In episode 250, Coffey talks with Justin Dorsey about recent HR-related new items including navigating politics, mental health, employees’ sometimes inflated compensation expectations, and the most in-demand HR skills.

They discuss managing political conversations and ideological conflict in the workplace; balancing employee expression with productivity and respectful communication; how HR leaders can create psychologically safe but performance-focused cultures; generational differences in resilience, stress, and mental health expectations; the growing importance of employee assistance programs and mental health leave awareness; how poor sleep hygiene and digital overload impact employee productivity and wellbeing; handling difficult compensation conversations and unrealistic salary increase demands; avoiding emotional decision-making during employee relations conflicts; why culture fit should evolve into culture add during hiring decisions; the increasing demand for HR technology, people analytics, and change management expertise; how artificial intelligence is reshaping HR roles and workforce management; and the future convergence of HR leadership with operational leadership responsibilities.

Media mentioned in this podcast:

The End of “No Politics at Work” and What Comes Next

Mental health leaves are rising. How can organizations reduce and better manage leaves? | Idaho Statesman

The 2026 Workplace Mental Health Annual Report | Spring Health

Employee demands a near 50% raise : r/managers

HR Career Outlook 2026: Is Your HR Career Future-Proof? - AIHR

For HR teams who discuss this podcast in their team meetings, we've created a discussion starter PDF to help guide your conversation. Download it here https://goodmorninghr.com/EP250

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About our Guest:

Justin brings a background of psychology and sociology into the world of HR. He is currently a fractional HR consultant for the Texas HR Team where he provides strategic HR support for small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

With extensive experience in a variety of industries, including retail, healthcare, distribution, and engineering, His expertise includes employee relations, talent acquisition, training, compensation, benefits, and employee engagement. He holds both a Senior Professional and Global Professional certification in Human Resources.

Outside of work, Justin is a dedicated volunteer at his church and other community organizations including Junior Achievement and F3. He’s a past president of Fort Worth HR and was recognized by the Fort Worth Business Press in their Top 40 Under 40 program. More importantly, he’s a husband of 1 and father of 2. Don’t get him started talking about chickens or Texas Tech sports.

Justin Dorsey can be reached at

justin@texasHRteam.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-dorsey-sphr

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.

Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, where he serves Texas’ 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; the Texas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the Talent Committee.

Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week.

Mike and his very patient wife of 29 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.

Learning Objectives:

Evaluate strategies for managing political and social discourse in the workplace while maintaining productivity and respect.
Identify practical ways HR leaders can support employee mental health without overstepping into clinical or therapeutic roles.
Apply effective approaches for handling compensation disputes, employee dissatisfaction, and retention conversations.
Understand how AI, HR analytics, and technology fluency are reshaping future HR career paths.