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HR Break Room

HR Break Room is a podcast from your friends working in human resources, dedicated to bringing you interesting break room conversations with experts on the latest buzz surrounding HR and HR tech. HR Break Room brings together industry experts to discuss brewing trends and robust solutions to today’s workplace challenges.
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Now displaying: 2018
Dec 18, 2018

Guest:

John Ruhlin, public speaker and author of Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention

With the holiday season on the minds of managers and employees, now is the time for celebration and gift-giving. This is a perfect opportunity for HR managers to take a closer look at their gifting policies. How can you use this chance to create company advocates? You do it by finding presents that can help boost employee engagement and productivity.

In this special 50th episode of HR Break Room, John Ruhlin joins hosts Caleb Masters and Chelsea Justice to discuss:

  • how to identify the right gift for your people
  • why giving it can boost employee morale and productivity
  • the importance of giving at the right time and personalizing each gift to the recipient’s needs
  • the effectiveness of gift-giving throughout the year

HR Break Room is also celebrating its 50th episode by giving gifts of our own and announcing the winners of our “5 Days, 5 Giveaways” contest.

To learn more about how to identify the needs of your employees, read our What Employees Want: Overlooked Insights in Employee Engagement white paper.

Dec 11, 2018

Guests:

Joe Callender, Ernst and Young executive director of quantitative economics and statistics

Ari Teichman, Ernst and Young senior manager of quantitative economics and statistics

Sam Norman, Paycom executive vice president of sales

According to a 2016 study conducted by HR.com, companies surveyed reported that allowing employees to complete their own HR tasks through software saves their HR department an average of seven hours a week. A new study from Ernst & Young takes this idea a step further. Performing HR tasks manually or not letting employees enter their own information costs employers an average of $4.39 for every point of data entry.

With the cost of HR tasks becoming more evident and costly in the digital era, what is keeping organizations from making the move to self-service technology? And how can incorporating HR technology streamline processes and save organizations time, money and productivity?

In this episode of HR Break Room, host Caleb Masters is joined by a panel of experts to discuss:

  • Ernst & Young's study detailing how manual HR tasks are slowing productivity and costing organizations around the country
  • the costly compliance risks of manually entering data multiple times
  • how HR can help complete the digital transformation within their organization by removing manual tasks with self-service HR software for employees

Learn more about how to transform your organization with self-service technology by reading our How to Lead Digital Initiatives in the Workplace white paper.

Nov 26, 2018

Guest:

Larry Barton, Ph.D., University of Central Florida professor of crisis management and public safety

Depending on the size of their workforce, between 75% and 95% of businesses offer an employee assistance program (EAP), according to the International Employee Assistance Professional Association. However, not even 7% of employees take advantage of the counseling benefit, despite that an estimated 18% of American adults are dealing with a mental health issue at any time.

With depression and declining mental health costing the U.S. economy more than $51 billion in absenteeism and lost productivity, how can HR communicate the value of EAPs to boost the well-being of their employees?

In this episode of HR Break Room, crisis management professional Larry Barton rejoins hosts Caleb Masters and Chelsea Justice to discuss:

  • how EAPs can benefit your employees and your organization’s bottom line
  • why HR should consider using EAPs to learn more about the needs of their people
  • how the current opioid crisis and surge in workplace violence have changed the conversation surrounding EAPs
  • the questions HR should ask EAP vendors about their offerings

Learn how HR technology can improve the efficiency of your benefits administration processes in our A Better Way to Manage Benefits and Open Enrollment infographic.

Nov 12, 2018

Guest:

Dan Schawbel, Future Workplace research director and New York Times best-selling author of Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation

As of February 2018, mobile phone usage in the U.S. stands at a staggering 100% among ages 18-29. Whether by smartphone, tablet or desktop computer, people spend an average of 7.6 hours a day online. With today’s employees embracing such technology, it is important for HR to leverage these tools to engage and maintain a human connection with their workforce. How can corporate cultures utilize tech to forge stronger connections among co-workers and boost productivity?

In this episode of HR Break Roomworkplace expert Dan Schawbel joins host Caleb Masters to discuss:

  • the role HR leaders should own in an age of artificial intelligence and automation
  • how the skills gap forces organizations to rethink employee training and certification
  • using technology to create and foster more human interaction in the workplace
  • workforce trends shaping businesses now and into 2019

 

To learn more about the bottom-line benefits of developing and upskilling your workforce through online learning, read our white paper, Discover How E-Learning Technology Drives Business Growth.

Oct 30, 2018

Guest:

Stefanie K. Johnson, Ph.D., associate professor of management at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the restaurant industry files more harassment claims than any other industry. In fact, 90% of women and 70% of men have acknowledged experiencing some form of sexual harassment while working in restaurants.

What fuels this trend and what can HR personnel in the industry do to reduce the risk of such incidents within their establishment?

In this episode of HR Break Room, organizational leadership and diversity expert Stefanie K. Johnson, Ph.D., joins hosts Caleb Masters and Chelsea Justice to discuss:

  • why sexual harassment happens more frequently in the restaurant industry
  • the differences HR professionals in this industry face, compared to other industries
  • how HR personnel in the restaurant industry can create policies to mitigate exposure within their organizations
  • how HR can help facilitate a safe and healthy workplace culture for all employees

Learn more about how to work toward a harassment-free workplace by attending our free, on-demand webinar, Preventing Sexual Harassment in Your Restaurant.

Oct 11, 2018

Guest:

Phillip B. Wilson, president and general counsel of the Labor Relations Institute

On Sept. 14, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) published a notice of proposed rulemaking intended to clarify what constitutes a joint-employer relationship between two businesses. Franchises, construction companies and organizations that use temporary or contract labor are among the employers that will be impacted most directly.

In part one of our HR Break Room conversation with Phillip B. Wilson, we defined the proposed new joint-employer rule and how it is different from the standard set by the Browning-Ferris case. How can HR prepare for these changes so that your workforce remains compliant?

In part two of this two-part episode of HR Break Room, Phil Wilson of the Labor Relations Institute joins hosts Caleb Masters and Chelsea Justice to discuss:

  • the impact the proposed new joint-employer rule may have on employers
  • why it’s so important for HR to watch the outcome of the ruling
  • how organizations can prepare for potential changes in the relationship between employers and contract employees

Learn more about how to prepare for the changes from the NLRB’s forthcoming rule by checking out Paycom’s free webinar on What to Expect from the New Joint-Employer Rule.

 

Oct 5, 2018

Guest:

Phillip B. Wilson, president and general counsel of the Labor Relations Institute

On Sept. 14, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) published a notice of proposed rulemaking intended to clarify what constitutes a joint-employer relationship between two businesses. Franchises, construction companies and organizations that use temporary or contract labor are among the employers that will be impacted most directly. How can HR prepare so that your workforce remains compliant?

In part one of this two-part episode of HR Break Room, Phillip B. Wilson of the Labor Relations Institute joins hosts Caleb Masters and Chelsea Justice to discuss:

  • what the new joint employer rule is
  • how it may change your relationship with contract workers
  • why the change from the Obama-era Browning-Ferris standard marks a fundamental shift in the status quo for joint-employer relationships

 

Learn more about how to prepare for the changes from the NLRB’s forthcoming rule by checking out Paycom’s free webinar on What to Expect from the New Joint-Employer Rule.

 

Sep 19, 2018

Guest:

Steve Browne, author of HR on Purpose: Delivering Deliberate People Passion

As the role of HR continues to evolve within today’s workplace, being strategic and influencing employees and leadership have become more important than ever. How can HR not only win a seat at the table, but also take ownership of its role within an organization?

In this HR Break Room conversation, bestselling author Steve Browne joins Paycom HR manager Chanse Moucka and host Caleb Masters to discuss:

  • the differences between safeguarding HR, being strategic in HR and owning the role of HR
  • the importance of being intentional and understanding the culture of your organization
  • how HR can empower the workforce by being bold, passionate and transparent

 

Learn more about how technology can allow you the time to be strategic by reading our Discover How Self-Service Tech Boosts Employee Experience white paper.

Sep 4, 2018

Guest:

Trish McFarlane, co-host of the HR Happy Hour podcast

The nature of work continues to change at a rapid pace. HR has the unique opportunity to build and influence relationships with members of their workforce, from the onboarding process and continuing through the entire employee life cycle.

In this HR Break Room conversation, host Caleb Masters and Paycom HR manager Chanse Moucka are joined by HR Happy Hour co-host Trish McFarlane to discuss:

  • the role HR can play in influencing the experience of employees throughout their life cycle
  • how technology has reshaped the expectations of the workforce over the last 20 years
  • the importance of creating a positive, flexible work environment for millennial and Generation Z employees

Learn more about how technology can empower your workforce by reading our How Self-Service Tech Boosts Employee Experience white paper

Aug 20, 2018

Guest:

Steve Gilliland, motivational speaker and author of Enjoy the Ride

According to a recent study, disengagement among employees nationwide carries a price tag worthy of sticker-shock status: between $450 billion and $550 billion every year. And with 90% of executives reporting that retaining new hires is a difficult issue for their organization, employee engagement has never been more important.

In this HR Break Room conversation, motivational speaker Steve Gilliland joins the podcast to discuss:

  • why it’s so critical to attract and recruit the right talent for your workforce
  • the importance of communicating your organization’s purpose to your employees
  • how to engage employees with technology that best suits your business

Learn more about strategies to engage your workforce in our Discover What Employees Want white paper.

Aug 13, 2018

Guest:

Jim Reidy, attorney at Sheehan Phinney

The term “workplace flexibility” is commonly used to cover a broad number of topics related to compliance with state and federal leave laws. With 32% of millennial or millennial-minded talent ranking more flexible working options as a priority in the 2015/2016 Global Benefits Attitude Survey, what can your organization do to remain compliant and attractive?

In this HR Break Room conversation, employment law attorney Jim Reidy rejoins the podcast along with Paycom HR manager Chanse Moucka and host Caleb Masters to discuss:

  • the areas of employment law covered under the term “workplace flexibility” HR should consider
  • the potential risks and benefits of making your organization more flexible
  • how your organization can approach working remotely, parental leave and the Family and Medical Leave Act to remain attractive to today’s top talent

Learn more about the advantages of employees taking paid leave, in our Discover the Benefits of Paid Time Off infographic.

Aug 6, 2018

Guest:

Margaret Spence, Global business strategist and founder of the Employee to CEO Project

According to the Korn Ferry Institute, women make up 24% of C-suite positions, but only 12% had long-term aspirations to lead the organization as CEO. With leadership development initiatives increasing their emphasis on more diverse and inclusive workplace cultures, how can organizations ensure their program meets the needs of today’s female top performers?

In this HR Break Room conversation from the SHRM18 expo floor, Margaret Spence, global business strategist and founder of the Employee to CEO Project, joins us to discuss:

  • how an inclusive culture with women in leadership benefits your business
  • the differences in how women approach leadership positions in the organization
  • how HR can facilitate this change in identifying and developing women for leadership roles

Learn more about how to find top-performing women in your organization by downloading our 4 Steps to Finding and Fostering Super Talent infographic. 

Jul 24, 2018

Guest:

Christine Porath, associate professor of management at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University and author of Mastering Civility: A Manifesto for the Workplace

Workplace incivility leads not only to a toxic culture, but also to negative impacts on your workforce’s productivity and profits. According to a study conducted by this episode’s guest, Christine Porath, employees who have experienced uncivil action in the workplace showed a drop of 25% in performance, while 80% stated they had lost time due to the unpleasant interactions.

In this HR Break Room conversation recorded live at SHRM18, host Caleb Masters and Paycom HR manager Tiffany Gamblin are joined by Christine Porath to discuss:

  • what constitutes incivility and how it affects employee morale
  • the cost of having a culture that is not civil
  • how leaders can foster a workplace of civility to drive employee happiness and productivity

Learn more about the importance of creating a workplace of civility by reading our Discover the Employer’s Role in Preventing Sexual Harassment white paper.

 

Jul 17, 2018

Guest:

Joey Price, CEO of Jumpstart:HR

Have you taken the right steps to connect with – and retain – your millennial workforce?

In this episode of HR Break Room, Joey Price, CEO of Jumpstart:HR, joins host Caleb Masters from the SHRM18 exposition floor to discuss:

  • what this generation wants from work and how organizations can recognize those needs
  • the role of workforce identity in engaging millennials
  • how HR technology can help engage employees and make HR more strategic

Learn more about how to engage your millennial workforce by reading our What Employees Want: Overlooked Insights in Employee Engagement white paper.

Jul 10, 2018

Despite HR’s best efforts to improve employee engagement, only 34% of U.S. employees are engaged. With 81% of employees stating that technology is an important factor to their happiness in the workplace, is your organization missing the opportunity to engage employees in all the interactions that shape their attitudes about work?

In this HR Break Room conversation, TalentCulture CEO Meghan M. Biro joins Paycom HR manager Tiffany Gamblin and host Caleb Masters on the SHRM18 exposition floor to discuss:

  • what’s missing from today’s employee engagement efforts
  • the term “employee activation” and how it differs from employee engagement
  • how you can improve activation and engagement across the employee life cycle by using a robust self-service technology

To learn more about the benefits of self-service HR technology, sign up for our on demand webinar Ready, Set, Activate: Engaging Employees with HR Tech featuring Meghan M. Biro.

