The BARF

The hiring stack is breaking in real time. Amazon, Greenhouse, UKG. Everybody’s rebuilding recruiting while candidates and AI bots flood the system. Recruiting used to be messy. Now it’s machine vs machine. Recruiters are drowning in applications, candidates want everything on demand, and the old workflows are getting exposed hard. 412%... That’s how much applications per recruiter have exploded since 2023. AI-generated resumes are flooding the funnel, companies are cutting headcount, and recruiting teams are trying to keep up with duct tape workflows. In this episode, we rip through layoffs, AI interviewing, candidate experience, recruiting tech, Amazon Connect Talent, Greenhouse, and why hiring is turning into AI versus AI. In this episode…You’ll hear why UKG’s 950-person layoff isn’t really about AI, how Amazon might finally crack recruiting at scale, why Greenhouse bought voice-first interviewing tech, and why candidates now expect hiring to work like Netflix, Uber, and Amazon. Fast. Mobile. On demand. Key Takeaways : UKG cut 950 jobs in its latest restructuring round The Kronos + Ultimate merger created a $3B company with 80,000+ customers Applications per recruiter jumped 412% since 2023 AI-generated resumes are flooding recruiting funnels at insane scale Greenhouse acquired Ezra AI Labs for voice-first interviewing Amazon’s “Connect Talent” could turn Prime users into recruiting data gold Candidates increasingly expect interviews on their own schedule Recruiters are now using AI to fight AI-generated candidate spam IKEA once hid job ads inside furniture instruction manuals in Australia Companies are gaming job boards by labeling office jobs as “remote” GoDaddy makes canceling domains feel like an endurance sport Candidate experience is becoming the real competitive advantage Sign up and stand a chance to win freebies : https://wrkdefined.com/canditech Connect with Us : William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ WRKdefined : Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Employee engagement is wobbling. Loneliness is up. Job security now beats title chasing. And AI plus robotics are quietly reshaping talent management whether we like it or not. This one hits workplace reality from every angle - retention, discretionary effort, grooming habits, and the human side of work that rarely makes it into the board deck. In this episode, Ryan and William unpack how loneliness is dragging down productivity, why employees are clinging to stability over ambition, and what that means for retention strategies in an AI-driven world. They challenge outdated talent practices like hoarding high performers and dig into how robotics in manufacturing is forcing leaders to rethink workforce design. ⁠This episode is sponsored by FAMA⁠. ⁠Fama helps employers make safer,⁠ smarter hiring decisions by using AI to screen public online content and identify risk and fit before day one. Key Takeaways: Loneliness isn’t some soft HR buzzword. Cigna calls it a hidden cost, and they’re right. When people feel disconnected, they don’t quit. They just stop trying. Discretionary effort disappears. That’s not a feelings problem. That’s a performance problem. Monster’s 2026 report basically says what most of us already feel. People aren’t chasing shiny titles right now. They’re chasing stability. After years of layoffs and whiplash, job security is the new flex. You want retention? Make people feel safe. McDonald’s had that internal no-poach setup across franchises. You couldn’t just move stores even if it was better for you. That’s talent hoarding in a uniform. Managers do the same thing every day. If someone’s good, reward them and move them up. Don’t cage them. Boston Dynamics and Hyundai aren’t playing around. These humanoid robots are being trained with VR and motion capture, powered by Nvidia chips, to lift, move, and handle heavy manufacturing work. Humans don’t vanish. They shift. You train the machine. You manage the machine. You fix the machine. That’s the new layer of work. HR Dive nailed it. Companies say they’re hiring, but only if everything lines up perfectly. CFOs are squeezing. Hiring managers want unicorns. HR is stuck holding half-approved reqs. That’s not a talent shortage. That’s a confidence problem dressed up in better PR. Chapters 00:00 Kicking ish off 03:02 Hair Care and Personal Grooming 06:02 Employment Practices and Talent Hoarding 08:58 Loneliness in the Workplace 12:04 Employee Engagement and Productivity 17:48 Job Security and Employee Retention 28:59 AI and Robotics in Manufacturing 36:00 Conclusion and Future Considerations Connect with Us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Modern work is asking more from people than it ever has, and almost none of it is being acknowledged. Beyond skills and output, workers are expected to absorb stress, regulate emotions, manage uncertainty, and stay productive through constant change. This emotional labor has become a silent requirement, baked into jobs without recognition, protection, or compensation. At the same time, organizations are introducing AI into some of the most sensitive parts of work: feedback, performance reviews, scheduling, and support. The promise is efficiency. The reality is exposure. These tools don’t fix broken systems. They surface where accountability is weak, where expectations are unclear, and where trust has already started to erode. What looks like isolated issues - a strike over scheduling, frustration with performance reviews, employees turning to AI for reassurance - are actually connected signals. They point to a growing gap between what work demands emotionally and what companies are willing or able to own. AI is not creating that gap. It’s accelerating it. In this episode, we share our analysis on emotional labor at work, why AI is quietly stepping into human gaps, and what recent labor actions like the Starbucks strike reveal about control, predictability, and trust. We unpack where organizations are underestimating the emotional cost of modern work and why governance, not technology, is becoming the real leadership challenge. Key Takeaways Emotional labor is no longer the exception. It is the baseline. Work now expects people to manage stress, emotions, and ambiguity as part of the job, yet most organizations still treat this effort as invisible. That gap is one of the biggest drivers of burnout and disengagement, even in roles that appear stable on the surface. AI is being used as emotional support because management systems are stretched thin. When employees turn to technology for clarity or reassurance, it usually signals that feedback loops are broken or leaders are overloaded. AI fills the space, but it also exposes who actually owns the human experience at work. Performance reviews become fragile the moment AI influences outcomes. Algorithms do not remove bias or responsibility. They shift it. Without clear ownership and governance, trust in performance systems collapses quickly and employees stop believing the process is fair. Scheduling is not an operational detail. It is power. The Starbucks strike made clear that unpredictability creates financial stress, emotional strain, and resentment, especially for hourly workers. Predictability is not a perk. It is dignity. Technology does not change culture. It reveals it. Healthy organizations use AI as leverage. Fragile ones feel it as pressure. Ignoring emotional labor and accountability only makes the fallout faster and louder. Chapters 00:00 Emotional labor hiding in plain sight 03:12 How job expectations quietly expanded 06:18 AI as emotional backup 10:42 Where accountability slips 15:07 Performance reviews and trust 19:58 Bias, credibility, and governance 24:36 Scheduling as control 27:02 Starbucks as an early warning 33:11 What leaders are underestimating right now Connect with us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode comes from the giving tree…. Rival just dropped a new 30/60/90 Day Onboarding Template built for teams that need new hires contributing fast—not spending their first month figuring out who to talk to or what success looks like. Get your template here. AI is no longer a future concept. It is actively restructuring the workforce and removing entire job layers inside organizations. Middle management is being eliminated. Entry-level roles are being automated before they can be posted. HR systems are moving away from dashboards and interfaces and shifting toward AI agents that employees interact with directly. Investment is flowing into platforms that show real traction and measurable outcomes, not slideware or hype. The money is following execution. This episode breaks down what is actually happening in HR tech and the job market. Not the marketing narrative, but the economic and technology signals that show where work is heading and why leadership teams need to prepare now. Why it matters: New hires who ramp fast and connect with the right people early don’t just adapt — they contribute. Key Takeaways ➡ AI isn’t coming—it’s here, eliminating entry-level roles and now middle managers at scale➡ Healthcare costs are projected to rise 8.4%, putting pressure on employers and reshaping benefits decisions➡ Less than 50% of employees know how to enroll in their own benefits, creating a retention and engagement blind spot➡ Investors are done with concept decks—traction and AI baked into platforms are now mandatory➡ M&A is being driven by immigration limits as companies acquire teams for access to talent they can’t hire directly➡ AI agents are becoming the surface layer of HR tech, replacing traditional system interfaces➡ Bias in AI hiring models is triggering new legal action, especially for disabled and minority candidates➡ Personalized AI recommendations are becoming the norm, raising serious privacy concerns inside the enterprise➡ The HR tech market is entering an aggressive consolidation phase to make room for AI-first disruptors➡ Posture and physical wellness are now tied directly to productivity metrics in enterprise HR planning Timestamps 00:00 – Middle managers are being eliminated from org charts02:37 – Sports meltdown and the psychology of losing (Eagles, Phillies)05:31 – AI’s direct impact on job layers and management roles08:31 – Bias in AI hiring practices and legal consequences11:36 – Do jobs reports even matter in modern HR?14:27 – HR Tech investment is up 60% YOY: why it matters17:30 – The rise of AI agents as the new HR interface20:41 – Why apps are dead and conversational AI is the new UI23:59 – Healthcare costs projected to rise 8.4%27:03 – Religious discrimination and hiring in global conflict environments28:35 – Meta to use chatbot data for ad personalization and privacy fallout31:35 – Workday acquires Sana to double down on AI agent strategy34:27 – Peer-to-peer learning as the new model for AI adoption in the workplace36:52 – Investors demand customer proof, not pitch decks38:27 – Stanford research tracking AI job loss by role, in real time40:05 – Less than half of employees understand their benefits41:32 – Posture and productivity: a corporate wellness shift43:06 – Funding news: PeopleGPT, Diana HR, Sonic Jobs and what they signal Connect with us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Site: http://www.wrkdefined.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefinedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefinedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined #HRTech #FutureOfWork #AIinHR #JobAutomation #EmployeeBenefits #WorkplaceTrends #HRTalent #InvestmentTrends #BARFpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gun violence, layoffs, and the shifting balance of workplace power—this episode covers it all. We break down the rise in corporate safety concerns, the hard truths behind layoff trends, and how AI is being used (and misused) in the conversation. We also explore the quirks of business travel, the slow grind toward gender equality, and why “quiet cracking” might be the new quiet quitting. Plus: acquisitions, funding news, and what’s next for workplace relationships. In this episode we talk about HR Tech, workplace safety, layoffs, AI, and employee satisfaction, connecting the dots between economic pressures and evolving workforce dynamics. From China’s demographic shifts to digital compliance tools, we explore how technology, policy, and culture intersect. The conversation also digs into business travel realities, relationship norms at work, and the latest funding news shaping the future of how we work. Key Takeaways ➡ Gun violence is increasingly seen as a corporate HR issue, pushing workplace safety to the forefront. ➡ Layoffs have spiked 140% year over year, signaling broader economic instability. ➡ AI is often used as a convenient scapegoat for layoffs, masking poor planning. ➡ China’s labor market is still feeling the demographic effects of past population policies. ➡ Digital signage is emerging as a fast, scalable tool for labor law compliance. ➡ Business travel is losing its luster, with many employees viewing it as a burden. ➡ “Quiet cracking” shows dissatisfaction without performance drop-offs—making it hard to detect. ➡ SAP’s acquisition of SmartRecruiters could reshape the talent acquisition tech stack. ➡ Workplace relationships remain common, impacting team dynamics and culture. ➡ Women’s representation in management is improving, but progress is slow and uneven. Connect with us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world of work is weird right now—and we’re here for it. From SHRM’s bounce-back energy to teenagers being boxed out of the job market, everything's shifting. Companies are experimenting (Amazon’s making office workers volunteer?), while cybersecurity threats are literally coming from North Korea. In this episode, we talk about the collision of AI, hiring, and ethics, the controversy at Cheesecake Factory, and the real reason polyworking is gaining steam. Financial security, agentic AI, and a few big HR tech deals round it out. It’s a full rundown of the chaos in the world that we call work. Key Takeaways ➡ SHRM 2025 had solid engagement, pushing back against skepticism from past years ➡ Cybersecurity threats—including foreign infiltration—are forcing HR to rethink vendor vetting ➡ Teen unemployment is rising due to older workers taking entry-level jobs during economic uncertainty ➡ AI is absorbing low-level roles, forcing companies to redefine what “entry-level” even means ➡ Amazon’s employee volunteer initiative could be a clever long game for talent development ➡ Cheesecake Factory’s controversial hiring tactics stirred outrage and legal questions ➡ North Korean IT workers secretly embedding in U.S. companies is now a real hiring risk ➡ Work-life balance is being rebranded, but burnout and boundary-blurring are growing ➡ Polyworking isn’t a side hustle—it’s a lifestyle choice driven by economic and identity needs ➡ AI bias in hiring tools is becoming a legal and ethical landmine for CHROs ➡ Financial security is emerging as a core employee benefit, not just a nice-to-have ➡ HR tech funding is up again, especially in coaching, payroll, and intelligent finance Chapters 03:03 – Reflections on SHRM Conference 05:18 – Cybersecurity Concerns and Data Breaches 07:46 – Teen Unemployment Trends 10:38 – Corporate Volunteering and Understanding Business Operations 13:40 – Allegations Against Cheesecake Factory 16:34 – Government Contracts and Pricing Strategies 18:36 – North Korea's Cyber Infiltration Tactics 21:15 – The Business Case for RTO 22:14 – Work-Life Balance in the Current Labor Market 24:38 – Understanding Polyworking 29:53 – The Future of Agentic AI 32:07 – Mergers and Acquisitions in HR Tech 35:32 – Real-Time Learning and Feedback in Coaching 40:07 – AI's Role in Managerial Decision-Making 42:22 – Understanding AI Bias in Talent Acquisition 46:15 – Financial Security and Employee Well-being 49:53 – Innovations in HR Technology Funding 56:43 – The Future of Intelligent Finance and Payroll 01:01:27 – Upcoming Events Connect with us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Workplace discrimination is rising. Gen Z’s ghosting leadership. And AI? It’s rewriting the rules before HR finishes onboarding. In this week’s BARF (Best Analysis, Real Facts), Ryan Leary, William Tincup, and Jay Arnold tear into the headlines shaping your workforce. In this episode we talk about workplace discrimination, AI in HR, Gen Z's shift away from leadership, the mental health toll of layoffs, the evolution of job platforms, green job challenges, and HR tech funding trends. Plus: UKG's frontline strategy, corporate M&A, and the college-to-trade school reset. Key Takeaways: ➡ EEOC funding cuts will likely lead to more unchecked workplace discrimination ➡ Poor layoff communication is wrecking employee mental health ➡ Green jobs face a massive execution gap—lack of skilled labor ➡ AI has shifted from “nice to have” to “don’t show up without it” ➡ The four-year college path is losing ground to trades and certs ➡ Gen Z doesn’t want to lead—they want balance and boundaries ➡ UKG’s betting big on verticals like oil, gas, and manufacturing ➡ CIOs still see HR as support, not strategy—and that’s a problem ➡ Acquisitions in HR tech are consolidating power and product bundles ➡ Funding is all-in on AI tools that improve productivity and reduce bloat ➡ Bundling is the new battleground—build or buy isn’t even a question anymore Chapters 00:00 – The News 02:56 – Podcast Insights and the HR Landscape 06:01 – Workplace Discrimination and Its Implications 08:59 – The Evolution of Job Platforms 11:53 – Mental Health and Layoffs in the Federal Sector 15:05 – The Green Jobs Dilemma 18:05 – AI's Role in the Future of Work 20:57 – The Changing Landscape of Education and Employment 23:54 – Corporate Acquisitions and Market Trends 28:20 – UKG's Commitment to Frontline Operations 31:28 – Cultural Shift Towards Trade Schools 36:44 – Gen Z's Leadership Aspirations 39:06 – The CHRO vs CIO Debate 42:58 – Funding Innovations in HR Tech Featured this week on the BARF: Jay Arnold, HR & Tech Strategist Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ #HRNews #FutureOfWork #AIDisruption #GenZWorkforce #LeadershipCrisis #CHROvsCIO #GreenJobs #WorkplaceDiscrimination Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever asked yourself “What the hell is going on?”—welcome home. Ryan and William get into it all: family madness, breach drama, why skilled trades are back in style, and how tech bros still don’t know how to structure teams. Also, let’s talk about those layoffs that look sus when profits are up—yeah, we went there. In this episode we bounce from kitchen chaos to critical thinking gaps in schools, dive into AI’s real impact (spoiler: it’s already your teammate), and roast a few corporations that still don’t get it. From the return of boomerang employees to the rise of the CMO 2.0—this one’s a buffet of what’s broken, what’s booming, and what’s straight-up bizarre. Key Takeaways: ➡ Family chaos is the new norm—especially with kids home and tech issues piling up ➡ One careless click = massive cybersecurity fallout ➡ A startup’s success lives or dies by how well the team is built ➡ Corporate layoffs post-record profits? It’s a bad look, full stop ➡ Students lack critical thinking—and it’s costing them jobs ➡ Skilled trades are booming—high salaries, high demand ➡ Tourism wage hikes are driven by the 2028 Olympics prep ➡ AI isn’t coming—it’s already managing your workflows ➡ Boomerang CEOs are stabilizing forces during company chaos ➡ Freelance work is evolving fast with AI-powered platforms ➡ CMOs must now blend tech, brand, and culture fluency ➡ Salesforce’s AI career coaching is quietly rewriting HR rules ➡ Funding is up—but where it’s going tells the real story Timestamps: 00:18 – Family Dynamics and Household Responsibilities 05:09 – Data Breaches and Cybersecurity Concerns 10:00 – Team Composition in Startups 14:55 – Corporate Layoffs and Workforce Management 15:35 – Minimum Wage Increases and Economic Impact 16:28 – AI Integration in Corporate Structures 18:30 – The Boomerang CEO Phenomenon 19:31 – Critical Thinking and Discernment in Education 20:18 – AI as a Collaborative Teammate 23:50 – AI's Role in Job Market Disruption 24:17 – The Rise of Skilled Trades and Job Opportunities 25:10 – Emerging Freelance Platforms and Market Dynamics 26:56 – Acquisitions in Employee Wellbeing Services 28:11 – The Evolving Role of CMOs in Digital Transformation 29:50 – Salesforce's AI-Powered Career Development 31:49 – Funding Trends in AI and Workforce Management Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with us on social: Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Only 32% of companies tie CEO pay to real results. State‑led paid leave is splintering across 50 policies. Deepfakes aren’t sci‑fi anymore—they’re boardroom threats. This week’s episode zeroes in on DEI showdowns roiling hiring panels, the patchwork of state‑run paid family leave, and the fight to link CEO compensation to performance metrics. We unpack a landmark background‑check lawsuit, an ethics scandal that felled a corporate titan, and the underground rise of corporate espionage. Also on deck: AI’s role as mentor vs. manager, the micro‑retirement craze, and employees crying foul over unchecked generative AI in their day‑to‑day. We break down diversity and bias in recruiting, paid leave battles, performance‑based pay strategies, legal landmines around background checks, ethics violations, AI‑driven mentorship, the micro‑retirement movement, employee AI trust issues, deepfake dangers, and the latest HR tech M&A shakeups. Key Takeaways ➡ Diplomas are being compared to NFTs in value. ➡ Hiring decisions are prioritizing diversity over traditional qualifications. ➡ Paid family leave is shifting to state‑led implementation. ➡ CEO compensation must align with performance metrics. ➡ Mishandled background checks can trigger lawsuits. ➡ Ethics violations derail even top corporate leaders’ careers. ➡ AI can augment mentorship but can’t replace human connections. ➡ Younger workers are embracing micro‑retirements for balance. ➡ Generative AI is popping up in more job postings, making AI literacy essential. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:58 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Hiring Practices 06:00 Paid Family Leave Legislation 08:59 CEO Compensation and Performance Metrics 11:56 Background Check Lawsuit 15:01 Ethics Violations in Corporate Leadership 25:37 Navigating Workplace Relationships and Bias 30:12 Transitioning from Federal to State Employment 33:23 Corporate Espionage and Legal Battles 36:40 The Role of AI in Mentorship 43:57 Micro‑Retirements: A New Trend in Work‑Life Balance 48:49 AI Usage and Employee Concerns 54:37 The Role of Thought Partners in Work 55:42 Generative AI in Job Postings 56:30 The Future of Generative AI in Work 58:35 AI Literacy and Skills for the Future 01:00:04 Funding Innovations in Identity Verification 01:01:34 AI in Personal Injury Law 01:03:46 The Impact of AI on Legal Workloads 01:06:55 The Future of AI in Healthcare 01:08:40 The Economics of Higher Settlements 01:10:18 Deep Fake Technology and Its Implications 01:12:15 The Evolution of Generative AI Tools 01:15:36 AI in Talent Acquisition 