National Work Besties Day

If you’ve ever sat through jury duty wondering when you’ll get to go home - this SHRM case is rapidly becoming one that will keep the jury’s attention. In the episode, we give an update following last week’s mediation.

And if you’re following this lawsuit closely, there’s more: a flurry of filings hit the docket late last week, including the proposed jury selection questions. SHRM’s question number 16? Let’s just say… watch our breakdown over on Instagram, because this one raised our eyebrows more than a quarterly Botox appointment.

In this week’s episode:

• Corporate Cringe Speak: The phrase that leaders love to throw around when they want you to do something bold - but also not too bold.

• Hot Topic: Work Besties - The Real Retention Strategy: This week marks National Work Bestie Day on October 18, which (according to the very official National Day Archives) was founded in 2023 by our very own Jamie. Yes, it’s federally recognized… so we are in full support of workplaces giving Friday off to celebrate.
  In honor of this very real and not-at-all-made-up holiday - and our two-year podcast anniversary (!!) - we’re talking about the power of work besties. HR research (and common sense) says strong coworker friendships improve engagement, productivity, and retention. But really - they just make work more human.

  So this week, tell your work bestie you appreciate them. Or better yet, send them this newsletter with the subject line: “We’re federally recognized now!”

• Questions and Comments: Our favorite work bestie stories (and the pro tip Ashley’s work bestie taught her in 2003).

Discussion Guide for Your Team or Podcast Group

1. What’s one thing a work bestie has done that makes work easier (or better)?

2. Have you ever left a job but stayed close with a work bestie?

3. How can HR and leaders encourage genuine friendships without forcing them?

ChatGPT Prompts of the Week

Professional:

• What are the top 5 things I can do to help my organization stay out of court?

• Write a short appreciation note for my team member that’s funny, heartfelt and HR-appropriate.

Personal(ish):

• Based on what you know about me, what HR Besties podcast episode to date should I go re-listen to?

In honor of the second anniversary of the podcast, we’d love if you’d not only send love to your work bestie - but give some to us (and our team - especially the lovely Carlay Ream-Neal who produces every episode), too.

If you’ve enjoyed the laughs, the legal updates or the HR Business + BS over the past two years, please leave a written review on Apple Podcasts and a rating on Spotify. Your support keeps HR Besties caffeinated and mildly professional (and also pays for Ashley’s PACER federal court docket bills).

Here’s to two years of work besties, HR tea and pushing the envelope (safely).

Happy Hump Day!
XOXO,
The HR Besties

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