HR Fresh Take

Human resources is no longer just a support function. It is a strategic driver of organizational success. Today's HR leaders are expected to deliver results that balance people, performance, and broader business outcomes. In this special multi-part series, The Future of HR - Beyond Tech, recorded live at the 2026 Philly SHRM Symposium, we'll explore what it really means to practice moder...

Menopause and perimenopause are one of the most overlooked workplace issues. What employees are experiencing often gets misread as performance issues, poor attendance, or “burnout,”.  For this episode, we’re taking a bit of a detour from our usual format  to bring you a conversation from the Take a Pause with MenoPalz Podcast f or which I was honored to be a guest. We’ll discuss how symptoms can a...

Think the Federal Reserve only deals with interest rates? Think again.   In this episode, we sit down with experts from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia to reveal little‑known but powerful tools designed to support workforce and economic mobility. Deborah Diamond and Theresa Dunne break down two resources that can help HR professionals rethink talent pipelines, skills‑based hiring, and loc...

In this courageous and eye-opening episode of HR Fresh Take, host Dr. Jo sits down with survivor, advocate, and author Dr. Jennifer Gardella to explore how domestic violence—often considered a private issue—profoundly impacts the workplace. From emotional trauma to legal and financial barriers, Dr. Gardella shares her personal journey and offers actionable insights for HR professionals and organiz...

We’re kicking off our 4th season by talking about neurodiversity in the workplace—what it means, why it matters, and how HR leaders can foster truly inclusive environments.  Joining the discussion are Laura Sibbald McAnulty, Executive Director of the Neurodiversity Employment Network (NENPHL); Joseph Riddle, Director of Neurodiversity in the Workplace (NITW), and Alberta Blum, Lead Executive Talen...

In our final installment of our series, HR and Age of AI Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests examine the dual impact of AI on mental health. Highlighting both the benefits and challenges it presents.  We also discussed building cultures of care and the role of AI as a tool to enhance workplace practices. Special Thanks to our Contributors: Scott J Prendergast is a Professional Speaker, Certifi...

In the penultimate episode of our series, HR and the Age of AI: Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests discuss the importance of curiosity and adaptability in navigating AI technology.   We also highlight the protection of sensitive data as well as the role of organizational culture in fostering a safe environment for experimentation and growth. Special Thanks to our Contributors Kelly Jones is t...

In part 4 of our series, HR and Age of AI - Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests share their perspectives on how AI is transforming HR practices from improving the employee experience to enhancing recruitment processes.  We also discussed the importance of maintaining empathy and humanity in HR especially as AI technology advances, as well as the need for adaptability and agility among HR profe...

In part 3 of our series: HR in the Age of AI - Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests share their diverse perspectives on skills, tools, and relationships HR professionals need to effectively manage and lead in the age of AI.  The conversation also touches upon overcoming the fear of AI with practical advice on low-risk initiatives and personal experimentation. Special thanks to our contributors:...

In Part 2 of our series, HR and the Age of AI:  Opportunities and Obstacles , our guests share their unique perspectives on how AI is transforming HR practices from creating culture to enhancing neurodiversity inclusion.  We also discussed the need for critical thinking and human oversight in AI applications, as well as the legal implications and ethical considerations. Special thanks to our contr...

Discussing the benefits and challenges of AI can help reduce anxiety around its integration and use. When HR professionals understand the advantages and limitations of AI, they can develop a balanced perspective and in turn, foster collaboration and proactive planning, ensuring that AI is integrated responsibly and ethically. In this special multi-part series: HR in the Age of AI - Opportunities a...

For three seasons, HR Fresh Take has covered topics that affect our business community and how HR is able to meet those challenges.  For this episode, we’d like to approach it from a different angle and take this opportunity to share the meaningful experiences of individuals who joined Philly SHRM’s HR Lift Lab in 2024.  With a foundation of leadership self-awareness plus a balanced portfolio of e...

