Good Morning, HR
Mike Coffey, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
HR entrepreneur Mike Coffey, SPHR, SHRM-SCP engages business thought leaders about the strategic, psychological, legal, and practical implications of bringing people together to create value for shareholders, customers, and the community. As an HR consultant, mentor to first-stage businesses through EO’s Accelerator program, and owner of Imperative—Bulletproof Background Screening, Mike is passionate about helping other professionals improve how they recruit, select, and manage their people. Most thirty-minute episodes of Good Morning, HR will be eligible for half a recertification credit for both HRCI and SHRM-certified professionals. Mike is a member of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) Fort Worth and active with...
Why Training Fails and How to Fix It with Amy Rosellini
In episode 188, Coffey talks with Amy Rosellini about the importance of emphasizing behavior change in workplace training.They discuss the high cost and low effectiveness of current workplace training approaches; the importance of measuring behavior change rather than just knowledge transfer; the role of peer feedback in learning; how to engage resistant learners; strategies for packaging training to increase voluntary participation; and using the Knowledge Transfer Measurement Model (KTMM) for
When to Initiate an Investigation with Leah Stiegler
In episode 187, Coffey talks with Leah Stiegler about best practices for the intake process for workplaceinvestigations.They discuss when employers must investigate complaints versus when they can decline; examples ofinvestigations that revealed unexpected findings; handling confidentiality requests from complainants;documentation requirements for complaints and investigations; managing employees who don't wantformal investigations; proper record retention practices.Good Morning, HR is brought t
Is My Life Better Because I Work Here? with Mark Mohammadpour
In episode 186, Coffey talks with Mark Mohammadpour about creating workplace cultures that prioritize employee well-being.They discuss the evolution of workplace relationships post-pandemic and the importance of well-being beyond salary; the cost implications of employee turnover; the four essential workspaces needed for modern employees (office, home, social spaces, and nature); the importance of having clear purposes for in-office work requirements; how to measure and improve employee well-bei
HR News: Trump Axes Affirmative Action and DEI for Federal Contractors with Kara Kelley
In episode 185, Coffey talks with Kara Kelley about the impact of President Trump’s affirmative action order, how not to respond to employee criticism, and nervous candidates.They discuss the implications for federal contractors following the President’s rescission of Executive Order 11246, eliminating most affirmative action program and DEI requirements; the ongoing relevance of Title VII and other anti-discrimination laws; JP Morgan's return-to-office mandate and their decision to shut down em
Crossing the Fine Line to Create Authentic Workplaces with Lori Saitz
In episode 184, Coffey talks with Lori Saitz about creating workplace environments where meaningful connections improve focus and productivity. They discuss the importance of authentic connections in leadership; techniques for managing mental distractions at work; the power of mindful breathing and presence; the impact of gratitude on workplace productivity; the role of corporate culture in supporting employee well-being; strategies for leaders to model and encourage healthy workplace practices.
Disability is Diversity: Unlocking the Talent Pool
In episode 183, Coffey talks with Ron Fish about increasing workplace accessibility and inclusion for employees with disabilities, particularly focusing on hidden disabilities. They discuss the low rate of disability inclusion in corporate DEI initiatives; the reluctance of employees to disclose disabilities due to stigma; the importance of universal design in both physical and digital workplaces; the role of employee resource groups in creating safe spaces for disclosure; the minimal costs asso
The Double-Empathy Problem: Expanding Roles for Neurodiverse Employees with Nikki Drader-Mazza and Dr. Ginny Lopez-Kidwell
In episode 182, Coffey talks with Nikki Drader-Mazza and Dr. Ginny Lopez-Kidwell about their research on recruiting and integrating autistic employees into roles requiring social interaction, particularly focusing on Goldman Sachs' successful initiative to expand the practice beyond traditional technical positions. They discuss the concept of "double empathy problem" where both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals struggle to understand each other's perspectives and communication styles;
From Playbook to Business Plan: Leadership Lessons from Sports with Dr. Jamil Northcutt
In episode 181, Coffey talks with Dr. Jamil Northcutt about the business of sports and the competitive advantages former athletes bring to business teams.They discuss the similarities and differences between sports organizations and traditional businesses; the importance of balancing analytics with human judgment in talent decisions; the challenges of managing high-performing individuals who may not work well with teams; the value of consistent feedback and communication in performance managemen
HR News: Overemployment, North Korean Scammers, and Employee Monitoring with Patrick Richter
In episode 180, Coffey and Patrick Richter discuss recent HR news items about remote worker fraud and employee monitoring.They discuss North Korean operatives using stolen identities to infiltrate U.S. companies through remote work positions; the growing trend of "over-employed" individuals secretly working multiple full-time remote jobs; the rise of technology tools like mouse jigglers to deceive employer monitoring systems; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's recent position that employ
Free Speech and the Workplace with Kacey Riccomini
In episode 179, Coffey talks with Kacey Riccomini about managing political and social speech in the workplace in a time of heightened political division and social tension. (HRCI business credit)They discuss legal protections for political speech under federal and California state laws; when political speech becomes discriminatory or creates a hostile work environment; the limitations of First Amendment protections in private workplaces; employer rights and responsibilities regarding employee s
Evolving Data Privacy Regulations and Expectations (Business Credit) with Jason Barrett
In episode 178, Coffey talks with Jason Barrett about the evolving landscape of data privacy laws and their impact on employers' handling of personal information.They discuss the cultural shift driving increased data privacy concerns; differences between personally identifiable information (PII) and sensitive personal information; roles of data controllers, processors, and consumers; GDPR's seven foundational principles; state-level privacy laws including Texas and California regulations; biomet
Security Assessment Essentials for HR Leaders with Anna Redmond
In episode 177, Coffey talks with Anna Redmond about comprehensive workplace security strategies and violence prevention programs.They discuss physical security challenges beyond workplace violence; the importance of security assessments; domestic violence impacts on workplace safety; California's new workplace violence prevention law (SB 553); warning signs and pathways to violence; access control and reception area security concerns; managing external threats and restraining orders; and crisis
HR News: Overtime Changes and Overemployment Fraud with Steve Peglar
In episode 176, Coffey talks with Steve Peglar about recent HR news and Reddit threads including the reversal of DOL overtime thresholds workplace (dis)satisfaction, the “overemployment” phenomenon, and changing employee expectations.They discuss the federal court's overturn of DOL’s changes to overtime salary thresholds following the Loper Bright decision and implications for employers; declining employee quit rates despite widespread feelings of being "stuck" in current roles; the growing phen
Preparing for Evolving AI Regulations with Melanie Ronen
In episode 175, Coffey talks with Melanie Ronen about legal considerations and emerging regulations surrounding the use of AI in employment decisions.They discuss current anti-discrimination laws affecting AI use; recent litigation related to AI in hiring; strategies for avoiding disparate impact discrimination; the role of bias testing in AI systems; proposed legislation in California and other jurisdictions; transparency in AI usage; considerations when selecting AI vendors; and future implica
Driving Culture with Values-Driven Self-Leadership with Andrew Geesbreght
In episode 174, Coffey talks with Andrew Geesbreght about the importance of values alignment and self-leadership in creating effective organizational cultures.They discuss the nature of organizational values versus individual values; the concept of value congruence and incongruence; the role of self-awareness in leadership development; the importance of curiosity in leadership effectiveness; the three components of self-leadership including values, cognition, and behavior; strategies for evaluat
HRSouthwest: The Follower Effect with Dr. Tony Bridwell
In episode 173, Coffey talks with Dr. Tony Bridwell about the importance of leadership’s “followership” in building strong teams and cultures. They discuss Tony’s new book, The Follower Effect; the key attributes of effective followers including independent critical thinking, mission focus, and active partnership; the dynamic relationship between leadership and followership roles; the importance of follower capital including optimism, hope, resilience and self-efficacy; the role of emotional int
Working with Emerging Professionals with Michaela Glendening (Live from HRSouthwest)
In episode 172, Coffey talks with Michaela Glendening about engaging and retaining emerging HR professionals and Gen Z employees in the workplace.They discuss Dallas HR's new Emerging HR Professionals Committee initiatives; unique characteristics of Gen Z workers; the importance of regular feedback and communication; mentoring program strategies; managing workplace expectations around deadlines and productivity; connecting employees with organizational values and mission; creating effective feed
The Evolving Nature and Future of Work with Sam Rad (Live from HRSouthwest)
In episode 171, Coffey talks with Sam Rad live from The HRSW Conference about how rapid technological change is affecting the future of work and organizational structures.They discuss economic evolution from analog to digital transactions; decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs); the impact of AI on jobs and skills; the changing nature of credentials and learning; the importance of adaptability in careers; aligning organizational and individual purposes; and the need for authenticity in wo
Building a Culture of Servant Leadership with Dave Lutes
In episode 170, Coffey talks with Dave Lutes about servant leadership and its implementation in organizational cultures.They discuss the definition and misconceptions of servant leadership; the importance of authenticity and empathy in leadership; balancing performance management with a servant leadership approach; the challenges of implementing servant leadership across an organization; the role of values in shaping organizational culture; and strategies for gradual cultural change.Good Morning
Creating Effective Remote and Hybrid Workplace Cultures with Wayne Turmel
In episode 169, Coffey talks with Wayne Turmel about creating effective remote and hybrid work environments.They discuss the evolution of remote work before and after the COVID-19 pandemic; the importance of strategic planning for hybrid work models; the role of technology in remote work communication; balancing productivity and flexibility in remote work settings; the impact of remote work on employee engagement and retention; the need for intentional culture-building in remote environments; ge
Locating and Protecting Digital Evidence in Investigations with Noel Kersh
In episode 168, Coffey talks with Noel Kersh about protecting company information and digital forensics.They discuss the role of digital forensics in investigations; the importance of preserving digital evidence; challenges with personal devices and cloud computing in the workplace; policies for managing company data on personal devices; the emerging role of AI tools like ChatGPT in investigations; and best practices for preserving digital evidence post-investigation.You can hear more from Noel
HR News: Gen Z No Evil with Leiza Dolghih
In episode 167, Coffey talks with Leiza Dolghih about generational ethical differences and recent court actions affecting employers. They discuss Gen Z employees' attitudes towards company policies and rule-bending; EEOC lawsuits against companies for disability discrimination; and the Department of Labor's overtime salary basis test.Leiza and Coffey will both be presenters at the HR Southwest Conference in October. You can register for that event at https://hrsouthwest.com.Links to stuff they t
Recruiters as Consultants with Mike Kahn
In episode 166, Coffey talks with Mike Kahn about the current state of recruitment and effective strategies for hiring top talent. They discuss the current job market trends; shifts in demand for different types of HR roles; the importance of specialized skills in HR; the changing landscape of recruitment technology; the value of thorough candidate vetting and cultural fit assessment; the role of internal versus external recruiters; effective communication with hiring managers; generational diff
What HR Needs to Know About Sales Management with Randy Anderson
In episode 165, Coffey talks with Randy Anderson about managing sales teams effectively. They discuss the differences between managing sales teams and other departments; the importance of proper sales management techniques; balancing sales goals with organizational needs; the role of CRM systems in sales; transitioning from salesperson to sales manager; managing high-maintenance, high-performing employees; hiring and matching sales candidates to organizational style; and compensation strategies
HR News: Injunction Junction, What's Your Function? with Julia Gannaway
🎵Injunction Junction, what’s your function? Shooting down rules, and actions, and causes…🎵In episode 164, Coffey talks with Julia Gannaway about the impact of the end of Chevron deference on several recent court decisions. The discuss the power shift to administrative agencies under Chevron deference; the Supreme Courts’ rationale in the Loper decision; the nationwide injunction against the Federal Trade Commissions’ noncompete rule; the Supreme Court’s Starbucks decision holding the National
What the Data Tells Us About Employee Engagement with George Rogers
In episode 163, Coffey talks with George Rogers about creating effective workplace cultures and increasing employee engagement. They discuss defining organizational culture and employee engagement; the importance of engagement for business performance; key factors driving employee retention and satisfaction; the impact of AI on workforce development; effective performance management practices; the role of leadership in fostering engagement; and the importance of frequent, meaningful feedback.Goo
Multinational Talent Management with Francisco Solis
In episode 162, Coffey talks with Francisco Solis about global immigration strategies and challenges for multinational companies. They discuss CBRE's global talent management approach; integrating immigration strategy with corporate strategy; business travel compliance issues; cultural adaptation for expatriates; comparing U.S. immigration policies with other countries; safety and diversity considerations for international assignments; and key factors in deciding where to expand or hire internat
Strategies for Cross-Border Employment with Meredith Morris
In episode 161, Coffey talks with Meredith Morris about global employment strategies and challenges for U.S.-based companies. They discuss the Texas SHRM Global Business Conference; reasons companies seek international talent; alternatives to H-1B visas; risks of misclassifying workers as independent contractors; employer of record (EOR) services; cultural differences in international employment; and legal compliance issues in global hiring.Register for the Texas SHRM Global Business Conference
Evolving Options for Employer-Provided Health Insurance with Matt Morris
In episode 160, Coffey talks with Matt Morris about various health insurance options and strategies for employers, particularly small to medium-sized businesses. They discuss recent trends in health insurance cost increases; comparing traditional fully-insured plans to alternative funding methods; health savings accounts (HSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs); level-funded and self-funded plans; captive insurance arrangements; reference-based pricing; the importance of employee educ
Hiring for Skills with Mark Smith
In episode 159, Coffey talks with Mark Smith about employers’ shift towards skills-first hiring. They discuss the evolution of applicant evaluation to skills-first hiring; the diminishing relevance of college degrees in hiring; the importance of soft skills in employee retention; the process of developing a skills-based hiring approach; the use of assessments and structured interviews in hiring; preventing cheating in skills assessments; and the ethical considerations of candidate projects or ro
HR News: It's All About Engagement with Ashley Smalley
In episode 158, Coffey talks with Ashley Smalley about recent HR trends and news items related to employee engagement and workplace culture. They discuss Gallup's global survey on gender differences in employee engagement; the importance of leadership communication and employee feedback; the concept of "personality hires" and its potential drawbacks; productivity anxiety among employees; and the dangers of making broad generalizations about demographic groups in the workplace.Links to stuff they
Evolving from Business Partner to Trusted Advisor with Kristine Conway
In episode 157, Coffey talks with Kristine Conway about the evolution of HR roles from generalists to business partners to trusted advisors. They discuss the difference between “business partners” and “trusted advisors;” the importance of resilience and emotional intelligence; developing listening and coaching skills; building relationships to establish trust; and growing from transactional to relationship-based interactions.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Backgroun
People First, Profits Follow with Dee Maddox
In episode 156, Coffey talks with Dee Maddox about the business impact of “putting people first.”They discuss the meaning of a “people-first” approach; balancing people-first practices with business objectives; common mistakes companies make in implementing people-first strategies; the consequences of neglecting people in favor of processes; the concepts of reboarding and retooling employees; and the importance of trust and open communication in organizations.Good Morning, HR is brought to you b
Navigating the Freelance Workforce with Tony Buffum
In episode 155, Coffey talks with Tony Buffum about the evolving freelance workforce and its impact on the labor market.They discuss the growth of the freelance workforce; differences between gig jobs and freelance work; the increasing preference for freelance work among younger generations; the use of platforms like Upwork for accessing diverse talent; the benefits of hiring fractional executives through freelance platforms; and the role of freelancing for retirees and experienced professionals
Creating a Consistent Employee Engagement Culture with Michele Haugh
In episode 154, Coffey talks with Michele Haugh about employee engagement and how to enhance it within organizations.They discuss the definition of employee engagement; the importance of operationalizing engagement activities; creating a 12-month roadmap for engagement; the necessity of ongoing leadership training and development; integrating company values into employee experiences; the impact of engagement on retention and productivity; and the common mistakes employers make regarding engageme
What Employers Need to Know About Employee Assessments with Brandon Jordan
In episode 153, Coffey talks with Brandon Jordan about the use of assessments in the employee selection and development process.They discuss the different types of employee assessments available in the market and when each might be appropriate; the right questions to ask assessment providers; types of assessments and what they measure; the potential risks of using only cognitive assessments; three kinds of assessment; how to measure the effectiveness of assessments post-hire; complying with the
Impacting the Community with Great People Practices with Dr. Kenneth Nichols
In episode 152, Coffey talks with Dr. Kenneth Nichols about how a company's people practices can positively impact their community.They discuss sustainability and corporate citizenship; the importance of visible leadership in the community; recruitment practices reflecting community diversity; the benefits of local recruiting and training programs; mentorship and coaching for developing employees; and the importance of critical thinking and people skills in the workplace.Good Morning, HR is brou
Recognizing and Remedying Organizational Burnout with Kelly Bubolz
In episode 151, Coffey talks with Kelly Bubolz about the causes of burnout and how to address it within an organization.They discuss the distinction between burnout and stress; the factors contributing to burnout in industries like hospitality and among remote workers; the changing work environment leading to increased burnout; the shift away from grind culture in younger generations; the organizational costs of burnout; signs of burnout in employees; and strategies for leaders to prevent burnou
HR News: Location, Location, Termination with Suzanne Lucas
In episode 150, Coffey talks with Suzanne Lucas about her Evil HR Lady articles from May.They discuss the kerfuffle that arose after she released an article suggesting that employees who change their work location without coordinating with their employee should be fired; the tax and regulatory issues employers and employees face when working in other states or countries; a private wealth manager’s assertion that 45-minute reference checks are better than interviewing applicants; why employment v
People Management in Entrepreneurial Firms with Kurt Wilkin
In episode 149, Coffey talks with Kurt Wilkin about people leadership in entrepreneurial firms.They discuss the premise behind Kurt's book "Who's Your Mike," which focuses on the different kinds of workplace personalities encountered as an entrepreneurial firm matures; the evolution of HR in entrepreneurial businesses; common misconceptions that entrepreneurs have about people practices; what HR professionals often misunderstand about working in entrepreneurial firms; finding the balance between
The "Gig" is Up: Implementing the DOL's Independent Contractor Rule with Krystal Yates
In episode 148, Coffey talks with Krystal Yates about the US Department of Labor's revised rules for classifying independent contractors. They discuss the difference between an employee and an independent contractor; “1099 employees”; the reasons employers might misclassify employees as independent contractors; “gig” workers; the changes brought about by the final rule; employer considerations when determining if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor; the economic reality test fac
Navigating the Multigenerational Workforce with Emotional Intelligence with Darryl Owens
In episode 147, Coffey talks with Darryl Owens about navigating the multigenerational workplace with emotional intelligence.They discuss the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in the workplace; the five components of emotional intelligence; the impact of the pandemic lockdown on EQ; current challenges in multigenerational workplaces; how emotional intelligence affects communication; understanding the social DNA of each generation; and what leaders can do to foster an emotionally intellige
Is HR Your Friend? with Gabriela Norton
In episode 146, Gabriela Norton and Coffey discuss whether HR is meant to protect the interests of the company or the employees.They discuss the challenges faced by HR in finding a balance between the two; whether HR professionals can be friends with employees; how feedback, coaching, and mentoring can help to bridge the gap and drive results for both employees and employers; the importance of shared vision and goals; HR’s role as a risk advisor to leaders; and how the "great resignation" has pr
HR News: Which is Scarier — RIF or RTO? with Karen Cunningham
In episode 145, Coffey talks with Karen Cunningham about recent HR news around whether layoffs are “a failure of leadership” and “fear” of returning to the office.They discuss recent layoffs; employee loyalty, engagement, and management; balancing regular and temporary employees; the pros and cons of remote work; how leaders can be more intentional in a remote environment; and “overemployment.”Links to stuff they talked about are on our website at https://goodmorninghr.com/EP145 and include the
No Womb for Discrimination: the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) with Vianei Braun
In episode 144, Coffey talks with Vianei Braun about employers' responsibilities and employees' rights under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.Note: As predicted in the podcast (recorded on April 1st), the EEOC issued the final regulations implementing the PWFA on April 15th for official publication on April 19th. The final regulations can be found at https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-07527/implementation-of-the-pregnant-workers-fairness-act. (The final rule starts on page 2
Working with Fractional Executives with Neil Katz
In episode 143, Coffey talks with Neil Katz about how companies utilize fractional leadership.They discuss the distinction between a consultant and a fractional leader; the two types of fractional leaders and their level of control within a business; the typical profile of a fractional leader; how to assess the need for a fractional leader; the cost analysis of employing permanent staff compared to a fractional leader; and the extent of involvement of a fractional leader with a company.Good Morn
Understanding Your Employer Brand with Crystal Lay
In episode 142, Coffey talks with Crystal Lay about employer brand and culture.They discuss the definition of an "employer brand" and why companies need to pay attention to theirs; whether marketing or HR owns employer branding; understanding the process of building an EVP (Employee Value Proposition); how branding impacts recruiting and retention; the importance of building a community; and how to align company values and reputation.Resources mentioned in the episode:- Give & Get Employer Brand
HR News: Sex Harassment? Really?; DEI by Any Other Name with Catherine Clifton
In episode 141, Coffey talks with Catherine Clifton about recent news about sexual harassment, discrimination, and what’s next for DEI programs.They discuss employer lessons to be learned from California's Sunshine Raisin $2 million sexual harassment lawsuit; Florida's Stop Woke Act; two “reverse discrimination” cases; and the shift away from “diversity” to “inclusion.”Links to stuff they talked about are on our website at https://goodmorninghr.com/EP141 and include the following topics:- Sunshi
Talent Development in the Skilled-Trade and Manufacturing Environments with Marci Sogan
In episode 140, Coffey talks with Marci Sogan about the state of skilled trades and manufacturing workforce.They discuss how modern manufacturing jobs are different from those in years past; challenges in the labor market; the impact of remote work and flexibility on talent acquisition within the manufacturing workforce; education, certifications, and career paths; and (admin/clerical) support roles in manufacturing.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium background che
Coaching Skills for People Leaders with Shelley Goodrum
In episode 139, Coffey talks with Shelley Goodrum about coaching as a leadership skill.They discuss the definition of being a coach; the difference between managing and coaching; the significance of coaching in creating employee autonomy; the fundamental skills that leaders need to establish a coaching culture; and how to provide feedback while maintaining a balance between accountability and empowerment.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For
The Legal Issues Surrounding the Use of AI in Business with Jim Zadeh
In episode 138, Coffey talks with Jim Zadeh about legal issues related to the use of AI in business.They discuss the legal issues companies face when using AI, including privacy and confidentiality, international and local regulations, liability for errors made by AI tools, the use of others’ intellectual property, ownership of AI-generated content, and the near-term positive and negative impacts of AI on business and society. Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Backgrou
HR News: Romance as a Return to Office Strategy with Sarah Glaser
In episode 137, Coffey talks with Sarah Glaser about office romances, working while sick, and employee surveillance.They discuss the post-Covid increase in office romances and appropriate policies to protect the company and workforce; the reasons behind conflicting attitudes about working when ill; and a backlash against employee surveillance.Links to stuff they talked about are on our website at https://goodmorninghr.com/EP137 and include the following topics:- Are your employees aware of your
Adapt or Be Left Behind: Embracing the AI Revolution with Innovation and Empathy with Michael Sherrod
In episode 136, Coffey talks with Michael Sherrod about the impact of artificial intelligence on business strategy and management. They discuss how old news media’s failure to adapt their business model to the digital age may be a predictor of how businesses succeed or fail with the advent of artificial intelligence and other disruptive technologies; how organizational structures are changing to more quickly adapt to digital transformations; younger workers’ expectations that businesses incorpor
Hiring Neurodivergent Talent with David Aspinall
In episode 135, Coffey talks with David Aspinall about embracing neurodiversity in the workplace.They discuss how auticon is a demonstration that neurodiverse individuals bring unique value propositions to employers; underemployment in the neurodivergent workforce; how employers can prepare their team to engage with neurodiverse peers; the benefits of having a diverse organization in terms of work culture; the challenges neurodiverse applicants might face during the recruiting process; and wheth
What Does Work-Life Balance Even Look Like? with Suzanne Brown
In episode 134, Coffey talks with Suzanne Brown about the importance of embracing a balance-friendly workplace.They discuss the meaning of work-life balance; the distinction between balance and integration; the impact of individuals’ priorities in defining work-life balance; the impact of the pandemic on employees’ expectations; employers’ role in creating a balance-friendly environment; evaluating the financial benefit of balance-friendly strategies; the impact of remote work; and how employers
Can Workplaces Have Too Much Psychological Safety? with Dr. Peter Cappelli
In episode 133, Coffey talks with Peter Cappelli about the consequences of employees experiencing too much psychological safety.They discuss the difference between the popular and the academic definitions of psychological safety; how psychological safety is measured; the correlation between psychological safety and job performance; why an above-average sense of psychological safety might damage performance; and the importance of accountability and compliance when building a psychologically-safe
HR News: New-ish Contractor Rules and Documenting Discrimination with Patrick Richter
In episode 132, Coffey talks with Patrick Richter about HR news from January, including the Department of Labor’s new contractor rule and discrimination settlements.They discuss the Department of Labor’s final regulation concerning classification of independent contractors, which takes effect on March 11th and whether it will really impact employers; Perdue Foods’ settlement of a lawsuit regarding accommodations under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and Americans with Disabilities Act; Walmart'
Can Emotional Intelligence be Taught? with Dr. Stevie Dawn Carter
In episode 131, Coffey talks with Dr. Stevie Dawn about the impact of emotional intelligence on organizations.They discuss the definition of emotional intelligence; the difference between EI and EQ; how to measure emotional quotient and whether it is reliable; the correlation of EI and empathy; how to identify lack of EI in the workplace; approaching emotional intelligence as a learned ability; how to improve the EI in the workplace; how EI affects organizations and leadership; and codes of cond
Where Should DEIB Live in an Organization? with Shani Dellimore Barrax
In episode 130, Coffey talks with Shani Dellimore Barrax about the state of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging programs and who should be accountable for those programs.They discuss the definition of DEIB; understanding that each person’s various experiences “intersect” to create a unique individuals; “diversity” as a means rather than an end; equity through the four P's: policies, programs, practices and people; the difference between intersectionality vs. intersected identities; gover
California's New Restrictions on Using Criminal History with Corinne Spencer
In episode 129, Coffey talks with Corinne Spencer about the latest changes in California employment law.They discuss California’s Fair Chance Act regulations; who qualifies as an employer or employee under the FCA; the criminal history inquiry rules under the FCA; what employers are allowed to consider regarding criminal records; the challenge with individualized assessments; steps employers in California must take before utilizing an applicant’s criminal history; the importance of documentation
HR News - Agencies: 2, Employers: 1 with Julia Gannaway
In episode 128, Coffey talks with Julia Gannaway about recent regulatory and legal items that all employers can learn from.They discuss Whole Foods’ wins in federal court and before a National Labor Relations Board administrative law judge related to dress code enforcement and Black Lives Matter paraphernalia; a business owner who was alleged to have interfered with a Department of Labor wage and hour investigation, going so far as to retaliate against employees who cooperated with investigators
Do You Really Want Employees in Other States? with Caroline Harrison
In episode 127, Coffey talks with Caroline Harrison about the challenges of being a multistate employer.They discuss the post-Covid growth in remote out-of-state employees; legal considerations for multistate employers; responding to the phenomenon of nomad employees; when companies are required to register and pay taxes as business in another state; noncompetes and other employment-related agreements; policies to help manage multistate employees; and complying with multiple states’ PTO
Building HR's Credibility with Leadership (Business Credit) with Matt Williams
In episode 126, Coffey talks with Matt Williams about building a strategic HR operation.They discuss the spectrum between transactional and strategic HR; how AI will continue to make HR more efficient; the future of transactional HR roles; the impact of outsourcing transactional HR tasks; the importance of understanding the business; the importance of being involved with company peers outside of HR; how to avoid “no” and explore solutions and alternatives; developing business cases for
Building HR's Credibility with Leadership (Business Credit) with Matt Williams
In episode 126, Coffey talks with Matt Williams about building a strategic HR operation.They discuss the spectrum between transactional and strategic HR; how AI will continue to make HR more efficient; the future of transactional HR roles; the impact of outsourcing transactional HR tasks; the importance of understanding the business; the importance of being involved with company peers outside of HR; how to avoid “no” and explore solutions and alternatives; developing business cases for HR initia
Resolving Workplace Conflicts Through Mediation with Dr. Robyn Short
In episode 125, Coffey talks with Dr. Robyn Short about workplace mediation as a constructive approach to resolving conflicts.They discuss workplace mediation as conflict resolution tool; the cost of mediation vs. the cost of ignoring conflict; the role of HR in internal mediations; key aspects of a mediation program; what a mediation process looks like; preserving confidentiality in mediation; developing the skills necessary to facilitate a successful mediation; and how mediation works in remot
HR News: Our Robot Overlords Aren't Ready to Take Over HR with Holly Novak
In episode 124, Coffey talks with Holly Novak about lessons to be learned from OpenAI’s firing of Sam Altman, politics in the workplace, and whether four-day workweeks are gaining traction.They discuss transparency and succession planning in preparing for an executive exit; responding to workplace conflict arising from different political opinions; employee’s expectations that leaders take a stand on political issues; and how to evaluate whether a four-day work week might be right for an organiz
California Employment Law Update with Corinne Spencer
In episode 123, Coffey talks with Corinne Spencer about the latest changes in California employment law.They discuss the complexities of California law in contrast to the rest of the country; California’s upcoming protections for off-work cannabis use and their impact on drug-free workplaces; California’s modified but ongoing COVID prevention regulations; the increase in wage and hour litigation; and the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) which allows private plaintiffs to prosecute alleged vi
How to HR Like a Boss with John Bernatovicz
In episode 122, Coffey talks with John Bernatovicz about how leaders can stay engaged, avoid burnout, and deliver amazingly awesome HR.They discuss what an ownership mindset in HR looks like; the importance of relationships in business success; why purpose-driven HR is beneficial for emerging HR leaders; the gift of caring for people; how great HR professionals can move a company forward; the "HR Like a Boss Business Plan"; the importance of understanding the business’ purpose; and burned out ho
Pay Transparency, Equity, and Justice with Sally Loftis
In episode 121, Coffey talks with Sally Loftis about changing perspectives regarding compensation practices. They discuss the differences between pay transparency, pay equity, and pay justice; why some states recently passed laws requiring salary ranges in job postings; the difference between pay equity and pay parity; what organizations can do to measure and improve pay equity; building the internal employee pipeline through mentorship, training, job rotation, and access to "communities of prac
Building an Empathetic Workplace with Wendy Williams
In episode 120, Coffey talks with Wendy Williams about the importance of empathy in the workplace.They discuss the difference between compassion, sympathy, empathy, and pity; the role of compassion in empathy; how empathy can help to navigate organizational conflict; the Gen Z experience and expectations in the workplace; the correlation between empathy and DEI efforts; and what practical skills to develop in order to build an empathic culture.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imper
October HR News: "Live" from HRSouthwest with Rose Ann Garza
In episode 119, Coffey talks with Rose Ann Garza about October HR-related news that relate to the impact of AI in HR, mental health at work, and new hires getting cold feet.They discuss which jobs will be most affected by artificial intelligence; AI’s use in HR; why 50% of candidates are changing their minds after accepting a job; the importance of an onboarding process to engage new hires; the importance of supervisor training to prevent workplace toxicity; and the shift in meeting employees' n
Evidence Based Inclusion with Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey
In episode 118 Coffey talks with Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey about how “evidence-based inclusion” strategies differ from traditional DEI approaches.They discuss the concept of inclusion outside of the notion of DEI; the difference between equality and equity in a business environment; the meaning of "evidence-based inclusion" and how it differs from traditional DEI narratives; where to find that evidence and expertise; what the research actually tells us about the business case for diversity; wh
Optimizing the Virtual Environment with Howie Zales
In episode 117, Coffey talks with Howie Zales about optimizing virtual environments.They discuss considerations to maximize personal effectiveness on camera; the importance of background, lighting, and sound quality; internet speed concerns for virtual meetings; the technical aspects of planning hybrid and virtual events; and how to evaluate virtual platforms.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium background checks with fast and friendly service. For more information about our
Using Informal Networks to Implement Change with Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard
In episode 116, Coffey talks with Jeppe Vilstrup Hansgaard about the importance of informal networks in successful change management.They discuss the importance of including front-line employees in the change management process; helping employees make sense of change; using the 3% rule to identify the employees most able to influence acceptance of change; utilizing formal and informal communication networks; involving key insiders in the process of planning change; how remote work increased the
HR News: Can We Just Keep Our Pants On At Work Please? with Kara Kelley
In episode 115, Coffey talks with Kara Kelley about September's HR news items related to pay transparency; productivity, grind culture, and work-life balance; and a horrendous allegation of sexual harassment against a fast food franchise.They discuss different perspectives on the new pay transparency in job postings; the gender pay gap; internal pay equity concerns as the labor market cools down; whether 85% should be employees’ productivity target; whether young professionals should embrace “g
Helping Employees Meet Their Caregiver Responsibilities with Jess Marble
In episode 114, Coffey talks with Jess Marble about how employers can help employees meet their caregiving responsibilities.They discuss the key findings of Care.com’s Cost of Care Report; caregivers’ primary challenges and their impact on employers; where working families find their caregivers; the need for backup care when primary care falls through; caregiver benefits that employers can offer; and other ways employers can support their caregiving employees.Good Morning, HR is brought to you
Mitigating Risk in Managing Unemployment Claims with Brad Howard
In episode 113 Coffey talks with Brad Howard about the unemployment compensation system and how employers can mitigate the risk of litigation arising from unemployment claims.They discuss the purpose of the unemployment compensation system; the ways employers can avoid common headaches caused by unemployment comp claims; determining when to oppose unemployment comp claims; the importance of accurate and consistent documentation; the impact of resignation in lieu of termination on claim decisions
Fearless Curious Conversations in the Workplace with Monica Guzman
In episode 112, Coffey talks with Monica Guzman about how organizations can promote healthy dialogue about social and political issues.They discuss the current perceived and actual US social and political divide impacts workplaces; employees’ changing expectations of employers; “pernicious assumptions in our politics”; certainty vs. curiosity; using curiosity as a tool to mitigate conflict; the importance of curiosity in innovation and business; creating a culture of curiosity; the importance of
HR News - Title VII & DEI Lawsuits; Abortions Benefits; and Pay Transparency with Steve Peglar
In episode 111, Coffey talks with Steve Peglar about August’s HR-related news items related to Title VII, diversity, abortion, and pay transparency.They discuss the reason they were surprised by the Fifth Circuit’s recent Title VII decision; the anti-DEI lawsuit against Starbucks and why DEI efforts are shifting to a more systematic approach; the impact of job postings that lead with abortion-related benefits; and the popularity of pay transparency laws.Links to stuff they talked about are on ou
Practical and Legal Caregiver Issues in the Workplace with Allison Bowers
In episode 110 Coffey talks with Allison Bowers about employer’s legal responsibilities to caregivers. They discuss the caregiver perspective as employees and business owners; how remote work is reimagining the workforce; the male experience and prejudice as caregivers; employers response to accommodations in the workplace; working with flexible policies to support employees; the risk of selective accommodations; laws that protect caregivers such as FMLA, Title VII, and in some cases ADA; and wh
Leading Through Coaching with Kim Sawyer
In episode 109, Coffey talks with Kim Sawyer about the importance of leading by coaching.They discuss the true meaning of being a coach; how management mentality is different from coaching; the definition of leadership from a coaching perspective; building a coaching relationship as a leader; the skills are necessary to become a successful coach; the ROI of learning and implementing a coaching relationship; what a coaching culture looks like in the workplace; and the difference between mentoring
Recruiting and Retaining Frontline Employees with Thad Price
In episode 108, Coffey talks with Thad Price about recruiting and retaining essential frontline workers. They discuss the definition of “essential workers”; the labor market factors affecting the demand for essential workers; the importance of flexibility in attracting and retaining frontline workers; why employers relying on essential workers need to understand who they are competing with for talent; the importance of introducing customers and culture to prospective employers; the similarities
Authentic Appreciation in the Workplace with Dr. Paul White
In episode 107, Coffey talks with Dr. Paul White about building meaningfully sharing appreciation in the workplace.They discuss the difference between employee recognition programs and authentic demonstration of appreciation; praising character vs. behavior; showing appreciation in a way that is meaningful to each employee; what the "motivating by appreciation inventory" assessment measures; the five languages of appreciation; the ROI of building appreciation into the organization's culture; the
SCOTUS Decisions and Hot Strike Summer: June's HR News
In episode 106, Coffey talks with Paul Simon and Dustin Paschal about HR news topics including the possible impact of Supreme Court's decision on race-conscious admissions programs; SCOTUS’ revised standard for evaluation religious accommodation requests; and the possible causes of the Hot Strike Summer.They discuss when an employer can consider race or sex in making an employment decision; disparate impact and reverse discrimination; the difference between "affirmative action" and "equal employ
Artificial Intelligence & HR: Now and Into the Future with Tim Sackett
In episode 105, Coffey talks with Tim Sackett about the current and future use of artificial intelligence in human resources management.They discuss the evolution of artificial intelligence from chatbots to machine learning and generative systems AI like Chat GPT and Google’s Bard; ensuring that humans are still involved in reviewing content produced by generative AI; privacy considerations when feeding company information and employee behaviors into AI systems; the prospect of using AI
Avoiding Litigation in a Remote Environment with Alan Crone
In episode 104, Coffey talks with Alan Crone about litigation avoidance in remote workplaces.They discuss the litigation potential in remote environments; the importance of setting clear performance expectations and using metrics for accountability; responding to bad behavior; reasonable accommodation when remote work may be an option; conducting successful remote investigations; and handling terminations remotely.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium background checks with fa
Delivering Meaning in the Workplace
In episode 103, Coffey talks with Alise Cortez about revitalizing the workforce by managing through meaning.They discuss the current state of the American workforce; how the pandemic changed the expectations and motivations of employees; generational differences; what she means by “gusto” when discussing personal meaning; the long-term strategy of conscious capitalism; understanding what stakeholders care about; logotherapy’s potential in the workplace; ownership culture; the importance of purpo
HR News - Soft Skills are Hard; Developing Them in Your PJs is Harder with Diane Gallo
In episode 102, Coffey and Diane Gallo talk about HR news topics including the soft-skills gap, how remote work may negatively impact younger workers professional growth, and improper use of social media in the hiring process.Links to stuff they talked about are on our website at https://goodmorninghr.com/EP102 and include the following topics:- United States Soft Skills Training Market is Expected to Reach US$ 30.7 Billion by 2028- New Grads Have No Idea How to Behave in the Office. He
2023 Second Chance Hiring Conference with Cheri Garcia
Don't miss the 2023 Second Chance Hiring Conference on July 13! Hosted by Fort Worth HR and Dallas HR. Join Cheri Garcia founder of Cornbread Hustle to learn from leaders who have successfully embraced second-chance hiring and gain strategies, tips, and important resources for sourcing, vetting, interviewing, and managing a successful and safe workplace environment. Register at dallashr.org to bridge the gap and empower individuals with a fresh start!
Chronic Illness at Work with Julie Hamilton
In episode 101, Coffey talks with Julie Hamilton about creating inclusive work environments for employees wrestling with chronic illness.They discuss the definition of chronic illness; commonly misunderstood illnesses or disabilities; stress as an illness trigger; the ADA and FMLA process when dealing with chronic illness; how leaders can navigate the conversation around performance, job descriptions, and job accommodations; common ADA accommodations; how HR leaders can respond to employee inqui
Mitigating Bias When Using AI in Employee Selection with Kate Bischoff
In episode 100, Coffey talks with Kate Bischoff about the legal and ethical considerations surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in employee selection.They discuss the recent impact of AI on HR; concerns around relying on AI as a decision-maker rather than as a tool to help make decisions; how bias gets introduced into AI-assisted processes; monitoring for bias and disparate impact when implementing AI systems in employee selection; emerging regulations for AI, including New Yo
What the Organization Needs from HR with Jill Koob
In episode 99, Coffey talks with Jill Koob about what leaders really want from HR.They discuss the importance of moving past transactional HR to build a successful company; how emerging HR leaders can pave the way to credibility and facilitate change; how to shift the perspective of HR procedures from "a simple checkbox" to strategic management tools; HR’s role in helping leaders overcome the skill gaps throughout the organization; improving leadership to improve retention; understanding quality
Employer Responses to the Child Care Crisis with Katie Ferrier
In episode 98, Coffey talks with Katie Ferrier about the US childcare crisis’ impact on business.They discuss the Ready Nation Project; the infant/toddler childcare crisis and its effect on business; childcare access and affordability challenges; how the pandemic impacted childcare facilities; strategies and policies for employers can implement to help mitigate the childcare crisis; and the workforce value of investing in quality childcare.Ready Nation’s report, $122 Billion: The Growing, Annual
Three Years After George Floyd: May's News Roundup
In episode 97, Coffey talks with Terri Swain the problems with corporate DEI efforts since George Floyd’s 2020 murder and other HR-related items in the news.They discuss why many corporate DEI efforts have yielded few meaningful changes; why successful equal employment opportunity programs take the long view; why leaders need a systemic approach to mitigate bias; and how Uber's diversity leader’s troubles reflect the state of DEI. They also discuss strip clubs getting unionized; the EEOC’s resp
Delivering on "Brand Promise" to Customers with Kerry-Ann Betton Stimpson
In episode 96, Coffey talks with Kerry-Ann Betton Stimpson about maximizing employee engagement through internal marketing.They discuss the role of the marketing function in an organization; the relationship between marketing and sales; the importance of proper onboarding for all employees to reinforce the company's mission, vision, and purpose; the role of internal marketing to engage employees so that they deliver the brand promise; and strategies to motivate employees to become advocates for
Managing Employee Layoffs with Shannon Norris
In episode 95, Coffey talks with Shannon Norris about the legal and practical logistics of employee layoffs.They discuss what employers should keep in mind when planning a layoff in the current social media environment; the WARN Act’s requirements; Texas Payday Law considerations; misconceptions around severance agreements; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act’s (OWBPA) requirements; whether there are any legal differences between furloughs, layoffs, and terminations; the best approach to de
Keys to Planning and Executing Organizational Change with Dr. Robyn Odegaard
In episode 94, Coffey talks with Dr Robyn Odegaard about overcoming the challenges leaders face in creating and executing new strategies.They discuss the importance of clearly defining the desired change; conducting pre-mortems and back-casting to identify what might go wrong and what must go right; identifying necessary resources and creating tactical plans to achieve goals; relying on others’ expertise; overcoming the psychological and structural barriers that hinder leaders’ ability
Get the Damn 26 Million: April News Roundup
In episode 93, Coffey talks with David Miklas about recent news items affecting human resources.They discuss the possibility of new employment law claims because of tort reform legislation and best practices to avoid litigation from hungry plaintiffs’ attorneys; the social media backlash to MillerKnoll's CEO’s “rant” at a company Zoom meeting and whether she deserved the public flogging she’s received; the implications of a report claiming many people are still accessing their former employers’
Mary Jane Gets a Job: Marijuana in the Workplace with Mary Ann Fulgium
In episode 92, Coffey talks with Mary Ann Fulgium about the legal and practical considerations for employers as more states legalize some or all marijuana use.They discuss some employers’ changing approach to marijuana testing; Texas’ Compassionate-Use Act; the range of marijuana laws in other states; how the EEOC believes that the Americans with Disabilities Act impacts employers’ marijuana testing practices, including accommodating marijuana users; consideration of past marijuana possession cr
Improving Employee Financial Wellness with Bill Langley
In episode 91, Coffey talks with Bill Langley about employers’ support of employee financial wellness.They discuss what "employee financial wellness" means to employees and employers; the definition of financial capability; how financial matters affect employees’ mental health and the workplace; how leaders can identify signs of financial stress; the evolution of financial health post-pandemic; how leaders can guarantee employees receive the financial education and resources they need; the pros
Understanding the Customer Experience with Sarah Diegnan
In episode 90, Coffey talks with Sarah Diegnan about the systems used to create exceptional customer experiences.They discuss the correlation between the customer journey and customer experience; all the departments that take part in a customer’s journey; the importance of a customer-centric approach for product development; effective client segmentation; how user expectations have changed; setting up actionable metrics for engagement; the current role of AI in customer experience and what to ex
All the Letters in the News: AI, GPT, EEOC, ADA, UPS, NLRB with Jimmy Taylor
In episode 89, our inaugural HR news conversation, Coffey talks with Jimmy Taylor about the impact of artificial intelligence on HR, the EEOC’s open and shut Americans with Disabilities Act case against UPS, and whether the National Labor Relations Board has lost its freakin’ mind.Links to stuff they talked about:Chat GPT (the actual website to play with)Beyond Job Descriptions: 6 HR Tasks ChatGPT Can Do for You (SHRM)The unattainable pinnacle of art: why does Midjourney artificial intelligence
The Overtitling Craze and How to Remedy It with Tammy Polk
In episode 88, Coffey talks with Tammy Polk about the practice of inflating job titles. They discuss the roots of overtitling; undertraining promoted employees; EEOC and FLSA concerns about titles and compensation; understanding salary surveys; how to realign job descriptions, titles and compensation; emotional attachments to job titles; how managers should address title adjustments; input from employees in clarifying position responsibilities; and the importance of career pathing.Good Morning,
Employment Investigations with John Hagan
In episode 87, Coffey talks with John Hagan about best practices for employment investigations.They discuss the criteria for determining when an investigation is necessary; the definition of a hostile work environment; managing confidentiality in complaints; investigation guidelines and considerations; remote interviews; recording interviews; determining credibility; the do's and don'ts when writing the investigation report; and continuing communications with a complainant.Good Morning,
The Employment Visa Process, Step by Step with Dobrina Ustun
In episode 86, Coffey talks with Dobrina Ustun about the nuts and bolts of sponsoring an employment visa and common challenges employers face.They discuss the considerations for sponsoring a work visa; misconceptions about hiring foreign employees; the process for employers to recruit foreign talent; the paperwork for lottery registration and the next steps once the employee is selected; the rules around prevailing wages; academic and experience requirements; renewal of H-1B visas; the green car
Mental Health and the Americans with Disabilities Act with Janette Levey
In episode 85, Coffey talks with Janette Levey about the intersection between the Americans with Disabilities Act and mental health. They discuss employers' responsibilities under ADA; the definition of "disability"; what constitutes "essential functions" and "reasonable accommodation"; important guidelines when inquiring about conditions or disabilities; the importance of following up with employees about provided accommodations; the ADA coverage for mental health issues; special consi
What California's Labor Law Changes Might Predict for the Rest of the US with Michael Kalt
In episode 84, Coffey talks with Michael Kalt about the California labor law landscape and its influence on the rest of the US.They discuss the differences between California laws and the rest of the US; the California legislative cycle; what happened in 2022 that will roll out this year and how companies should prepare for it; bereavement leave; legal marijuana usage; paid sick leave; changes in pay equity; contraceptive policies; pay transparency; and what's on the agenda for 2023.Good Morning
Neuroscience's Impact on Leadership with Dr. Jason Jones
In episode 83, Coffey talks with Dr. Jason Jones about what behavioral neuroscience teaches us about leadership.They discuss the role and definition of an organizational psychologist; what leaders need to understand about behavioral neuroscience; the three key areas of the brain for decision-making and thought processing relevant in the workplace; three behavioral principles for leaders to practice daily; the importance of the three c's to build connection; coaching from a brain science perspect
Successful Mergers & Acquisitions with Diane Gallo
In episode 82, Coffey talks with Diane Gallo about people considerations for successful mergers and acquisitions.They discuss the inevitable change of culture that comes with a merger or acquisition; questions leaders in the acquiring company should ask; the importance that leaders acknowledge change; when and how to communicate with teams during a merger or acquisition; conversations to help identify and preserve key talent; title and role management; and the importance of cultural due
The Importance of Storytelling for Leaders with Christina Harbridge
In episode 81, Coffey talks with Christina Harbridge about storytelling as a tool for leaders to create engaging communication. They discuss the importance of authentic storytelling; the role of physiology in storytelling; the correlation between soothing mechanisms and innate talent; why leaders should engage in meaningful conversations and how to prepare for them; and the purpose of storytelling in business.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium background checks wit
Confronting Underperformance with Randy Anderson
In episode 80, Coffey talks with Randy Anderson about confronting and managing underperformance. They discuss the spectrum of underperformance; managing underperformance; engagement and fulfillment in the workplace; how leaders can elevate employees; the importance of establishing job expectations early; which factors affect performance; the difference between skill and talent; the correlation between core values, inherent motivation, and aspirations with performance; and how to leaders also nee
Identifying High Potential Future Leaders with Deb Calvert
In episode 79, Coffey talks with Deb Calvert about improving succession planning to identify and prepare future leaders.They discuss the problems with the 9-box model for succession planning; the challenge of objectively measuring potential; the risk of developing and losing talent; how to improve the 9-box model; and effective ways to communicate succession planning to employees. Read more about Deb’s take on this topic at https://peoplefirstps.medium.com/behind-the-scenes-how-a-9-bo
Advocacy Preview: Texas' 88th Legislative Session with Matt Abel & Tommy Simmons
In episode 78, Coffey talks with Matt Abel & Tommy Simmons about the 88th Texas Legislature’s possible impact on employers in Texas. They discuss the Texas Legislature’s calendar and the process of creating new laws; the Texas Association of Business’ role as the chief advocate for Texas businesses before the legislature; Tommy’s essential bill-tracking file and the role of the office of Aaron Demerson, the Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Employers; the importance that employers be inv
2023 HR Resolution: Pay Your Employees Correctly with Patrick Richter
In episode 77, Coffey talks with Patrick Richter about paying your employees fairly and legally.They discuss significant changes in employment in the past three years; common mistakes employers make when it comes to exempt vs. non-exempt employees; the Hewitt v. Helix Fair Labor Standards Act case and other overtime pay regulations; the impact of non-delegation cases and challenges to the Chevron doctrine; likely changes to the independent contractor test; the potential penalties if an
2023 HR Resolution: Don't Get Sued! with Chris Antone
In episode 76, Coffey talks with Christopher Antone about preventing employment-related litigation.They discuss management's obligation to preserve a positive work relationship with employees; "wrongful hiring" as a result of a rushed hiring process; the importance of engaging in performance conversations regularly; how to set expectations during the orientation period; retraining, coaching, and counseling as alternatives to immediate disciplinary action; the key to reducing the risk of litigat
2023 HR Resolution: Create a Culture Where People Thrive with Tony Bridwell
In episode 75, Coffey talks with Tony Bridwell about understanding culture from a perspective of storytelling to create a positive place to work.They discuss the most simple definition of culture; the do/get principal; how culture is constantly evolving; how organizational habit reflects culture; the importance of storytelling in defining and communicating culture; three questions to assess a company's organizational culture; the correlation between expectations and accountability; the
2023 HR Resolution: Ask For What You Need with Suzanne Lucas
In episode 74, Coffey talks with Suzanne Lucas about the evolution of HR through the last three years and how to ask for what it needs in 2023.They discuss how the past three years, facing the pandemic and now a recession, have affected HR roles; the current influence of finance in HR; the correlation between transactional and strategic HR; how to build a business case for increasing HR investment; the importance of understanding the company in order to help it; the myths of quiet quitting and l
2023 HR Resolution: Plan for the Next Generation of Leaders with Lisa Blanton
In episode 73, Coffey talks with Lisa Blanton about succession and career development planning for organizations of all sizes. They discuss the importance of long-term leadership planning to ensure successful transitions; what a succession plan looks like; why building a plan around the organization instead of building around roles is beneficial for the company long-term; how to identify talent within the company, and the return of investment of training and developing it; assessing soft and har
2023 HR Resolution: Make Time for Strategy with Richard Medcalf
In episode 72, Coffey kicks off a year-end series of conversations on New Year’s resolutions for people leaders. This week, he talks with Richard Medcalf about making time for strategic thinking throughout 2023.They discuss the difference between tactics and strategy; the challenges leaders face in setting aside time to think about strategy; Richard’s #1 key performance indicator for leaders; Richard’s simplified definition of strategy; the importance of “the project no one is asking for”; and h
Life in the Leadership Lane: Mike Coffey on Earned Admiration
In episode 71, Bruce Waller interviews Coffey on Bruce’s podcast, Life in the Leadership Lane. They talk about Coffey’s early career; the value of failure; understanding what is within our control; the value of mentors; the ingredients of success; second chance hiring; the importance of organizational values; the importance of being involved in professional associations; the value of surrounding yourself with people who cover your deficits; and the importance of making an impact on others.Good M
What Business Leaders Need to Know About Psychedelics with Matt Zemon
In episode 70, Coffey talks with Matt Zemon about the workplace implications of the use of ketamine and other psychedelics.They discuss the therapeutic use of ketamine; ongoing research on psychedelics’ effect on well being; what employers should understand about ketamine and other psychedelics; what ketamine therapy entails; and the future of psychedelics as therapeutic tools.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium background checks with fast and friendly service. For
Employment-Based Immigration with Kevin Lashus
In episode 69, Coffey talks with Kevin Lashus about employment-based immigration.They discuss the relationship between education-based immigration and employment-based immigration; the most common types of employment-related visas; US annual limitations on work visas and the political reasons those limits haven’t increased since 1990; immigration’s impact on wages; how prevailing wages are determined; regulatory requirements and enforcement efforts in place to protect foreign talent from mistrea
Employee-Driven Philanthropy with Shannon Duvall
In episode 68, Coffey talks with Shannon Duvall about the performance and cultural benefits of encouraging employees to pursue their philanthropic passions.They discuss employee's increasing interest in giving back to the community; aligning philanthropic activities to the organization's culture; different strategies to measure employee engagement and participation; how to respond and navigate around social justice movements; and how younger generations are searching for work opportunities that
Unions are Cool Again with Jon Hyman
In episode 67, Coffey talks with Jon Hyman about the reinvigorated union movement in the US.They discuss the main factors causing a renewed focus on unionization; how Gen-Z has been energized to pursue safe and fair workplace environments; the signs that employees are ready to unionize; the best way that employers can avoid unionization; actions employers should take when faced with an organization effort; and limits of employers and organizers during a union campaign.Good Morning, HR is brought
Respecting Individuality and Building a Community with Dr. Whitnee Boyd
In episode 66, Coffey talks with Dr. Whitnee Boyd about the power of identity and sense of belonging in the workplace.They discuss the differences between organizational culture and community; the role of identity in the workplace; how diversity and inclusion lead to a sense of belonging; the correlation between building a community and increasing productivity; how leaders can empower employees to be proactive and engaging; how to engage remote teams; training leaders how to start insig
OnlyFans and Other Off-Duty Conduct with David Miklas
In episode 65, Coffey talks with David Miklas about employers’ concerns about employees’ off-duty conduct.They discuss first amendment protections; protected concerted activity; addressing an employee’s Only Fans, social media, or other content that may “distract” coworkers; employer concerns with moonlighting; competing rights in the workplace; employee arrests; due process rights; the importance of clear employment policies; and employers’ interest in protecting the company's reputation.Good M
Remote Workplace Policies with Mary Ann Fulgium
In episode 64, Coffey talks with Mary Ann Fulgium about the legal and cultural implications of remote work.They discuss the value of collaboration and how it affects remote work environments; why employers are opting for hybrid work; what "hot desking" means; how recruiters are finding remote work a big condition for prospective employees; how remote work adjusts to exempt and non-exempt employees; the importance of measuring productivity and performance; location restrictions and gener
Workplace Bullies and Abrasive Leaders with Catherine Mattice
In episode 63, Coffey talks with Catherine Mattice about bullying and turning "toxic" management into successful leadership.They discuss the definition of a toxic work environment; the legal difference between bullying and harassment; different types of bullying behaviors; the importance of self-awareness and perception for leaders; how leaders can identify "fight or flight" behaviors in their employees to readjust accordingly; how certain work cultures accidentally encourage bullying; and how o
Effective New Hire Orientations with Catherine Clifton
In episode 62, Coffey talks with Catherine Clifton about the link between new-hire orientation and employee engagement and retention. They discuss the importance of the new-hire orientation; the role of HR during the onboarding process; adapting orientation to the organization; involvement and training of leaders in performance management; which issues are essential to discuss in new hire orientations; and how to navigate onboarding for remote work environments. Good Morning, HR is brou
Quiet Quitting: Improving Employee Engagement and Retention with Brandon Jordan
In episode 61, Coffey talks with Brandon Jordan about the "quiet quitting" phenomenon; employee experience; using behavioral assessments to improve new-hire fit; hiring with long-term retention in mind; and improving employee engagement. Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium background checks with fast and friendly service. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com. If you are SHRM-cert
Building Great Teams Through Communication That Connects with Ashley Smalley
In episode 60, Coffey talks with Ashley Smalley about leading with authenticity to create teams that connect. They discuss what it means for leaders to be connected to their teams; the difference between the means of communication and the way leaders communicate; the importance of authenticity in building relationships; avoiding transactional communication styles; communication challenges in remote work environments; the skills leaders can practice to develop successful connection; how to addres
Spreadsheets & Soft Skills: The Relationship Between HR and Finance with Ashley Taylor
In episode 59, Coffey talks with CPA Ashley Taylor about corporate finance and its relationship to human resources.They discuss the difference between Accounting and Finance; how the financial function serves the organization; how HR and Accounting can partner to improve employee retention, compliance, and the organization’s bottom line; delivering customer service with shared goals in mind; how cooperation builds credibility within the organization; the debate as to where payroll belon
You Keep Using That Word: HR Terms People Get Wrong, Part 1 with Jimmy Taylor
In episode 58, Coffey talks with Jimmy Taylor about frequently misused HR terminology and leadership development.They discuss Texas SHRM and its mission to help individuals transform their careers and the importance of being involved in local SHRM chapters. They discuss often misused employment terms, including right-to-work, at-will employment, insubordination, and Jimmy’s favorite: retaliation. They also discuss the misuse of performance improvement plans; return to work vs. return to office;
Resetting the Clock: Practical Employee Relations with Michael J. Mirarchi
In episode 57, Coffey talks with Michael J. Mirarchi about training leaders to avoid employment litigation rather than simply training for compliance.They discuss the difference between defending against employment litigation and avoiding employment litigation; the importance of teaching leaders what they should focus on instead of what they should avoid; the key components of "good faith efforts" of legal compliance; how using scripts for sensitive employment relations issues helps keep leaders
Economic and Labor Market Trends with Richard Froeschle
In episode 56, Coffey talks with Richard Froeschle about unraveling the workforce and economic market trends in Texas.They discuss the "COVID-based recession" affecting the Texas economy; its correlation to inflation and the labor market; the effect of stimulus spending on the labor force participation; how the born-digital generation defines "work" and their new expectations; the Texas labor shortage outlook; what "capacity" means in terms of economy; how economists try to identify skills that
Strategies for Dealing with Uncertainty with Andrew Bartlow
In episode 55, Coffey talks with Andrew Bartlow about "the perfect storm" hitting HR for the last few years and how to navigate it. They discuss the importance of creating a simple but efficient HR plan that aligns with the company; essential considerations for developing goals; how to deal with uncertainty and stay focused; what HR in traditional companies can learn from start-ups; the future of remote and hybrid work; the correlation between compensation and inflation; and how to prepare in ca
Managing People in the Hospitality Industry with Lauren Pearce
In episode 54, Coffey talks with Lauren Pearce about the unique world of hospitality talent management. They discuss post-pandemic people management in the hospitality industry; how operations, recruitment, and retention were affected by COVID; how a shift in management style helped create a better work environment; training strategies that have improved attraction and development of talent; successfully involving managers and leaders in the recruiting process; and why leaders can benefit from b
Coaching vs. Fixing Employees with Kristine Conway
In episode 53, Coffey talks with Kristine Conway about leadership development through coaching.They discuss the misconceptions of coaching; the difference between leaders who fix and leaders who develop; strategies like self-awareness and feedback to become an authentic leader; the importance of assessments and using information properly; how to deescalate difficult conversations and build a safe environment for growth; and the difference between coaching and training.Good Morning, HR is brought
Leading to Ensure Human Dignity with Dr. Robyn Short
In episode 52, Coffey talks with Dr. Robyn Short about the impact of respecting individuals’ dignity on organizational performance.They discuss how conflict in an organization can be fueled by the organizations’ structure; Frederick Laloux’ six organizational paradigms and their impacts on human dignity; how an organization’s respect for human dignity impacts employee engagement; whether organizations can really be run as democracies; how the workplace is one of the last places where people can
The Great Retention: Engaging Your Workforce with Dwan Bryant
