The Americans with Disabilities Act, or the ADA, covers more than just employment, it requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. This can include allowing animals in the workplace to help an employee perform job functions. In this episode, APU professor Cynthia Gentile talks to employment lawyer Neil Goldsmith about the difference between a service animal and an emotional support animal. He also discusses the range of important questions employers need ...
Nov 22, 2021•20 min•Ep. 25
Nearly half of U.S. employees reported that they observed misconduct in the workplace. This is both extremely concerning, but also mind-boggling that companies believe they can essentially get away with unethical or illegal practices without consequences, says APU professor CJ Sherman. In this episode, she talks with Dr. Linda Ashar about misconduct in the workplace, what measures need to be put in place to prevent it from happening, and how to address misconduct when it occurs. Hear examples of...
Nov 08, 2021•35 min•Ep. 24
There’s a major cultural and social shift underway compelling organizations to focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within their workforce. While the benefits and value of a diverse workforce are unquestionable, the path for organizations to get there requires leaders to acknowledge uncomfortable truths. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Linda Ashar talks to Dr. Larry D. Parker, Jr. about his research into outgroups and the steps executive leaders need to take to create an inclusive work...
Oct 04, 2021•29 min•Ep. 23
Everybody wants to feel like they belong, so it’s imperative that organizations create a workplace culture that provides employees with a strong sense of belonging. In this episode, APU professor Linda Ashar talks to Provost and author, Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, about his research on belonging and how he’s applying his findings to drive employee and student success. Learn about the responsibility of leaders to foster a sense of belonging in the workplace, ways for leaders to show students and emplo...
Aug 30, 2021•51 min•Ep. 22
Every organization has divisions, which can become deep and disruptive and affect the organization’s ability to reach its goals. In this episode, American Public University professor Linda Ashar talks to author and business leader Laura Kriska about her new book that aims to remove the “Us versus Them” dynamic from the workplace. Learn her practical three-step process to help people build trusting relationships with people who aren’t like them, why leaders must recognize who’s on the “home team,...
Aug 09, 2021•50 min•Ep. 20
Can employers require employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine? In this episode, APU professor Cynthia Gentile talks to attorney Neil Goldsmith about legal issues surrounding workplace vaccine mandates. Learn the legal grounds employers have for mandating vaccination as well as considerations involving the ADA and Title VII. Also hear details of a recent ruling from a Texas court that upheld an employers’ right to mandate vaccination and terminate employees who did not comply with the vaccination r...
Jul 26, 2021•29 min•Ep. 21
What laws should employers understand when it comes to employing military servicemembers? In this episode, APU professor Cynthia Gentile talks to attorney and JAG officer Melissa Strickland about what both employers and military employees should know about USERRA and other laws that provide protections to military employees. In addition to knowing its legal obligations, she also offers insight into how employers can provide additional support by valuing military servicemembers’ unique experience...
Jul 12, 2021•25 min•Ep. 19
The growth of the gig economy has upended traditional employment classifications and sown uncertainty regarding labor laws. Companies like Uber and Lyft, which rely on independent contractors, face employment law challenges regarding the status of freelancers and gig workers. In this episode, APU professor Cynthia Gentile talks to attorney Neil Goldsmith about how the gig economy is changing employment law. Learn about the various tests used to determine employment status, laws like Prop 22 that...
Jun 14, 2021•31 min•Ep. 18
After 98 years, the Equal Rights Amendment was finally ratified by 38 states, qualifying it for full ratification the U.S. Constitution. But will it become an amendment? In this episode, APU professor Cynthia Gentile talks to Krista Joy Niles, Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist, and founder of the ERA Advocacy Committee at the Alice Paul Institute. Learn about the history of the ERA, the anti-ERA movement that prevented ratification by states in the 1970s and 80s, and what led to the final r...
May 03, 2021•35 min•Ep. 17
Recent national attention on systematic social injustices has caused many corporate leaders to take a hard look at their company’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion. In this episode, APU business professor Cynthia Gentile talks to Uva Christina Coles, the founder and CEO of Inclusiva , a consulting firm specializing in workforce inclusion. Learn about the need for companies to create an open and safe space for leaders and employees to talk about diversity, steps and tools needed to bui...
Apr 05, 2021•30 min•Ep. 16
Awareness of social injustices further escalated in the national consciousness in 2020. As a result, it became imperative that organizations assess their approach to issues related to equity and diversity. In this episode, APU business professor Linda Ashar talks to Caroline Simpson, Assistant Provost of Student and Alumni Services, about the creation of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force. Learn about the strategic goals of this task force, its university-wide reach to staff, f...
Mar 22, 2021•36 min•Ep. 15
Corporate culture is critical to the success of any business. In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Linda Ashar talks to Dr. Suzanne Minarcine about her work consulting with businesses to assess and improve their organizational culture. Learn about the role of leadership in establishing a positive work culture by valuing employees and customers over the bottom line. Also learn about strategies to assess culture, including conducting exit interviews for employees leaving the company, implem...
Mar 08, 2021•30 min•Ep. 14
Ethics must be intentionally coded into artificial intelligence systems. But who decides on the ethical or moral standards used? How can programmers minimize bias from the system? What regulations are needed to oversee this evolving technology? In this episode, Dr. Linda Ashar talks to APU business professor Dr. Wanda Curlee about the challenges of incorporating ethics into AI. Learn why it’s so important for corporations and any entity using AI to understand the system in entirety, monitor for ...
Dec 14, 2020•33 min•Ep. 13
Working from home during the pandemic can blur the lines between an employee’s work and personal life. In this episode, Dr. Linda Ashar talks to APU business professor and entrepreneur Dr. Suzanne Marlowe Minarcine about her years of experience supervising and managing remote employees. Learn why it’s so important to establish clear expectations so employees don’t feel pressured to work beyond business hours, why everyone needs a designated work space to focus, ways to improve time management st...
Nov 30, 2020•31 min•Ep. 12
The COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to adapt operations nearly overnight. In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Linda Ashar talks to Dan Cwalina, the CEO of Lormet Community Federal Credit Union, about his experience leading an essential business through the pandemic. Learn how everything changed on March 9, 2020 – a day he equates with 9/11 – and how communication, transparency, flexibility, creativity, unity, and strong technological infrastructure helped this financial institution a...
Nov 16, 2020•44 min•Ep. 11
In this four-year anniversary episode, Dr. Linda Ashar interviews the original host, Dr. Marie Gould Harper, Dean of the School of Business at American Public University. Learn how much has changed in the business world during the last four years including the explosive growth of social media and what that means for employers and employees; social and cultural shifts that highlight inequality and the need for business leaders to address diversity; and the heightened political divisiveness that o...
Oct 26, 2020•39 min•Ep. 10
Artificial intelligence is changing how companies operate. In this episode, Dr. Linda Ashar talks with Dr. Wanda Curlee, the Program Director of Business at APU, about the influence of artificial intelligence, or AI, on the workplace today and in the future. Learn how AI is changing the way companies interact with customers, manage projects, assess risk, collect and manage data, and much more. As AI is integrated into more work functions, learn why it’s so important for organizational leaders to...
Sep 28, 2020•48 min
What impact has COVID-19 had on mentoring programs and relationships? In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Ashley Taylor talks to Linda Beach about her experience participating in both informal and formal mentoring relationships during her 30-year career. Learn about the most successful approaches to matching mentors and mentees, the importance of aligning personal and organizational goals, as well as common mistakes organizations make in their formal mentoring programs. Also learn how th...
Sep 10, 2020•37 min
Have affirmative action policies been effective in balancing demographics in the workplace? In this episode, Dr. Linda Ashar talks to Dr. Gary Deel about the origin of affirmative action policies, whether all companies should have a formal policy as part of their recruitment and hiring practices, and some of the common misunderstandings about affirmative action. Also learn about other ways companies can evaluate and audit their hiring practices to ensure they are fairly representing community de...
Aug 28, 2020•44 min
Millennials now make up the largest workforce generation in the U.S. so it’s critical for organizational leaders to understand what drives and motivates them. In this episode, host Dr. Linda Ashar is joined by Dr. Doris Blanton to explore the mindset of millennials to understand how they’re hardwired differently than past generations. Learn what supervisors can do to support millennials with a stronger work-life balance, greater work flexibility, increased engagement, recognition of their passio...
Aug 07, 2020•41 min
COVID-19 pandemic disrupted countless lives and livelihoods. Job seekers, employees, and workforce managers are rapidly adapting to remote life. And it may not be a trend, but the way of the future. Hear from career services and remote-work expert Christine Muncy. Her award-winning team and online university were at the forefront of remote careers long before self-distancing. As a certified career services provider (CCSP) and global career development facilitator (GCDF)—Christine shares valuable...
May 06, 2020•23 min
As the current nursing workforce continues to age at an alarming rate, current and projected nurse shortages will only continue to grow. What are the national standards for nursing shifts, and is our nursing workforce able to meet those demands? Here to talk more about the issue of overtime in healthcare is nursing expert, and the Program Director for Nursing at American Public University Dr. Stacey Kram and Dr. Marie Gould Harper, Dean of the School of Business at American Public University. Ho...
May 07, 2019•20 min•Ep. 4
With disruptors like technology and an aging population, how can managers expect to stay motivated in the face of major organizational shifts? Is it more about self-acceptance, and do emotions belong in the decision making process within leadership? Here to discuss the intricacies of bold personalities, and generational stitching are HR and management experts Dr. Marie Gould Harper, Dean of the School of Business at American Public University, and her guest David Bugay, author of “Backbonology: ...
Mar 22, 2019•32 min•Ep. 3
Automation and AI are fast becoming competition in the workplace. Will this digitization boom continue to be a threat to professionals down the road? While the reliance on technology may seem endless, there are pitfalls to automation, as well as benefits. Will fighting automation be worth it, or should HR departments embrace technology to complement their value in an organization? Enrique Rubio, Founder of Global Hacking HR, and Dr. Marie Gould Harper, Dean of the School of Business at American ...
Mar 22, 2019•31 min•Ep. 2
Social media use has risen over the years, and responses on a variety of topics have spilled over into the workplace. Politics at work were once taboo, but now some employees feel free to share their political viewpoints in the workplace. How can we ensure that we provide a safe environment for these types of conversations? In this special podcast HR and management expert Dr. Marie Gould Harper, Program Director of Management at American Public University, interviews two legal experts, APU facul...
Oct 25, 2018•24 min•Ep. 1
