When Work Works

The legal landscape is shifting in every direction, and for compliance teams, that means keeping up with everything from new legislation to a growing patchwork of rules across states.In this episode of When Work Works, Julie Develin is joined by Chris Olmsted, employment law expert and managing shareholder at Ogletree Deakins, for a conversation about what employers need to be watching right now. Together, they unpack some of the fastest-moving areas in compliance, including pay transparency, wage and hour law, leave management, and, of course, AI. With the real challenge being not just the volume of change, but the speed of it, Chris shares his insights on what teams need to understand so they do not fall behind.So if you are looking for a gut check on whether your team is keeping up with today’s compliance demands, start with this episode.Disclaimer: This material presented by an external source includes general commentary for informational purposes only and is not legal or professional advice. There may be risks associated with relying or acting upon this information, and readers should seek qualified professional or legal counsel before doing so.

If frontline managers are responsible for some of the most important moments in the employee experience, and the consequences of poor management are significant, then the question is clear: What is your organization doing to develop managers right now?In this episode, host Julie Develin is joined by Sharlyn Lauby, writer, speaker, consultant, and creator of HR Bartender, for a conversation about what frontline managers really need to succeed. Together, they unpack why management and leadership are not the same thing, how communication shapes trust and performance, and why conflict management, problem solving, and change navigation are essential frontline skills. They also explore what organizations can do to better support manager development, from stronger onboarding to peer learning.So if you are ready to kick-start your manager development program, listen to this first. Read UKG’s newest white paper on training frontline managers HERE

Frontline teams can’t run efficiently on effort alone. So what happens when leaders do not have the visibility they need to make the right decisions at the right time?In this episode, host Julie Develin sits down with Jaronika Dancy, Manager of HRIS Operations at Amsted Industries, and Mike St. Clair, Chief Operating Officer of Wheel at Amsted Rail, to unpack the real reasons frontline efficiency breaks down and what it takes to build it back in a sustainable way.Together, they discuss why leadership and insight matter as much as output, how burnout, absenteeism, and skill gaps signal deeper operational challenges, and why HR and operations need to work in lockstep to solve them. They also explore the difference between having more data and having the right data, along with the role technology and AI can play in helping leaders act with greater clarity and confidence.

Boards are making million-dollar decisions about HR tech without fully understanding what’s at stake. And that’s a problem. In this episode, R. Ray Wang, CEO and founder of Constellation Research, joins host Julie Develin to unpack the rapid evolution of AI, technology, and what it all means for the future of HR technology.Together, R. Ray Wang and Julie explore the major shift underway, from data as a differentiator to scaling both human and machine workforces. While HR may finally have a seat at the table, Ray argues that keeping it depends on moving beyond vanity metrics and using automation to meaningfully reduce time to decision.From managing AI agents to building tech literacy at the board level, this conversation paints a compelling picture of where HR tech is headed and what leaders need to do next.Check out resources from Constellation Research here!

What does resilience really look like at work, and why has it become one of the most critical leadership capabilities today? In this episode, host Julie Develin sits down with Sam Simmons, former Chief People and Internal Operations Officer of the LPGA, to explore resilience not as an individual trait, but as a strategic advantage organizations must intentionally design.  Drawing on Sam’s experience leading people and culture in professional sports, tech, and global organizations, the conversation reframes resilience as something built through trust, transparency, and thoughtful leadership. Julie and Sam unpack what resilient cultures feel like to employees, why change should be expected rather than feared, and how leaders can bring people into the process even when decisions are hard. 

What does it really look like when work… works? If you're leading a team, shaping strategy, or navigating the complexity of today’s workplace, this is the podcast built for you.When Work Works is a new podcast from UKG that explores the forces redefining how people lead, connect, and thrive at work. Hosted by longtime HR leader and global speaker Julie Develin, each episode brings together research, real-world stories, and candid conversations with leaders who are reshaping the modern workplace.From employee experience and workforce resilience to talent strategy and AI, When Work Works asks a simple question that reveals a wealth of extraordinary answers.Follow or subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!