Get ready for your HR news fix! This week we're diving into three timely stories: guidance on how to approach the administration change, Apple's response defending their DEI initiatives against shareholder pushback, and a potential emerging trend of "reverse discrimination" lawsuits. Join us as we unpack what these developments mean for workplaces and HR professionals, share our takes on the latest industry moves, and break down why these stories matter. Whether you're in HR or just interested in how companies are navigating these challenges, we've got you covered with clear analysis and real talk.


Connect with Aubrey
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adblanche/
https://aubreyblanche.com/

Connect with Stacey
https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceynordwall/

Articles
How HR leaders can prepare for a new administration and congress
‘Inappropriate’ micromanaging: Apple pushes back on anti-DEI proposal
‘Reverse’ discrimination claims may pose a class-action threat

Stacey made reference to this LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/franbenjamin_dei-activity-7283595143100690432-0HFw

In this week's special episode, your host Stacey Nordwall joins the Toot or Boot hot seat with Erica Spitale and Rebecca Taylor, and producer Lexi comes out from behind the scenes for a rapid-fire edition of Toot or Boot, all about 2025 HR predictions.

Lexi reviewed 15 different predictions sources (that’s over 75 predictions) which were organized into five different themes: AI, Remote/Hybrid Work, Leadership and Organizational Change, Employee Experience and Well-being, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Unlike a usual episode of Toot or Boot, Stacey, Erica, and Rebecca had no idea what predictions/trends they would encounter. They were put on the spot to take each trend at face value, Toot or Boot it at the same time, then discuss.

Afterwards, Lexi reveals each trend's source.

Here are the trends we cover on this episode:

1. Internal processes get an AI makeover: 5 predictions for HR and the world of work in 2025 | Culture Amp
2. PR comes to HR: 2024 HR Trends and 2025 Predictions | SHRM
3. Despite the benefits of AI in powering accessibility tools, this author predicts that the cybersecurity risks from AI will lead to some organizations prohibiting such tools in greater instances in 2025: Neurodiversity and Disability Employment – Reflections on 2024 and Predictions for 2025 | Nathan Chung
4. Mental Health Gets Personal. 7 Seismic Shifts Coming to HR in 2025 | Bill Brown
5. Leadership That Actually Leads: 2025 HR Predictions: Looking Into the Crystal Ball | Katarina Berg

Other articles referenced:
I talked to Meta's Black AI character. Here's what she told me.

The excerpt from Culture Amp's article that Lexi references about their cohort using internal AI: "When used right, Gen AI tools can dramatically improve workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, and make information available in seconds. In 2024, some Culture Amp employees gained early access to an internal Gen AI tool. They now show higher engagement levels and report having more energy at work than employees who weren’t in the pilot cohort. We’re only one company, but we can’t help but share our own experimentation with people solutions and strategies. We’re excited about the possibilities!"

Connect with Erica Spitale
On LinkedIn

Connect with Rebecca Taylor
On LinkedIn or email rebecca@skillcycle.com

Rebecca hosts the HR Confessions podcast with Kim Rohrer. The premise of HR Confessions is we collect anonymous stories of things that happened in HR, and Rebecca reads them live for Kim to react and respond to. Find it wherever you get your podcasts, and if you have your own HR confession that you want to submit, email hrconfessions@skillcycle.com

What do we mean when we say DEI? Are the companies rolling back their DEI programs making substantive changes? And what is DEI going to look like under the new administration?

In this episode of Toot or Boot, we welcome back guests Vijay Pendakur and Tara Turk-Haynes for an in-depth discussion on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in the workplace. We discuss three articles, including Vijay's own HBR piece on reframing diversity's value proposition, as we explore how DEI initiatives are evolving in today's climate.

