This Week at Work: An HR and Employment Law Podcast

The Real Reason Employees Miss the Mark and How Leaders Can Fix It

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When employees miss the mark, it’s often not about skill — it’s about clarity. In this week’s episode, Tanya Zion from AAIM joins Phil and Burt to unpack how the “why” behind decisions gets lost between leadership and employees. Discover how HR can help leaders bridge that gap, so every message connects, every action aligns, and every team moves with purpose.
Timestamps: 01:34 – Welcome and Burt's Win in Court04:45 – The New Trends of Helicopter Parents 05:43 – Lawyer on the Clock14:00 – Supreme Court Showdown Ahead15:30 – Starbucks Strike Brewing17:00 – Goodbye to the Penny21:00 – Aaime Hart with AAIM's 39th Annual Payroll Tax and Fringe Benefits Update 23:00 – Communication Breakdown at Work33:50 – The Power of Purpose
Remember to sign up for AAIM’s payroll tax update that can save your company from any payroll mistakes in the future!
Click the link to sign up: https://aaimea.org/payroll-tax-update-2025/

Making the Shift: HR Operator to HR Leader

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Many HR professionals feel stuck in administrative roles. This episode of This Week at Work features Phil and Burt with Kris Gfell (Business Manager at AAIM) to explore how HR professionals can evolve from operational tasks to business leadership. The discussion will cover current HR challenges, organizational needs, and essential skills.
Plus - don’t miss the critical payroll tax update that could cost your company if you’re not ahead of it.
Become a member today! Click the link below:https://aaimea.org/membership/
Timestamps: 01:27 – Halloween Jokes and Payroll Update02:44 – Lawyer on the Clock: EEOC Power Shift08:00 – Government Shutdown Costs Businesses09:12 – Fed Rate Cuts and AI Layoffs13:00 – Fun with NEO: The $20K Office Robot20:23 – Guest Chris Gfell on HR Strategy22:40 – How HR Becomes a Strategic Partner33:06 – Closing: Embracing Change in HR

Women Are Losing Pay – What Employers Can Do

Episode 349: New research shows women’s earnings are falling further behind - but the reasons go beyond bias. With return-to-office mandates, childcare costs, and promotion patterns, Phil, Burt, and fan favorite Mikey Mac unpack what’s really driving women’s declining pay. They’ll also share what employers can do right now to close the gap, retain key talent, and build trust through fair compensation strategies.
Timestamps: 00:08 – Opening Topic:  women earn $0.81 for every dollar men earn.01:32 – Government Shutdown: how the NLRB and EEOC slowdowns are affecting employers.02:54 – Special Guest Returns: Compensation expert Mikey Mac joins the show.04:29 – Lawyer on the Clock: Thrive Inc. case expanding NLRB remedies for unfair labor practices.08:19 – Federal judge strikes down Biden-era protections under the Affordable Care Act.11:01 – HR Reminder: Illinois’ personnel file access law and why employers must stay compliant.16:51 – Main Discussion: Phil and Mike dive into the gender pay gap and why it’s widening again.19:01 – Companies offering “return-to-office” pay incentives and how it may worsen pay inequity.23:08 – Families spend up to 24% of income on daycare, influencing women at work. 26:12 – Should pay be based on competency or tenure? The panel debates what’s fair and legal.33:31 – Payroll tax and fringe benefit updates for 2026 and how to join AAIM’s December sessions.