01:17:10 The Role of AI in Job Matching 01:21:49 Closing Thoughts on AI and Employment Guest Info Bob Pulver, HR Tech Advisor and DEI Specialist LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobpulver Connect with Us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Only 24% of companies measure quality of hire. AI is replacing managers. People are quietly breaking. Quality of hire might be the most talked-about hiring metric—and the least understood. This week’s episode hits hard on the disconnect between hiring goals and actual outcomes, how “speed to performance” is becoming a north star metric, and why HR still struggles to train talent instead of replace it. We cover the shocking rise in employee psychological detachment, what “quiet cracking” really signals, and how AI has officially entered the trust chat. Also in the mix: Spot’s recruiting debut, funding trends in earned wage access, and the latest M&A shakeups in HR tech. We break down quality of hire, employee engagement, recruitment strategies, AI in HR, corporate culture, psychological detachment, and major HR tech acquisitions. From benefits shifts to workplace crisis indicators, it’s a full sweep of what’s shaping work right now. Key Takeaways ➡ Only 24% of companies have formal guidelines for quality of hire ➡ Speed to performance is a stronger hiring metric than time-to-fill ➡ 67% of employees trust AI more than their own managers ➡ Psychological detachment now affects over half the workforce ➡ Quiet cracking signals serious retention and engagement issues ➡ HR still favors new hires over upskilling internal talent ➡ Hiring managers—not HR—should help define hiring quality ➡ Recent M&A moves show HR tech consolidating fast Chapters 00:00 – What are we up to for Easter? 03:39 – Nostalgic Family Memories 06:41 – ChatGPT's New Memory Feature 08:57 – Data Ownership and AI in the Workplace 11:04 – Goldman Sachs and HR Tech Investments 14:10 – Workday's Celebrity Marketing Campaign 17:13 – Recruitment Strategies and Challenges 20:03 – Legal Battles and Workplace Discrimination 20:32 – Discussing Religion in the Workplace 22:00 – AI in Recruiting: The Launch of Spot 24:25 – The Future of DEI Initiatives 36:02 – Acquisitions in the HR Tech Space 40:51 – The Changing Landscape of Internships 42:26 – Trust in AI vs. Human Managers 44:40 – Understanding Quiet Cracking in the Workplace 48:37 – Funding Trends in AI and HR Tech 52:08 – Introduction and Context Setting 52:29 – Funding Trends in Earned Wage Access 54:22 – Employee Engagement and Psychological Detachment 57:18 – Innovations in Job Applications and Resumes Connect with us William Tincup: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Website: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ X: https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Garage sales and salary transparency might seem worlds apart, but they both reveal how work is evolving. From teaching youth to sell, to the rise of financial wellness perks and reverse discrimination lawsuits, this episode breaks down what matters in today’s workplace and why. In this episode we look at podcast, workplace benefits, fundraising, youth organizations, corporate news, generational differences, discrimination lawsuit, diversity, hiring, candidate boycotts, AI, workplace efficiency, employee theft, emotional intelligence, tariffs, workplace behavior, financial security, salary transparency, recruitment. Key Takeaways ➡️ Fundraising teaches early sales skills that directly impact future leadership and hiring. ➡️ Generational divides are reshaping what employees want from benefits. ➡️ IBM’s discrimination lawsuit forces a fresh look at diversity’s definition. ➡️ AI isn’t just a tool—it’s being judged like a human employee. ➡️ Transparency around salaries builds trust and retention, especially in healthcare. ➡️ Candidate boycotts may be the next big employee-driven power play. ➡️ Emotional intelligence in AI isn’t sci-fi—it’s a workplace metric now. ➡️ Retail theft isn’t small—it impacts margins and prices across the board. ➡️ Tariffs are quietly slamming the job market in affected industries. ➡️ Even lawyers aren’t immune to bad workplace behavior—nobody is. ➡️ Corporate news stories shape internal culture more than we admit. ➡️ Benefits are shifting toward financial security and real-life utility. Chapters 00:00 Get this shit started 02:59 Weekend Activities and Fundraising Success 05:58 Sales Techniques in Youth Organizations 08:47 Corporate News: Real ID and SAP's Success 12:01 Generational Benefits in the Workplace 15:00 Challenges for Startups and New Workplace Benefits 18:01 Reverse Discrimination Lawsuit at IBM 