SHRM All Things Work

Toxic workplace cultures are more common than you think—and the damage they cause goes beyond just the office walls, including harm to mental health, team dynamics, and productivity. Amira Barger, executive vice president of health communications at Edelman, discusses the effects of toxic workplace cultures, explores the red flags organizations should look out for, and highlights the importance of empathetic leadership.Find the 2024 Civility Index and other resources on fostering civility in the workplace: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/topics/civilityAccess the 2024 Global Workplace Culture Report in this episode’s paired article, It’s Likely You Have a Toxic Workplace. Now What?: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/all-things-work/you-likely-have-a-toxic-workplace-now-whatIn an era where the workplace is constantly changing, All Things Work, brought to you by SHRM, serves as a beacon of knowledge for HR leadership and organizational decision-makers. Each week, host Anne Sparaco is joined by thought leaders and industry experts sharing their perspective on game-changing topics that are redefining the world of work.Subscribe to the All Things Work newsletter to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/fg444d---Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63rRate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Tamla Oates-Forney, the CEO of Linkage, a SHRM company, joins All Things Work to share a concerning statistic: Women now make up nearly half of the workforce and are the most educated group in the labor market—yet they’re not matriculating into leadership at the same rate as men. With new executive orders reshaping workplace policies, tune in for critical takeaways for how businesses can take a “same but different” approach to designing viable, holistic, talent optimization programs that address these disparities—and how to leverage tools like SHRM’s new BEAM framework to ensure inclusivity and compliance.In an era where the workplace is constantly changing, All Things Work, brought to you by SHRM, serves as a beacon of knowledge for HR leadership and organizational decision-makers. Each week, host Anne Sparaco is joined by thought leaders and industry experts sharing their perspective on game-changing topics that are redefining the world of work.Subscribe to the All Things Work newsletter to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/fg444d---Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships.Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly.Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career.Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63rRate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Abigail O’Connell and Marjory Robertson, senior counsel at Sun Life Financial, discuss the complexities of absence management, offering advice on preventing misuse and abuse of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Explore actionable strategies and insights to address potential issues without compromising employee support.Each week, All Things Work explores the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/allthingsworkRate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Rick Hammell, founder and CEO of Helios, shares insights on five transformative workplace trends for 2025. He discusses the shift towards hybrid work models and the need for flexibility in the workplace. Hammell also highlights the generational gaps affecting employee engagement and the dual role of AI in creating and displacing jobs. Additionally, he tackles the complexities of navigating global business regulations and offers advice for maintaining workplace civility amid political tensions. Adaptability and incremental improvements are key for future success.

Join Ama Agyapong, CEO of Inclusion Enterprises, as she shares how to incorporate feedback to foster more trust and collaboration in the workplace. Discover practical strategies for addressing unconscious bias, building strong relationships, and tailoring feedback to individual needs.Each week, All Things Work takes a deep dive into the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week, by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/AllThingsWorkRate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

People analytics expert Brian Fitzpatrick explores how data is revolutionizing inclusion and diversity (I&D) in the workplace. The conversation covers how to leverage data to uncover disparities, address unconscious biases, and guide equitable decision-making. Fitzpatrick also emphasizes HR's critical role in using analytics to strengthen recruitment, retention, and succession strategies while advocating for patience and driving measurable and meaningful workplace transformation.Each week, All Things Work takes a deep dive into the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week, by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/AllThingsWorkRate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Shari Collins, who specializes in fostering inclusive environments and driving growth for organizations, explores the topic of ageism in the workplace. Collins unpacks the far-reaching effects ageism has across all generations, from younger professionals facing assumptions about their inexperience to seasoned employees encountering stereotypes about their adaptability. Collins also highlights the significance of psychological safety and resources like “reverse mentoring” that HR or anyone in the workplace can use to break down biases and strengthen relationships in all directions, no matter which generations make up your teams. Each week, All Things Work takes a deep dive into the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week, by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/AllThingsWorkRate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Mary Kitson, the founder and director of Mentor HR®, as well as the senior program manager at MITRE explores the pivotal role mentorship plays in career development, particularly within the HR profession. Kitson highlights the long-term benefits of mentorship for individuals and organizations alike. Discover how beyond skill development, mentorship fosters emotional well-being, job satisfaction, and a sense of community. It also touches all aspects of a mentee’s life, often creating a ripple effect of positive change.Rate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Explore the landscape of modern hiring practices with Michael Cohen, employment law expert and partner at Duane Morris. Cohen emphasizes the crucial role civil rights laws like Title VII play in establishing ethical and compliant hiring processes, while also tackling the subtle challenges posed by implicit biases like affinity bias. He advocates for structured yet flexible interview frameworks—such as using uniform, job-focused questions—and encourages HR professionals to prioritize qualities that add cultural value, rather than seeking rigid cultural fit.Each week, All Things Work explores the latest workplace topics. Get the latest episode, along with additional resources and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox each week by signing up for the All Things Work newsletter: shrm.org/allthingsworkRate/review All Things Work on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Vitale Buford Hardin, CEO of Vitale & Company and author of "Addicted to Perfect," dives into the downfalls of perfectionism in the workplace. She shares her personal journey from Adderall addiction to self-realization and promotes a shift towards authenticity and psychological safety. Hardin presents practical strategies like the '85% rule' to help leaders find balance, encouraging a culture that values resilience over relentless perfection. Her insights aim to foster trust, support, and well-being among teams, making workplaces more humane.