POPS! The People Ops Podcast

Now that millions of American adults are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine every day, should flexible work arrangements be here to stay?

In this episode of POPS!, Zenefits HR Advisor Lora Patterson breaks down what small business owners should take into consideration when making plans for returning to the office—or not. You’ll hear findings from an employee survey about flexible work productivity and how to gather feedback around returning to work from your own employees.

Do you have a question for our experts? Submit it here: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

Additional Resources:

• The state of flexible work arrangements: https://www.zenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Flexible_Work_Report_2020_Coronaviruspdf.pdf

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

>>>>>[00:34-01:50] How to know when it’s safe to bring employees back to the office

>>>>>[01:52-02:35] How to determine what will work best for your company

>>>>>[02:35-05:29] What the data says about how employees feel about flexible work 

>>>>>[05:40-08:53] Questions to include in an employee survey about work arrangements

The pandemic shook up company cultures in 2020 as people adjusted to the “new normal” at work. So where does workplace culture stand a year later? 

In this episode of POPS!, Emtrain Talent and Culture Strategist Laraine McKinnon shares findings that small business owners should pay attention to, gleaned from 23 million employee data points. 

Do you have a question for our experts? Submit it here: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

Additional Resources: 

• Emtrain Report: 2021 State of Workplace Respect: https://emtrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-Workplace-Culture-Report_Respect.pdf

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

>>>>>[00:33-01:00] What data reveals about the areas of culture that business owners should be paying attention to 

>>>>>[01:03-02:17] Key finding #1: Employees are less likely to say “no” to an inappropriate request

>>>>>[02:18-03:15] Key finding #2: Employees are more committed to being “upstanders”

>>>>>[03:17-04:54] Key finding #3: Social aptitude is on the rise

Can a small business have global influence? According to Ryan Patel, global business executive and sought-after expert on scaling businesses of all sizes, the answer is yes. Even if a business has no aspirations of entering the global market, Patel says if you can impact individual employees, you can make an impact globally. 

On this episode of PIVOT, host Didi D’Errico sits down with Patel to talk why small businesses are uniquely equipped to build people—personally and professionally. You’ll hear Patel’s thoughts on why inclusivity breeds innovation, the global trends that will impact small businesses in the future, and what keeps Ryan coming back to the world of startups and small businesses.

On this episode, you’ll hear:

>>>>>[00:21-00:42] Ryan’s quote featured on the NASDAQ billboard in Times Square

>>>>>[01:24-02:31] How Ryan learned how to scale businesses

>>>>>[02:40-03:36] What keeps Ryan coming back to the world of startups and small businesses

>>>>>[04:03-06:04] Why Silicon Valley needs to change its approach to people operations

>>>>>[06:19-07:20] Why inclusivity is crucial to innovation

>>>>>[07:23-09:48] How to “build people” as a small business

>>>>>[10:16-13:11] How the next generation will choose products and employers

>>>>>[13:40-15:27] Why making an impact on an individual level has global implications

>>>>>[15:52-18:32 ] The global trends that will impact small businesses in the near future

>>>>>[19:31- 22:02] A pivotal people moment: building stronger voices

>>>>>[22:12-23:39] Why nimbleness and adaptability matter now more than ever

>>>>>[23:50-28:06] Ryan’s thoughts on the massive opportunities facing small businesses

After you listen: 

• The Big Impact of Building People in Small Business (and How to Start With Your SMB): https://www.zenefits.com/workest/the-big-impact-of-building-people-in-small-business-an
• Follow the podcast 
• Submit your People Ops questions: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

Do topics like vaccinations, Black Lives Matter, and fair pay have a place at work? Should conversations about sensitive topics be avoided altogether, or encouraged as part of a healthy workplace culture?

In this episode of POPS!, Zenefits Chief People Officer Tracy Cote explains why it’s important to create safe spaces for employees to respectfully engage in these conversations, and what leaders can learn from them.

Do you have a question for our experts? Submit it here: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

>>>>>[00:40-01:08] Why most companies tend to avoid sensitive topics

>>>>>[01:08-01:28] How to allow different voices to be heard and accommodate diverse opinions

>>>>>[01:28-02:10 ] How Zenefits supports employees who want to use their voices

>>>>>[02:11-03:42 ] Why healthy discussions about socio-politcal issues can create more engaged and healthy workplaces

A new presidential administration usually means new laws. When it comes to business processes like taxes, business compliance, standards, and labor laws, what changes can small businesses expect from the Biden Administration?

In this episode of POPS!, Zenefits Sr. Manager of Integrated Campaigns Jean Spencer breaks down four pieces of legislation small business leaders should be paying attention to, including the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill, healthcare, gender identity & sexual orientation, and employee & contractor classifications.

Do you have a question for our experts? Submit it here: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

Additional Resources:

• $50 Billion for Small Business as Biden Signs a Sweeping $1.9 Trillion Stimulus: https://www.inc.com/diana-ransom/stimulus-biden-small-business-ppp-eidl.html

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

>>>>>>[01:32 - 02:37] What small businesses need to know about the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill

>>>>>>[02:48 - 03:32] What could change (and stay the same) with President Biden’s proposed health care expansion

>>>>>>[03:59 - 04:54] An overview of a new anti-discrimination executive order for employers

>>>>>>[04:55 - 06:25 ] Information on a new bill regarding employee classifications and gig workers

No matter where employees are in their careers, they all want the same thing when it comes to money: peace of mind. With 74% of Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck, there’s a need for financial wellness education that employers are stepping in to meet. But since the best financial advice is the kind that’s personalized to each individual’s specific situation, where should a small business start?

