The world of work is weird right now—and we’re here for it. From SHRM’s bounce-back energy to teenagers being boxed out of the job market, everything's shifting. Companies are experimenting (Amazon’s making office workers volunteer?), while cybersecurity threats are literally coming from North Korea.

In this episode, we talk about the collision of AI, hiring, and ethics, the controversy at Cheesecake Factory, and the real reason polyworking is gaining steam. Financial security, agentic AI, and a few big HR tech deals round it out. It’s a full rundown of the chaos in the world that we call work.

Key Takeaways

➡ SHRM 2025 had solid engagement, pushing back against skepticism from past years

➡ Cybersecurity threats—including foreign infiltration—are forcing HR to rethink vendor vetting

➡ Teen unemployment is rising due to older workers taking entry-level jobs during economic uncertainty

➡ AI is absorbing low-level roles, forcing companies to redefine what “entry-level” even means

➡ Amazon’s employee volunteer initiative could be a clever long game for talent development

➡ Cheesecake Factory’s controversial hiring tactics stirred outrage and legal questions

➡ North Korean IT workers secretly embedding in U.S. companies is now a real hiring risk

➡ Work-life balance is being rebranded, but burnout and boundary-blurring are growing

➡ Polyworking isn’t a side hustle—it’s a lifestyle choice driven by economic and identity needs

➡ AI bias in hiring tools is becoming a legal and ethical landmine for CHROs

➡ Financial security is emerging as a core employee benefit, not just a nice-to-have

➡ HR tech funding is up again, especially in coaching, payroll, and intelligent finance

Chapters

03:03 – Reflections on SHRM Conference

05:18 – Cybersecurity Concerns and Data Breaches

07:46 – Teen Unemployment Trends

10:38 – Corporate Volunteering and Understanding Business Operations

13:40 – Allegations Against Cheesecake Factory

16:34 – Government Contracts and Pricing Strategies

18:36 – North Korea's Cyber Infiltration Tactics

21:15 – The Business Case for RTO

22:14 – Work-Life Balance in the Current Labor Market

24:38 – Understanding Polyworking

29:53 – The Future of Agentic AI

32:07 – Mergers and Acquisitions in HR Tech

35:32 – Real-Time Learning and Feedback in Coaching

40:07 – AI's Role in Managerial Decision-Making

42:22 – Understanding AI Bias in Talent Acquisition

46:15 – Financial Security and Employee Well-being

49:53 – Innovations in HR Technology Funding

56:43 – The Future of Intelligent Finance and Payroll

01:01:27 – Upcoming Events

Connect with us

William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/

Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/

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