POPS! The People Ops Podcast

With the COVID-19 Delta variant still running rampant, many employers want to know whether or not employees are vaccinated. But what can and can’t you ask about an employee’s vaccination status?

In this episode of POPS!, Zenefits HR advisor Lora Patterson shares the answer and the risks you need to know before asking.

Additional Resources:

• Order your copy of our book People Operations: Zenefits.com/pops-book
• Follow the podcast 

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

• [00:34-01:03] Can you ask employees if they’ve been vaccinated for COVID-19?
• [01:03-01:54] Questions to avoid, according to the law
• [01:54-02:34] What to keep in mind when asking for vaccine documentation
• [02:34-03:20] Risks to be aware of when asking about vaccination
• [03:20-05:17] How to maintain confidentiality around vaccination status

The people ops approach is a win-win-win: a win for your business, your people, and your people team. On this episode of PREVIEW, Zenefits Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Marasco explains why, and shares the benefits you can expect when moving from traditional HR to people operations.

Additional Resources:

• Order your copy of our book People Operations: Zenefits.com/pops-book
• Follow the podcast 

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

• [00:28-01:00] Why people ops is good for employees, leaders, and business
• [01:00-01:28] What the research says about moving from HR to people ops

A new class of entrepreneurs is taking the business world by storm. They’re called “New Builders,” and we need them now more than ever before. Seth Levine and Elizabeth MacBride, authors of the book The New Builders: Face to Face With the True Future of Business, have a few ideas on how to support and celebrate them.

In this episode of PIVOT, Seth and Elizabeth join the show to discuss how to level the playing field for new entrepreneurs and why the future of small business is so crucial to the US economy.

On this episode, you’ll hear:

• [01:29-02:26] What motivates Seth and Elizabeth about small business
• [03:00-05:06] The “new builders” starting businesses today and why we need them
• [05:16-07:23] The obstacles entrepreneurs must overcome to start a small business today
• [07:23 -09:01] How Seth and Elizabeth helped reshape Congress’ PPP legislation
• [09:02-10:14] Why the venture model is ineffective for broad economic development
• [10:14-11:28] Unicorns vs. camels
• [11:28-14:48] The lack of media attention for new builders, and why you can’t always trust the numbers
• [14:49-17:23] The extraordinary story of Sweet Grace Heavenly Cakes
• [17:23-19:22] How small business engages employees differently and why it works
• [19:44-23:16] The difference entrepreneurial grit, passion, and resilience makes
• [23:16-25:27] Why Seth and Elizabeth are optimistic about the future of small businesses

After you listen: 

• Check out Seth and Elizabeth’s book: The New Builders: Face to Face With the True Future of Business
• Order your copy of our book People Operations: Zenefits.com/pops-book
• Follow the podcast
• Submit your People Ops questions: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

Employee recognition is one of the most critical factors of employee engagement, but over half of employees say their manager doesn’t provide enough praise for a job well done.

In this episode of POPS!, Zenefits VP of People Ops Danny Speros explains why recognition is vital to employee engagement, and how to recognize good work in a way that reinforces positive behavior across the organization. 

Additional Resources:

• Beyond employee engagement: A guide to enhancing productivity and performance

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

• [00:37-01:36] Why recognition is crucial to employee engagement
• [01:36-02:25] How to build recognition into your culture
• [02:25-04:13] The importance of personal, sincere positive feedback and praise

With the average compliance citation exceeding $30,000, you pay a heavy penalty for not doing HR paperwork and administrative tasks correctly.

What’s the key to avoiding the “HR tax”? In this episode of PREVIEW, Zenefits Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Marasco explains why automating certain HR tasks is faster and cheaper than completing them manually. 

Additional Resources:

• Order your copy of our book People Operations: Zenefits.com/pops-book
• Follow the podcast 
• Submit your People Ops questions: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

• [00:30-01:00] The state of the small business “HR tax”
• [01:00-01:39] How automation can save time and money
• [01:39-02:05] HR’s opportunity to be a “force multiplier”

When a burst pipe sent everyone at Brad’s Deals home in February 2020, the company got a headstart on its remote work transition. Jessica Adams, VP of HR and Recruiting at Brad’s Deals, quickly discovered that flexibility and employee connections were the secret ingredients to a thriving remote culture.

In this episode of PIVOT, Jessica shares advice on building a flexible and burnout-proof culture, and why putting employees in the driver’s seat of company initiatives and programs makes all the difference.

On this episode, you’ll hear:

• [01:28-04:53] How Jessica’s company got a headstart on remote work
• [04:54-05:37] Tips for “burnout-proofing” in a remote culture
• [05:37-06:37] How an emergency preparedness plan came in handy in February 2020
• [06:37-08:23] The power of employee-led wellness, DEI, and mentoring programs
• [08:23-09:57] Why flexibility is crucial in times of uncertainty
• [09:58-11:31] Where a business should start in building a flexible culture
• [11:34-12:18] What Jessica is most excited about in the small business world

After you listen: 

• Brad’s Deals: Celebrating unique bargains and unique people: https://www.zenefits.com/customer/brads-deals/
• Pre-order your copy of our book People Operations: Zenefits.com/pops-book

• Follow the podcast 
• Submit your People Ops questions: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

On June 7th, 2021, 8.4 billion unique usernames and password combinations were leaked—the largest password leak in history. And since 65% of people use the same password for multiple accounts, a type of cyberattack known as ‘credential stuffing’ is on the rise. But what is credential stuffing, exactly, and how do you prevent it from happening?

On this episode of POPS!, Zenefits Director of Product Marketing Christian Flaten provides context on the most common cause of data breaches and shares how to protect yourself and your data from cybercriminals. 

Additional Resources:

• Pre-order your copy of our book People Operations: Zenefits.com/pops-book
• Follow the podcast 
• Submit your People Ops questions: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

• [00:46-01:30] What 'credential stuffing’ means 
• [01:30-02:13] Why credential stuffing matters today in light of the RockYou2021 leak
• [02:13-03:34] How to protect yourself and your people from cyberattacks 

“Fake it ‘til you make it” is a phrase you probably heard—and used—at work. But it’s actually bad advice according to Sabrina Horn, award-winning CEO, communications expert, and author.

On this episode of PIVOT, hear why. Sabrina shares extreme examples from her new book of what can go wrong when “faking it,” and how to “make it” in business with integrity and authenticity.

On this episode, you’ll hear:

• [00:47-02:57] Why “fake it ‘til you make it” is bad advice
• [03:38-05:15] How pushing a bomb off a roof during WWII applies to small businesses today
• [05:41-07:10] The origins of “fake it til you make it” 
• [07:10-08:26] Why integrity matters in business
• [08:26-09:23] Extreme examples of what can go wrong when “faking it”
• [09:24-11:36] The “Fake-ometer”
• [11:36-14:36] Four things business leaders should do to “make it” post-pandemic
• [14:37-17:05] How Sabrina made it through The Great Recession without faking it
• [17:05-18:36] Why business leaders should consider integrity as a core value

After you listen: 

• Make It, Don't Fake It: Leading with Authenticity for Real Business Success by Sabrina Horn
• Pre-order your copy of our book People Operations: Zenefits.com/pops-book

• Follow the podcast 
• Submit your People Ops questions: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

Professional development is key to employee engagement. But fewer than half of employees get the opportunities they want for professional development at work.

In Part 3 of our series on building better employee engagement, Zenefits VP of People Ops Danny Speros explains how to bake professional development into company culture, starting with managers.

Additional Resources:

• Beyond employee engagement: A guide to enhancing productivity and performance: https://www.zenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/beyond-employee-engagement.pdf

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

• [00:38-01:29] Minding the professional development gap
• [01:29-03:01] Normalizing non-linear career paths
• [03:02-04:11] Why managers should meet with employees to talk about their career goals
• [04:12-04:42] How professional development contributes to employee engagement
• [04:42-05:10] Why professional development is a two-way street

Inclusivity and belonging at work matters more than ever. A survey of college students and recent grads revealed that two in three would only work for a company with an inclusive culture and provides a sense of belonging to employees from all backgrounds. 

In Part 2 of our series on building better engagement, Zenefits VP of People Ops Danny Speros shares steps for creating cultures of inclusivity where people from all walks of life can find connection and belonging.

Additional Resources:

• Beyond employee engagement: A guide to enhancing productivity and performance: https://www.zenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/beyond-employee-engagement.pdf

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

• [00:39-01:08] Why belonging and inclusivity are key to employee engagement
• [01:08-01:50] The first step to breaking down barriers to inclusivity 
• [01:51-02:43] How accountability impacts inclusivity 
• [02:44-03:36] The importance of creating space for everyone’s voice to be heard
• [03:36-05:06] How to take action to build a culture of inclusivity and connection