Jun 29, 2018

Guests:

Dave Ryan, director of the Illinois State Council for the Society for Human Resource Management

Brad Galin, president and principal consultant of Allegro HR

In small and midsized organizations nationwide, HR departments often are made up of just one person. These individuals are tasked with overseeing nearly every HR function throughout the company, including onboarding, benefits enrollment, compensation, and training employees. 

In this second episode of our special series recorded at SHRM18, HR Break Room host Caleb Masters and Paycom HR manager Chanse Moucka converse with guests Dave Ryan and Brad Galin about:

  • the unique challenges faced by single-employee HR departments at small and medium-sized organizations across the country
  • the value of networking with HR professionals in larger organizations
  • the tools and strategies that one-person HR departments can use to add to their team and grow their business

 To learn more about how to streamline your HR processes, download our Discover the Hidden Cost of Manual Processes on Engagement and Productivity infographic.

 

Jun 25, 2018

Guests:

Jeff Palkowski, director of government affairs for Greater Madison Area SHRM

Mike Shaw, director-elect of the Oklahoma State Council for Human Resource Management

Jazmine Wilkes, contributing writer to The SHRM Blog

Every year, HR professionals from around the world attend the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Annual Conference & Exposition to learn from industry experts and share their experiences. At SHRM18, held June 17-20 in Chicago, HR Break Room recorded conversations with HR industry thought leaders, conference speakers and SHRM staffers, live from Paycom’s booth on the expo floor.

To kick off HR Break Room’s special series of episodes recorded at SHRM18, Paycom HR manager Chanse Moucka and a three-person panel of attendees join host Caleb Masters to discuss:

  • the main takeaways from the first day of sessions at the SHRM 2018 Annual Conference & Exposition
  • the benefits of attending the conference, including networking with and learning from fellow HR practitioners
  • topics you can expect to hear addressed on HR Break Room’s forthcoming episodes recorded from the SHRM18 exposition floor

Learn more about how to streamline your HR processes by reading our Discover the Cost of Manual Processes white paper.

Jun 7, 2018

It’s that time of year when HR personnel nationwide prepare for one of the industry’s biggest events: the SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition. Paycom is headed to Chicago for SHRM18, with HR Break Room making the trek as well, to record episodes live from Booth 250 on the expo floor!

In this special SHRM18 preview episode of HR Break Room, hosts Caleb Masters and Chelsea Justice are joined by two Paycom HR managers to discuss what they most look forward to at this year’s conference.  

Listen to this episode to learn about:

  • the most anticipated sessions of the SHRM 2018 Annual Conference
  • networking opportunities available to attendees
  • a giveaway attendees can enter, for a chance to embark on their own adventure

 

To learn more, visit Paycom.com/SHRM.

May 21, 2018

Guest:

John C. Maxwell, life coach, world-renowned leadership expert and New York Times bestselling author of The 5 Levels of Leadership

True leaders know there’s always room to grow. But it’s difficult to develop others effectively if you don’t know where to start, and that’s one of HR’s biggest challenges.

 In this HR Break Room episode, guest John C. Maxwell shares guidance on developing yourself – and those you lead – through his 5 Levels of Leadership as we discuss:

  • why communicating your values is critical for great leadership
  • ways to identify and develop potential leaders in your organization
  • how to empower your workforce through the levels of leadership
May 8, 2018

Guests:

Matthew Paque, Paycom executive vice president of legal and compliance

Tiffany Gamblin, Paycom HR manager

Jason Hines, Paycom compliance attorney

In October 2017, in light of the #MeToo movement, HR Break Room discussed workplace sexual harassment policies. Since that conversation, we have continued to receive questions on the subject, not only from podcast listeners, but Paycom blog readers and webinar attendees. To answer those questions and examine the topic further, HR Break Room assembled a panel of leaders from Paycom’s legal and HR departments.

In this episode of HR Break Room, hosts Caleb Masters and Braeden Fair are joined by three Paycom executives to field listener inquiries related to:

  • creating safe and fair policies that protect employees and the organization
  • best practices for incorporating and utilizing anonymous reports in those policies
  • training contractors and volunteers on sexual harassment policies
  • handling sexual harassment cases that occur outside normal work hours or between an employee and a nonemployee

 To learn more on this issue, access Paycom’s free webinar, A Safer Workplace: Discussing Sexual Harassment, on demand.

