All Things Work

What’s shaping the workplace in 2025? We take a dive into SHRM’s latest State of the Workplace Report to understand the changing priorities amid labor shortages, rapid tech advancements, and evolving employee expectations. James Atkinson, vice president of thought leadership at SHRM, joins us to explore why organizations are shifting from external hiring to internal growth — and how HR leaders can build resilient, engaged teams for the future. Resources from this Week’s Episode: 2025 SHRM State of the Workplace Report - https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/2025-shrm-state-of-the-workplace CHRO Priorities & Perspectives Report - https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/chro-priorities-perspectives Subscribe to All Things Work to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles

Organizations face mounting pressure to balance legal compliance with fostering workplace diversity. Sarah Goodman, counsel at Offit Kurman, discusses how Title VII combats workplace discrimination and outlines the challenges posed by recent White House executive orders targeting inclusion and diversity (I&D) efforts. Explore Goodman's insights and actionable steps, from consulting legal counsel to implementing merit-based initiatives. Resources from this week’s episode: 2025 State of the Workplace Report - https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/2025-shrm-state-of-the-workplace CHRO Priorities & Perspectives Report - https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/chro-priorities-perspectives Subscribe to the All Things Work newsletter to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/fg444d   --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, arti

Your organization might just be overlooking critical groups of people when hiring for a productive, adaptable workforce and seeking to fill skills gaps. Clayton Lord, senior program director at the SHRM Foundation, unpacks how to reach and harness the potential of untapped talent pools—from military spouses to senior citizens to individuals with disabilities—in order to drive business growth and align your inclusion and diversity initiatives with new White House executive orders. Resources from this Week’s Episode SHRM BEAM Framework - https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/inclusion-diversity/shrms-beam-framework-for-inclusion-aligning-merit-with-organizational-excellence SHRM Foundation - https://www.shrm.org/foundation Subscribe to the All Things Work newsletter to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/fg444d Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engag

Addressing and resolving tension in the workplace can be a challenging feat, requiring more than just establishing clear policies. Catherine Mattice, founder and CEO of Civility Partners, shares her expertise on how to manage conflict, offering actionable advice for managers and HR teams on de-escalating situations, rebuilding trust, and equipping leaders to coach employees out of negative behaviors. Subscribe to the All Things Work newsletter to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/fg444d---Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Cybersecurity threats, from phishing scams to ransomware attacks, don’t just jeopardize a business’s financial health — they compromise customer trust, employee productivity, and critical organizational infrastructure. Abhishek Karnik, head of threat research at McAfee, discusses what steps to take in case of a breach, and how to integrate proper cyber hygiene habits into your workplace culture. Subscribe to the All Things Work newsletter to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/fg444d---Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Keren Maldonado, SHRM’s own director, total rewards, unpacks the nuanced art of communicating your organization’s benefit offerings in ways that are inclusive, easily accessible, and relevant to the diverse needs of your workforce. Maldonado shares practical tips for making benefits communication clear and engaging, while emphasizing how tailored strategies can enhance employee recruitment and retention. Subscribe to the All Things Work newsletter to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/fg444d---Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Toxic workplace cultures are more common than you think—and the damage they cause goes beyond just the office walls, including harm to mental health, team dynamics, and productivity. Amira Barger, executive vice president of health communications at Edelman, discusses the effects of toxic workplace cultures, explores the red flags organizations should look out for, and highlights the importance of empathetic leadership. Find the 2024 Civility Index and other resources on fostering civility in the workplace: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/topics/civility Access the 2024 Global Workplace Culture Report in this episode’s paired article, It’s Likely You Have a Toxic Workplace. Now What?: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/all-things-work/you-likely-have-a-toxic-workplace-now-what In an era where the workplace is constantly changing, All Things Work, brought to you by SHRM, serves as a beacon of knowledge for HR leadership and organizational decision-makers. Each week, host Anne Sparaco is joined by th

Tamla Oates-Forney, the CEO of Linkage, a SHRM company, joins All Things Work to share a concerning statistic: Women now make up nearly half of the workforce and are the most educated group in the labor market—yet they’re not matriculating into leadership at the same rate as men. With new executive orders reshaping workplace policies, tune in for critical takeaways for how businesses can take a “same but different” approach to designing viable, holistic, talent optimization programs that address these disparities—and how to leverage tools like SHRM’s new BEAM framework to ensure inclusivity and compliance.In an era where the workplace is constantly changing, All Things Work, brought to you by SHRM, serves as a beacon of knowledge for HR leadership and organizational decision-makers. Each week, host Anne Sparaco is joined by thought leaders and industry experts sharing their perspective on game-changing topics that are redefining the world of work. Subscribe to the All Things Work newsletter to get the latest

