This Week at Work

Traps to Avoid When Updating Your Employee Handbook

Traps to Avoid When Updating Your Employee Handbook
📚 Is your employee handbook up to date? Discover why it matters in our latest episode of #ThisWeekattWork with special guest Christine Crews.
We're diving deep into  2023 employment law changes, including accommodating pregnant employees, dissecting NLRB updates, and much more!
Get the inside scoop on keeping your workplace compliant and thriving. It's time to level up in the ever-evolving world of work - don't miss out! 🔥💼 #WorkplaceCompliance #EmployeeHandbookRevamp #TWAW2023

How to Integrate Generative AI Today!

From the glitz of Hollywood to the veins of transportation, the pervasive influence of Artificial Intelligence is undeniable. Yet, it's not merely a contentious buzzword. Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the contemporary business landscape and holds the power to revolutionize the way we work, create, and innovate. However, achieving successful A.I. integration is the key to unlocking its full potential.
 
This week, we are honored to have Ryan Kohler as our distinguished guest, a visionary entrepreneur who has spearheaded a revolution in the hiring and recruiting industry. As the CEO of Refer.io, the mastermind behind ApplicantPro, and the driving force propelling GPT4Work, Ryan's unwavering enthusiasm for A.I.'s potential is palpable.
 
Join us on "This Week at Work" as Ryan shares his profound insights, effective strategies, and actionable steps for seamlessly integrating generative AI into your teams. He'll encapsulate this transformative journey in what he calls the "3 P's": Policies, Priorities, and Practicality. Discover how A.I. can be harnessed to optimize your organization's future success.

3 Steps to Become an Effective Leader

Today, the fight for good people continues to be fierce. After that first battle is won and a new recruit joins the team, the journey to deliver on the promises you made to earn that commitment begins. The question is how intentional are you about the direction that journey will go? Our guest might say your answer to that question is a good indicator of how effective of a leader you'll be. Andrew Adeniyi, CEO and Founder of AAA Solutions, is a figure creating buzz across the country with his talks on culture, talent and leadership.

How To Predict and Avoid A Labor Crisis

Our special guest this week is Kevin Keller. Keller is a professional statistician and quality professional with over 30 years of experience teaching, coaching, and leading Lean Six Sigma project teams from the shop floor to the enterprise levels. He has spent his entire career in consumer goods and technology sectors. He is going to revisit his breakout session topic from the AAIM Leadership Conference in May, “Using Reliability Statistics to Predict Employee Tenure and Attrition.”
 
Don't miss out on this groundbreaking conversation that promises to reshape the HR landscape. Get ready to ignite your curiosity only on #TWAW!

”Current DEI practices will never work because they are fundamentally wrong”

Our Guest today is Frederick G. Falker, an entrepreneur, a visionary, and a thought leader who has not only revolutionized the way we think about business but has also dedicated his life to empowering others to achieve their full potential.
Lawyer on the Clock5:43  United Auto Workers Union prepares targeted strikes as talks with the three major automakers (GM, Ford, and Stellantis) have stalled. 9:23 Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed substantial increases to the salary threshold for white collar exemptions.
Employers' Lounge13:00 Fred explains his statement, "Current DEI practices will never work because they are fundamentally wrong."14:50 The four groups of employees inside organizations that run DEI programs; the frustrated, the angry, the ambivalent, and the weary and the dynamics of culture.22:28 Leaders are feeling pressure to create an inclusive culture.27:39 Senior leaders must commit to inclusion and take responsibility for it as much as they do safety in the workplace.29:07 Anything that separates people into groups is doomed to fail.30:19 Exclusion is not the big enemy of inclusions, it's failing to include people.

What is Trending in the World of Value-Added Benefits? An AAIM Member Spotlight on ApexBenefits

ep247: Join us in this informative podcast episode where Tiffany Coburn of Ogletree Deakins and Stephanie DiBlasio of ApexBenefits discuss the latest trends in employment law and employee benefits. Gain a deep understanding of the implications of the new I-9 form and Florida's recent SB1718 law and how these changes directly impact employers. Discover the innovative health and pharmacy cost savings solutions offered by ApexBenefits and learn how to design benefit packages that meet the needs of a diverse, multi-generational workforce. From pet insurance to paid parental leave, this episode is packed with insights and strategic approaches to employee benefits. Tune in and stay ahead in the world of employee benefits.
Key Takeaways from the episode:
The new I-9 form and Florida's recent SB1718 law directly affect employers, underscoring the need for compliance.
ApexBenefits offers a range of services to employers, from health and pharmacy cost savings solutions to benchmarking studies.
Benefit packages that cater to a diverse, multi-generational workforce are crucial. ApexBenefits’ approach involves turning internal survey results into actionable changes.
Current trends like pet insurance, paid parental leave, and travel incentives are becoming increasingly popular in employee benefits.
5. Balancing program expenditure and employee feedback is key to staying ahead in the competitive landscape of employee benefits. 
4:29 Lawyer on the Clock:  I-9 Forms and Remote Verification Changes (18 Minutes) In this segment, Tiffany Coburn from Ogletree Deakins provides detailed information on the new I-9 form, the remote I-9 alternative verification process, and the new Florida law SB1718. She provides a deep dive into the changes in I-9 forms and the importance of ensuring compliance for employers. Tiffany also discusses the alternative procedure for remote verification and the implications of Florida's new law for employers with over 25 employees. 
17:24 The Employers’ Lounge: ApexBenefits  In this section, Stephanie DiBlasio, Vice President of HR and Administration at ApexBenefits, discusses the range of services ApexBenefits provides. She touches on their approach to designing benefit packages that cater to a multi-generational workforce and the importance of understanding employee needs. She also discusses current trends such as pet insurance, paid parental leave, and travel incentives, emphasizing the importance of balancing program expenditure with employee feedback.
Host(s): Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Special Guest(s): Stephanie DiBlasio, Vice President of HR and Administration, ApexBenefitsTiffany Coburn, Immigration Attorney, Ogletree Deakins
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production

From #hrfl23: Empowering HR through the HR Hotline, Benchmark Surveys, and Live Online Training

ep246: We bring the show to you from The 45th Annual HR Florida Leadership Conference and Expo #hrfl23!  Phil Brandt invites Rita Manny SPHR, SHRM-SCP and Christine Crews onto This Week at Work to discuss what they're hearing on the #HRhotline, what to expect from AAIM Employers’ Association's upcoming #BenchmarkSurveys, and to share key learnings from AAIM's ongoing #Liveonline #hrtraining sessions.
 
4:28 - Coming out in early September: National Business Trends Survey, covering business outlook, business investment plans, staffing plans, pay strategies, and business improvement measures. 
 
5:07 - Coming out the second week in September is our National Policies and Benefit Surveys, which will allow you to measure yourself against competitors.
 
8:33 - What is the AAIM hotline? Give us a call or email, and get your HR questions answered, beyond “that depends.”
 
25:35 - AAIM offers background and applicant tracking screening in-house.
 
28:50 - Virtual, live online training allows AAIM to train so many more people than we previously could. 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
 
Special Guest(s): 
Rita Manny, President - Florida, AAIM Employers’ Association
Christine Crews, Manager - Member Support, AAIM Employers’ Association
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 
 

Projections for 2024 and its Impact on Compensation Budgets

ep245: Today, we unveil the unexpected twists in Social Security projections and what that means for you when planning your compensation budget for 2024. Dive into the world of economic forecasts with insights from Phil Brandt and compensation expert Michael Maciekowich. And don't miss the revealing insights from Mikey Mac's renowned cardboard box index.
 
Lawyer on the Clock
5:21 - Is the TSA reinstating mask mandates? With a new COVID variant out there, rumors are flying it could be as early as mid-September. 
7:11 - The Fifth Circuit court issued a decision eliminating a legal test for evaluating Title Seven claims. 
10:36 - A St. Louis case headed to the Supreme Court could further delve into what is considered adverse employment action.
 
