionable tactics for leading with empathy, this episode dives deep into how HR can be the driver—not the victim—of change. Plus, discover details about AAIM’s new change management program tailored for HR leaders launching on April 24th.
Learn how to:
- Build trust in times of transition
- Apply the SCARF Model for smoother change adoption
- Use communication to reduce fear, increase buy-in, and boost engagement
- Equip your HR team with the tools to lead change successfully
Whether you’re facing a return-to-office shift, restructuring, or cultural transformation, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.
Timestamps:
00:01:00 – Introduction
00:02:21 – Guest Tanya Zion joins to talk about workplace change
00:04:52 – The evolution of trust in the workplace 00:10:21 – Are your leaders trained in change management?
00:13:08 – Lawyer on the Clock – Quick legal insight on HR's change responsibility
00:20:09 – The SCARF Model: 5 Keys to Mastering Change
00:31:05 – Burning Questions – How can HR lead through complexity?
00:31:48 – On-demand & Live show reminders
#ThisWeekAtWork #ChangeManagement #HRLeadership #AAIMEmployersAssociation #HRStrategy #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #OrganizationalChange

This Week at Work: New Employment Laws HR Can’t Ignore

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In this episode of This Week at Work, we dive into critical legal updates, HR compliance must-knows, and real-world solutions to the toughest workplace challenges. Join Phil Brandt (President & CEO of AAIM Employers’ Association) and Burt Garland (Employment Law Expert) as they break down the biggest issues facing HR leaders today. From new labor laws to policy pitfalls, we’ve got the insights you need to protect your organization and stay ahead.
Timestamps:
Phil Brandt starts the show - 00:00:07
Lawyer on the Clock - 00:10:30
The #1 Legal Change HR Leaders Must Know – 00:25:14
Burning Questions - 00:28:45
How to Handle Employee Policy Violations the Right Way – 00:32:08
HR’s Biggest Compliance Mistakes – Are You Making Them? – 00:40:21
AAIM Employers: The Secret Weapon for HR Success – 00:45:37
#HRCompliance #EmploymentLaw #Leadership #HRTrends #AAIMEmployers #LegalUpdates #HRBestPractices #WorkplaceSuccess

HELP VANISHED! Death Rate Exceeding Birth Rate in Major Cities

Send your burning questions to hrask.org Demographic shifts are reshaping the workforce — and if you haven't already been affected by this phenomena in your city...you will! In this eye-opening episode of This Week at Work, Phil welcomes Professor Ness Sándoval, a leading demographer from Saint Louis University, to break down why employers everywhere are struggling to hire and retain talent. From declining birth rates and delayed marriages to urban migration, the workforce is shifting. Learn what this means for your business and what HR leaders need to do now to stay competitive in a thinning labor market.
Timestamps:
01:54 - Phil and Dr. Ness Sandoval02:12 - Top 3 concerns employers have today06:25 - Challenge we have ahead of us09:21 - The working population issue12:45 - Population Comparisons22:45 - Solutions that could help stop the decline27:56 - Final thoughts
#HRCompliance, #EmploymentLaw, #WorkplacePolicies, #HRMistakes, #HumanResources, #AAIMEmployersAssociation, #Leadership, #WorkplaceCulture, #EmployeeHandbook, #HRStrategy #Demogrophy 
 
 

From Office to Anywhere: Leadership in the New Work Reality with This Week at Work

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Join us on 'This Week at Work' as we delve into the enduring presence of remote work five years post-pandemic and uncover how leadership must evolve to inspire productivity in hybrid environments. Hosts Phil and Burt have fun with a remote work failure, and explore the latest trends to navigate the evolving workplace landscape. Don't miss this engaging conversation that blends the human touch with modern work dynamics.
In Episode 320 of This Week at Work, Phil Brandt, President and CEO of AAIM Employers Association, and Burt Garland of Ogletree Deakins dive deep into the hidden challenges of remote work. From employees secretly holding two jobs to legal risks of moonlighting for competitors, this episode is packed with insights every HR professional and business leader must know. Learn about recent legal cases, practical strategies for managing remote teams, and how new guidance from the EEOC could reshape DEI practices. Don’t miss Lawyer on the Clock for key legal updates and Burning Questions that tackle real HR dilemmas. Brought to you by AAIM Employers Association.
Timestamps:
Phil Brandt opens the show: 00:06
Lawyer on the Clock segment: 20:16
Burning Questions segment: 29:11
Key Segments 
Remote Work Double-Dipping Case (Texas Employee Working for Competitor)Timestamp: 02:17 – 07:09
Strategies for Managing Remote Teams EffectivelyTimestamp: 08:18 – 19:11
Supreme Court Case on Reverse DiscriminationTimestamp: 21:23 – 25:11
EEOC & DOJ DEI Guidance WarningTimestamp: 29:11 – 33:30
👉 Available on demand now – stay informed, stay compliant, stay ahead.