The episode tackles current DEI discourse through three main articles:
1. "Reframe the Value Proposition of Diversity" from HBR, written by guest Vijay Pendakur, which explores new ways to understand and communicate diversity's impact on organizations
2. "Change Is Here: 5 Hard Truths & A Blueprint for Your DEI Plan in 2025," which presents a possibly controversial perspective on the future of corporate DEI initiatives
3. "What Trump's Second Term Could Mean for DEI" from HBR, which outlines strategic models for organizations to maintain inclusive practices in potentially challenging political environments

Join us as we examine the broader implications for the future of workplace DEI initiatives.

Connect with Vijay Pendakur
Dr. Vijay Pendakur is the author of the highly anticipated book, “The Alchemy of Talent: Leading Teams to Peak Performance.” A true multi-sector organizational leader, Vijay has held senior roles at four companies: Zynga, VMware, Dropbox and Salesforce. He has also served as the Dean of Students at Cornell University. In his time at Cornell, he was named Presidential Advisor for Diversity and Equity, as part of a new approach to campus-wide transformation at the largest Ivy League institution. A widely recognized thought leader, Dr. Pendakur’s writing has been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Time. Vijay is a board advisor with Ezra Coaching, Enterprise Ireland, and Wisq. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Katie, a psychotherapist and yoga teacher, and his two young daughters, Mira and Savi.

Find Vijay here: www.vijaypendakur.com
More about his bestselling new book: https://a.co/d/bSb1lxh
For Fractional DEI Advising: https://www.vijaypendakur.com/fractional-dei-advising
Or sign up for his newsletter: Quick tips for leading high performance teams.

Connect with Tara Turk-Haynes
Tara is a first generation college graduate, corporate worker, and the first of her immediate family to reach an executive level. She is a Talent, Engagement, DEIB, Internal Comms operator and strategist. She has worked in house and as a consultant, helping other businesses develop and grow with equity embedded so they have a higher chance of having a strong, sustainable operations for the future.
Find Tara at Equity Activations.
You can also connect with Tara on LinkedIn
Or sign up for her newsletter: https://equityact.beehiiv.com/subscribe


Read the articles:
Reframe the Value Proposition of Diversity
Change Is Here: 5 Hard Truths & A Blueprint For Your DEI Plan In 2025
What Trump’s Second Term Could Mean for DEI

In this episode, we explore the turbulent landscape of modern workplaces, starting with Greenhouse's survey revealing that over half of job seekers experience ghosting or "love-bombing" during the hiring process—creating frustration and mistrust in organizations. What’s driving these behaviors, and how can HR professionals and hiring managers do better?

Next, we delve into the lawsuit against CloudKitchens and its controversial CEO, Travis Kalanick. Allegations of wrongful termination and a return to toxic “bro culture” raise questions about how far workplace culture has—or hasn’t—evolved since the Uber scandals.

Finally, we shift to a brighter topic: the power of volunteer programs. Studies show volunteering as the most impactful workplace wellness initiative. But is the real benefit the program itself or the sense of support employees feel when they’re encouraged to participate? We’ll unpack how organizations can build meaningful well-being into their cultures.

Tune in for insights on the good, the bad, and the transformative potential of today’s workplaces.

Connect with Kate
On LinkedIn

KJS Consulting


Articles
Most job seekers say they’ve been ghosted or ‘love-bombed’ during interviews—it can make them ‘question their career and sanity’

From dinners with Travis Kalanick to fired after maternity leave: One of CloudKitchens’ earliest employees is suing

Volunteering programs are probably the most powerful well-being benefit in your toolkit

2024 was a challenging year. We saw the implementation of six-day workweeks, so many layoffs, return-to-office (RTO) mandates, and DEI rollbacks. SHRM removed the E from DEI and Silicon Valley CEOs and VCs seemed to want a return to days of HR past (or no HR at all.

We also had some progress with parental leave policies, new prenatal care protections, and much-needed conversations around the realities of HR work sparked by a viral NYT article.

Join us as we award the first ever Golden Toots and Coal-filled Boots and recap the highs and lows of 2024.

Connect with Kim:
On LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimrohrer/
Or at her website Patchwork Portfolio: https://www.patchworkportfolio.com/

Articles and resources we discussed:
You Got This Journal: https://a.co/d/d417s5V
PaidLeave.ai : https://www.paidleave.ai/


No HR Playbook
SHRM to lead with inclusion and diversity
Today, Lattice Makes History and Leads the Way in Responsible Employment of AI
Yes Madam clarifies on firing over 100 employees for being stressed, says, 'No one was fired;
What You Should Know About the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
New York becomes first state to mandate paid time off for prenatal care
Citi boosts paid parental leave to match industry peers
So, Human Resources Is Making You Miserable?

In this episode, we dive into Elon Musk's and Vivek Ramaswamy's controversial task force, cheekily named the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Their mission? To slash federal workforce numbers by targeting remote and hybrid work—impacting up to a million federal employees. We unpack the implications, including potential productivity myths and disproportionate impacts on marginalized groups.

Then, we pivot to Grindr's clash with the NLRB. Accused of retaliating against unionizing employees by enforcing an in-person return-to-office mandate, Grindr’s case is a litmus test for RTO policies and their role in modern labor relations. Are we seeing the start of a broader worker movement?

Finally, we explore the “human factor” in workplace design. How can organizations create an employee experience that values flexibility, connection, and well-being in a hybrid world? From balancing tradition with innovation to rethinking digital workspaces, we’ll share insights on fostering environments where employees truly thrive.

Tune in for a conversation that bridges the political, legal, and cultural landscapes of today’s workplace!

Connect with Kate
On LinkedIn

KJS Consulting



Articles:
Elon Musk’s first order of business in Trump administration: Kill remote work

NLRB: Grindr retaliated against unionizing workers by forcing a return to office

The human factor: 5 ways to prioritize what employees really value

This week I'm joined by Vijay Pendakur, an author and HR advisor and consultant, to dive into toxic positivity, toxic leadership and more. First, we chat about managers glossing over bad news, creating an atmosphere of toxic positivity, and losing employee trust. Next, we talk about the leadership style of Steve Jobs, and how many too often misattribute his bullying behaviors for good leadership. And we wrap up by chatting about the potential for a 2025 quitting spree due to declining employee satisfaction - do we think a quitting spree is likely or just hype?


Connect with Vijay Pendakur
Dr. Vijay Pendakur is the author of the highly anticipated book, “The Alchemy of Talent: Leading Teams to Peak Performance.” A true multi-sector organizational leader, Vijay has held senior roles at four companies: Zynga, VMware, Dropbox and Salesforce. He has also served as the Dean of Students at Cornell University. In his time at Cornell, he was named Presidential Advisor for Diversity and Equity, as part of a new approach to campus-wide transformation at the largest Ivy League institution. A widely recognized thought leader, Dr. Pendakur’s writing has been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Time. Vijay is a board advisor with Ezra Coaching, Enterprise Ireland, and Wisq. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Katie, a psychotherapist and yoga teacher, and his two young daughters, Mira and Savi.

Visit his website https://www.vijaypendakur.com/
Connect with him on LinkedIn
Or sign up for his newsletter: Quick tips for leading high performance teams.

Articles
Managers Are ‘Glossing’ Over Workplace Issues And Pushing Toxic Positivity, According To Report
I worked with Steve Jobs. Here’s what he’d say about today’s leadership style
Brewing worker resentment could fuel a 2025 quitting spree

Lindsey Caplan joins us again to discuss the stats showing that fewer than one in three employees trust their senior leaders. Next we talk about the employees fired by Meta for misusing their meal credits and what it means about org culture, trust, and how we write and implement our policies. Then, we dig into the stats that a record-low percentage of employees feel genuinely cared for by their employers, and talk about why wellness programs without real action backfire.

Connect with Lindsey on LinkedIn or at The Gathering Effect.