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 environment where employees feel a sense of belonging.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

APU Politics in the Workplace

Create a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce through Acknowledgement, Ownership and Action | EP23

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 employees that they’re valued and they matter, and how such efforts can improve employee retention, satisfaction and productivity.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Value of Fostering a Sense of Belonging | EP22

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,” and how WE-Building can bridge the gap to create an inclusive workplace.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Removing “Us versus Them” Dynamics Leads to an Inclusive Workplace | EP20

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 requirements.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Shifting Landscape of Workplace COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates | EP21

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, seeking to employ military spouses and veterans, and ensuring there are systems in place to support and engage military employees.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Supporting and Protecting Military Servicemember Employees | EP19

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 change employment classifications, and other changes affecting the gig economy under the Biden administration.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How the Gig Economy is Changing the Employment Law Landscape | EP18

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 ratification in 2020. Also learn what legal scholars contend is the path to full ratification of the ERA to the Constitution and the impacts the ERA would have regarding equal pay, equal access to healthcare for both genders, and more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Efforts to Enshrine Equal Rights in the Constitution Pick Up Speed | EP17

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 build comprehensive DEI policies and procedures, and how the pandemic has helped further these conversations by humanizing employees and drawing closer the line between work and personal lives.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Steps to Developing Strong Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies | EP16

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, faculty, and students, and the work being done to ensure it will have long-term effects on the university’s organizational culture.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force: Enriching Corporate Culture | EP15

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, implementing clear policies allowing employees to freely report harassment or discrimination, conducting regular training sessions, and establishing zero tolerance for people who contribute to a toxic workplace.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Assessing and Building Corporate Culture is Sound Business Practice | EP14

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 unintentional bias, and assess the validity of outcomes.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ethical Challenges of AI in the Workplace | EP13

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 strategies, and how to build trust and communication in a virtual work environment.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Managing a Remote Workforce | EP12

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 adapt its business model to operating in a new normal.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Crisis Leadership: Success in a Pandemic | Ep11

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 often spills over into the workplace. Also learn how the COVID-19 pandemic has forced executive leaders to practice crisis management on a daily basis and change business operations including managing a remote workforce.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Leading Forward: Adjusting to the New Normal | EP10

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 understand the technology, train employees so they can effectively use the technology, and plan for the future implementation of AI into more business operations.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Workplace

The Politics in the Workplace Podcast series focuses on the current state of sharing political views in the workplace, and the value and repercussions for employers and employees. Experts from the legal field, HR and management, and business collaborate to talk about how we can ensure a safe environment for politically-oriented conversations. This series is part of Online Career Tips brought to you by American Public University. To learn more about American Public University, visit us at http://www.StudyAtAPU.com

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APU Politics in the Workplace

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