In this episode of The Left of Boom Show, host Phil Wilson sits down with Deb Muller, founder and CEO of HR Acuity, to explore how technology, data, and leadership are transforming the way organizations manage employee relations and workplace investigations.

With over 25 years of experience in HR and ER, Deb shares her journey from corporate HR leader to tech entrepreneur, and why she built the only platform purpose-built for employee relations. From the importance of consistency and trust in investigations to the role of AI and predictive analytics, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for anyone involved in employee relations.

We also dive into the empowER Community, benchmarking metrics, leadership lessons, and how recognition in the field is helping elevate the ER function inside organizations.

Key Takeaways:

• How consistent investigation practices build trust
• Using technology to elevate employee relations
• The power of predictive indicators in preventing workplace issues
• Why AI should assist—not replace—human judgment
• Leveraging benchmarking to justify and grow ER functions
• The value of community and shared best practices through empowER

Chapters:

00:00 – Deb Muller’s Journey in HR and Tech

02:41 – The Evolution of HR Acuity

05:18 – The Importance of Consistent Investigation Processes

08:03 – Understanding Employee Relations Beyond Investigations

10:32 – Predictive Indicators in Employee Relations

13:13 – The Role of Leadership in Employee Relations

15:59 – Best Practices in Investigations

18:46 – Building Trust Through Investigations

24:48 – Creating a Supportive Work Environment

27:09 – The Birth of the empowER Community

30:09 – Harnessing AI in Employee Relations

37:45 – Benchmarking and KPIs in Employee Relations

42:02 – Celebrating Achievements and Future Aspirations

🎥 Watch now and subscribe to catch more candid conversations at the intersection of leadership, labor strategy, and innovation.

🔗 Learn more:

HR Acuity

empowER Community

#EmployeeRelations #WorkplaceInvestigations #LeftOfBoom #HRAcuity

Cary Burke left Big Law, joined the plaintiff’s side, and hasn’t looked back—except when his kids are jumping down the stairs in dinosaur underwear.

Episode Summary:

Cary made partner at Seyfarth—and then left to jump into the chaos of plaintiff-side litigation, a coworking space, and parenting two daredevil sons.

We discuss that leap, what’s broken in labor law, and why Cary’s voice on LinkedIn cuts through the noise. He weighs in on Stericycle’s vibes-based enforcement, state labor boards stepping in while the NLRB is down, and how writing clearly is a lawyer’s secr et weapon.

Connect with Cary: LinkedIn LeeMeier Bio

CUE Inc. isn’t just a conference—it’s the go-to spot for leaders who want to build trust, truth, and transparency in employee and labor relations.

In this episode of the Left To Boom Show, host Phil Wilson interviews Elizabeth Huston, the executive director of CUE Inc., a positive employee relations organization. They discuss Elizabeth's leadership journey, the importance of community and collaboration within CUE Inc., the organization's values, and the diverse membership contributing to its mission. The conversation highlights the resources available to members, including expert panels and member-driven initiatives, and emphasizes the significance of networking and personal development opportunities within the organization. Elizabeth shares personal insights and fun anecdotes, concluding with a strong endorsement for CUE Inc. and its community.

Forget top-down programs and stale playbooks. CUE Inc. proves that the best way to drive positive employee relations is through a community built on trust, experience-sharing, and actionable tools. This conversation shows how CUE Inc. empowers ER and LR leaders across industries to support each other and build extraordinary workplaces.

Key Takeaways

🔹 CUE Inc. creates community-based support for employee relations pros.

🔹 Members crowdsource ideas and experiences across industries and roles.

🔹 Programs are peer-driven—not dictated by vendors or sponsors.

🔹 Conferences prioritize action: walk out with tools, not just ideas.

🔹 Expert panels give free access to trusted legal and consulting guidance.

🔹 Small-group Decision Dialogues build relationships and solutions fast.

🔹 Industry-specific groups like aerospace and retail support deeper connections.

🔹 An online platform helps members find peers by size, union status, and industry.

🔹 Participation leads to leadership—volunteers drive the content.

🔹 CUE supports early-career ER professionals and seasoned leaders alike.

🔹 The mission is simple: tell the truth, support each other, build better workplaces.

Connect with us here:

Check out CUE Inc.

Connect with Phillip B. Wilson

Connect with LRI Consulting Services:

Labor Relations INK

LinkedIn

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to CUE and Elizabeth Houston

03:13 Leadership Journey and Influential Leaders

05:53 Building Relationships in Leadership

09:01 Community and Collaboration at CUE

12:00 Values and Mission of CUE

15:02 Diversity of CUE Members and Their Impact

17:45 Resources and Support for CUE Members

21:01 Expert Panels and Knowledge Sharing

24:11 Member-Driven Initiatives and Events

27:07 Networking and Community Building

30:05 Personal Development and Leadership Opportunities

32:59 Fun and Personal Insights from Elizabeth

35:53 Closing Thoughts and Resources

What happens when economic pressure meets patient care? Lori King gives us the pulse check.

Phil Wilson sits down with Lori King—a nurse, educator, executive, and labor relations strategist, to discuss the operational storm brewing in healthcare. From staffing ratios to legislative landmines, Lori explains how hospitals navigate a system under pressure and what it takes to keep care teams functioning while balancing budgets and burnout.

This episode explores the real labor issues facing healthcare providers in both union and non-union environments. It also previews the Big Sky Labor and Employment Conference, a space designed not for grandstanding but for practical problem-solving that bridges the labor-management divide.

Key Takeaways

• Healthcare is a business — and pretending otherwise risks both care quality and workforce stability.
• Staffing ratios aren’t a silver bullet — Patient needs vary wildly, and blanket rules often do more harm than good.
• Clinicians need financial literacy — To bridge the management gap, staff must understand the economics of care.
• Unions vs. management is too simple — The real work happens when both sides sit down and discuss outcomes.
• Labor relations in healthcare are personal. Lori’s background as a provider gives her a rare, balanced view.
• Big Sky Labor and Employment Conference = big ideas — The conference brings together leaders from across the aisle to build better systems, not just battle each other.

Guest Info:

Lori King: LinkedIn | Big Sky Labor and Employment Conference

Phil Wilson: LinkedIn

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Healthcare Labor Relations

04:10 Understanding Diverse Perspectives in Healthcare

12:56 Key Labor Issues in Healthcare

18:30 Organizing Across Healthcare Professions

24:19 Staffing Challenges in Healthcare

26:08 Understanding Staffing Ratios in Healthcare

30:00 The Complexity of Patient Care and Staffing

32:17 Navigating Legislative Pressures in Healthcare

34:51 Innovative Staffing Solutions in Virginia

36:46 Challenges of Compliance and Penalties in Staffing

39:25 Optimism in Labor Relations and Conferences

45:23 Leadership Lessons and Effective Communication

🎤 We negotiated with a union… powered by AI.

No, seriously. We ran a mock collective bargaining session using Grok AI’s voice mode on iOS. The result? A surprisingly real-feeling negotiation, complete with demands, tension, and even performance feedback for the company lead (ouch, but helpful).

🧠 Here's why this matters:

✅ Real-time training

✅ Feedback-driven learning

✅ Anywhere, anytime practice

This is next-gen prep for HR and labor relations pros who want to sharpen their negotiation skills without waiting for the next real-world standoff.

🗣️ Curious:

Would you trust AI to role-play a union organizer in your next training?

Would this be a helpful tool for bargaining practice and to brainstorm potential solutions?

Drop your thoughts 👇

#LaborRelations #AI #HRTech #UnionNegotiations #CollectiveBargaining

In this episode of The Left of Boom Show, we dive into the critical groundwork for bargaining preparation with Phil McMann and Dave Sapenoff, two experienced consultants who have negotiated hundreds of labor agreements.

This is the first of two episodes focusing on the bargaining process. This installment highlights the essential steps for planning and preparation.

Phil and Dave share actionable insights on:

• Aligning leadership and setting clear goals for negotiations.
• Building your bargaining team and defining roles for success.
• Gathering critical information, from operational data to financial cost analyses, to guide your strategy.
• Navigating the legal intricacies of labor negotiations, including mandatory and permissive subjects of bargaining.
• Managing logistical elements, like choosing the negotiation site, setting timelines, and establishing communication protocols.

Whether preparing for your first contract or refining your approach for a follow-up agreement, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you start strong.

Join us as we explore the nuances of bargaining preparation and set the stage for success at the negotiation table.

In this episode of The Left of Boom Show, Phil McMann and Dave Sapenoff take us inside the room to explore the tactics and strategies behind bargaining in a first collective bargaining agreement.

Building on the previous episode’s focus on preparation, this installment dives into the practical, day-to-day dynamics of sitting at the table and getting the deal done.

Key topics include:

• Setting ground rules and managing table etiquette to ensure productive discussions.
• The importance of written proposals and organized documentation.
• Build trust and manage emotions to foster a collaborative atmosphere despite initial tensions.
• Reading the room and understanding committee dynamics on both sides of the table.   
• Strategies for passing proposals, responding to counterproposals, and navigating non-economic and economic issues effectively.
• Leveraging information requests to gain insight and counter union claims.
• Balancing leverage, trust-building, and education to craft agreements that work for both the business and its employees.

With decades of experience negotiating hundreds of labor agreements, Phil and Dave share invaluable insights, real-life examples, and best practices to help employers navigate the complexities of first-contract negotiations. Whether new to bargaining or looking to refine your approach, this episode offers actionable advice to achieve successful outcomes.

In this episode of The Left of Boom Show, host Phil Wilson is joined by Gail Wolfe from LRI Consulting Services Inc. to explore the art of developing and implementing a comprehensive project plan for collective bargaining.

Whether preparing for your first negotiation or refining your approach, this episode provides practical strategies to cover every aspect of the bargaining process and meet deadlines.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ How to create an effective timeline and task list

✅ Tips for coordinating with legal and HR teams for seamless execution

✅ Methods to monitor progress and adapt plans as needed

✅ Key elements of a comprehensive bargaining strategy

Join Phil and Gail as they share actionable insights to help you stay organized, meet deadlines, and lead successful bargaining efforts.

👉 Don’t miss this valuable guide to effective bargaining planning!

#LaborRelations #UnionBargaining #ProjectPlanning #WorkplaceLeadership #LeftOfBoomSho

In this episode of The Left of Boom Show, host Phil Wilson is joined by Gail Wolfe, LRI Consulting Services, Inc., to tackle one of the most challenging scenarios for employers: preparing for a potential strike. Together, they break down the critical steps managers must take to safeguard their operations, communicate effectively, and navigate legal complexities.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ The legal groundwork for strike preparation

✅ Key stakeholders to be involved in planning

✅ How to develop robust contingency plans

✅ Site security strategies to protect physical and operational assets

✅ Managing logistics, deliveries, and picket line disruptions

✅ Communication strategies to maintain transparency and reduce employee anxiety

✅ How to protect non-union employees and those crossing the picket line

Join us for this actionable and insightful discussion designed to equip managers with the tools and knowledge to confidently handle strike preparation and planning.

#LaborRelations #StrikePreparation #WorkplaceLeadership #LeftOfBoomShow

In this episode of The Left of Boom Show, host Phil Wilson teams up with LRI Consultant Dave Sapenoff to provide managers with a roadmap for navigating the critical first two weeks after a union election. Whether you've won or lost, maintaining the status quo and preparing for negotiations is essential to managing effectively in a unionized environment.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Defining the status quo: What it means for daily management and why it matters

✅ Immediate steps to prepare for post-election union negotiations

✅ How to maintain authority while staying compliant with labor laws

✅ Best practices for communicating with employees and managing expectations

✅ Proactive strategies to prevent conflict and manage disruptions

✅ Preparing for potential strikes or other union actions

✅ How to foster a constructive relationship with the union from day one

This episode is packed with actionable advice to help managers navigate the complexities of a unionized workplace with confidence and clarity.