Toot or Boot

We discuss a recent sex discrimination case where a male employee in a female-dominated workplace filed a claim after being excluded from awards with the announcement "it's not going to be any of the men." We explore the complex dynamics of being in the minority at work.

Next, we analyze the growing trend of companies like Google and the Trump administration offering buyouts with an underlying message of "get on board or get out." What does this signal about workplace culture when organizations are explicitly prioritizing mission alignment over accommodating diverse perspectives?

Finally, we question the emerging concept of "revenge quitting" - is this just a rebranding of employees setting reasonable boundaries by leaving toxic environments? We examine how companies are scrambling to prevent turnover, but seemingly don't want to acknowledge how this is the work of DEI and HR.

Connect with DeMario:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demario-bell-7a510994/

Connect with Stacey:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceynordwall/

Articles

Man loses sex discrimination claim after boss says ‘sorry boys’ at awards do

Why Trump and Google are paying employees to quit and what it means for your business

5 ways employers can prevent employees from revenge quitting in 2025

In this episode, we start with the concerning prevalence of workplace ageism, where research shows nearly all employees over 40 experience age discrimination and feel pressured to downplay their experience.

We then explore the puzzling "career catfishing" phenomenon, where 34% of Gen Z workers reportedly accept positions only to deliberately skip their first day without notice - raising questions about evolving power dynamics between employers and employees.

Finally, we analyze Gallup's recent findings showing U.S. employee engagement has hit a 10-year low, with just 31% of workers feeling engaged and particular disengagement among younger workers and those in finance and technology sectors. 

Connect with DeMario:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demario-bell-7a510994/

Connect with Stacey:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceynordwall/

Articles:

The silent career killer? Nearly every employee over 40 sees rampant ageism in the workplace

Gen Z is ‘career catfishing’ in power move to irk corporate employers

US employee engagement falls to 10-year low

Matt is back to talk about the growing divide in workplace flexibility across different sectors of the workforce. We dive into new research showing how Britain's frontline workers are being left behind in the flexible work revolution, creating a "two-tier" system. We'll explore Randstad's 2025 Workmonitor report revealing that workers now prioritize work-life balance over pay, and discuss JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon's stance against remote work (spoiler - he really f*ing hates it!). 

Connect with Matt:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewmcfarlane/

Or here: https://linktr.ee/fndnseries

Articles:

Inequality in flexible working dividing Britain into ‘two-tier workforce’
It's not about the money. Employees now choose work-life balance over pay
‘I’ve had it’: JP Morgan boss rails against Gen Z in expletive-laden outburst

In this episode, we dive into layoffs due to performance, AI and workplace monitoring. First, we chat Meta's controversial "low performer" layoffs, where terminated employees are challenging the company's performance-based justification. And we talk about the shift in messaging from previous layoffs that were described as cost-cutting measures. We also explore Australia's  parliamentary report calling for mandatory AI guardrails in workplace decision-making, and discuss the troubling allegations of employee surveillance in federal workplaces. Join us as we unpack the complex intersection of technology, privacy, and worker rights in today's evolving workplace environment.

Connect with Matt:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewmcfarlane/

Or here: https://linktr.ee/fndnseries

Articles:

Meta’s ‘low performer’ layoffs disputed by fired staffers and criticized by experts
Lawmakers call for mandatory AI guardrails to prevent private sector Robodebt
Federal Workers say DOGE put spyware on their work PCs is that ever ok in the workplace

Join host Stacey Nordwall and special guests Julie Turney and Stephanie Lemek for a deep dive into HR burnout - an issue that has become critical for the field.

Drawing insights from Emily and Amelia Nagoski's book "Burnout," the conversation goes beyond the oversimplified notion that burnout is just feeling tired or can be fixed with a long weekend. Instead, they explore how burnout represents a biological stress cycle that needs proper completion, discussing concepts like "Human Giver Syndrome" and the unique challenges faced by HR professionals who are often expected to maintain endless empathy while managing their own stress.

The episode critically examines why HR practitioners are particularly vulnerable to burnout, exploring factors like the isolation of the role, the expectation of constant emotional labor, and the tension between doing what's right and what's organizationally possible. They also challenge conventional burnout prevention advice, critiquing surface-level solutions like "take advantage of company benefits" or "have meeting blackout days" in favor of more systemic approaches.

Whether you're an HR professional feeling overwhelmed by increasing demands and limited resources, or a leader looking to better support your HR team, this episode offers both validation and practical strategies for addressing burnout in the human resources field. The discussion particularly resonates in a post-pandemic context, where HR roles have faced greater demands while often being first in line for resource cuts.

Connect with Stephanie:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanielemek/

At her website: https://www.thewoundedworkforce.com/

Connect with Julie:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjulieturney/

At her website: https://www.hratheart.com/

Connect with Stacey:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceynordwall/

Articles and book:

Beyond burnout: Why changing how we talk about employee well-being could help solve it
Half of HR report burnout, wanting renewed job focus
Why HR leaders are struggling to retain their own team members.
8 Surprising HR Burnout Statistics in 2025.
Burnout

Coming up on today's episode: We're diving into the latest RTO trends for 2025! We'll explore how major companies are taking wildly different approaches - from WPP's new four-day office mandate to firms like Spotify doubling down on flexibility. Plus, we'll discuss some fascinating findings about workers choosing flexibility over higher salaries, and tackle the tricky question of whether remote work might be holding back career progression. Stick around for a candid conversation about what all this means for HR practitioners navigating the future of work.

Connect with Jared
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredkleinert/


Connect with Stacey
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceynordwall/


Articles
How return-to-office mandates could change in 2025, according to top HR leaders from PwC, EY, and Canva
Why Americans Are Accepting Lower Salaries
Global ad giant WPP issues sweeping RTO mandate for its 114,000 staff, calling them back to office 4 days a week

This week we kick it off with some anticipated employment law changes that could impact your workplaces. We'll unpack 5 laws expected to impact businesses in 2025, from pay transparency mandates to revamped contractor rules. We'll also analyze key leadership changes in Washington, as we discuss Keith Sonderling's appointment as deputy labor secretary. Plus, we'll explore the latest of buzzphrases, "soft quitting."

Whether you're a business owner, HR professional, or employee, this episode equips you with insights to navigate 2025's evolving workplace landscape.

Connect with Aubrey
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adblanche/
https://aubreyblanche.com/

Connect with Stacey
https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceynordwall/

Articles
5 employment law changes set to hit the workplace in 2025
Trump names former EEOC Commissioner Keith Sonderling deputy labor secretary
Why Soft Quitting At Work Could Be More Dangerous Than Quiet Quitting

Get ready for your HR news fix! This week we're diving into three timely stories: guidance on how to approach the administration change, Apple's response defending their DEI initiatives against shareholder pushback, and a potential emerging trend of "reverse discrimination" lawsuits. Join us as we unpack what these developments mean for workplaces and HR professionals, share our takes on the latest industry moves, and break down why these stories matter. Whether you're in HR or just interested in how companies are navigating these challenges, we've got you covered with clear analysis and real talk.


Connect with Aubrey
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adblanche/
https://aubreyblanche.com/

Connect with Stacey
https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceynordwall/

Articles
How HR leaders can prepare for a new administration and congress
‘Inappropriate’ micromanaging: Apple pushes back on anti-DEI proposal
‘Reverse’ discrimination claims may pose a class-action threat

Stacey made reference to this LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/franbenjamin_dei-activity-7283595143100690432-0HFw

In this week's special episode, your host Stacey Nordwall joins the Toot or Boot hot seat with Erica Spitale and Rebecca Taylor, and producer Lexi comes out from behind the scenes for a rapid-fire edition of Toot or Boot, all about 2025 HR predictions. 

Lexi reviewed 15 different predictions sources (that’s over 75 predictions) which were organized into five different themes: AI, Remote/Hybrid Work, Leadership and Organizational Change, Employee Experience and Well-being, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). 

Unlike a usual episode of Toot or Boot, Stacey, Erica, and Rebecca had no idea what predictions/trends they would encounter. They were put on the spot to take each trend at face value, Toot or Boot it at the same time, then discuss.

Afterwards, Lexi reveals each trend's source.

Here are the trends we cover on this episode: 

Other articles referenced:
I talked to Meta's Black AI character. Here's what she told me.

The excerpt from Culture Amp's article that Lexi references about their cohort using internal AI: "When used right, Gen AI tools can dramatically improve workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, and make information available in seconds. In 2024, some Culture Amp employees gained early access to an internal Gen AI tool. They now show higher engagement levels and report having more energy at work than employees who weren’t in the pilot cohort. We’re only one company, but we can’t help but share our own experimentation with people solutions and strategies. We’re excited about the possibilities!"

Connect with Erica Spitale
On LinkedIn

Connect with Rebecca Taylor
On LinkedIn or email [email protected]

Rebecca hosts the HR Confessions podcast with Kim Rohrer. The premise of HR Confessions is we collect anonymous stories of things that happened in HR, and Rebecca reads them live for Kim to react and respond to. Find it wherever you get your podcasts, and if you have your own HR confession that you want to submit, email [email protected]

What do we mean when we say DEI? Are the companies rolling back their DEI programs making substantive changes? And what is DEI going to look like under the new administration?

In this episode of Toot or Boot, we welcome back guests Vijay Pendakur and Tara Turk-Haynes for an in-depth discussion on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in the workplace. We discuss three  articles, including Vijay's own HBR piece on reframing diversity's value proposition, as we explore how DEI initiatives are evolving in today's climate.

The episode tackles current DEI discourse through three main articles:
1. "Reframe the Value Proposition of Diversity" from HBR, written by guest Vijay Pendakur, which explores new ways to understand and communicate diversity's impact on organizations
2. "Change Is Here: 5 Hard Truths & A Blueprint for Your DEI Plan in 2025," which presents a possibly controversial perspective on the future of corporate DEI initiatives
3. "What Trump's Second Term Could Mean for DEI" from HBR, which outlines strategic models for organizations to maintain inclusive practices in potentially challenging political environments

Join us as we examine the broader implications for the future of workplace DEI initiatives.

Connect with Vijay Pendakur
Dr. Vijay Pendakur is the author of the highly anticipated book, “The Alchemy of Talent: Leading Teams to Peak Performance.” A true multi-sector organizational leader, Vijay has held senior roles at four companies: Zynga, VMware, Dropbox and Salesforce. He has also served as the Dean of Students at Cornell University. In his time at Cornell, he was named Presidential Advisor for Diversity and Equity, as part of a new approach to campus-wide transformation at the largest Ivy League institution. A widely recognized thought leader, Dr. Pendakur’s writing has been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Forbes,  and Time. Vijay is a board advisor with Ezra Coaching, Enterprise Ireland, and Wisq. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Katie, a psychotherapist and yoga teacher, and his two young daughters, Mira and Savi.

Find Vijay here: www.vijaypendakur.com
More about his bestselling new book: https://a.co/d/bSb1lxh
For Fractional DEI Advising: https://www.vijaypendakur.com/fractional-dei-advising
Or sign up for his newsletter: Quick tips for leading high performance teams.

Connect with Tara Turk-Haynes
Tara is a first generation college graduate, corporate worker, and the first of her immediate family to reach an executive level.  She is a Talent, Engagement, DEIB, Internal Comms operator and strategist. She has worked in house and as a consultant, helping other businesses develop and grow with equity embedded so they have a higher chance of having a strong, sustainable operations for the future.
Find Tara at Equity Activations.
You can also connect with Tara on LinkedIn
Or sign up for her newsletter: https://equityact.beehiiv.com/subscribe


Read the articles:
Reframe the Value Proposition of Diversity
Change Is Here: 5 Hard Truths & A Blueprint For Your DEI Plan In 2025
What Trump’s Second Term Could Mean for DEI