In episode 51, Coffey talks with Dwan Bryant about the great retention.They discuss the importance of creating a process that allows attracting and ultimately retaining talent; how viewing individuals as long-term assets improves engagement in the workplace; what employee engagement actually means; authenticity and transparency as tools for leaders to build stronger teams; how to address critical conversations; the importance of providing feedback; and implementing assessments such as DiSC to he
Revisiting Noncompete Agreements with Leiza Dolghih
In episode 50, Coffey talks with Leiza Dolghih about noncompete agreements; the recent scrutiny about the kinds of workers asked to sign noncompetes; the elements of enforceable noncompetes in Texas; the practicality of actually enforcing noncompetes; and the potential impact of a new hire’s noncompete agreement with a previous employer.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium background checks with fast and friendly service. For more information about our commitment to quality a
Earning, Losing, and Regaining Trust in the Workplace with Joe Folkman
In episode 49, Coffey talks with Joe Folkman about the factors affecting workplace trust. They discuss Joe’s background as a psychometrician (psychologist who uses data to predict outcomes) who studies leadership; and the correlation between trust and leadership effectiveness; how expertise, consistency, and relationships affect trust; why leaders should be asking for feedback; six competencies leaders need to build and repair trust; and the surprising increase in trust during the pandemic.Mike
Engaging the "Whole Employee" When Considering Nontraditional Benefits with Ravi Swaminathan
In episode 48, Coffey talks with Ravi Swaminathan about engaging the “whole employee” when considering nontraditional benefits. They discuss how "the Great Resignation" has changed employee expectations and needs; the difference between “work-life balance” and “work-life integration; managing productivity in a remote or hybrid environment; using benefits to enrich work culture; the relation between flexibility and productivity; measuring the ROI of any benefits offering; and how employers can ac
Leadership and Conflict Resolution with Liz Kislik
In episode 47, Coffey talks with Liz Kislik about leadership and the interpersonal aspects of conflict. They discuss how leaders can identify situations of conflict, moderate and manage them; the importance of context to understand the nature of a confrontation; what happens when a high performing employee shows patterns of conflicting behavior and how it affects culture and team dynamics; helpful techniques to deal with structural issues; and self-awareness and self-regulation as skills to refr
Compensation Strategy in a Time of Inflation with Bob Cartwright
In episode 46, Coffey and Bob Cartwright have a freewheeling hour-long conversation about compensation strategies in a time of inflation; geographic cost of living differentials; the trap of adjusting wages to match inflation; the importance of culture in retaining employees; and Americana bluegrass music.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium background checks with fast and friendly service. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer s
Business Involvement in the Legislative Process with Cathy DeWitt
In episode 45, Coffey talks with Cathy DeWitt about legislative advocacy. They discuss the role of professional lobbyists; how and why businesses should be involved in politics; the importance of being involved in the legislative process even when the legislature is out of session; how to develop relationships with legislators and staff; the impact of contributing to industry PACs; whether party affiliations are dealbreakers when reaching out to lawmakers; understanding which bills are really i
Effective One-to-One Meetings with Debbie Waggoner
In episode 44, Coffey talks with Debbie Waggoner about upping your game in one-to-one meetings.They discuss how often one-to-one meetings become transactional; how to prepare leaders to identify insightful questions; why taking into account the personality of the team member is an important factor in picking the best approach and gathering better information; the appropriate times to schedule a session; taking advantage of virtual meetings to allow the team to feel comfortable even when receivin
Using Brain Science in Managing People with Julian Sado
In episode 43, Coffey talks with Julian Sado about how to adapt the mind, train and retain talent using new science. They discuss what new science tells us about how we make decisions; the importance of learning how to define what we feel to react appropriately; how every situation is subjective; how our personal interpretations can change the outcome of our immediate physical and emotional response; why certain work situations link to self-triggers and how the pandemic forced a shift i
Data Privacy Regulations and Ethics with Jodi Daniels
In episode 42, Coffey talks with Jodi Daniels about data privacy. The discuss the credentials businesses should look for when evaluating a privacy professional; online consumer tracking and targeting; state, national, and international privacy regulations; the difference between security, confidentiality, and privacy; individuals’ right to own data about them; how organizational ethics play into business’ use of personal information; determining which jurisdictions’ privacy regulations
The Power of Performance Feedback with Amber Vanderburg
In episode 41, Coffey talks with Amber Vanderburg about giving and receiving performance feedback. They discuss why annual performance reviews aren’t enough; the importance of defining what successfully meeting expectations looks like; the importance of communicating why specific behaviors are important to the organization; the difference between skill and behavior coaching; the importance of being very specific in communicating desired behavior; “vague performance feedback results in vague perf
Principles of Executive Coaching with Brad Smith
In episode 40, Coffey discusses “career impact” coaching with Brad Smith, an experienced HR leader and executive coach. They discuss the great advice Brad gave Coffey almost 30 years ago; preparing for “career impact” conversations; creating a structure in which a coaching recipient can receive helpful feedback; the importance of including stakeholders in the coaching process; “amplifiers and dampers” in coaching individuals; the five boxes that need to be checked when considering coaching; “coa
Preserving Company Culture in a Remote Environment with Andrew Pryor
In episode 39, Coffey talks with Andrew Pryor, CHRO at ECI Software Solutions, about building and maintaining a great company culture in a remote work environment. They talk about Andrew’s initial pandemic experience; his company’s continued growth throughout the pandemic; how ECI has thrived in a remote and hybrid environment over the past two years; how employee engagement actually increased during the pandemic; how they maintained their “culture of recognition” throughout the pandemic; the im
Legal and Business Lessons Learned During the Pandemic with Sarah Glaser
In episode 38, Coffey talks with employment law attorney Sarah Glaser about the pandemic’s impact on employment law and employee relations.They discuss how significant a change in public policy was Congress’ passing of temporary paid family leave at the beginning of the pandemic; the changing roles of HR; how the misalignment of employer and employee preferences for remote or in-person workplaces affect retention; challenges employers face when employees relocate to other states; the legal and e
Special Edition: Managing a Remote Team in a Conflict Zone with Vladimir Gendelman
In this special edition (episode 37), Coffey talks with Vladimir Gendelman about supporting his Ukrainian team during the Russian invasion. They discuss Vladimir’s experience growing up in the Soviet Union; his entrepreneurial journey in the US and Ukraine; how he helped his Ukrainian employees when Russia seized portions of Ukraine in 2014; how even his Ukrainian employees were surprised by the Russian invasion; the importance of using subject matter experts to predict changes in circumstances
"Post-COVID" Workplace Mental Health with Dr. Brian Dixon
In episode 36, Coffey talks with psychiatrist Brian Dixon about the pandemic’s ongoing impact on employee mental health. They discuss the difference between a family doctor, a psychiatrist, and psychologist, and a bartender; medical practice entrepreneurship choices; the surprising benefits of delivering psychological services over the internet; the psychological impact of the pandemic’s prolonged disruption of society; the different definitions of trauma; how individuals respond to tra
Manufacturing Management During Covid with Leslie Scott
In episode 35, Coffey talks with Leslie Scott of Mother Parker’s Tea and Coffee about Covid’s ongoing impact on the manufacturing environment. Throughout the pandemic, Mother Parker’s was unique in that they never had to shut down a worksite.Coffey and Leslie discuss the components of Mother Parker’s crisis management planning and how it has evolved over the past two years, including how they practiced crisis management responses throughout the pandemic.They also discuss how, as an international
Medical Practice Management During COVID with Kara Kelley
In episode 34 of Good Morning, HR, Coffey talks with Kara Kelley about how medical and dental practice management has changed during the pandemic. They discuss initial responses to Covid, the challenges of implementing new safety protocols, employee retention, and operating medical practices on significantly reduced margins. They also discuss how practices can address employee retention challenges; Kara’s prediction that qualified staff will continue to be hard to recruit for years to come and h
The "Never Normal" Workforce with Ira Wolfe
In episode 33, Coffey talks with Ira Wolfe about the pandemic’s ongoing impact on recruiting and retaining employees, which Ira calls the “never normal.” They discuss what successful employers did early in the pandemic and where others struggled; how technology has helped and hurt employer-employee relationships; the importance of workforce adaptability in the future; preparing for continuing labor shortages; and what to expect in the workforce in the coming decade.Good Morning, HR is brought to
Leading Family-Owned Businesses with Jonathan Goldhill
In episode 32, Coffey talks with Jonathan Goldhill about the challenges and strategies of managing family-owned businesses. They discuss the entrepreneurial journey; transitioning ownership of businesses to the next generation; leadership challenges family-owned businesses often face; the importance of systems and processes and the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS); the role of disruptive successors; concerns about nepotism; and what leaders joining a family-owned business need to understan
Leadership Conversations with Richard Medcalf
Coffey talks with executive coach and consultant Richard Medcalf about strategy, leadership, and purpose. They discuss the the three components of leadership; the commitments required for successful teams; leadership as a skill, not just an inherent trait; strategy vs. “smatergy”; keeping leaders focused on strategy rather than “managing infinity,” and four conversations every leadership team needs to have to move organizations forward.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium bac
Effectively Handling Terminations with Mallory Herrin
Coffey talks with HR consultant and author Mallory Herrin about terminating employees; the problems with delaying the decision; the importance of documentation; and how to prepare for and carry out the termination conversation.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium background checks with fast and friendly service. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certif
Understanding Public Sector HR with Julia Gannaway
Coffey discusses public-sector HR management and how it differs from the private-sector with attorney Julia Gannaway.They discuss the impact of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the US Constitution; drug testing of government employees; and federal employment laws that don’t apply to public-sector employers. They also discuss documenting employment actions in an environment where most records are publicly available; Texas’ civil service rules and other statutory due process requirement
Guns in Texas Workplaces with Vianei Braun
Coffey visits with attorney Vianei Braun about Texas’ revised handgun law’s implications for businesses.They discuss the history of Texas’ handgun license-to-carry statutes; the amended law, which no longer requires a license to carry a handgun in the state; reasons why individuals may still choose to obtain a license; signage requirements for businesses who wish to control who carries a handgun on their premises; other practical measures businesses can legally take under the statute; and the ac
Workplace Mentorships with Garrett Mintz
Coffey discusses workplace mentor relationships with Garrett Mintz, a drug dealer-turned-business leader who works with companies to build their culture.They discuss the impact of mentors in Garrett’s life; his unique definition of “mentor”; what industrial psychology reveals about how to create effective mentor relationships; why mentor relationships based on hierarchies are often ineffective; how to create horizontal mentorships across an organization; the importance of work-orientation alignm
Workplace Wellness and Vaccines with Johnette Van Eeden
Johnette Van Eeden and Mike Coffey discuss how employers’ attitudes toward employee wellness has changed over the last two decades due to changes in financial incentives, regulations making outcome-based programs more difficult for employers to implement, and healthcare reform.They also talk about how an employer can establish a baseline for measuring their employee population’s health and interventions that employers can implement to encourage healthier lifestyles.They also discuss vaccine mand
Understanding Business Financials
Understanding a business’ finances is fundamental to being a successful leader. In this conversation with Greg Crabtree, author of Simple Numbers and Simple Numbers 2.0, Coffey explores the key concepts business leaders—and especially human resources leaders—need to understand in order to measure financial success.They discuss what Greg calls “the most important number in business” (more important than even net income); how direct labor should be measured; why the ability to measure output rathe
Talent Development in the Post-COVID Now Normal
With all the talk of the Great Resignation, some companies are actually laying off people and today’s guest, Brian Hinchliffe, helps those professionals navigate the recruitment landscape.In his conversation with Mike, Brian asserts that, at least in the case of his job-seeker clients, expectations haven’t changed: they are looking for positions where they can grow professionally.They talk about those expectations, which employers are most likely to retain quality talent, and the impact
The Art of Awkward
Coffey visits with Kristi Spaethe about having awkward but necessary conversations in the workplace. They discuss the challenges leaders face in giving honest feedback, ways to manage the fears such conversations bring, the mistake of being too nice in these conversations, and the trap of sandwiching feedback with compliments. They also talk about the importance of addressing issues a timely manner, preparing for difficult conversations, responding thoughtfully to emotional responses, and follow
Second Chance Employment
In this episode, Coffey and Cheri Garcia, who runs Cornbread Hustle--a staffing firm specializing in helping former offenders find work--discuss hiring individuals with criminal histories. They discuss how Cheri's own experience with substance abuse led to her own downfall, how she turned her life around, and what employers can learn from her experience and the successes of other employers who've hired former offenders through Cornbread Hustle. Also, check out Coffey's webinar, How to Fairly and
The Role of Diversity in Product Design & Marketing
Diversity is a hot topic for employers today.Not only are businesses trying to diversify their employee population, they’re trying to develop services and products for specific demographics of their consumer population, as well.Our guest today insists that a diverse employee population will help a business serve a diverse consumer population.About our Guest:In 2020, Dion was announced to be the Chief Diversity Officer at Elevate Credit, headquartered in west Fort Worth. As the CDO, Dion has lead
The Cure for Stupidity: Using Brain Science to Explain Irrational Behavior
Many managers often have WTF moments. We give someone instructions as to what we want them to do and then, though some sort of ninja-esque mental gymnastics, they manage to do something completely different than what we expected.What are they thinking?! Are they really that stupid?My guest today says this behavior—on both the part of the manager and the employee—is a common part of our wiring as humans. But, he says, there is a cure for what we might call stupidity.About our Guest:Eric M. Baile
Covid and Other Crisis Communications
The last couple years have been full of monkeys flinging poo at businesses’ reputations.Companies’ response to Covid last spring – do we go remote or do we stay in the office? How do we coordinate our decision with customers, employees, and other stakeholders? Do we make commitments to returning to the office?Then, George Floyd was murdered on May 25th. Many companies rightly condemned his killing publicly but then were criticized from all sides for saying too much or not saying enough.Now many
Why You're Probably Doing Performance Management Wrong
If there is one thing that almost all employees and managers agree is broken in many workplaces, it is performance management.In many organizations, the lack of mutually understood expectations, inconsistent feedback, performance improvement plans, and the dreaded annual performance review often hinder rather than facilitate individual’s success.Beyond that, poor performance management is often at the root of claims of harassment, bias, and even employment litigation.About our Guest:As a foundin
Broadening Security Concerns in the Workplace
In this episode, Mike talks to personal security expert Jeff McKissack about violence inside and outside of the workplace and a few simple tools employers can share with employees to help them avoid violent crime and exploitation. They discuss the leading source of violence in the workplace, the importance of situational awareness, and what employers should be doing to mitigate some of the damage from dumb things an employee might do.About our Guest:Jeff McKissack is a noted authority in the are
Effective Workplace Investigations
Today I discuss workplace investigations with employment law attorney Dan Stern. We discuss when a complaint warrants an investigation, how to determine who should conduct an investigation, and dealing with complainants, witnesses, and the accused. It is an interesting conversation with takeaways for those conducting their first investigation and seasoned workplace Columbos.About our Guest:Dan Stern advises employers on labor and employment matters including affirmative action plans; wa
Vaccines and the Workplace
Given the hot mess that 2020 delivered, perhaps it is no surprise that 2021 has been the year of the Covid vaccine controversy. Some employees are afraid to work alongside unvaccinated coworkers while others are refusing to get vaccinated.In this episode, Mike talks to employment law attorney Paul Simon about Covid vaccine mandates, addressing vaccine hesitancy, and potential employer liability for workplace-related Covid infections.About our Guest:Paul is a founding member of Simon | P
Using Science to Create a Thriving Culture
More than ever, employers are struggling with employee engagement. Some businesses claim that remote employees are harder to manage and many surveys indicate that remote employees feel disengaged from their peers and their companies.But when they’ve tried to return to in-person workplaces, they’ve received pushback.Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve argued that organizations with effective leadership and truly-engaged employees will be successful whether they are remote or not. But sadly,
Texas' New Strict Sexual Harassment Law
On September 1, 2021, three major changes to the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act went into effect. These changes give those who have been the victims of sexual harassment in the workplace many more litigation options under Texas law. Previous Good Morning, HR guest attorney Jim Zadeh calls these changes "gold" for plaintiffs.Today's guest agrees that these changes will necessitate changes to policy and training by every employer in Texas, regardless of the number of employees. And individua
Using Behavioral Economics in Decision Making
In this episode, we continue to explore the hot topic of what the workplace will look like in the coming months and years. Many business leaders are making decisions based on their past experiences, their individual leadership styles, and their beliefs about what the world of work SHOULD look like. In other words, they’re “following their gut.”But in doing so, it seems to me that they risk making decisions based on outdated paradigms, personal biases, and the fear of change.Mike and Agnes discus
A Practical Conversation About DEI
When intentional or unintentional road blocks are unnecessarily set in front of employees in the workplace, the entire organization suffers.And when those roadblocks are based upon physical or cultural issues unrelated to an employee’s ability to thrive in an organization, our whole community suffers.What ought an employer do to ensure that they are recruiting, selecting, onboarding, and professionally growing individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds?What beliefs or customs must they disca
Effective Cybersecurity
The 1983 movie War Games introduced the concept of “hacking” to the general public.And in the ensuing four decades, we’ve seen massive online breaches of security involving both personal and business information. Once considered a unique event, data breaches have become commonplace but many companies still don’t have adequate safeguards to protect their information.Our guest today says that protecting businesses’ computer networks involves both technological and human defenses.During this thirty
The Future of Work
Performance management in many organizations has evolved beyond job descriptions, annual reviews, and performance improvement plans.And, as the pandemic continues to push physical distance between employees and supervisors, many businesses are looking for new ways to incentivize, motivate, and grow their employees in a new and ever-changing environment.Today’s guest says that many of the current and coming changes were inevitable—the pandemic has only accelerated them. Managers have to find new
Getting and Keeping a Strategic Mindset for Human Resource Professionals
Before ending her twenty-year management career as a C-level executive and beginning her career speaking, consulting, and training, Pam Boyd was a well-seasoned, backstabbing, corporate-hating, finger-pointing, excuse-making, and pathologically negative middle manager. After a proactive boss changed her trajectory, she vowed to help alleviate the suffering that comes from working in high-drama environments. During this thirty-minute episode, the speakers talk about Pam’s topic for the upcoming
Navigate Team Dynamics Using Emotional Intelligence
There was once a time when a leaders’ style was the blueprint for every interaction. Subordinates were expected to modify their own behavior in order to work successfully with that leader.But in the 25 years since the publication of Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence, many businesses have recognized that a successful team dynamic necessitates first understanding one’s own motivations, behavior styles, and internal biases and then understanding the same for each other team member. Then modif
Are Microaggressions a Big Deal?
Social justice warrior. Racist. Snowflake. White privilege.Over the last few years and particularly the past 18 months, conversations around race, gender identity, religion, and a host of other physical and personality traits have become more and more heated.Even once commonly-understood terms like “racism” have evolving meanings rife with opportunity for disagreement. Well beyond the widely-held explicit biases of previous generations, many contemporary conversations are about less-obvious and
Strategies to Get More Buy-In from the C-Suite
For as long as I’ve been in and around HR, I’ve heard HR professionals bemoan the fact that they don’t have a seat at the table.But when I look around, I see plenty of strong HR leaders driving change and moving their organizations forward, both inside and outside of the C-Suite.Is it just a matter of competency or personality that determines who ends up in positions of leadership?On today’s episode, our guest Bruce Waller says that no one gets a seat at the table by accident.And there are speci
The Workplace Psychological Contract
Do employers have responsibilities to employees beyond the explicit terms and conditions of employment and whatever statutory or regulatory requirements might exist?And, if there is an implicit unstated agreement between employees and employers, how can leaders ensure that they uphold their side of the agreement whose details may not be fully understood by the parties?On this week’s episode Mike and special guest Julie Develin discuss the psychological contract, which Julie describes as “the exc
The (Post?) Pandemic Workplace
Over the last year, many leaders have been wondering when business will get back to “normal.”But now the fact that a large portion of the population have yet to get vaccinated and the resurgence of Covid-19 through the Delta variant have many leaders wondering what’s next and what their workplaces will look like next month and in years to come.This week's guest, Steve Peglar, says that although the new normal is a moving target, there are things that business leaders can do to maintain an agile
How the Pandemic Exposed Bad Managers
As the pandemic wanes and employees across the US begin to return to the office, there is a lot of talk about the business lessons learned from the pandemic. Mike Coffey and Terri Swain explore an issue that existed well before the first COVID-19 case was diagnosed in North America. This issue is the topic of countless business books, scholarly articles, and conference presentations.To put it succinctly, MOST MANAGERS SUCK. That’s not exactly a news flash but Terri says that something began to c
Are Employment Non-Competes Enforceable & Ethical?
In his July 9th "Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy," President Biden encouraged the Federal Trade Commission "to curtail the unfair use of non-compete clauses... that may unfairly limit worker mobility."Once primarily limited to executives or salespeople with strategic customer relationships or highly-technical positions with access to intellectual property, more and more employers are using non-compete clauses to prevent rank and file employees from going to work
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HR entrepreneur Mike Coffey, SPHR, SHRM-SCP engages business thought leaders about the strategic, psychological, legal, and practical implications of bringing people together to create value for shareholders, customers, and the community. As an HR consultant, mentor to first-stage businesses through EO’s Accelerator program, and owner of Imperative—Bulletproof Background Screening, Mike is passionate about helping other professionals improve how they recruit, select, and manage their people. Mos