In this episode of PIVOT,  host of the PBS show MoneyTrack and CEO of Wealthramp Pam Krueger shares the tools small businesses can use to help employees build financial wellness. You’ll hear how to meet employees where they are in their careers without becoming a financial advisor yourself, and tips for helping employees take control of their personal finances based on Pam’s wealth of experience as a financial advisor and educator.

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>>>> [07:24-10:21] Why a financial wellness offering is so important in a small business 
>>>> [14:19-15:04 What matters most in helping employees feel financially secure
>>>>[16:43[-18:39] The key to finding tools that are low-cost and high-impact
>>>>[18:44-22:16] Three categories of employees from a personal finance perspective
>>>>[23:14-27:07 ] Pam’s recommended financial wellness tool for early-career employees: You Need a Budget (YNAB)
>>>>[28:12-33:54] Pam’s recommended tool for mid-career employees: Betterment and Blooom
>>>>[34:02-37:56]  Pam’s recommended tool for late-career employees: Wealthramp.com
>>>>[40:37-44:17] Why it’s important to gather feedback from employees on financial wellness tools
>>>>[44:32-45:56 ] Pam’s advice on the best place to start when offering financial wellness resources for the first time

After you listen: 

• Subscribe to the podcast 
• Submit your People Ops questions

The pandemic has changed the way businesses operate in countless ways, but how much of these changes will persist post-pandemic? 

In this episode of POPS!, Zenefits Sr. Manager of Integrated Campaigns Jean Spencer breaks down the top three ways the pandemic has permanently changed work and how HR leaders should respond to each.

Do you have a question for our experts? Submit it here: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

Additional Resources:

• Business Leaders on HR, Remote Work, Impact of COVID-19: https://www.zenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/export-10022-1.pdf

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

• [00:34-02:07] The top three ways the pandemic has permanently changed work
• [02:50-03:18] Why small businesses should embrace flexibility post-pandemic
• [03:18-03:45] Keeping business running smoothly with technology
• [03:47-04:43] Why the time to update the employee handbook is now

Do you have a plan when creating compensation packages for your team members? If you’re basing your decisions on a case-by-case basis, you’re not alone, but you may not be doing what’s best for your people or your business. 

In this episode of POPS!, Zenefits Sr. Director of People Danny Speros breaks down the different factors to keep in mind when crafting your compensation strategy.

Do you have a question for our experts? Submit it here: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

On this episode, you'll hear:

• [01:03-01:33] How discrimination can creep in with the absence of a compensation strategy.
• [01:34-02:16] Start with a goal in mind to start planning
• [02:17-02:39] Once you have your goal, it’s important to have a strategy
• [02:40-04:21] Use market data is critical to making decisions around compensation

Additional resources: 

• Creating the Perfect Compensation Package:
• https://www.zenefits.com/workest/creating-perfect-compensation-plan/
• Compensation Benchmarking: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/your-guide-to-compensation-benchmarking/
• Compensation: Best Practices Guide: https://www.zenefits.com/learn/compensation-best-practices/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=03-15-21-compensation-best-practices

Fair pay is a complex topic. Along with the long-standing issue of pay inequity for women and people of color, small businesses are grappling with how people should be compensated based on geography, experience, and market rate. So what practices should small businesses be putting in place to ensure every employee is compensated fairly? 

On this episode of the People Ops Podcast, you’ll hear from Tracy Cote, Chief People Officer at Zenefits. With 20 years of experience in HR and people leadership roles under her belt, Tracy has built a lot of compensation programs and witnessed a lot of missed opportunities throughout her career. She joins to share how to create a compensation structure that’s fair and consistent, as well as objective standards for evaluating performance for merit raises.

On this episode, you’ll hear:

• [06:30-07:18] – The most common misstep businesses make when it comes to determining salaries
• [07:59-09:37] – Compensation practices that contribute to pay inequality for women and people of color and how to overcome them
• [10:02-10:45] – How to get objective and correct information for market compensation rates
• [12:44-14:46] – Creating a compensation structure that’s fair and consistent
• [ 17:00-18:24 ] – How to think about compensation when employees are living in geographies with differing costs of living
• [19:20-21:00] – Creating a tiered system that dictates what people pay for benefits based on their income

After you listen: 

• Compensation Best Practices Guide: https://www.zenefits.com/learn/compensation-best-practices/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=03-15-21-compensation-best-practices 
• Subscribe to the podcast 
• Submit your People Ops questions

Sexual harassment is incredibly destructive. Unfortunately, it doesn’t disappear just because teams are working remotely. How do you recognize and prevent it, even when it’s not happening in an office?

In this episode of POPS!, Zenefits Sr. Director of People Danny Speros breaks down the different types of harassment and offers best practices on addressing and mitigating it in the remote environment.

Do you have a question for our experts? Submit it here: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

Additional resources: 

• Women’s Funding Network : https://www.womensfundingnetwork.org/
• Vogue Article on Abuse: https://www.vogue.com/article/signal-for-help-womens-funding-network-abuse-coronavirus

On this episode you'll hear:

• [00:41-01:34] What quid-pro-quo and a hostile work environment involves
• [01:16-03:30] Signs to look for harassment in a remote setting
• [03:36-4:25 ] How to signal for help virtually if you’re experiencing harassment