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#6 - Meta Layoffs, Skills Mismatch, Frontline Burnout, and Retail Workers Wearing Body Cams?
This week on The Alder Hour, host Matt Alder (Recruiting Future), co-host Rhona Pierce, and special guest co-host John Baldino bring you another thought-provoking conversation about the future of work, brought to you by the Purple Acorn Network.
In this episode:
Meta’s 5% Layoffs:
Matt kicks things off by breaking down Meta’s announcement that it plans to cut 5% of its workforce under the banner of “performance-based” layoffs. Is this truly about performance, or a cover for broader structural cuts tied to AI and changing business models? The team dives into the troubling impact on employee trust, morale, and company culture.
The Skills Mismatch Dilemma:
Why do employers still complain about a skills gap when it’s always existed? Matt, Rhona, and John discuss why companies need to rethink talent development, stop chasing unicorn candidates, and build meaningful learning and upskilling programs to future-proof their workforces.
Burnout on the Frontlines:
A new report highlights worsening burnout among Gen Z frontline workers. Matt, Rhona, and John talk about why three-step quick fixes won’t cut it, why frontline jobs need structural reform, and how leadership can finally shift from transactional management to real human-centered workplaces.
The Situation Room: Reporting Problems to the Boss (Who is Also HR!):
John Baldino leads a discussion on the tricky situation of employees needing to report issues to a manager who also wears the HR hat — especially common in small businesses. The team shares best practices for escalation, the importance of proactive HR documentation, and why employee handbooks matter before problems arise.
Guest Interview: Amanda Thompson Buffington (Hope Leigh Marketing Group):
Amanda joins to talk about recruitment marketing trends for 2025. She explains why authentic storytelling beats automation, why employers must deeply understand their candidate audiences, and why your employer brand still matters — especially when AI makes everything feel the same.
Trending or Ending: Body Cameras for Retail Workers:
Rhona and Matt tackle the controversial trend of body cams for retail and healthcare workers. Is this about safety, or are we crossing serious ethical lines around employee surveillance and workplace expectations?
Clock out, grab a drink, and rethink the future of work with us.
Learn more at: https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purple-acorn-network
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
View all episodes
By Purple AcornThis week on The Alder Hour, host Matt Alder (Recruiting Future), co-host Rhona Pierce, and special guest co-host John Baldino bring you another thought-provoking conversation about the future of work, brought to you by the Purple Acorn Network.
In this episode:
Meta’s 5% Layoffs:
Matt kicks things off by breaking down Meta’s announcement that it plans to cut 5% of its workforce under the banner of “performance-based” layoffs. Is this truly about performance, or a cover for broader structural cuts tied to AI and changing business models? The team dives into the troubling impact on employee trust, morale, and company culture.
The Skills Mismatch Dilemma:
Why do employers still complain about a skills gap when it’s always existed? Matt, Rhona, and John discuss why companies need to rethink talent development, stop chasing unicorn candidates, and build meaningful learning and upskilling programs to future-proof their workforces.
Burnout on the Frontlines:
A new report highlights worsening burnout among Gen Z frontline workers. Matt, Rhona, and John talk about why three-step quick fixes won’t cut it, why frontline jobs need structural reform, and how leadership can finally shift from transactional management to real human-centered workplaces.
The Situation Room: Reporting Problems to the Boss (Who is Also HR!):
John Baldino leads a discussion on the tricky situation of employees needing to report issues to a manager who also wears the HR hat — especially common in small businesses. The team shares best practices for escalation, the importance of proactive HR documentation, and why employee handbooks matter before problems arise.
Guest Interview: Amanda Thompson Buffington (Hope Leigh Marketing Group):
Amanda joins to talk about recruitment marketing trends for 2025. She explains why authentic storytelling beats automation, why employers must deeply understand their candidate audiences, and why your employer brand still matters — especially when AI makes everything feel the same.
Trending or Ending: Body Cameras for Retail Workers:
Rhona and Matt tackle the controversial trend of body cams for retail and healthcare workers. Is this about safety, or are we crossing serious ethical lines around employee surveillance and workplace expectations?
Clock out, grab a drink, and rethink the future of work with us.
Learn more at: https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purple-acorn-network
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!