The BARF

By: WRKdefined
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • Breaking news, Acquisitions, Research, and Funding is The BARF. A look back into last week’s most talked about news in the world of work, what’s happened, what does it mean, and why should you care. Analysis that you can understand without a Ph.D. Proudly brought to you by WRKdefined with hosts William Tincup and Ryan Leary.
    All rights reserved
    Show more Show less
Business & Careers Politics & Government
Show more Show less
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
Episodes
  • THE BARF: Gen Z Expectations, AI in Recruitment, and DEI Trends Shaping the Future of Work

    THE BARF: Gen Z Expectations, AI in Recruitment, and DEI Trends Shaping the Future of Work
    Nov 3 2024
    The 'sober curious' trend is reshaping social norms, while AI tools like LinkedIn's hiring assistant are transforming recruitment. We’re tackling tribal employment rights, political impacts on hiring, and the generational shift in workplace expectations, from DEI demands to innovative benefits that boost retention. In this episode, we look at AI hiring tools, DEI, Gen Z workplace behavior, recruitment technology, employee benefits, workplace religion, and mental health, diving into the HR trends shaping today’s workforce. Key Takeaways: The 'sober curious' trend reflects a shift in Gen Z’s attitudes toward alcohol, impacting workplace culture. Emphasizing tribal employment rights supports equitable labor practices and cultural recognition. AI-powered recruitment tools, like LinkedIn's assistant, streamline hiring and improve candidate matching. Political shifts directly influence recruitment policies, impacting diversity and employee rights. Religious accommodations in the workplace are increasingly complex and context-dependent. Gen Z prioritizes DEI and mental health, driving HR to adopt more inclusive policies. Innovative childcare solutions boost retention and attract talent in a competitive market. Google’s expanded employee benefits, including death benefits, set a new standard in workforce support. Recent acquisitions in workforce management signal a trend toward integrated HR solutions. AI in HR is not just about speed; transparency and accountability are key to adoption. Recognition and employee experience are crucial for retaining younger talent, particularly Gen Z. HR tech funding is rising, signaling robust growth in mental health and productivity tools. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Teleprompter Troubles 02:57 Sober Curious: A New Perspective on Alcohol 06:07 Tribal Employment Rights and Heritage Recognition 08:53 AI in Search: The New Era of Information Retrieval 12:02 LinkedIn's AI-Powered Hiring Assistant 17:58 The Impact of Politics on Recruitment Strategies 22:46 Religious Accommodations in the Workplace 27:03 Generational Challenges in the Workplace 29:03 Innovative Childcare Solutions at Walmart 31:59 Google's Death Benefits and Employee Support 34:06 Recent Acquisitions in Workforce Management 36:57 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Insights 40:02 Talent Acquisition Trends for 2025 44:02 Job Seekers' Concerns on DEI 47:20 Gen Z's Workplace Expectations and Burnout 51:01 Recognition and Employee Experience 52:15 Funding Trends in HR Tech 55:14 Innovations in Learning and Mental Health 01:03:15 AI and Productivity Tools Connect with us here: William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 8 mins
  • THE BARF: Toxic Positivity, LinkedIn Cringe Culture, and Union Trends in 2025

    THE BARF: Toxic Positivity, LinkedIn Cringe Culture, and Union Trends in 2025
    Oct 28 2024
    Toxic positivity, union trends, and cringe-worthy LinkedIn posts are shaping today’s HR landscape. We explore top challenges in employee engagement, changing leadership roles, and AI’s growing role in monitoring. Discover what it means for workplace culture, leadership, and future workforce trends. In this episode, we look at Toxic Positivity, Union Trends, LinkedIn Culture, HR Leadership, AI Monitoring, Workplace Violence, Remote Work, Discrimination, and Employee Engagement—spotlighting how these factors reshape workforce management, training, and employee sentiment. Key Takeaways Toxic positivity in workplaces can mask deeper issues, hindering genuine improvement. Surging union petitions reflect shifting employee engagement and a push for workers’ rights. LinkedIn’s cringe culture highlights the growing need for authenticity in professional spaces. Modern HR leadership changes are critical for updating workplace practices and culture. Evolving workplace violence policies now include controversial firearm allowances in vehicles. AI monitoring in the workplace sparks significant concerns around employee privacy and autonomy. CEO perspectives on remote work are becoming more assertive, challenging traditional flexibility. Discrimination cases, such as those involving Hooters, underscore ongoing hiring biases. Strict training policies, like those at EY, reflect a no-tolerance approach to compliance. Workforce investments in skills and training are rising as companies adapt to digital demands. Mergers and acquisitions in HR tech drive innovation and strengthen workforce solutions. Chapters 00:00 Kicking it off - what is WRKdefined up to? 02:58 Toxic Positivity and Glossing Over Issues 06:04 Union Trends and Employee Engagement 08:57 Cringe Culture on LinkedIn 12:02 HR Leadership Changes in Major Companies 14:58 Workplace Violence and Firearm Policies 17:59 AI Monitoring in the Workplace 21:00 CEO Perspectives on Remote Work 23:59 Hooters and Allegations of Discrimination 27:00 EY's Strict Policies on Training Attendance 29:27 Strategic Acquisitions in Business 34:21 Innovations in Workforce Management 37:15 Balancing Human and Tech Skills 39:22 Trust in Leadership and Employee Sentiment 43:39 Shifts in Employment Preferences 46:43 Investment Trends in Workforce Solutions 50:24 Recruitment Trends and AI Integration 52:25 Funding and Financial Strategies for Startups William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • THE BARF: Work Tech Soars: $2.6 Billion Invested in Q3 2024, Trends and Insights

    THE BARF: Work Tech Soars: $2.6 Billion Invested in Q3 2024, Trends and Insights
    Oct 21 2024
    Q3 saw a staggering $2.6 billion invested in Work Tech, alongside impactful M&A deals and rising AI trends. We dive into Workday’s UNTAPPED documentary, Walgreens’ game-changing student loan 401(k) match, and SHRM’s major acquisition, reshaping corporate diversity and inclusion initiatives across industries. In this episode, we look at HR trends, Work Tech investments, AI-driven HR tools, Talent Acquisition strategies, Diversity & Inclusion, layoffs, hybrid work preferences, and future workplace strategies. We discuss key developments shaping the HR landscape and how these innovations will impact the future of work. Key Takeaways: Q3 2024 saw $2.6 billion invested in Work Tech, a 20% increase from Q2. 181 work tech deals were disclosed in Q3, compared to 150 in Q2, with early-stage investments driving growth. M&A activity surged, with 336 acquisitions in the first three quarters of 2024. Workday’s UNTAPPED documentary follows six young adults pursuing internships at Fortune 500 companies through the Year Up program. Walgreens announced a 401(k) student loan match, launching in January 2025, to ease the burden on employees with student loans. SHRM’s acquisition of CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion strengthens its influence in corporate D&I leadership. Immigrant workers have fueled 88% of U.S. workforce growth since 2019, highlighting their critical role in labor markets. Toptal laid off 70% of its engineering team despite positioning itself as a leader in freelance hiring solutions. AI tools, like SmartRecruiters’ Winston, revolutionize talent acquisition with features like intelligent scheduling and real-time candidate engagement. Recent college graduates are struggling with workplace professionalism, with 81% of employers noting a lack of etiquette training. Digital twins and AI-driven agents are transforming HR by automating 80% of repetitive tasks, freeing up time for strategy. Hybrid work is valued by employees, equating to a 7.6% pay raise for those working remotely. 89.4% of women report their work benefits don’t address needs related to perimenopause, highlighting a major gap in HR benefits. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Weekend Recap 02:58 Documentary Spotlight: Untapped by Workday 05:57 Walgreens' Innovative 401K Match for Student Loans 09:01 Work Tech Investment Trends 12:00 Legal Insights: Layoffs During Medical Leave 14:55 The Role of Immigrant Workers in Workforce Growth 17:59 TopTal's Layoffs and the Freelance Economy 20:51 Hybrid Work: Pay Raises vs. Flexibility 23:58 Chatbots and Workplace Civility 26:53 Acquisitions and SHRM's New Direction 30:07 Research Findings on New Graduates' Professionalism 30:34 The Importance of Etiquette Training for New Graduates 36:53 Digital Twins: The Future of Work 40:03 Evolving Definitions of Tech Talent 44:37 Hiring Challenges in the Fast-Paced Job Market 48:29 Addressing Menopause in the Workplace 50:28 Innovations in HR Tech Funding 53:03 AI in Sales Training and Role-Playing 56:26 Advancements in Accessibility Technology 58:40 Modern Payroll Solutions for a Diverse Workforce Connect with us here: William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 6 mins

What listeners say about The BARF

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
No Reviews are Available