The Employers’ Lounge
18:40 - Michael Maciekowich is here with a 2024 compensation forecast. 
20:45 - Economic think tanks are pulling back on recession projections. 
22:30 - The cardboard box index is shifting in part due to environmental conservation efforts. 
24:20 - Starting pay is increasing, which is affecting compensation budget projections. 28:19 - The growing realization that human resource professionals are having to serve more as financial advisors as they become responsible for helping manage a huge portion of an organization's budget with pay and benefits. 
31:16 - Compression! In the rush to compete for new talent, it's important to now reflect on your internal equity and remain competitive among existing workers. 
34:25 - The current state of lump sums, bonuses, and spot awards.
   
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Burt Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
 
Special Guest(s): 
Michael F. Maciekowich, National Director, Astron Solutions
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 

Higher Learning and The Future of Workers

ep244: Today, we welcome Joe Sallustio, Sr VP of Strategic Enrollment Management at Lindenwood University to help us look critically at the relationship between the workforce and academia. For example, while businesses face the great resignation, universities similarly face the great enrollment cliff. Also, as AI is changing how we operate our businesses, it’s just as rapidly transforming how institutions operate.
And sure, when hiring, a college degree shaves some risk, but what is it really worth? And how does that value compare to skill stacking?
 
Lawyer on the Clock
3:34 - The Supreme Court recently struck down affirmative action policies in higher education. Could companies’ voluntary diversity and inclusion efforts be in legal jeopardy?
 
Philburt’s Phorum
14:08 - Student loans, due dates, and seventh year seniors. 
 
The Employers’ Lounge
16:08 - Joe Sallustio discusses going from hating school, to a career in academia, his podcast The EdUp Experience, and his book Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education.
 
19:28 - How is the great resignation affecting the university setting? Teachers and professors are leaving the industry and there are not going to be as many 17 and 18 year olds enrolling. 
 
22:38 - Once concern as businesses look to take on the newest technology is, it takes four years to get a degree, and your curriculum could already be outdated by the time you graduate. 
 
25:00 - How do we protect IP in the age of AI? How do you work with students and employees who come in expecting to be able to use AI as a tool.
 
29:32 - What is skill stacking? How can employers evaluate skills without a degree backing it up?
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Burt Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
 
Special Guest(s): 
Joe Sallustio, Senior Vice President, Strategic Enrollment Management, Lindenwood University
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 

Voices at Work: Questioning Operational and Executive Leadership Effectiveness

ep243: If you're looking for meaningful information about how #leadership and #operations are perceived at your organization, it's important to ask the right questions. Tanya Zion, JD joins This Week at Work to share her thoughts on how to understand employee opinions about how effective their #leaders and #processes are. Phil joins us from Indiana's SHRM conference, and Burt gets to talk about news that broke just before last week's show.
 
Lawyer on the Clock
2:57 - NLRB and DOL are clamping down on anti-union activities. Are captive audience meetings going to be illegal? 
 
6:28 - DOL released a final rule that requires employers to submit when they hire consultant firms to discourage union organization efforts. 
 
7:24 - The NLRB issued a new decision on the standard for analyzing the legality of employer rules, handbooks, and policies. 
 
Philburt’s Phorum
14:151 - Opinion and engagement surveys!
 
The Employers’ Lounge
16:01 - It’s important that these surveys are actually anonymous, and employees can feel confident sharing their real opinions. Confidentiality and people understanding the data can be trusted go hand-in-hand. The purpose is to build trust and elevate the employee voice.
 
18:16 - An easy to take survey gets taken, and builds engagement.
 
19:47 - It’s important to compare engagement survey results across a national norm to see what the market is doing in general. 
 
20:27 - Executive leadership effectiveness and operational effectiveness had a sharp decline coming out of 2020 through 2022, but are beginning to bounce back. 
 
28:00 - Direct supervisor effectiveness is consistently rated higher than that of executive leadership.
 
   
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Burt Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
 
Special Guest(s): 
Tanya Zion, JD, Strategic Business Consultant
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production