Apr 24, 2018

Guest:

Dr. Larry Barton, Distinguished University Professor of Crisis Management and Public Safety at the University of Central Florida

In the wake of recent tragic events in Parkland and San Bruno, organizations around the country are taking a closer look at their own crisis and threat management plans and policies. HR is essential in planning for workplace emergencies, starting in the conceptual planning stages all of the way through how employees are trained to handle the event.

Dr. Larry Barton, the highest rated instructor at the FBI Academy and U.S. Marshall Service, joins HR Break Room host Caleb Masters and guest Jason Bodin to talk about how organizations can ensure they are prepared in case of a workplace threat. In this episode Dr. Barton will:

  • define what types of scenarios qualify as a workplace crisis
  • discuss how to identify the warning signs of individuals who may be a threat to your organization
  • establish best practices for creating a crisis plan that includes executive leadership, security and local law enforcement
  • determine the role of training and simulation in preparing for workplace threats
  • examine strategies employers can use to mitigate exposure to dangerous personnel
Apr 10, 2018

Guest:

Kris Dunn, Kinetix CHRO and founder of the blogs Fistful of Talent and The HR Capitalist

Between recruiting today’s top performers and coaching up-and-coming talent, the much-buzzed-about college basketball tournament shares similarities with many of HR’s most critical priorities. Guest Kris Dunn stops by the HR Break Room to examine the most valuable lessons HR can learn from the annual hoops competition.

In this episode of HR Break Room, Dunn joins hosts Caleb Masters and Braeden Fair to discuss the importance of:

  • defining an organization's core values and promoting them to the world
  • identifying top performers and giving them the tools and opportunities to succeed
  • being transparent when promoting your employer brand for prospective talent

Learn even more about what HR can learn from college basketball by signing up for our on demand webinar featuring Kris Dunn, Swish! 8 Engagement Strategies to Drive Game-Winning Performance.

Apr 3, 2018

Guests:

Jessica Melo, Paycom executive director of sales training

Andres Traslavina, Whole Foods director of global recruiting

Rachel Feferman, Businessolver advisor relations

Kim Gorsuch, Weeva CEO

John Adcock, RetailMeNot senior vice president of people

Learning how to change workplace culture and what makes an organization unique remain high priorities for companies nationwide. During the 2018 SXSW Conference, Paycom’s Jessica Melo attended the Workology HRetreat, where she hosted a panel on the current state of employee culture. Couldn’t attend? No worries – now you can!

This special episode of HR Break Room presents the panel, in which will discuss:

  • how today's organizations measure culture and adapt to the rapidly changing needs of their workforce
  • HR strategies to gain management’s buy-in for culture initiatives
  • the difference between employee happiness and employee engagement

Learn more about how to build a winning culture that results in greater workforce engagement in our Discover How the Right Self-Service Technology Can Help Deliver an Ideal Employee Experience white paper.

Mar 8, 2018

Guest:

Nicole Torres, associate editor at Harvard Business Review and co-host of the Women at Work podcast

According to the UN, there are more than 1.75 billion women in the workforce worldwide. So how can leaders in your organization equip women to climb the ladder and further your company’s mission?

In this special International Women’s Day episode of HR Break Room, Caleb talks with Nicole Torres from Harvard Business Review and the Women at Work podcast about:

  • The benefits of having women in leadership within your organization
  • How HR can go above and beyond to promote an inclusive culture
  • Identifying and developing the women who are already leading in your organization

Learn more about developing leaders within your organization with our white paper, Discover Fueling Employee Knowledge and Propelling Business Growth Through Learning Management Systems.

Feb 27, 2018

Guest:

Coby Turner, associate at Seyfarth Shaw LLP and senior editor of the California Peculiarities Employment Law Blog

Strange California employment laws always seem to be in the news. Despite their peculiarity, the laws emerging from the Golden State often set trends that eventually go nationwide. For example, in 2003, it passed local minimum wages and in 2006 it passed the first sick leave law in nation— just to name a couple. How can organizations be mindful about what’s new in California and discern whether it will impact their organization?

In this episode of HR Break Room, Coby Turner joins Caleb and Braeden to discuss:

  • why California laws have historically set nationwide trends in employment law
  • the consequences of being unprepared for the changes emerging from the Golden State
  • the California laws currently gaining traction on the national stage

 

Learn more about government regulations and how technology can help your organization through them in our executive summary, Squaring Off: Just How Big is the Regulatory Burden for U.S. Businesses?  

 

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