Only 32% of companies tie CEO pay to real results. State‑led paid leave is splintering across 50 policies. Deepfakes aren’t sci‑fi anymore—they’re boardroom threats. This week’s episode zeroes in on DEI showdowns roiling hiring panels, the patchwork of state‑run paid family leave, and the fight to link CEO compensation to performance metrics. We unpack a landmark background‑check lawsuit, an ethics scandal that felled a corporate titan, and the underground rise of corporate espionage. Also on deck: AI’s role as mentor vs. manager, the micro‑retirement craze, and employees crying foul over unchecked generative AI in their day‑to‑day. We break down diversity and bias in recruiting, paid leave battles, performance‑based pay strategies, legal landmines around background checks, ethics violations, AI‑driven mentorship, the micro‑retirement movement, employee AI trust issues, deepfake dangers, and the latest HR tech M&A shakeups. Key Takeaways ➡ Diplomas are being compared to NFTs in value. ➡ Hiring decisions are prioritizing diversity over traditional qualifications. ➡ Paid family leave is shifting to state‑led implementation. ➡ CEO compensation must align with performance metrics. ➡ Mishandled background checks can trigger lawsuits. ➡ Ethics violations derail even top corporate leaders’ careers. ➡ AI can augment mentorship but can’t replace human connections. ➡ Younger workers are embracing micro‑retirements for balance. ➡ Generative AI is popping up in more job postings, making AI literacy essential. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:58 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Hiring Practices 06:00 Paid Family Leave Legislation 08:59 CEO Compensation and Performance Metrics 11:56 Background Check Lawsuit 15:01 Ethics Violations in Corporate Leadership 25:37 Navigating Workplace Relationships and Bias 30:12 Transitioning from Federal to State Employment 33:23 Corporate Espionage and Legal Battles 36:40 The Role of AI in Mentorship 43:57 Micro‑Retirements: A New Trend in Work‑Life Balance 48:49 AI Usage and Employee Concerns 54:37 The Role of Thought Partners in Work 55:42 Generative AI in Job Postings 56:30 The Future of Generative AI in Work 58:35 AI Literacy and Skills for the Future 01:00:04 Funding Innovations in Identity Verification 01:01:34 AI in Personal Injury Law 01:03:46 The Impact of AI on Legal Workloads 01:06:55 The Future of AI in Healthcare 01:08:40 The Economics of Higher Settlements 01:10:18 Deep Fake Technology and Its Implications 01:12:15 The Evolution of Generative AI Tools 01:15:36 AI in Talent Acquisition 01:17:10 The Role of AI in Job Matching 01:21:49 Closing Thoughts on AI and Employment Guest Info Bob Pulver, HR Tech Advisor and DEI Specialist LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobpulver Connect with Us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices