Building a sense of belonging at work starts with intentional effort. It’s shaped through consistent moments of connection, shared ownership, and a clear focus on community. In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte sits down with Lee Rubin , Co-Founder and CEO of Confetti. They explore practical ways HR leaders can move beyond surface-level engagement and create a stronger culture. Lee shares how to simplify employee participation, support managers in leading culture, and use feedback to show real impa...
Jun 24, 2025•35 min•Ep. 82
Words carry weight, and genuine appreciation goes a long way in making people feel valued and motivated. In this replay episode, BambooHR’s Anita Grantham and Vanessa Brulotte chat with Trevor Larson , CEO at Nectar . They discuss how thoughtful recognition fuels employee engagement and helps retain your best talent. Together, they share simple ways to start a recognition program and how to make recognition a natural part of an organization’s culture. Key takeaways: How recognition influences pr...
Jun 10, 2025•37 min•Ep. 81
Hiring the right people isn’t about luck or gut feelings. It starts with a clear, consistent process and a solid understanding of what success looks like in each role. In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte talks with Jonathan D. Reynolds , CEO of Titus Talent Strategies. They discuss why most hiring efforts fall short and how to define measurable outcomes before bringing someone on board. Jonathan also explains why accountability after the hire matters. Key takeaways: Why your hiring strategies migh...
May 27, 2025•42 min•Ep. 80
Many of us fall into our roles without actively planning our career paths. But just because you’re in a role today doesn’t mean you’re stuck forever. In this episode of HR Unplugged, host Vanessa Brulotte is joined by returning guest Kelsey Tarp , Director of HR Business Partners at BambooHR, and executive coach Maria Kyriakos . Together, they discuss how HR professionals can take control of their career growth and mindfully plan their next steps. They share valuable insights on how to spot when...
May 13, 2025•51 min•Ep. 79
Are you leading your team or just managing them? The difference between a manager and a mentor can make all the difference. It shapes your team’s performance and longevity in the organization. In this episode of HR Unplugged, host Vanessa Brulotte talks with Clint Pulver , speaker, author, and President of The Center for Retention, to explore the deep connection between mentorship and employee performance. Clint shares insights from his groundbreaking undercover research across 400+ organization...
Apr 29, 2025•39 min•Ep. 78
HR is a strategic function, and one of the best ways to prove it is by bringing data to the table. In this episode, host Vanessa Brulotte chats with Dr. Mallory Vachon , Chief Economist at LaborIQ, about how HR professionals can use labor market insights to influence hiring, pay, and retention strategies. With broad headlines often missing the full story, Mallory shares why labor data shouldn’t be taken at face value. She explains how to focus on what’s most relevant to your organization and whe...
Apr 15, 2025•28 min•Ep. 77
A new hire’s first few months can make or break their long-term success at a company. This crucial period shapes their understanding of company culture, their role, and ultimately, whether they decide to stay or go. In this replay episode of HR Unplugged, former host Anita Grantham is joined by Megan Galloway , Founder of Everleader , to discuss how onboarding can make all the difference. Megan shares insights from her work with BambooHR to improve their onboarding process, highlighting the impo...
Apr 01, 2025•41 min•Ep. 76
Today's workplaces are more diverse than ever. With employees spanning five generations, each with unique expectations, how can companies create a culture that works for everyone? In this episode, host Vanessa Brulotte sits down with Tara Martell , Chief Customer Officer at BambooHR , and Kate Noel , SVP Head of People Operations at Morning Brew , to discuss the challenges and opportunities of managing a multigenerational workforce. They explore how generational differences shape communication, ...
Mar 18, 2025•38 min•Ep. 75
People spend a huge portion of their lives at work, so it’s no surprise that workplace relationships happen. But without clear policies, they can lead to conflicts of interest, unprofessional behavior, and even legal risks. When should employees disclose a relationship? How can HR set expectations without overstepping? What role does HR play in preventing harassment at work? A good workplace dating policy answers these questions while keeping things fair, professional, and easy to understand. Jo...
Mar 04, 2025•40 min•Ep. 74
AI has been one of the biggest talking points in HR for the past five years and it has already transformed the way HR operates. Whether you are already using it in your processes or are keen to experiment, this episode offers plenty of actionable tips on the best practices and use cases for AI. Joining the episode are Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research and Advisory and BambooHR’s Head of AI, Alan Whitaker, to share their experiences and advice for using AI the right way. ...
Feb 18, 2025•49 min•Ep. 73
In between ongoing technological developments, new expectations from leaders, and lurking challenges, 2025 is promising to be a big year for HR teams. But how will the average HR leadership role change in the year ahead? For this episode, we grab the crystal ball and share our top predictions on how roles like Chief People Officer and more are changing as expectations broaden and tech makes new things possible. Vanessa Brulotte speaks with Brandon Welch, Head of Talent Acquisition at BambooHR, a...
Feb 04, 2025•49 min•Ep. 72
What were the hottest HR topics of 2024? From navigating tricky hiring challenges to setting employees up for success, join Anita Grantham and Vanessa Brulotte as they break down the ten most popular conversations from HR Unplugged in 2024! We discuss everything from how the "cake” framework connects to HR strategy to attracting bilingual candidates, and why recruiters shouldn’t feel subordinate to hiring managers. You’ll also hear about some of the guests we’ve had on the show, including Tim Sa...
Jan 21, 2025•44 min•Ep. 71
From writing job descriptions to scheduling interviews, selecting applicants to assessing candidate quality, the hiring process is time-consuming and difficult. And after all that, the person who gets the job may not be the right fit! However, hiring well is vital to the ongoing success of any organization. In short, hiring needs to be done right. In this episode, we sit down with Tim Sackett, President of HRU Technical Resources and a best-selling HR author, to discuss how to make the hiring pr...
Jan 14, 2025•52 min•Ep. 70
Compensation is the reason people turn up for work. A great company culture helps, and the value of the work itself can make a difference, but realistically, money is what keeps people coming in each day. Indeed, compensation is one of the key factors in employee wellbeing, performance, and retention. However, as revealed in BambooHR's Compensation Trends for 2025 report, things are looking somewhat bleak in this area across the United States. In this episode, we chew over the report, talk about...
Jan 07, 2025•45 min•Ep. 69
Done right, 360 feedback is a great way of promoting growth in an organization, providing a more well-rounded view of individual and team performance, and strengthening collaboration. Done wrong, it can contribute to a culture of fear, lead to resentment, and be too focused on weakness rather than strength. In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Burton, Co-Founder of Talgo.io, to explore the ins and outs of 360 feedback. We discuss the challenges, the risks, and how to put in place a review sy...
Jan 02, 2025•56 min•Ep. 68
Dopamine is one of the most important chemicals in the body, playing a role in controlling memory, mood, sleep, learning, concentration, and movement. However, the modern world is challenging for dopamine levels because of the way our environment and habits overstimulate the brain's 'reward center' while also reducing opportunities for deep, sustained satisfaction. We sit down with Scott Byrd, Co-Founder of Pathways Global, for a discussion about how brain chemistry affects workplace performance...
Dec 26, 2024•57 min•Ep. 67
From lack of budget to overbearing CEOs, there are a host of problems that HR professionals deal with every day. So, what are the red flags to look out for, and how can issues be resolved before they develop? In this episode, we sit down with Julie Turney, Founder and Chief Impact Architect at HR@Heart Consulting, for a conversation about memorable HR experiences (both good and bad!), and how to create a great company culture. We also cover how to set boundaries at work, how HR differs from plac...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 66
No employee is the same. The evolving needs of employees demand a shift toward holistic support that spans all of life's challenges, from caregiving, to illness, to childcare. This is key to building a healthier, more resilient workforce. In this episode, we sit down with Derek Lundsten, President and Chief Culture Officer at LifeGuides, for a conversation about the different ways organizations can support their workforce, and what’s missing in their efforts. We cover the importance of work-life...
Dec 10, 2024•53 min•Ep. 65
What’s your worst bad boss story? It seems like everyone’s got one. We expect leaders to provide guidance and make sound decisions, but that’s not always the case, and it can put employees and HR in a tricky position. In this episode (our first live show!), we sit down with Amy Butler, VP of People Operations at Awardco, and Jared Olsen, VP of People Experience at JobNimbus for a candid discussion about the challenges of poor leadership. We kick the conversation off by swapping our worst bad bos...
Nov 26, 2024•57 min•Ep. 64
Do you feel safe to express ideas and opinions at work without the fear of judgment or even punishment? In today's workplaces, we have a greater understanding of just how important mental wellbeing is to our teams, to us individually, and to our performance. And part of that is driven by our ability to feel safe and supported in the workplace. In this episode, we explore the important topic of psychological safety with Dr. Vaneeta Sandhu, Head of Operations and Emotional Fitness at Coa. Vaneeta ...
Nov 12, 2024•54 min•Ep. 63
Imagine stepping into a new job and feeling instantly connected to your company's culture, values, and mission. That's the power of a well-designed onboarding program! In this episode of HR Unplugged, we dive back into BambooHR's journey to revolutionize our onboarding experience, with insights from Megan Galloway of Everleader, who’s back on the show for a catch-up. As Megan has been helping us revamp the onboarding process at BambooHR, we look at the results in this episode and answer common q...
Oct 29, 2024•41 min•Ep. 62
What does effective leadership look like when it feels like there’s never enough time to do all the things that HR leaders need to do? In this episode of HR Unplugged, host Anita Grantham sits down with Johnny C. Taylor Jr., President and CEO of SHRM, to explore the critical elements of leadership. We investigate some of the overlooked traits that make good leaders great, like empathy and courage, and how the expectations of modern leaders have changed. We tackle key topics like how leaders can ...
Oct 15, 2024•34 min•Ep. 61
With job interviews, we’re always on the lookout for that gold star candidate. But how do you spot them in a sea of applications? Nailing your interviewing process and asking the right questions are key, but there’s an art (and some science) to getting it right. In this episode, we sit down with Brandon Welch, Head of Recruiting at BambooHR, to get his take on what makes a great interview and how to plan discussions with candidates that help you get to know who you’re potentially hiring. Brandon...
Oct 01, 2024•50 min•Ep. 60
How effective is a personal improvement plan (PIP) really? PIPs have a bad rap, with some people seeing them as a formality before the inevitable firing. But they can be an invaluable tool in helping to raise and nurture performance across an organization if you get them right. 58% of people on average see an improvement after getting a PIP. But with such a huge percentage of people seeing poor results, how do you make sure your PIP approach is successful? Anita Grantham and Vanessa Brulotte div...
Sep 17, 2024•42 min•Ep. 59
Did you know that 45% of employees say they’re more likely to stay in a role if they get training opportunities? And yet, training and development for employees isn’t always a priority for managers. Sometimes it’s seen as unnecessary, low-priority, or simply too costly. So what can HR leaders do to help managers prioritize a culture of learning? In this episode of HR Unplugged, we explore the vital role of training in not only enhancing skills and job satisfaction, but also improving retention a...
Sep 03, 2024•30 min•Ep. 58
How can HR deal with workplace conflict without turning the office into a mini battleground? Conflict is a natural part of the human experience, naturally spilling into our working lives. In this episode of HR Unplugged, we hear why the solution isn’t to avoid conflict but to deal with it in a healthy, professional way. Joining the episode is John Barrand, Chief HR Officer of the Utah Division of Human Resource Management, who introduces us to Utah’s innovative “Disagree Better” campaign from Go...
Aug 20, 2024•52 min•Ep. 57
Have you ever wondered how a single bad hire can ripple through an organization, costing it not just money but also time and morale? The true cost of a bad hire has implications that stretch beyond that job role. So what can recruiters and HR leaders do to counteract that? In this episode, we welcome BambooHR’s Head of Recruiting, Brandon Welch, who helps us get to the bottom of the top mistakes that recruiters make during the hiring process. The conversation emphasizes the importance of a well-...
Aug 13, 2024•27 min•Ep. 56
As the conversation around different work modes continues, the trend toward returning to the office has been met with very different reactions. We recently published a report that looks at what employers and employees think about returning to the office, productivity, and remote work. In this episode, Anita and Vanessa dive into the surprising insights and what HR leaders can learn from work mode preferences. Anita explains why we need to elevate the conversation beyond simply deciding whether p...
Aug 06, 2024•30 min•Ep. 55
Did you know: 91% of mentored employees report higher job satisfaction? And 40% of those without mentor support at their workplace have even considered quitting! Having the right mentor can be invaluable for your career, but it’s also very beneficial for mentors themselves and the wider organization. That’s why in this episode of HR Unplugged, we dive into the importance of and benefits of building a great mentorship program. Our special guest is Cara Baldwin, Chief Legal Officer at Torus, who b...
Jul 30, 2024•29 min•Ep. 54
Does your organization have a plan for succession? When high performers are looking for their next challenge, they have a choice. They find it elsewhere in another company and role or they move to the next stage of their career journey in your organization. But without a solid plan for succession from your leaders, it’s often the former option that people take. In this episode, recorded live at a recent event, Anita and Vanessa sit down with Jessica Zwaan, the Chief Operating Officer at Talentfu...
Jul 09, 2024•30 min•Ep. 53