How AI Is Rewriting The Manager's Role

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This Thursday on This Week at Work, we’re joined by KVJ, founder of Tough Day, the AI workplace advisor reshaping the way managers manage. From the conference circuit to the C-suite, there’s a growing realization: AI isn’t just about automation - it’s about elevation. Phil shares his CEO Conference wake-up call, KVJ breaks down how Tuffy helps managers lead in real time, and Burt explores the legal and human side of AI in the workplace. If you think AI is a “someday” tool - you’re already behind.
00:08 – Phil fires up on AI’s impact on management00:50 – Burt’s workplace news: “Artificial Labor” in the Senate01:48 – Blues talk and catching up with Phil & Burt03:16 – Previewing today’s guest on AI innovation04:37 – Meet KVJ: Founder of Tough Day and “Tuffy”07:10 – How Tuffy helps managers handle real workplace issues17:30 – Behind the scenes: “Wizard of Oz” testing20:05 – Lawyer on the Clock: “Well… that depends.”31:02 – The “Aloha Spirit” story that boosted adoption34:35 – How to learn more about Tuffy + episode close

Government Shutdown: HR in Crisis

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We’re breaking down the implications of the October 1st government shutdown with special guest, D.C. insider Jim Plunkett. What does this mean for E-Verify, immigration processes, labor agency operations, and your compliance deadlines? With uncertainty on Capitol Hill, HR leaders can’t afford to wait. Tune in for expert guidance, practical solutions, and a few laughs to carry you through the chaos.
Timestamps: 0:00 – Show intro: Phil, Burt, and Nick kick things off3:10 – Guest introduction: Jim Plunkett joins from Washington D.C.3:42 – Lawyer on the Clock: Burt breaks down an Eighth Circuit case on drug testing and at-will employment8:16 – Senate confirms key Trump-era appointees at the EEOC, Wage & Hour, and OSHA11:00 – AI and the future of work: Bernie Sanders’ “artificial labor” warning and the 32-hour workweek debate15:27 – Introducing next week’s guest on AI, Katherine Von Jahn16:15 – Jim Plunkett’s update from D.C.: Inside the government shutdown18:11 – What could force Congress to act—military pay, TSA, and market pressure20:08 – Key political standoff: healthcare subsidies vs. funding extension25:43 – The H-1B visa reentry fee controversy and legal challenges28:04 – Who’s still working? USPS, federal workers, and unemployment pay31:22 – E-Verify shutdown: What employers still must do32:57 – EEOC dynamics: How the lone Democrat could stall GOP momentum

Advance Your HR Career/Strengthen Your Company’s Pipeline

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Are today's HR professionals being promoted faster than they're prepared? In this week’s episode of This Week at Work, Phil and Burt tackle a pressing question: What does it really take to move from an entry-level HR role to an executive position? With rapid promotions and shrinking knowledge banks, HR leaders must now develop faster and smarter than ever. Tune in for real talk, legal insights, and actionable strategies for climbing the HR ladder with confidence and competence.
Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to This Week at Work00:09 – Why HR leaders often feel unprepared01:42 – Developing your career and leadership readiness04:09 – Are leaders born or made?04:58 – Lawyer on the Clock: Government shutdown & workplace impact07:25 – How the shutdown affects NLRB, EEOC & DOL13:20 – TSA, travel, and essential functions during the shutdown19:26 – Boeing negotiations, unions, and leadership lessons25:01 – Risks of promoting too quickly in HR29:55 – How emerging HR leaders can prepare for executive roles

Help Wanted: Can AI Fill The Workforce Gap?

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Episode 345: A shrinking workforce and the rapid rise of AI has been one of the biggest topics shaking up HR and every industry today. Will automation truly step in for the millions of workers that are projected to lose in the coming decades or will it just create bigger gaps in skills and opportunity? In this episode, we get our hands dirty in the data, explore what it means for employers, and tackle the questions HR pros are already asking.
Timestamps: 
0:00 – Welcome and Intro  2:37 – AI Displacing Workers  3:51 – Phil on how AI will affect us and our times  7:26 – Developing "Assistants" via AI – Phil's View  9:56 – AI in the Legal World & Filling the Talent Gap  12:14 – AI Generation vs Smartphone Growth & Internet Era  14:46 – Days Before AI: How Far We've Come  16:12 – AI Addressing Labor Gaps  18:06 – Fields Impacted by AI  23:02 – Laughs with AI Robots  24:06 – Lawyer on the Clock  24:16 – H-1B Visa Holders Entering the US  30:06 – Government Shutdown & Mass Firings  33:54 – Wrap Up  

FOR REAL THIS TIME | Is AI Making Us Dumber? From Stupidity to Singularity and Beyond!

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Download the key takeaways from this episode here: https://tinyurl.com/rpzccu99
For REAL this time! Last week we were unable to get to the topic we’ve been wanting to discuss, but tomorrow we’re diving in head first! AI is reshaping society and the workplace at lightning speed, but is it also making us less sharp, less aware, maybe even “stupid”? Burt and Phil get back to tackling whether AI is dumbing us down, which jobs are safe… for now, and just how close we might be to the Singularity.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Show Kickoff02:00 – Employment Law Update Recap03:00 – Is AI making us smarter or dumber?06:00 – “Map Amnesia” and technology dependence08:30 – Jobs most at risk of AI displacement12:00 – Skill erosion & critical thinking concerns15:00 – Generational gaps in AI reliance18:45 – Pop culture warnings: Terminator, Matrix & Singularity24:10 – Lawyer on the Clock: Walmart FCRA Lawsuit27:50 – Women leaving the workforce & job market shifts35:00 – Key takeaways & upcoming workshop

Is AI Making Us Dumber? From Stupidity to Singularity and Beyond!

Send in your questions to hrask.org or leave your questions in the chat!
Key takeaways from this episode: https://tinyurl.com/rpzccu99
In episode 343, Phil and Burt reflect on the anniversary of 9/11 and how recent tragedies, from school shootings to political violence, affect today’s workplace. We also take a dive into AI and leadership.
A Future So Dull, You Gotta Wear Google Goggles? Artificial intelligence is transforming society and the workplace at breakneck speed. But there is evidence that AI is also making us less strategic, less situationally aware, even “stupid”? Burt and Phil wrestle with whether AI is making us less intelligent, which jobs are resilient to AI (for now), and understanding how close we might be to the Singularity.
Timestamps: 
00:00 – Reflecting on 9/11 and current events02:05 – Tragedies impacting today’s workplace04:30 – Division in America vs. unity after 9/1107:15 – How leaders can guide sensitive conversations10:35 – Respectful dialogue vs. conflict at work13:15 – Building pride and belonging in company culture15:45 – Why culture matters more than ever in the age of AI18:15 – Viewer comment: “Divided States of America”21:26 – Lawyer on the Clock: Muldrow case & workplace impact29:00 – Closing thoughts: hugs, leadership, and what’s next

The Time and Place For AI: A Quick Guide To AI Strategy

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We all have daily tasks that keep things running, but we’re quickly approaching a time when AI can handle some of the everyday loads. Discover how YOU can lead more strategically by focusing on what truly needs a human touch and what doesn’t. Phil and special guest Lauren Patel reveal a smarter way to prioritize using the Eisenhower Matrix, now enhanced with AI and automation.
0:00 – Welcome & AI Time-Saving Insights
1:21 – Meet Lauren Patel: AI Power User & Show Favorite
3:01 – Using AI in Everyday Life (Weeds, Trips, and Homework)
5:05 – AI vs. AI: Candidates vs. Recruiters
7:15 – Meet Amy Hart: Trusted AI for HR Professionals
9:30 – The No-AI Policy Dilemma in Organizations
14:01 – How HR Pros Can Start with AI: The Eisenhower Matrix
22:01 – Recruiting with AI: Job Ads, Resumes & Vendor Transparency
25:57 – AI in Crisis Management & HR Fires
32:10 – Insight on AI from Burt & Upcoming Events
#AIinHR #EisenhowerMatrix #WorkSmarter #HRLeadership #HRStrategy #ProductivityTools #HRTech #AutomationInHR #TimeManagement #FutureOfWork #HumanResources #HRInnovation #AIProductivity #TaskManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #AAIM #AAIMEA #ThisWeekAtWork