Abigail O’Connell and Marjory Robertson, senior counsel at Sun Life Financial, discuss the complexities of absence management, offering advice on preventing misuse and abuse of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Explore actionable strategies and insights to address potential issues without compromising employee support. Each week, All Things Work explores the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/allthingswork Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Rick Hammell, founder and CEO of Helios, unpacks five pivotal workplace trends shaping 2025—from global workforce management to the effects of a new White House administration.   Episode Time Stamps: 04:29 – 5 Trends 04:42 – Return to Office / Return to Work 08:26 – Generation Gap in the Workforce 15:13 – AI and Technology in the Workplace 18:06 – Global Business / Rules and Regulations 20:55 – New White House Administration   Each week, All Things Work takes a deep dive into the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week, by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/AllThingsWork  Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Join Ama Agyapong, CEO of Inclusion Enterprises, as she shares how to incorporate feedback to foster more trust and collaboration in the workplace. Discover practical strategies for addressing unconscious bias, building strong relationships, and tailoring feedback to individual needs. Each week, All Things Work takes a deep dive into the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week, by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/AllThingsWork Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

People analytics expert Brian Fitzpatrick explores how data is revolutionizing inclusion and diversity (I&D) in the workplace. The conversation covers how to leverage data to uncover disparities, address unconscious biases, and guide equitable decision-making. Fitzpatrick also emphasizes HR's critical role in using analytics to strengthen recruitment, retention, and succession strategies while advocating for patience and driving measurable and meaningful workplace transformation. Each week, All Things Work takes a deep dive into the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week, by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/AllThingsWork Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Shari Collins, who specializes in fostering inclusive environments and driving growth for organizations, explores the topic of ageism in the workplace. Collins unpacks the far-reaching effects ageism has across all generations, from younger professionals facing assumptions about their inexperience to seasoned employees encountering stereotypes about their adaptability. Collins also highlights the significance of psychological safety and resources like “reverse mentoring” that HR or anyone in the workplace can use to break down biases and strengthen relationships in all directions, no matter which generations make up your teams.  Each week, All Things Work takes a deep dive into the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week, by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/AllThingsWork Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Mary Kitson, the founder and director of Mentor HR®, as well as the senior program manager at MITRE explores the pivotal role mentorship plays in career development, particularly within the HR profession. Kitson highlights the long-term benefits of mentorship for individuals and organizations alike. Discover how beyond skill development, mentorship fosters emotional well-being, job satisfaction, and a sense of community. It also touches all aspects of a mentee’s life, often creating a ripple effect of positive change. Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Explore the landscape of modern hiring practices with Michael Cohen, employment law expert and partner at Duane Morris. Cohen emphasizes the crucial role civil rights laws like Title VII play in establishing ethical and compliant hiring processes, while also tackling the subtle challenges posed by implicit biases like affinity bias. He advocates for structured yet flexible interview frameworks—such as using uniform, job-focused questions—and encourages HR professionals to prioritize qualities that add cultural value, rather than seeking rigid cultural fit. Each week, All Things Work explores the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/allthingswork Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Vitale Buford Hardin, CEO of leadership consultancy Vitale & Company, discusses how a perfectionist mindset can negatively impact innovation, trust, and overall well-being in the workplace. Explore recommendations for how organizations can shift from a perfection-driven culture to one that values authenticity, psychological safety, and resilience. Each week, All Things Work explores the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/allthingswork  This episode is sponsored by Jobvite. Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Uncover the transformative role of AI in I&D with Michael Bach, whose expertise ranges from I&D thought leader to, best-selling author to, seasoned IT and operations professional. Bach stresses the careful integration of AI to mitigate biases, underscoring AI's potential to innovate HR functions like attracting talent, conducting pay equity audits, and maintaining workplace accessibility. The discussion also cautioned against excessive reliance on technology without human intervention. Each week, All Things Work explores the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/allthingswork Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

David G. Epstein, director of HR and talent strategy for Mobilization for Justice, Inc., shares insights into nurturing high-performing employees amid challenges ranging from remote work to project overload. Epstein offers practical advice for HR leaders to elevate their talent strategy and foster a culture of growth and resilience. Each week, All Things Work explores the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/allthingswork --> Related article: “When to Turn to PIPs and When to Skip Them” https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/all-things-work/when-to-turn-to-pips-and-when-to-skip-them Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

Wes Burke, CHRO of care.com, discusses the many layers of work-life integration and the impact caregiving has on the modern workplace. Burke highlights the diverse challenges employees face in balancing professional responsibilities with caregiving duties, whether it involves children, elderly parents, or even pets. Tune in to discover how care.com is redefining workplace support and setting a new standard for employee care. Each week, All Things Work explores the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/all-things-work Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Explore the complexities of balancing employee satisfaction with organizational goals alongside Rob Hosking, executive director of administrative and customer support at Robert Half. Hosking discusses strategies for aligning employee needs with budgetary constraints, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual job satisfaction as well as the significance of transparent communication and employee feedback in maintaining morale and engagement. Each week, All Things Work explores the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/all-things-work Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.