Your Work Friends | Fresh Insights on the Now and Next of Work
Mel Plett & Francesca Ranieri
We break down the now and next of work. You stay ahead.Its not just you - work is bonkers. Burnout is high, trust is low, and everything is changing at breakneck speed. Friend-to-friend? We get it. We're in it. And we're here to guide you through it. We’re two leadership insiders—and real-life friends—who’ve led teams, sat in the tough seats, and know first hand how fast, complex, and personal work has become. Every week, we break down what’s happening at work and to work, taking you behind the scenes of what's happening now, and preparing you for what you'll see in 6 months. We're bringing you breaking news, workplace trends, and interviews with top experts shaping the future of work. We cover what’s changing so you don’t get left behind.Join us for smart, unfiltered (with the occasional f*bomb or two) conversations about how work is evolving and what you can do about it.Great for: • Employees rethinking their careers and trying to navigate what comes next• People leaders shaping culture and driving change while getting the work done• Orgs wanting to build smarter, more profitable, more human workplaces• Anyone craving more honest and practical conversations about the future of workTopics we cover:Future of work, leadership, workplace culture, team dynamics, change management, human-centered strategy, layoffs, burnout, performance, career growth, workplace news, workplace humor, and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 12, 2024 • 1h 6min
Getting the Right Job with James Hudson
Send us a textHi Friends!This week we’re talking about how to get the right job, for you. We’re stoked to be joined by James Hudson - a Talent Acquisition expert. He’s held executive roles at Nike, Levi’s and Net-a-Porter and is an established Forbes contributor. And, just a rad person. Check out his work here.We pick his brain on everything from the genesis of job roles to the strategies that help you secure not just any position, but the one that truly fits. Topics Include, How: A Job Becomes a Job Job Levels and Pay Bands for a Role are Established Finding the RIGHT Job for YouRapid Round Q&A (Answering Your Burning Questions)As we wrap up the episode, a lighthearted roast of bizarre job-seeking trends reminds us all to keep our professionalism in check (hint: leave the parents at home). Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com
Jan 8, 2024 • 35min
New Week, New Headlines: Minimum Wage Increasing. But Is It Livable? & DEI Efforts Under Siege. What It Means For You.
Send us a textHi Friends! It’s a meaty week for work news and here’s what we’re jamming about this week.Topic 1: Minimum Wage Increasing. But Is It Livable?We break down the implications of the wage increase from $7.25 to $10.50 an hour in 2024, and the march to $17 by 2028. It’s getting better, but is it livable? We talk all aspects of this. And we referenced these articles: Statista Report Fair Labor Standards ActFLSA Minimum Wage OverviewFLSA Minimum Wage GuideWashington Post Interactive Guide/ Drexel University Center for Hunger-Free Communities ReportDebt Org Report Economic Policy Institute Raise the Wage Act CBS News - U.S. Companies are Stealing Wages from Low Wage WorkersTopic 2: DEI Efforts Under Siege. What It Means For You.Anti-DEI sentiment is on the rise which is a total bummer. We break down what DEI initiatives set out to do, how it benefits employees and companies. Additionally, we jam about CNN’s latest article around what’s at stake if we clawback investment in DEI. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com
Jan 2, 2024 • 19min
New Week, New Headlines: Are You Owed Unpaid Wages and Gallup’s Workplace Report. It Ain’t Great.
Send us a textHi Friends! Ok, we recorded this prior to the holiday but I (Francesca) biffed and forgot to post (my bad). So, here it is!Topic 1: Workers Owed Millions Unpaid Wages Mel found out there is over $160M+ in back pay sitting in the US Treasury. We talk about why and how you can find out if any of it is yours.Click here: https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/florida-workers-are-owed-millions-of-/dollars/And here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/wowTopic 2: Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace Tells Us How We’re Feeling.Francesca wants to talk about Gallup’s recently released annual report - the good, the bad and what next year’s data may look like. Click here: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspxDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com
Dec 12, 2023 • 27min
The Layoff Playbook - Part 2: What to Do (and Not) if Layoffs Happen
Send us a textHi Friend! We’re back, with Part 2 of The Layoff Playbook. It’s THICK. What you should do if…This episode, is packed full of critical insights and practical advice of what you should do if: You’ve been laid off - and want to come through it as whole as possibleYou’re leading a team through layoffs - and want to really take care of your team and yourself You’re a remaining team member - and want to process the change and be a good work friend. We’re also back with Roast and Toast where we:Roast: Elon Musk’s handling of Twitter employees in 2022Toast: AirBnB and Hubspot’s humane approach to saying goodbye to teammates.This is a meaty one. Stay with us, while we empower you with the essential strategies to tackle layoffs.Show notes references for your viewing pleasure: 9 Questions to Ask When Being Laid OffImportant Questions to Ask Your EmployerThis is What A Compassionate Layoff Looks Like Tech Layoff Examples Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com
Dec 11, 2023 • 19min
New Week, New Headlines: Are Work Hours Killing You Softly + Ethena Paying It’s Employees to Socialize Outside of Work
Send us a textHi Friends!Here are this week’s work headlines:Are Your 55+ Work Weeks Killing You Softly? Brace yourself! The International Labor Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) link work weeks of over 55 hours to 750,000 deaths worldwide each year. Check out the article here. You can learn more about the ILO here, and the 8-hour workday history here. Ethena is Paying It’s Employees $100 a Month to Socialize With Colleagues: We jam about this inspiring initiative that’s letting employees chose the who, when, where and how they build relationships. Article here. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com
Dec 6, 2023 • 28min
The Layoff Playbook - Part 1: How Layoffs Are Decided & Communicated (Ideally)
Send us a textHi Friend! This is our first (of many) deep dive topics. And it’s a two-parter. Have you ever wondered why layoffs occur, and how the decision of who gets laid off is made? We have you covered in this eye-opening, two-part episode. We're pulling back the veil on this complex topic, drawing from our own experiences and offering you some real, practical insights into understanding layoffs. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com
Dec 4, 2023 • 21min
New Week, New Headlines: Is AI Writing Performance Reviews + Pensions are Back! Sorta.
Send us a textHere are the headlines that caught our eye this week!Is AI Going to Write Your Performance Review? Bloomberg is reporting Wall Street bosses are turning to AI to help write performance reviews. We chime in. Pensions are Back! Sorta. New York Times profiles an uptick in pensions. Plus, a killer spotlight on IBM’s new pension program. Is this good? We discuss. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com
Nov 25, 2023 • 34min
Hi Friends!
Send us a textHi Friend! In this episode…THE WHYWe jam about why we started this pod and why we want to be friends with you. THE HEADLINES— Is Friendship Employers’ Business? From Financial Times, ITA is tracking work friendships. We weigh in. —Did Open AI’s employees bring back Sam Altman? We talk about the impact of 90% of employees threatening to walk if Sam doesn’t return and the board isn’t fired. ROAST & TOAST- We Roast: Amazon (lovingly. Please don’t cancel our Prime) for letting employees know they’ll have a harder time getting promoted if they don’t RTO. - We Toast: Remote. For leading the way on distributed; asynchronous work. Check out their open (yes, open to you and me!) handbook for how they do it! The Remote Handbook. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com
