Podcast
HR Happy Hour Network
Hosted by HR Happy Hour Network · EN
At Work in America, the longest running and top downloaded HR podcast, focuses on human resources, management, leadership, and workforce technology. The show is hosted by Steve Boese, the Co-Chair of the HR Technology Conference and Trish Steed, CEO of H3 HR Advisors.
39episodes
Episodes
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The Sacred Cow Problem: When Founders Protect the Wrong People
2w ago00:26:54Tap to summarizeThe Sacred Cow Problem: When Founders Protect the Wrong PeopleHost: Sabrina Baker SummaryFor people managing HR in a company of 1–500 employees, sacred cows aren't just frustrating — they're destabilizing. This episode is about what happens when leadership protects the wrong person and HR is expected to clean it up.Sabrina breaks down why this is misdiagnosed as a performance problem when it's actually a protection problem, what visible inconsistency does to the rest of your workforce, and three concrete moves for navigating it without authority: priming the feedback before you need to deliver it, bringing patterns instead of isolated incidents, and packaging decisions rather than escalating problems.She also covers what to do when you don't have a survey or formal project to anchor the setup conversation to — and what it looks like when a leader keeps hedging even after you've done everything right.The honest reality: sometimes something major has to happen before a founder acts. Knowing the difference between an influence problem you can solve and a leadership problem you can't is part of the job. Key TopicsWhat makes someone a sacred cow — and why it's almost never hiddenThe real cost: it's not a fairness issue, it's a retention and standards issueThree moves for navigating without authorityWhen nothing changes, and how to keep the conversation alive Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.Employees recognized for milestones are three times more likely to believe their company actually cares about them. Three times. So why are companies so bad at it? The stale bagels. The branded swag. The audacity. Workhuman believes milestones deserve their moment. A space for the people who know you best — your actual work circle — to reflect on your journey, your wins, your impact. The inside jokes. The big moments. All of it. It's called Service Milestones. AI finds the right people. Automation handles the rest. And employees choose their own reward — from millions of options, curated just for them. Milestone like you mean it with Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Find out more at workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
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Agentic AI Meets HR: Paychex Introduces WISE for SMBs
2w ago00:32:20Tap to summarizeAgentic AI Meets HR: Paychex Introduces WISE for SMBsHost: Steve Boese and Trish SteedGuest: Ryan Bergstrom, Chief Product Officer at Paychex SummaryOn this episode of At Work in America, Steve Boese and Trish Steed are joined by Ryan Bergstrom to discuss the launch of Paychex Wise AI and what it means for the future of payroll, HR, and workforce technology.The conversation explores how AI is reshaping the small business experience by reducing administrative burden, surfacing real-time workforce insights, and helping organizations move from reactive processes to proactive decision-making. Ryan shares how Paychex is approaching AI through the lens of “augmented intelligence,” helping organizations streamline payroll, compliance, workforce management, and employee support while keeping humans firmly in the loop.The discussion highlights the growing pressure facing small and midsize businesses, from compliance complexity and workforce changes to tool sprawl and operational overload. The episode also dives into how agentic AI can help organizations identify anomalies, guide managers through next steps, and automate repetitive work without sacrificing trust, security, or oversight. Chapters02:10 Challenges Faced by Small and Medium Businesses05:56 The Strategic Role of AI in HR and Payroll08:07 Revolutionizing Payroll with AI Assistance11:56 Real-Time Anomaly Detection and Compliance13:20 Introducing Paychex WISE18:23 Security, Trust, and Data Privacy in AI25:00 Customer Feedback and Adoption of AI Tools27:04 Training and User Onboarding28:23 Future Outlook Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!This episode of At Work in America is sponsored by Paychex, an industry-leading human capital management (HCM) company that helps businesses of all sizes succeed with its award-winning combination of digital HR technology and advisory services. Have you met WISE? Workforce Intelligence Strengthen by Expertise or WISE isn’t just an AI feature. It’s an intelligence platform trained on 50 years of real workforce data, built into the system that already manages your business. And when the work calls for human judgment, real Paychex advisors are there for support. Where others give you tools to help with HR work, WISE is built to reduce how much HR work you have to do at all. To learn more about WISE, the AI that gets work done, head to paychex.com/ai. The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.Employees recognized for milestones are three times more likely to believe their company actually cares about them. Three times. So why are companies so bad at it? The stale bagels. The branded swag. The audacity. Workhuman believes milestones deserve their moment. A space for the people who know you best — your actual work circle — to reflect on your journey, your wins, your impact. The inside jokes. The big moments. All of it. It's called Service Milestones. AI finds the right people. Automation handles the rest. And employees choose their own reward — from millions of options, curated just for them. Milestone like you mean it with Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Find out more at workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
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From Data to Dialogue: Building a Listening Organization
3w ago00:33:41Tap to summarizeFrom Data to Dialogue: Building a Listening OrganizationHosts: Mervyn DinnenGuest: Nick Court, CEO at the People Experience Hub SummaryIn this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, Mervyn hosts Nick Court to explore how organizations can move beyond mere data collection to become truly listening entities that understand, respond, and evolve with their employees. They shares ideas and insights on building a listening culture, leveraging technology, and empowering employees in your organization. Chapters00:00 The Importance of Listening in Organizations06:03 The Role of Surveys in Listening Strategies08:56 Creating a Culture of Listening11:43 Always-On Feedback: A Double-Edged Sword17:29 Ownership and Action in Listening20:42 Building Trust in a Listening Culture23:18 The Skills and Mindset of Effective Leaders Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.Employees recognized for milestones are three times more likely to believe their company actually cares about them. Three times. So why are companies so bad at it? The stale bagels. The branded swag. The audacity. Workhuman believes milestones deserve their moment. A space for the people who know you best — your actual work circle — to reflect on your journey, your wins, your impact. The inside jokes. The big moments. All of it. It's called Service Milestones. AI finds the right people. Automation handles the rest. And employees choose their own reward — from millions of options, curated just for them. Milestone like you mean it with Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Find out more at workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
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AI in HR: Driving Adoption, Impact, and Real Results
3w ago00:31:54Tap to summarizeAI in HR: Driving Adoption, Impact, and Real ResultsHost: Steve Boese and Trish SteedGuest: Tony Truong, VP of People Strategy at Chime SummaryOn this episode of At Work in America, Steve and Trish are joined by Tony Truong from Chime to explore putting AI into practice across people operations, and reshaping how HR teams recruit, support employees, and make decisions in real time.From reducing recruiting cycle time to resolving the majority of employee inquiries through AI-powered self-service, this conversation moves beyond theory and into real-world application. The discussion highlights how data, automation, and thoughtful change management come together to create more responsive, efficient HR functions.At its core, this episode looks at what it truly takes to adopt AI in a way that works—aligning technology with culture, building trust in new systems, and using AI not just to automate tasks, but to improve how people experience work every day. Chapters02:51 The Impact of AI on Work Processes05:57 AI in Recruiting: Transforming Traditional Practices08:48 Feedback and Adoption of AI Tools11:54 Measuring Success: Metrics in AI Implementation17:50 Enhancing Employee Service Delivery with AI20:46 Cultural Alignment and AI Responsiveness Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.Employees recognized for milestones are three times more likely to believe their company actually cares about them. Three times. So why are companies so bad at it? The stale bagels. The branded swag. The audacity. Workhuman believes milestones deserve their moment. A space for the people who know you best — your actual work circle — to reflect on your journey, your wins, your impact. The inside jokes. The big moments. All of it. It's called Service Milestones. AI finds the right people. Automation handles the rest. And employees choose their own reward — from millions of options, curated just for them. Milestone like you mean it with Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Find out more at workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
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The Future of Work: AI and Gen Z in HR
4w ago00:33:41Tap to summarizeThe Future of Work: AI and Gen Z in HRHosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer SummaryIn this episode of The Play By Play, hosts Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer talk about the evolution of AI in HR. They explore how AI is transforming HR practices, from recruitment to employee development, and how Gen Z's values are shaping the future workplace. Discover the latest trends, tools, and ethical considerations in HR tech. Listen in! Chapters00:00 Entering the Real World02:15 The Impact of AI on HR08:04 Predictive AI: Identifying Employee Flight Risks11:02 Personalized Training and Employee Development14:30 Internal Mobility and Career Advancement16:38 Digital Twins and Ethical Dilemmas18:29 The Impact of AI on Entry-Level Jobs23:17 Gen Z's Influence on HR Practices Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.What if your wins at work didn’t have to stop there? Workhuman’s employee recognition platform is built on the world’s largest rewards marketplace – tying recognition for great work to the things people love outside it. Crush a project: snag that baking dish you’ve been eyeing. Hit a milestone: Celebrate with a weekend getaway. With over one million gadgets, gift cards, and experiences, something is redeemed for in Workhuman’s in-house store every 3 seconds. Each reward deepens connections, boosts engagement, and helps fuel a culture that knows their work matters, and has the receipts to prove it. Head over to workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman – a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Thanks for joining us.
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Inside the Pay Gap: What’s Changing for Women at Work
4w ago00:31:06Tap to summarizeInside the Pay Gap: What’s Changing for Women at WorkHost: Steve BoeseGuest: Noreen Farrell, Executive Director at Equal Rights Advocates SummaryOn this episode of At Work in America, Steve is joined by Noreen Farrell from Equal Rights Advocates to break down what’s really happening with pay equity, transparency, and workplace fairness right now.As policy enforcement shifts and cultural expectations evolve, they explore why progress on gender and racial equity is becoming more uneven—and in some cases, reversing. From the widening pay gap to the pressures pushing women out of the workforce, this conversation connects the dots between legislation, workplace practices, and lived employee experience.It’s an honest look at where things stand, what’s at risk, and what organizations can do to move forward with intention. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Pay Equity and Workplace Fairness02:41 The Role of Equal Rights Advocates05:36 Changes in Enforcement and Challenges in Workplace Rights08:40 Impact of Societal Changes on Women in the Workforce11:06 Wage Gap Trends15:37 Strategies for Pay Equity and Transparency20:47 The Importance of High Standards in Employment Practices23:35 Opportunities for Employers to Advocate for Change Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.What if your wins at work didn’t have to stop there? Workhuman’s employee recognition platform is built on the world’s largest rewards marketplace – tying recognition for great work to the things people love outside it. Crush a project: snag that baking dish you’ve been eyeing. Hit a milestone: Celebrate with a weekend getaway. With over one million gadgets, gift cards, and experiences, something is redeemed for in Workhuman’s in-house store every 3 seconds. Each reward deepens connections, boosts engagement, and helps fuel a culture that knows their work matters, and has the receipts to prove it. Head over to workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman – a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Thanks for joining us.
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Why Intergenerational Conversations Matter at Work
May 100:43:48Tap to summarizeWhy Intergenerational Conversations Matter at WorkHosts: Mervyn DinnenGuest: Danielle Farage SummaryIn this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, Mervyn hosts Danielle Farage to explore the complexities of intergenerational and multi-generational workforces. They discuss how understanding, curiosity, and open dialogue can bridge gaps, foster collaboration, and create a more harmonious work environment amid rapid technological and cultural changes. Chapters00:00 Introduction to intergenerational and multi-generational workforces04:04 Managing five generations simultaneously in the workplace08:16 The influence of rapid technological change and skills development11:07 Misinterpretations of workplace words and concepts post-pandemic18:04 Incentives to stay or move on in today’s job market25:54 Leadership practices for supporting a multigenerational workforce30:54 Strategies to improve cross-generational collaboration38:52 The role of AI and technology in bridging gaps and enabling collaboration Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.What if your wins at work didn’t have to stop there? Workhuman’s employee recognition platform is built on the world’s largest rewards marketplace – tying recognition for great work to the things people love outside it. Crush a project: snag that baking dish you’ve been eyeing. Hit a milestone: Celebrate with a weekend getaway. With over one million gadgets, gift cards, and experiences, something is redeemed for in Workhuman’s in-house store every 3 seconds. Each reward deepens connections, boosts engagement, and helps fuel a culture that knows their work matters, and has the receipts to prove it. Head over to workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman – a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Thanks for joining us.
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Mastering Disruption: Strategies for Leading in Rapid Change
Apr 2800:31:39Tap to summarizeMastering Disruption: Strategies for Leading in Rapid ChangeHost: Steve BoeseGuest: Patrick Leddin, NYT Best-selling Author on Business and Leadership SummaryOn this At Work in America episode, Steve met with leadership expert Patrick Leddin to discuss how to manage disruption and change in organizations. They emphasize the importance of strategic discernment, communication, and preparation in times of rapid technological and societal shifts. They also explore the human side of disruption. What employees are really feeling, how leaders can communicate with clarity without overpromising, and why relevance inside an organization matters more than ever. If it feels like the pace of change is only accelerating, this episode offers a way to think about disruption that is less reactive and more intentional. Chapters00:00 Navigating Disruption in Today's World05:02 The Speed of Change and Leadership Challenges08:09 Embracing Change vs. Maintaining Identity13:27 The Importance of Relevance in Organizations15:49 Effective Communication During Uncertainty20:23 Empowering Decision-Making in Organizations24:27 Preparing for Future Disruptions Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.What if your wins at work didn’t have to stop there? Workhuman’s employee recognition platform is built on the world’s largest rewards marketplace – tying recognition for great work to the things people love outside it. Crush a project: snag that baking dish you’ve been eyeing. Hit a milestone: Celebrate with a weekend getaway. With over one million gadgets, gift cards, and experiences, something is redeemed for in Workhuman’s in-house store every 3 seconds. Each reward deepens connections, boosts engagement, and helps fuel a culture that knows their work matters, and has the receipts to prove it. Head over to workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman – a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Thanks for joining us.
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The Operating System Small Business HR Was Never Taught
Apr 2400:36:48Tap to summarizeThe Operating System Small Business HR Was Never TaughtHosts: Sabrina Baker and Marie Rolston SummaryIn this episode of HR Connection Sabrina Baker and Marie Ralston explore how small HR teams can manage chaos through a triage system called “Ready Mode.” They share practical strategies, including color-coded prioritization and intentional boundary-setting, to help HR professionals operate more effectively amidst constant demands. Along the way, they reframe what “being responsive” really means in today’s workplace and offer a grounded, realistic approach to staying focused without burning out. Key TopicsThe Concept of Crazy Mode and Ready Mode in HRColor-coded Triage System for Prioritizing TasksBoundary-setting with Clients and LeadersOperationalizing Triage with SLAs and TrainingAdapting Triage Systems for Solo HR Practitioners Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.What if your wins at work didn’t have to stop there? Workhuman’s employee recognition platform is built on the world’s largest rewards marketplace – tying recognition for great work to the things people love outside it. Crush a project: snag that baking dish you’ve been eyeing. Hit a milestone: Celebrate with a weekend getaway. With over one million gadgets, gift cards, and experiences, something is redeemed for in Workhuman’s in-house store every 3 seconds. Each reward deepens connections, boosts engagement, and helps fuel a culture that knows their work matters, and has the receipts to prove it. Head over to workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman – a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Thanks for joining us.
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Ultimate Business Efficiency: Entrepreneurship
Apr 2100:30:57Tap to summarizeUltimate Business Efficiency: EntrepreneurshipHosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick SchlemmerGuest: John Baldino, President of Humareso SummaryIn this episode of The Play By Play, hosts Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer dive into enterpreneurship. John Baldino shares his journey from HR to founding his own company, emphasizing the importance of experience, resilience, and adaptability for entrepreneurs. Discover practical advice for Gen Z aspiring entrepreneurs and learn how to navigate challenges with passion and strategic planning. Thanks for joining us. Listen in! Chapters01:11 Introduction and Career Beginnings01:54 Challenges of Balancing HR and Teaching07:47 Starting Your Own Company09:50 The Importance of Experience Before Entrepreneurship12:40 The Power of a Clear Vision16:14 Maintaining Joy and Humanity in Business19:56 Handling Criticism and Building Resilience21:16. The Role of Flexibility and Signs25:13 Reframing Failure as Learning Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. What if your wins at work didn’t have to stop there? Workhuman’s employee recognition platform is built on the world’s largest rewards marketplace – tying recognition for great work to the things people love outside it. Crush a project: snag that baking dish you’ve been eyeing. Hit a milestone: Celebrate with a weekend getaway. With over one million gadgets, gift cards, and experiences, something is redeemed for in Workhuman’s in-house store every 3 seconds. Each reward deepens connections, boosts engagement, and helps fuel a culture that knows their work matters, and has the receipts to prove it. Head over to workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman – a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Thanks for joining us.
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