As companies strive to prioritize employee well-being, a concerning trend has emerged: “Care-washing” which is the practice of offering superficial or surface-level wellness programs that fail to address the root causes of employee stress and burnout.  In this episode, we are in conversation with guests Nicole McNeal, Director of Wellbeing at Virtua Health and Anna Greenwald CEO/Founder of On the...

Silos in the workplace can create divisions that hinder communication, collaboration, and innovation. They often lead to duplicated efforts, missed opportunities, and a lack of cohesion. But what causes these silos to form, and how can we break them down? In this episode of HR Fresh Take, we’ll talk with Pat Schaeffer, co-founder of Talent Strategy Partners and Barbara Taylor, Business partner of...

Born between the mid 1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z is not just another demographic, they are a driving force behind many of the changes we're seeing in today's job market. The challenge for some organizations is figuring out how to engage with Gen Z effectively and how best to utilize their skills within the workforce.  In this episode, we'll talk with Michael Brenner, founder and CE...

Halloween is around the corner! So come with us as we revisit HR Fresh Take's most fun and popular episode: " An HR Halloween ", where we share a few horror stories submitted by the HR community in the Philadelphia area.  The names were changed to protect the innocent AND the guilty.  We'll also discuss lessons from these cautionary tales.  Enjoy! Business, Engagement, Human Re...

Recently, DEI initiatives have faced significant challenges in boardrooms, state legislatures, and college campuses. Since 2023, 81 anti-DEI bills targeting college programs have been introduced in 28 states and in Congress, with eight signed into law in states like Texas and Florida. Despite these challenges, a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 52% of employed U.S. adults particip...

With the prevailing mentality that workers should “leave life at the door”, it’s no wonder that the struggle to balance the demands of family and career has only gotten more difficult. This is especially true for employees who care for others such as children, elderly parents, and family members at home who are sick or have disabilities. According to the Society for Human Resources Management (SHR...

Political factors can have a significant impact on how HR manages an organization’s culture, talent, and other areas. Politically motivated trends either brought upon by the C-Suite or employees can leave HR in a precarious position to manage expectations of organizational change in relation to these movements. In this episode, recorded during the 2024 Philadelphia SHRM Symposium, our podcast host...

There’s a significant gap between the skills of today’s workers and the complex skill sets needed for the future of work. A recent report by Korn Ferry states that by 2030, more than 85 million jobs could be unfilled because there aren’t enough skilled people to take them.  Often thought of as a staple of trade careers, apprenticeship programs are becoming a tangible solution for companies searchi...

What does it mean for HR leaders to bring their whole self to work when their identities are not the majority? Being an HR leader is already challenging, but being the only one who looks like you only amplifies those challenges. On this episode of HR Fresh Take, we’re revisiting the conversation from our June 2023 event “ The Black HR Experience ”, hosted by Philly SHRM and the National Associatio...

Within the last decade, there has been a rapid expansion in the availability of and interest in artificial intelligence-based tools to perform HR tasks such as hiring, training, benefits, or employee engagement. However, the use of AI in HR raises concerns given AI’s potential for problems in areas such as data privacy and bias. These concerns are further amplified in the HR context where decision...

The proverbial saying around the holidays is that "it's the most wonderful time of the year!"  But for HR professionals, it can be a time of stress in the workplace.  Every December, HR is faced with the difficult task of adequately acknowledging the various religious and secular holiday traditions within an organization. In this episode, we'll talk with Nina Boe, Senior Workpl...

Halloween is around the corner.  It's time for spooky stories, tricks and treats.  But for HR professionals, scary stories from the workplace happen all year round. It makes us wonder with all the laws, rules, and regulations in place, why are businesses and the people in them still making head-scratching, face-palmed decisions that could potentially get them into a house of horrors of litiga...

How are companies developing leaders in today’s fast paced business world? Consider these statistics: While 83% of organizations believe it’s important to develop leaders at every level of the company, only 5% of businesses have implemented leadership development at all levels. In addition, only 48% of employees view their company’s leadership as “high quality.” and 79% of employees will quit due...