While We Were Working: Your Weekly Small Business HR and People Leadership Podcast

Apple workers recently launched a petition against the company's reported return to office plan. If one of the most influential companies worldwide is getting pushback from its team, what does this mean for small businesses?

Today, Sommer and Joey discuss the pros and cons of asking team members to return to the office. Tune in to find out more!

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A recent federal appeals court decision granted transgender workers broadened legal protections under the ADA. So, it's a good time for small businesses to reevaluate their current anti-discrimination policies and to find ways to provide the best experience possible for their trans workers. 

In this week's episode, Sommer and Joey share tips for sm...

Economists recently announced that the 22 million jobs lost due to the pandemic have been recovered - and the job market is still growing. With 528,000 new jobs added to the market in July (significantly surpassing the original estimate of 258,000), what can small businesses do to remain competitive and hire top talent?

In this week's episode, Sommer an...

Balancing work and child care is a challenge countless employees face every day. Large organizations are taking action to combat burnout in working parents, some even building their own daycares. As a small business, offering onsite child care can be too expensive, but fortunately, there are alternative ways to support working parents without breaking the bank. 

A.I. technologies have drastically revolutionized and improved how we do business. A.I. tools play a significant role in H.R. processes, yet they can potentially get your business in legal trouble by implementing discriminatory practices during recruitment.

In this week's episode, Sommer and Joey discuss A.I. tools in H.R.: how organizations use them, t...

The tight labor market the US is currently experiencing has prompted employers to budget big pay raises for 2023. While the average is projected to be about 4.1%, data shows that this would be the most significant pay increase in the past 15 years. So, what does this entail for small businesses?

In this week's episode, Sommer and Joey discuss why pay ra...

While most of the jobs lost during the pandemic have been recovered, there's a growing concern for an impending economic recession among economists and organizations. Although the economy's future remains unclear, small businesses must prepare for the worst-case scenario.

In this week's episode, Joey and Sommer explore why recessions happen, their impli...

In the aftermath of Roe v Wade's overturn, companies are now facing difficult decisions regarding their employee's health plans and medical benefits. So, what is the best strategy small businesses can adopt to navigate this complex environment?

Sommer and Joey examine the implications of Roe v Wade's overturn for small businesses, what to expect in the ...

Is office romance inevitable? 

In today's episode of 'While We Were Working', Sommer and Joey discuss whether office romance is really an HR nightmare and how to tackle the challenges it entails. 

You'll learn why relationships blossom so quickly in a work environment and the importance of setting expecta...

On June 21, the U.S. Department of Labor announced its proposed overtime rule is planned for release in October. So, how does this potential law change impact small businesses?

In this week's episode of 'While We Were Working', Joey and Sommer explain all you need to know about the potential overtime law changes. You'll learn the importance of having a ...

By 2023 Gen Z is expected to make up around 30% of the workforce. However, not unlike the Millennial Generation, Gen Z workers are already reporting high levels of burnout.

A recent survey revealed that 46% of Gen Z staff felt that they were constantly stressed out and anxious. So, what is causing Millennial and Gen Z workers to struggle with burnout?

The Great Resignation, also known as The Big Quit, is an ongoing economic trend in which employees quit their jobs in search of higher pay and a promise of better opportunities. But has this actually been the case? 

Jumpstart HR consultant Devin Fruzyna joins Sommer to discuss why many employees currently regret quitting their jobs and how small bu...

Since the pandemic, there has been a drastic shift in the number of union petitions - in March of this year, the NLRB union petitions increased to a staggering 57%.

While historically, unions have been essential in advocating worker safety and fair treatment, they can bring about significant complications, especially for small businesses.

Should you share how much you make?

In today's episode, Joey and Sommer welcome Hannah Williams, a 25-year-old content creator in the DMV area, to share her views on a major issue in the United States: salary transparency. 

With her viral series, Salary Transparent Street, Hannah challenges strangers across th...

While there are certain advantages to hiring independent contractors, converting those contractors to full-time employees is crucial for business growth.

But when is the best time to convert a contractor to an employee?

In this week's episode of 'While We Were Working', Joey and Sommer discuss the transition from c...

A recent data report by HR platform Gusto shows that the share of fully remote workers has increased by 240% since the pandemic began.

There is no doubt that flexibility has become a crucial factor in whether or not people will take a new job - so it's critical for growing businesses to adapt and develop new HR strategies.

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