“There is a way to move forward in which everyone can come along for the ride.”

Why is it so important for businesses to make a real effort toward offering an inclusive work environment?

In this episode of HR in 15, we’re joined once again by Board-Certified career coach and corporate culture consultant, Joy Stephens. Joy’s lifelong passion for social and racial justice lends itself to her current mission of helping organizations understand the complex issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Today we’re talking about why businesses need to take diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts more seriously, and how. Joy provides expert insight and practical steps businesses can take to foster a work environment that’s supportive and inclusive of all.

Highlights include:

• Strategic advice on how to build and strengthen inclusion efforts within your company
• Important trends in corporate culture and how to get ahead of them
• Recommendations on educational media resources

Have Questions? PrestigePEO is always available to help you navigate these uncertain times with regard to Human Resources, Employee Benefits and Payroll Management. Call Us Today at 888-PEO-PEO1 or contact us at prestigepeo.com.

Joy Stephens is the Director of Business Development at New Heights Academic and Leadership Consulting. With a background in research and development, marketing, manufacturing, and sales, Joy now applies her broad corporate experience to help organizations “develop their people” and truly transform their culture. Joy is a Board-Certified career coach and corporate culture consultant who helps organizations move forward.

“How can we make something so inclusive that people ask your employees if you’re hiring? It has to be more than a product or service. It has to be a culture that people want to immerse themselves in.”

What makes a business a truly great place to work?

Our HR In 15 podcast guest today, Joy Stephens, is a Board-Certified career coach and corporate culture consultant who is passionate about helping organizations understand the complex issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion – and how to do better.

In order to properly address the evolution of diversity in the workplace and issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, executives must start by taking an honest look at their organization. Where are the imbalances, and how did we get here? Joy is here to talk about what makes a workplace toxic, how things are changing, and the importance of coaching to fix toxic behaviors in the workplace.

Highlights include:

• A history of power dynamics in the American workplace
• A look into the experiences of marginalized demographics
• Advice on how businesses can move toward fostering a more inclusive culture

Have Questions About Evolution Of Diversity In The Workplace? PrestigePEO is always available to help you navigate these uncertain times with regard to human resources consulting, time and labor management, employee benefits and payroll management. Call Us Today at 888-PEO-PEO1 or contact us at prestigepeo.com.

Joy Stephens is the Director of Business Development at New Heights Academic and Leadership Consulting. With a background in research and development, marketing, manufacturing, and sales, Joy now applies her broad corporate experience to help organizations “develop their people” and truly transform their culture. Joy is a Board-Certified career coach and corporate culture consultant who helps organizations move forward.

“You want to make the right thing to do the easiest thing to do.”

So says today’s guest Ben Brooks, Founder & CEO of PILOT, who designed the career coaching software platform to be as frictionless as possible, delivering the extraordinary value of professional coaching through an easy-to-use service that’s available on all devices, and helping to enhance the value that any workforce can drive for its company.

In today’s episode, Ben talks about the need he identified that inspired him to create PILOT, and how the platform has filled gaps in both career coaching and workplace technology.

Highlights include:

• What is the value of career coaching vs. traditional professional development, and how low is the percentage of career employees who currently benefit from it.
• Insights on how to build a resource that is not only helpful, but widely adopted.
• Predictions on how the future of workplace technology will unfold over the next 10 years.

“The core of business problems are always people problems, and when people feel powerful we get business performance.”        —Ben Brooks

Have Questions? PrestigePEO is always available to help you navigate these uncertain times with regard to Human Resources, Employee Benefits and Payroll Management. Call Us Today at 888-PEO-PEO1 or contact us at prestigepeo.com.

Ben Brooks is Founder & CEO of PILOT, a career coaching software platform. PILOT, which grew out of needs and gaps he’d identified while working in his own professional coaching practice, gives big and small companies the tools they need to empower their workforce to constantly improve themselves and become more valuable company assets.

What’s the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago.

Before Ben Brooks founded the career coaching platform PILOT, his own career wound through many industries: rental cars, defense contracting, airlines, insurance, HR & talent management, and workforce analytics & communications. This experience gave him a breadth and versatility that he now draws upon every day.

In today’s episode, Ben lays a foundation of ideas for how and why we should all be focused on career development.

Episode highlights include:

• Challenges often faced by creative people, entrepreneurs, and other career professionals.
• Five pillars of personal and career development that will put anyone on a path of continuous improvement at work and in life.
• A great book recommendation.

“When people feel out of control…their wellbeing tanks. When People take action…they’re in motion. Career development is a way for people to feel empowered and to be excited about the future.” — Ben Brooks

Have Questions? PrestigePEO is always available to help you navigate these uncertain times with regard to Human Resources, Employee Benefits and Payroll Management. Call Us Today at 888-PEO-PEO1 or contact us at prestigepeo.com

Ben Brooks is Founder & CEO of PILOT, a career coaching software platform. PILOT, which grew out of needs and gaps he’d identified while working in his own professional coaching practice, gives big and small companies the tools they need to empower their workforce to constantly improve themselves and become more valuable company assets.

