HR Office Hours

Maddie Hollis sits down with Ben Cruz, a chemical engineer with several years of manufacturing engineering experience across Louisiana, Iowa, and Northwest Georgia, to unpack what it's really like to be a Gen Z professional in today's workforce.

They dig into Ben's career path from co-op to full-time engineer, the value (and limits) of a college degree, building trust as "the new guy," work-life balance vs. the "lazy Gen Z" stereotype, knowledge-sharing across generations, and the surprising bureaucratic hurdles of attempting to get a Professional Engineer license.

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-cruz-0823/

#hr #engineering #genz #earlycareer #college #careergrowth #chemicalengineering

Dave Gaspin joins Maddie to tackle three hot HR topics: job tenure, middle management, and a wild LinkedIn HR investigation gone overboard.

They dig into whether staying at one company for years is actually a red flag anymore, or if "job hopping" fears are outdated. They also debate the real value of middle/frontline managers as companies lean out and cut layers: is it a mistake, or is management just evolving?

Finally, they break down a viral story about an employee investigated by HR over a LinkedIn "like," and reflect on the age-old question: is HR really your friend? Maddie and Dave share personal stories about their best (and most influential) managers along the way.

Connect with Dave on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgaspin/

Connect with Maddie on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-hollis-sphr-shrm-scp/

Articles we read for reference:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracylawrence/2025/04/08/burnout-by-design-how-cutting-middle-management-affects-company-culture/

https://www.fastcompany.com/91377552/middle-management-is-dead

https://firstup.io/press-release/shrinking-middle-management-layer-puts-pressure-on-workplace-communication-and-engagement/

#hr #leadership #management

From job hugging to AI aiding in performance management, Dave Gaspin and Maddie Hollis tackle the changing landscape of workplace issues.

Maddie and Dave dig into what it really means to "bring your whole self" to work, where authenticity crosses into unprofessional behavior, and why boundaries still matter even in a culture that values authenticity.

The conversation shifts to AI in the workplace: using AI tools for performance reviews and coaching, the risks of employees using unsanctioned "shadow AI," data security and confidentiality concerns, and how companies should build clear, transparent AI policies instead of just banning the tools outright.

They also tackle "job hugging" questioning whether it's really a problem, or just a sign of the shifting power dynamic between employers and employees.

Connect with Dave on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgaspin/

Connect with Maddie on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-hollis-sphr-shrm-scp/

#hr #ai #leadership #career #authenticity

Welcome to HR Office Hours – Episode 1! 🎙️

Dave Gaspin and Maddie Hollis kick off "killing HR one topic at a time." In this inaugural episode, they dive into:

🔹 The "Phillies Karen" hat-snatching incident and when off-the-clock behavior becomes an HR issue

🔹 What happens when the CEO is the one behaving badly and the tough spot it puts HR in

🔹 The Coldplay "kiss cam" scandal and the messy reality of investigating executive misconduct

🔹 Why entry-level employees don't know what they don't know (and how to coach them without judgment)

🔹 The shifting power dynamic between employers and employees

🔹 How to give honest, direct feedback without the dreaded "feedback sandwich"

Whether you're an HR pro, a people leader, or just love workplace drama, this episode has something for you.

💬 Got thoughts on any of these topics? Drop a comment below — we want to hear from you!

🔔 Subscribe for more real talk on HR, leadership, and the workplace.

Connect with Dave on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgaspin/

Connect with Maddie on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-hollis-sphr-shrm-scp/

#hr #leadership #management #leadershipdevelopment