This Week at Work

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 

Difficult Conversations at Work: Preparing for and Documenting Tough Talks

ep242: Phil and Burt team up to offer guidance when it comes to preparing for, and documenting difficult conversations at work. Follow a few simple tips to be an HR All-Star, like PhilMario and LuigiBurt. Plus, our Lawyer on the Clock has several weeks of HR news to get off his chest.
 
Lawyer on the Clock
3:00 - Kalpana Kotagal has been confirmed to be one of the commissioners at the EEOC.
 
6:23 - The Department of Homeland Security has issued new I-9 forms and an alternative for verifying remote workers. 
 
9:25 - The Americans with Disabilities Act just turned 33.
 
10:27 - What is the “No Robot Bosses” Act?
 
Philburt’s Phorum
14:10 - What’s everyone overhearing at the watercooler?
 
The Employers’ Lounge
16:05 - How, when, and what should you document when having difficult conversations?
 
20:08 - Should HR professionals have employees sign documentation of difficult conversations?
 
25:30 - The key to difficult conversations in the workplace is to prepare.
 
26:56 - Don’t forget the compliment sandwich!
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Burt Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 

AAIM and EAF: More Powerful Together

ep241:  In case you haven’t heard, AAIM and EAF Employers Associations have merged in an effort to continue to progress, grow, and ultimately serve members better. So we’re dedicating the half hour to share our excitement, and give a glimpse into the added expertise and solutions now at members’ fingertips.
 
In The Employers’ Lounge with Phil and Rita
1:17 - Rita Manny, president of EAF Employers Association, now President - Florida, AAIM Employers’ Association, joins the program to discuss how the merger between AAIM and EAF came to be, and what to expect going forward. 
 
10:12 - The merger is about a better future: better innovation, better technology, and more efficient, expanded resources. 
 
19:57 - EAF members wills till have the services they rely on, including the hotline, which is one of the key services. There will be more training and development.
 
22:37 - AAIM services new to EAF members will include live online training, applicant tracking, and background verification. 
 
   
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
 
Special Guest(s): 
Rita Manny, President - Florida, AAIM Employers’ Association
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 

AAIM Member Spotlight: Child Care Answers

Ep240:  Recruits and star employees have choices, and they demand work-life balance and flexibility, but what does that look like? We introduce AAIM Member Lane Heaney, an HR Generalist at Child Care Answers. Lane watches firsthand how her organization empowers employers to provide the support their employee’s demand. Also, Lane discusses how she keeps her head above water as a one-person HR department.
 
Lawyer on the Clock: 
4:07 - Do current OSHA standards for high hazard industries require you to submit 300 logs, 301 logs, or both?
 
9:11 - How do you determine if you are in a high hazard industry?
 
11:01 - Mandatory lunch meetings: clocked-in or clocked-out?
 
Philburt’s Phorum:
13:25 - Monique, our AI contributor tests out new looks. 
 
The Employers’ Lounge: Child Care Answers
16:31 - Lane Heaney discusses moving away from the “employees’ child care issues are not my issues” mentality. 
 
21:09 - Employer provided solutions for employee childcare can vary greatly: splitting shifts, job sharing, flexible spending accounts, childcare subsidies, PTO, or even just including information about available local programs in your onboarding.
 
25:55 - Remote work has brought up new issues when it comes to childcare while parents are working from home. 
 
Poll Results
26:38 -  Flexibility in hours and location was the number one response to “which of the following do you think impacts work life balance the most?”
 
28:15 - Our listeners overwhelmingly have not implemented any type of child care support for employees and do not feel it is a fit for their organization.
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Tom Chibnall, Associate, Ogletree Deakins
 
Special Guest(s): 
Lane Heaney, HR Generalist, Child Care Answers
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 

Generational Diversity at Work Part II

Ep238:  We continue our conversation around a multi-generational workforce with tips for developing culture that drives collaboration and healthy relationships. We welcome Tanya back to offer ideas on how to provide employees a common “why”, while at the same time being flexible with the “how”.
 
Lawyer on the Clock: 
3:36 - The Supreme Court issued a significant decision in a case between an LGBTQ+ couple and a website designer. 
 
7:54 - Some clarity is offered on the Supreme Court decision from last week regarding affirmative action.
 
The Employers’ Lounge: Multi-Generations at Work
21:12 - Multiple generations have grown up with different experiences as relates to technology, laws, etc.  
 
22:26 - What, as an organization, is your purpose, your vision, your values?
 
25:13 - Mission, vision, and values often come from a consultant, and don’t get integrated into what we are actually doing.
 
Poll Results
27:23 - Who defines a company’s culture? Poll says leadership at 55%.
 
30:42 - What is the biggest determining factor for work ethic? Our viewers say it’s how you were raised.
   
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Burt Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
 
Special Guest(s): 
Tanya Zion, Business Manager, Engagement Services, AAIM Employers’ Association
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 

AAIM Member Spotlight: Bunzl - Buying Stock in Their People

Ep238: 
We turn the spotlight towards another impressive AAIM member company, Bunzl Distribution, an organization with a global reach that calls St Louis home for their North American operations. We welcome a special guest, John Lyday, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Bunzl North America. From a concerted dedication to leadership training and personal development, to inspiring an enthusiasm for diversity, you’ll surely walk away with insights you can apply to your area of focus. Plus, the spotlight’s on Tom Chibnall too as he’s this week’s Lawyer on the Clock.
Lawyer on the Clock:
4:21 - The Supreme Court has changed direction on whether it is considered undue hardship when it comes to how coworkers are adversely impacted when it comes to religious accommodations. 
7:23 - The Supreme Court also ruled it is unconstitutional to consider race as a factor in admissions practices for universities and colleges. 
Philburt’s Phorum:
n/a
The Employers’ Lounge: Bunzl Distribution
11:31 - Bunzl’s growth comes from acquisitions, and our largest challenge comes from finding the right companies, and integrating them into Bunzl and our culture, but keeping the best of who they are. 
16:06 - Post-pandemic, Bunzl has invested in a specialized talent acquisition team, onboarding, and engagement of new hires.  
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Nick Barton, Vice President, Feature Group USA
Tom Chibnall, Associate, Ogletree Deakins
 
Special Guest(s): 
John Lyday, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Bunzl North America
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 

How to Level-up with Generational Diversity

Ep237: 
It’s a multi-generational workforce, and to unlock the potential that these different perspectives can offer, it’s going to take actively understanding the diverse skills, experiences, and values of our people. We welcome to the show, Strategic Business Consultant, Tanya Zion. Tanya will bring insights that she’s gained from both research and real-world situations to help you elevate your organization.
Lawyer on the Clock:
6:24 - The US Supreme Court issued a split decision that allows Coinbase (a cryptocurrency company) to pause a lawsuit while it appeals a dispute over sending claims to arbitration.
12:24 - An investigation has begun into 23 companies that appear to have committed wage theft. 
14:29 - The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is officially in effect.
Philburt’s Phorum:
18:06 - Phil attempts to understand a dramatic recreation of a GenZ breakup. 
The Employers’ Lounge: Multi-Generational Workforce
21:19 - When it comes to younger generations, we have to meet them where they are and cultivate a curiosity of why we function differently in the workplace. The expectations and differences that we have to deal with are real.
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Burt Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
 
Special Guest(s): 
Tanya Zion, Strategic Business Consultant - Executive Coach, AAIM Employers’ Association
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production