After the Supreme Court’s ruling in June, on Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, it’s time for companies to update their policies and practices.

Today, Maggie Spell, partner at Jones Walker LLC, lays out and explains the changes that need to be made. Last episode, Maggie walked us through the Supreme Court case itself – how it came to be and why it’s significant. 

In this episode, she goes into the details of what the ruling means for employers and employees and takes a step back to show how this shines a light on the bigger picture of workplace discrimination.

Episode highlights:

• Maggie Spell recaps the landmark case and civil rights victory that was discussed in more depth in HR in 15, Episode 24.
• Maggie and Eric discuss what updates employers should make to employee handbooks and related policies.
• Employers get a tip for how to avoid lawsuits by following best practices in hiring and employee management.

“We certainly want to make sure that companies are encouraging employees to make complaints, so that the company can investigate and remedy the issue as appropriate.”

            —Maggie Spell

Have Questions? PrestigePEO is always available to help you navigate these uncertain times with regard to Human Resources, Employee Benefits and Payroll Management. Call Us Today at 888-PEO-PEO1 or contact us at prestigepeo.com.

Maggie Spell is an attorney and partner at the Labor Employment Practice Group of Jones Walker LLC. Maggie has a deep background in local, state, and federal employment laws. She offers day-to-day advice to employers on workplace issues and helps resolve discrimiation, harassment, and retaliation cases.

Amidst all the tumultuous news of 2020, Civil Rights has landed a major victory.

Today, Maggie Spell, Partner at Jones Walker LLP, talks with Eric about the transformation decision the Supreme Court made this past June. 

Our guest tells the story of three cases of workplace discrimination, where employees were fired because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. The firings were all upheld by federal circuit courts, based on a strict reading of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. 

Yet they were all simultaneously challenged before the Supreme Court and ultimately overturned, providing a 2020 update to the 1964 law that says – Workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, though not specifically worded in the original law, is still illegal discrimination.

Episode highlights:

• Maggie Spell walks us through how these cases came to be, why they were first upheld and then overturned by the Supreme Court.
• We hear a hypothetical example that clarifies why the three cases should be fundamentally considered sex discrimination.
• Why it’s a great time for employers to update policies and training protocols.

“It’s a really big decision. The Supreme Court made clear that discrimination based on sex encompasses discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.” —Maggie Spell

Have Questions? PrestigePEO is always available to help you navigate these uncertain times with regard to Human Resources, Employee Benefits and Payroll Management. Call Us Today at 888-PEO-PEO1 or contact us at prestigepeo.com.

Maggie Spell is an attorney and partner at the Labor Employment Practice Group of Jones Walker LLC. Maggie has a deep background in local, state, and federal employment laws. She offers day-to-day advice to employers on workplace issues and helps resolve discrimiation, harassment, and retaliation cases.

Sometimes a crisis brings us together in ways we don’t expect.

Today we’re joined by Lisa Marchitelli, Chief Administrative Officer at AFMDA. The American Friends of Magen David Adom is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support Israeli’s foremost emergency response and disaster relief organization, Magen David Adom. MDA has conducted over a million COVID tests in Israel and been a major part of the country’s response to the pandemic.

Lisa has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources, and in this conversation, she brings an HR perspective to the ways in which AFMDA, as an American nonprofit supporting Israeli healthcare workers, has coped and adapted during the pandemic.

Discussion highlights:

• How AFMDA has engaged famous musicians, chefs, authors and others to raise funds virtually as in-person fundraisers have been canceled.
• How the pandemic has affected Israeli, and how reopening too quickly has led to a current second wave and a second lockdown.
• How the pandemic and work from home have, in many ways, improved communication between AFMDA teams and has instilled the organization with compassion, even in areas that are not COVID related.

Virtual Gala – Nov. 8th – with Gal Gadot, Jason Alexander and Howie Mandel. For the first time, AFMDA is combining its many regional gala fundraisers into one national virtual event. The Virtual Gala will feature over an hour of comedians, musicians and more to raise funds for AFMDA. Sunday, November 8th @ 7:30 PM.

“Reaching out and listening and talking to your staff– it’s so essential during this time to do check-ins. That’s all people need, is just to know someone is thinking about them and cares about them.” —Lisa Marchitelli

Have Questions? PrestigePEO is always available with Human Resources, Payroll Management, and Employee Benefits to help you navigate these uncertain times. Call Us Today at 888-PEO-PEO1 or contact us at prestigepeo.com

Lisa Marchitelli is Cheif Administrative Officer at American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA). She has been with AFMDA since 2016 and has over 20 years in Human Resources experience. 

AFMDA is an American nonprofit that raises funds to support Magen David Adom (MDA), which is Israel’s foremost emergency response and disaster relief organization.

There was a time when grief was shunned from the workplace.

Of course, this was never realistic. Thankfully we have people like today’s guest, Ron Glenn Kelly, to coach us when grief intersects with our professional lives.

Glenn Kelly is a coach, motivational speaker, and author – most recently of Grief in the Workplace – who, since the loss of his son, has been helping professionals deal with their own grief and that of their coworkers. He is regularly featured on TV and radio programs, in articles, and at live speaking engagements, and we’re proud to have him on our podcast today.

In this episode, R. Glenn and Eric discuss the importance of us showing compassion for the grieving processes of employees and coworkers, how this dynamic has evolved over time, and what it means in today’s working world.

Episode highlights:

• How R. Glenn struggled through the death of his son to find that there is always joy and purpose in life.
• What it means that US companies lose $100B per year in revenue due to employee grieving (and the flip side of that reality).
• How dealing with grief in the workplace comes first and foremost from the leadership, in everyday examples of how an organization carries itself.

“To get in front of it and to actually be compassionate to somebody will be an investment in the future of that employee.” — R. Glenn Kelly

Have Questions? PrestigePEO is available to help you through these uncertain times with excellent support in Employee Benefits, Human Resources, and Payroll Management. Call now at 888-PEO-PEO1 or visit prestigepeo.com.

R. Glenn Kelly is an author, coach, and keynote speaker who uses the pain from his life, along with the jubilance he’s found following tragedy, to help others move forward from grief and crisis. He is the author of the book Grief in the Workplace and can be reached directly by phone or email through his website, rglennkelly.com.

Diversity impacts everything around us.   

We need only consider the experience of today’s guest, Karen Haycox, CEO of Habitat for Humanity New York City. Haycox leads an organization that battles housing inequities in one of the most diverse cities in the world, and she brings a trove of knowledge on the topic.   

Issues relating to race, class, and gender (especially single motherhood) are deeply intertwined with the work of Habitat NYC. In today’s episode, Haycox speaks about all of this, plus how it has changed amidst COVID-19 and the current movement for racial equality in our country.     

Episode Highlights. Haycox discusses:   

• Diversity within Habitat for Humanity, how it relates to Habitat’s roots in 1970s Georgia, and the importance of representation within organizations.   
• Diversity among the people served by Habitat, and how old race-related issues of housing are still strongly prevalent today.   
• Her own beliefs and experiences, as a white ally for racial justice, and the imperative (if sometimes awkward) act of using her voice.     

“I am an awkward ally. I will use the wrong terms, say the wrong things. But I am committed to learning and doing better and amplifying the messages that I am hearing from my friends and colleagues who are leading this charge.”  — Karen Haycox     

To get involved, explore Habitat NYC on Facebook or visit HabitatNYC.org.   

Have Questions? PrestigePEO is here to help you in these uncertain times, with expertise on Human Resources, Payroll Management, and Employee Benefits. Contact Us Today at 888-PEO-PEO1 or go to prestigepeo.com.

Karen Haycox is a leader in affordable housing who became CEO of Habitat NYC in August of 2015. Before Habitat NYC, Karen was Vice President of Fund Development at Southwest Solutions in Detroit, MI and held several senior fundraising positions at Habitat for Humanity’s International headquarters in Atlanta and has played major roles in Habitat’s global disaster response efforts.   

Habitat for Humanity New York City is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Founded in 1984, Habitat NYC has served over 1,500 families in New York City through home preservation and construction. Habitat NYC brings thousands of New Yorkers together each year to create solutions for New York’s affordable housing needs.   

Habitat for Humanity is more than you think, especially in New York City.  

Karen Haycox, CEO of Habitat for Humanity in NYC, channels 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, in addition to experience in the for-profit sector. She is involved in several organizations supporting LGBTQ+ and affordable housing causes in New York City.  

In this episode, Haycox discusses internal and external challenges of leading Habitat NYC through COVID-19. She offers valuable insight on the similarities in running nonprofit and for-profit organizations. As well as the true value and reward of doing work that makes a difference in the world.  

Community lending for low income housing. Building homes, maintaining existing homes, and lending to help people become homeowners through low income housing cooperatives.   

Today, we discuss:  

• The lesser known work of Habitat NYC, including financial lending for low-income housing cooperatives, and more.  
• Habitat’s unique part in NYC’s COVID-19, how it turned from a health crisis to a housing crisis, and how it has reshaped Habitat’s role for the people it serves.  
• A hint toward a significant development in the way Habitat NYC makes a difference in people’s lives.   

“I have worked as hard or harder in the nonprofit sector. The difference for me is, when I put my head on my pillow at the end of the day, I believe that I am making a difference in the world.” — Karen Haycox   

To get involved, explore Habitat NYC on Facebook or visit HabitatNYC.org.   

Have Questions? PrestigePEO is always available to help you navigate these uncertain times with regard to Human Resources, Employee Benefits and Payroll Management. Call Us Today at 888-PEO-PEO1 or contact us at prestigepeo.com.  

Karen Haycox is a leader in affordable housing who became CEO of Habitat NYC in August of 2015. Before Habitat NYC, Karen was Vice President of Fund Development at Southwest Solutions in Detroit, MI and held several senior fundraising positions at Habitat for Humanity’s International headquarters in Atlanta and has played major roles in Habitat’s global disaster response efforts.   

Habitat for Humanity New York City is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Founded in 1984, Habitat NYC has served over 1,500 families in New York City through home preservation and construction. Habitat NYC brings thousands of New Yorkers together each year to create solutions for New York’s affordable housing needs.