In this special annual panel discussion, host Denise Chaffin welcomes back Courtney Schuelke, Jamie Starner, and Michael O’Brien to revisit the state of work in 2025. Together, they share insights across industries—retail, restaurants, and technology—highlighting rising turnover rates, the challenge of employee ghosting, and the creative ways companies are trying to retain talent. Courtney discusses Sephora’s attempts at flexible scheduling and her own career pivot into finance. Jamie reflects on the restaurant industry’s struggles with closures, staffing shortages, and consumer cutbacks. Michael shares firsthand experiences of ghosting in tech recruiting and a transition into construction tied to semiconductor and AI infrastructure. From shifting job markets to the critical role of employee development, this conversation offers candid, cross-generational perspectives on navigating today’s workforce.

Key Episode Segments:

• Restaurants under pressure – Operators face closures, bankruptcies, and persistent turnover, with fewer people willing to return to frontline roles.

• Retail burnout & new models – Sephora’s “flex” program showed both promise and pitfalls, underscoring the need for innovation in staffing and retention.

• Career pivots are rising – Guests shared real stories of moving from retail to finance, restaurants to manufacturing, and tech to construction.

• Ghosting persists – Candidates still report being ghosted during interviews, damaging employer brands and highlighting the need for respectful communication.

• Employee development matters – Companies investing in growth, training, and mental health resources are retaining talent and building loyalty.