Episodes tagged: Workplace

The American Jobs Outlook for 2026: Lessons from a Slowing Labor Market

In this episode Steve recaps the state of the U.S. Labor Market in 2025, and how the labor market trends in employment, participation, and even in company adoption of new technology will shape the Labor Market in the New Year.

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Rethinking Rewards: How Amtrak Redirected Executive Bonuses to Employees

In this episode Steve shares the news of the recent decision at Amtrak to redirect executive and leader end-of-year bonuses to fund bonuses for more than 18,000 frontline workers. What does this decision suggest about how rewards and bonuses should be allocated in organizations more generally?

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The Real Story of Women’s Experiences at Work in 2025

In this episode Steve shares key findings from the 2025 Women in the Workplace Report from McKinsey and LeanIn. The 2025 report shows that in many key measures, progress for women at work has stalled and women still hold only 29% of C-suite roles. We discuss the report and steps that HR and business leaders can take to make work more fair and more inclusive.

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The Potential Expiration of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

In this episode Steve discusses the potential expiration of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). Over two decades the WOTC has expanded access to the job market to many underserved groups, and given employers a valuable tool to invest in hiring and training these workers. But with the WOTC slated to expire soon, HR leaders need to be prepared and to advocate for its extension.

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The Paradox of Work in 2025: Huge Profits, Massive Layoffs

In this episode Steve shares how as 2025 winds down, the U.S. labor market has experienced a wave of layoffs – over 1.1 million so far – in spite of many organizations’ massive profits and all-time highs in the U.S. equity market. What can and should HR leaders do to make sure people are still at the center of workforce planning in the age of AI and downsizing?

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The Next Big Workforce Question: Who Gets Displaced by AI?

In this episode Steve shares new research from MIT that suggests almost 12% of US workers are at risk of being replaced by AI. We break down the news, and what it means for HR leaders who are tasked with navigating through these challenging disruptions.

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More Americans Doubt the Value of a Four-Year College Degree

In this episode Steve discusses recent polling data from NBC News showing that more Americans are doubting the value of the four-year college degree, citing increasing costs, rising debt levels, and an uncertain job market. We break down what this means for HR and Talent pros moving forward.

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Gratitude at Work: A Thanksgiving Workplace Minute

In this episode Steve shares some thoughts on what we can be thankful for at work on this Thanksgiving week in the U.S. And thanks to everyone who takes a few minutes out of their day to check in with us at the Workplace Minute!

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Target’s New “10-4” Policy – Smiles, Greetings, and What Matters in Retail

In this episode Steve discusses Target’s new “10-4” policy for its retail associates which requires workers to smile and make eye contact with customers within 10 feet, and interact with “warm, helpful interactions” when customers are within 4 feet.

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A Sign of the Times: Cutting Paid Holidays in Corporate America

In this episode Steve discusses news from Walgreens, where new Private Equity ownership has taken cost-cutting right to the frontline – by eliminating paid holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas for their retail store hourly employees.

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