DE Talk

Courageous conversations begin when you’re willing to share vulnerabilities, stand in those insecurities, and become relatable to those around you. For the internationally awarded public speaker, author, first responder, and LGBTQIA+ activist Samantha Smith, that began when she recited her powerful speech, Last Call. Tune in to this episode as Samantha shares her experience first as a police officer in the field and then as an ...

The federal contractor community has taken note of the quiet demeanor of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) since the Biden Administration took office. However, amongst the quiet comes big changes ahead – many of which might cause a stir for the federal contractor and subcontractor community. Tune in as DirectEmployers Executive Director Candee Chambers and employment law expert John C. Fox of Fox, Wang &...

There’s no denying that today’s youth are tomorrow’s future, and sometimes, they just need a second chance and some guidance to set them on the track to success. In this episode of the DE Talk podcast, we sat down with Denny Armington, President of Youth Opportunity Foundation (YOF), to discuss how they work with disadvantaged and post-adjudicated youth to mentor, educate, and train them as they prepare for a stable and rewarding f...

The pandemic changed the U.S. workforce virtually overnight. More than a year later, its impact lingers on, continuing to drive more women out of the workforce. Decades worth of slow progress made by women to catch up to men evaporated in just one year – and the question remains, how many women will return to work? And how does this threaten our economic recovery? Tune in as gender economist Katica Roy, CEO and Founder of Pipeline,...

For years, employers have recognized the need for mental health support. Now, thanks to the pandemic pause in 2020, employers are looking to break the stigma of mental health care, assess how to make positive strides forward, and create an open dialogue in their workplaces. How can employers create a work culture that supports mental and emotional well-being? Tune in as psychiatrist Dr. Chris Bojrab unpacks the importance of mental...

There’s no question that the pandemic has changed our outlook on remote work, and redefined many things in our daily lives, including our relationship with work and the future of the workplace itself. For many, this was swift and transformed the way we in human resources recruit, hire, onboard, train, and engage. With employers having to adapt to the profound change, two questions bear consideration – how do employees feel about re...

Gaps in employment continue to exist for individuals with disabilities. The National Organization on Disability (NOD) has dedicated its existence to moving the workforce inclusion needle forward by creating resources like the Disability Employment Tracker, Corporate Leadership Council, and the Disability Inclusion Executive Briefing for employers to utilize. NOD President Carol Glazer joined the DE Talk podcast to discuss the organ...

Over the last year, we have all had to adapt our ways of doing, and creativity has quickly become a lifeline for standing out—especially in today’s competitive workforce. That’s why representing your unique company culture on your website and social media platforms is more critical than ever. In this episode, Drew Palmer and Jordan Hartman of the Recruit Rooster Creative Services team sit down to chat about all things creative in t...

Studies suggest that people spend around eighty percent of their time focused on fixing weaknesses, and only twenty percent of their time trying to build upon strengths in most workplaces. However, we achieve excellence most often when using our strengths–enter the CliftonStrengths assessment. In this episode, Jen Polcer chats with JoDee Curtis from Purple Ink LLC to discuss how CliftonStrengths can transform workplaces from weakne...

Curveballs have been thrown left and right during 2020, but many transformations remain for the OFCCP, and subsequently federal contractors, as a new administration transitions into power. During this podcast, Candee Chambers sat down with employment law expert John C. Fox of Fox, Wang & Morgan to discuss what contractors need to be mindful of in 2021 and the regulatory agenda the Biden Administration is set to enact in its fir...

For many, the story of America’s wounded servicemembers is a reminder of the perils of war and uncertainty that exists for those individuals serving. What about the story of the resilient men and women who take on the role of nurse, caregiver, and medical advocate after their wounded loved ones return home? Tune in as Stephanie Howard, the executive producer, director, and writer of the documentary film, “The Weight of Honor,” disc...

When hitting a roadblock, Janet Fiore’s motto is always, “We can figure this out,” and that’s precisely what she did in the realm of disability education. Having a fear of getting it wrong or trying to figure out where to start was a challenge, and the results often lead to overcompensating or overreaching. Janet has cultivated a safe space for learners in The Sierra Group’s DisabilityEtiquette© course and DisabilityRecruiter© Cert...

Talent acquisition is rapidly changing at an unprecedented rate. The use of advanced technology and artificial intelligence is quickly becoming the industry standard. But how do we keep humans in the loop to ensure that the human factor remains in human resources, while also embracing AI? Tune in to see what Peter Weddle, CEO at TAtech, predicts for the future of talent acquisition, how you can address change now by embracing techn...

While no one looks forward to a reduction in force (RIF), it is a fact of life for many organizations today in order to meet strategic goals and business needs. Taking time to carefully plan and prepare can make the difference between a successful transition and a disaster. Tune in to this conversation as HR experts, Candee Chambers and Dana Deason of ArcBest discuss the nuts and bolts to help ensure your organization implements an...

As many of you know, the work of Recruit Roosters by DirectEmployers would not be possible without stellar technology and development taking place behind the scenes, and in April, they announced the acquisition of RocketBuild. Today, Recruit Rooster COO, Heather Hoffman, is sitting down with Jason Ward of RocketBuild to discuss their work and position as Indy’s premier software and application development house–and most importantly...

Women represent nearly 50% of the US workforce, yet only occupy 10% of the top management positions in S&P 500 companies. To discuss how female executives can empower one another in the workplace, Candee Chambers sat down with guests Elizabeth Jennings, Acting Executive Director of the National Disability Institute, and Heather Hoffman, COO of Recruit Rooster, to talk about closing the gender gap that exists in leadership and h...

Diversity and inclusion is not just a function of talent acquisition, it’s a company-wide effort that needs to take place in all areas of business to be successful. Leading diversity strategist Torin Ellis sat down with Shannon Offord, VP of Strategic Partnerships at DirectEmployers Association, to discuss the importance of D&I and the foundational steps companies need to take to show real commitment to diversity. With no true ...

For government contractors, the regulatory landscape is always changing, and navigating these changes takes a careful understanding of the current requirements and a forward-looking view of what’s ahead. To understand what’s expected in 2020, Candee Chambers sat down with employment law expert John C. Fox of Fox, Wang, & Morgan, to identify what you should be doing to prepare yourself for the OFCCP’s new game plan for 2020. Fro...