HR Works Video Podcast: Religious Exemptions and AI

AI has been changing how we work for well over a couple years, and now employees and employers alike are starting to figure out what works, and what doesn't. A lot of organizations need to start asking harder questions about how AI actually works, as in many cases, employers still do not fully understand the tools they are buying, how they function and where the risks lie. On today's episode of the HR Works Podcast, we'll explore the ins and outs of AI and its impact on hiring alongside Chief Compliance officer at ICIMS, Courtney Dutter.

Success in the workforce starts with your leaders. If those taking charge don’t have clarity and a focused direction, their talent will lag behind. But knowing exactly where you, your team, and your talent needs to go isn’t always simple, and sometimes, you need to bet on your success. Few know this better than Ericka Portis, Director of Performance for Fanatics Betting & Gaming, who joined us for an exclusive Q&A ahead of our SPARK Talent 2026 conference to discuss with us her HR journey, the road she’s followed, and paved, for leadership success. From talent systems to leadership strategy, Portis has led the charge in development for some of the most prominent businesses out there. Check out our full conversation with Portis below!

Burnout and boredom have been plaguing the workplace more and more with each passing year, with HR leaders feeling more pressure with less reward. But what if we could bring creativity, flexibility, and genuine joy back into the workplace, and up productivity. According to Kevin Bishop, the Director of Talent Development at LinkedIn, it's not just a pleasant wish, but how the workforce should be moving forward. Coming from a unique, non-linear background in the performing arts (music and theater), Bishop treats his “corporate outsider” perspective as a superpower. Before he takes the main stage at SPARK TALENT this fall, HR Daily Advisor got to sit down with Bishop for a live webinar to discuss how LinkedIn is transforming it's workforce, and how HR leaders can challenge the status quo, handle modern disruptions, and build a future-ready workforce. Check out part two of our conversation below!

Burnout and boredom have been plaguing the workplace more and more with each passing year, with HR leaders feeling more pressure with less reward. But what if we could bring creativity, flexibility, and genuine joy back into the workplace, and up productivity. According to Kevin Bishop, the Director of Talent Development at LinkedIn, it's not just a pleasant wish, but how the workforce should be moving forward. Coming from a unique, non-linear background in the performing arts (music and theater), Bishop treats his “corporate outsider” perspective as a superpower. Before he takes the main stage at SPARK TALENT this fall, HR Daily Advisor got to sit down with Bishop for a live webinar to discuss how LinkedIn is transforming it's workforce, and how HR leaders can challenge the status quo, handle modern disruptions, and build a future-ready workforce. Check out part one of our conversation below!

Back in May, the Vatican released an encyclical offering criticism on AI and its use. Now, stances on AI have always included scrutiny, but from such an official body, it alights a new question among the workforce who's faith or livelihoods have disparities with AI; can they be exempt from using it, and do employers have to comply? On today's episode of HR Works, we're joined by Emily Scace, senior legal editor for Brightmine, to discuss the potential future of exemptions, religious and otherwise, growing in the face of AI.

The past decade has seen incredible change when it comes to the use of cannabis. The laws have changed, the culture has changed, but employee drug testing has largely remained the same. Drug tests often fall to the wayside of priorities for HR professionals, but leaving them to become outdated is a straight shot to logistical and compliance nightmares. On today's episode of HR Daily Advisor, we're joined by Kate Riley, General Manager for recenTHC, to discuss how drug testing needs to move into the future, and the science behind compliance.

The rules and regulations around immigration and the workplace have fluctuated drastically under the current administration, and many are at a loss. Our friends over at Brightmine just released new research showing nearly half (46%) of U.S. adults lack confidence in employers’ ability to handle immigration enforcement in a way that protects employees and follows the law. Even fewer say their employer has provided training on how to respond to situations like raids (17%) or communicated formal response plans (14%). Joining us on today's episode of the HR Works Podcast is Taylor Lewellyn, Attorney and Legal editor for Brightmine, to discuss how HR leaders can better prepare for the changing immigration landscape.

Expenses are rising everywhere, and employees and employers alike are feeling the strain. Recruiting and retention is becoming less about who can provide the top dollar, and rather who can provide the best benefits, and most safety. But many of the benefits that help the most, no one knows about. It’s up to HR and Benefits leaders to not only build a comprehensive benefits package, but to research and educate both their leaders and employees on how best to utilize what’s offered. It’s a tough ask, but with so much uncertainty in the world, HR leaders have the chance to make the biggest impact in their employee’s lives. On this week’s episode of the HR Works Podcast, we’ll be looking at part two of our latest benefits webinar, featuring Emma Soy, Founder and CEO of Gentle Shepherd Care, and Creator of Gentle Care Navigator, Matt Totsch, Vice President of Compensation & Benefits, Wabtec and Margaret Wortley, Executive Managing Director, Benefit Services and Payroll, Webster Bank, where we discussed how you can do your total rewards right, and supply your team with the best support available. Check out part two!

Expenses are rising everywhere, and employees and employers alike are feeling the strain. Recruiting and retention is becoming less about who can provide the top dollar, and rather who can provide the best benefits, and most safety. But many of the benefits that help the most, no one knows about. It’s up to HR and Benefits leaders to not only build a comprehensive benefits package, but to research and educate both their leaders and employees on how best to utilize what’s offered. It’s a tough ask, but with so much uncertainty in the world, HR leaders have the chance to make the biggest impact in their employee’s lives. On this week’s episode of the HR Works Podcast, we’ll be looking at part one of our latest benefits webinar, featuring Emma Soy, Founder and CEO of Gentle Shepherd Care, and Creator of Gentle Care Navigator, Matt Totsch, Vice President of Compensation & Benefits, Wabtec and Margaret Wortley, Executive Managing Director, Benefit Services and Payroll, Webster Bank, where we discussed how you can do your total rewards right, and supply your team with the best support available.

SPARK HR has come and gone, but the memories and lessons we left with are still ringing in our heads. The world's leading minds got together, not only to discuss and tackle the greatest issues facing the HR world, but to stroll the beach and watch the sunrises, looking towards a brighter future. HR Daily Advisor got the chance to sit with Kitty Chaney Reed, former Chief Leadership, Culture and Inclusion Officer at IBM, who gave some of her insight into the conference, her presentation, and what watching the sunrise means to her. Check out the full episode below!