19:58 The Power of Candidate Boycotts 21:12 AI's Role in Workplace Efficiency 22:42 Addressing Employee Theft in Retail 23:21 AI Expectations in Business 25:07 The Emotional Intelligence of AI 26:00 Impact of Tariffs on Job Markets 27:39 Inappropriate Workplace Behavior 30:26 Employee Financial Security and Job Satisfaction 32:50 Salary Transparency in Healthcare 34:42 AI in Recruitment and Hiring Processes 💬 Hot take or just hype? Are we headed toward a new normal, or is this just workplace chaos rebranded? Drop your thoughts in the comments! Connect with us here: Connect with William Tincup: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Connect with Ryan Leary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The workplace is shifting fast—Deloitte is linking office attendance to performance reviews, Gen Z is scrolling their phones mid-interview, and AI is creeping further into HR. Meanwhile, Microsoft is retiring Skype, Walmart is hiring gig workers for deliveries, and the EEOC is tackling anti-Semitism in universities. From legal showdowns at Taco Bell to Sergey Brin’s hot take on productivity, this episode is packed with insights on how tech, culture, and policy are reshaping work. In this episode, we look at HR, AI, workplace culture, Gen Z, productivity, acquisitions, funding, employee engagement, remote work, technology. With major shifts like AI-driven hiring tools, workplace legal battles, and evolving employee expectations, the future of work is anything but predictable. Tune in for the latest trends, controversies, and funding news shaping the HR and tech landscape. ➡️ Deloitte’s new policy ties office attendance to performance reviews. ➡️ Microsoft’s decision to retire Skype signals a major communication shift. ➡️ Gen Z candidates are using their phones mid-interview—what it means. ➡️ AI hiring tools like Harper are streamlining HR processes. ➡️ Walmart is turning to the gig economy for faster deliveries. ➡️ Taco Bell faces a workplace culture lawsuit over hostile environments. ➡️ Southwest Airlines is rethinking how it treats employees. ➡️ The EEOC is cracking down on anti-Semitism in universities. ➡️ Sergey Brin argues in-office work is key to productivity. ➡️ HR tech funding remains strong, signaling continued industry growth. 💬 Hot take or just hype? Are we headed toward a new normal, or is this just workplace chaos rebranded? Drop your thoughts in the comments! Connect with us here: 🔗 Connect with William Tincup: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ 🔗 Connect with Ryan Leary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network 🔗 Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ 🐦 Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined 📩 Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon is ditching layers of management, AI is cutting IT jobs, and government buyouts are on the rise. Meanwhile, HR tech is consolidating, employee retention is shifting, and the EEOC’s latest gender identity rulings could have major legal consequences. Oh, and let’s not forget—71% of meetings are a waste of time. We’re diving deep into the trends shaking up the workplace and breaking down what they mean for companies and employees alike. In this episode, we look at Amazon’s management overhaul, automation in fast food, interoffice relationships, employee well-being, AI-driven fintech funding, HR tech acquisitions, compensation transparency, and the productivity-killing impact of bad meetings. Key Takeaways ➡️ Flattening an org can speed up decision-making but limit career growth. ➡️ EEOC’s latest rulings may change how gender identity cases are handled. ➡️ Government buyouts could leave thousands without jobs. ➡️ AI-driven automation is reshaping IT employment and workforce needs. ➡️ Interoffice relationships: great for engagement, risky for HR. ➡️ The restaurant industry is turning to automation to cut labor costs. ➡️ Employee retention hinges on market stability and fair compensation. ➡️ HR tech acquisitions are redefining how companies approach talent. ➡️ Most meetings are pointless—fixing them starts with clear agendas. ➡️ Only 10% of employees say their manager positively impacts their work. ➡️ Fintech funding is skyrocketing—AI is a key driver. ➡️ AI is revolutionizing project management in construction. Connect with us here: 🔗 Connect with William Tincup: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ 🔗 Connect with Ryan Leary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network 🔗 Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ 🐦 Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined 📩 Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices