HR Unplugged

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 some of the key findings, and explain what’s going right and what’s going wrong for the employees surveyed. We discuss the data at length, talk about the divide between generations and genders, and explain how current economic conditions play into all this. While many are pessimistic about work and compensation, fear not: there are still positives to draw on and many actionable steps that businesses can take to improve employee satisfaction and engagement.Key moments: How the uptick in dissatisfaction with pay from employees is linked to current economic conditionsThe value of salary tools such as MIT’s Living Wage Calculator Why transparent negotiation may be the reason Gen Z is seeing higher salary increases than other generations The optimum time to send out employee surveysWhy total pay transparency is not always optimal How to develop a compensation philosophy Why leaders are seen as out-of-touch by their employees – and how leaders can prevent thisUsing data to see whether pay has been mapped right and coaching leaders in trends Key links:Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBamboo HR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Compensation Trends for 2025 Report: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/data-at-work/data-stories/2025-compensation-trends#:~:text=Average%20Salary%20Increase%20YoY&text=6.2%25-,For%20the%20second%20year%20in%20a%20row%2C%202%20in%205,42%25%20decrease%20over%20two%20years.

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 system that leaves all parties satisfied. Jordan also offers some examples from his own professional life, suggests the times when a business is ready to implement a 360, and talks about why this process shouldn’t be remedial – that is to say, with the aim of ‘fixing’ somebody. Key moments: The ‘three levels’ of 360 feedback The importance of trust in the process Why 360 feedback risks being overly evaluative How to prepare employees The value of including a third-party Why the ‘no attribution’ aspect of 360 feedback is so essential How employees can provide feedback on the feedback they have received Key links:Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBamboo HR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Jordan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanwburton/

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, exploring the role of dopamine in motivation, the importance of understanding your brain's patterns to calm your nervous system, and how to improve workplace interactions, especially when giving feedback.We also discuss ways to increase dopamine, and explore the impact of ADHD on performance. Key moments: The effect of blue light on dopamine levels Why being ‘up, light, and direct’ is key for workplace interactionsThe importance of orienting yourself around the ways your brain worksStrategies for helping employees stay engaged in this dopamine-addicted environment and societyADHD and modern work challengesWhy how-tos and checklists are less useful than a simple commitment to conversation and learningKey links:Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBamboo HR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-byrd-4a2081a/

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 place to place, and why companies and organizations should never be described as “a family.” Key moments: Whether an employee’s happiness depends on their personal life or professional lifeHow to avoid “compassion fatigue”How a difficult CEO experience spurred Julie to start HR@Heart Consulting Why happiness at work is a journey, not a destinationWhy HR professionals need to be given access to the strategy of the organizationThe importance of picking battles and not “dying on every hill”Key links:Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBamboo HR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Julie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjulieturney/