DE Talk

Since 2007, DirectEmployers has held an exclusive partnership with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) to not only bridge the gap between state workforce agencies and employers seeking top talent, but also to establish the National Labor Exchange, an electronic labor-exchange network that combines DirectEmployers technology with NASWA's state workforce agency resources. Tune in to this episode of the DE Talk Podcast as we sit down with Scott Sanders, NASWA President & CEO, to discuss this partnership in more detail–including a focus on the NLx Research Hub–and how NASWA's work helps to further workforce development for the benefit of all.

Successful teams work hand-in-hand, understanding and supporting their mutual business goals. For human resources, that success starts when the disconnect between OFCCP compliance and recruitment is eliminated. In this minisode, Mike Bazinet, Director of Talent Acquisition at Affordable Care, shares the importance of aligning business goals, examples of how he's done this in both his current and previous roles, and how others can use this strategy for successful compliance outcomes and workforce diversity efforts.

Creating true equality in the workplace requires accessibility and belonging. Presented initially at DirectEmployers 2024 Annual Meeting & Conference (DEAMcon24), experts from Iowa State Vocational Rehabilitation, The Harkin Institute, and John Deere Financial shared insights on disability employment and its value. Tune in to learn practical strategies to integrate accessible hiring practices, address real-world barriers, and create psychological safety for employees with disabilities. Key takeaways include actionable steps for inclusive hiring of individuals with disabilities, three strategies to make job descriptions accessible, and methods for building team support around accessibility and belonging in the workplace.

While employers unpack new regulatory direction regarding DEI efforts, many are left wondering how to lawfully maintain their recruitment activities and stay true to their organizational values. Tune in as we chat with Dr. Courtney Bryant Shelby, Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, international speaker, & Founder of Simply You Solutions as she explains the evolution of inclusionary efforts from past to present. She also shares why diversity is essential to merit-based hiring (the larger the talent pool, the greater the chance of finding the most qualified candidate!), metrics employers should be looking at, where she sees the workplace equity landscape heading in the future, and tips for fostering authenticity and belonging in your workforce.

In the dynamic realm of talent acquisition, connecting with job seekers mirrors the artistry of music, requiring a nuanced and personalized approach. Join Recruit Rooster’s Elliott Obermaier, Tyler Poling, and Jeff Ringgenberg as they explore the stark differences between playing music at somebody vs. playing to an engaged audience, drawing analogies to the challenges of recruitment, such as playing hard rock at a jazz club or dealing with the dissonance of a loud cover band in a restaurant. Tune in as they explore how talent acquisition technology adapts to various recruitment scenarios, and how similarly to music, it relies on personalized connection and developing a strong understanding of your audience to create a personalized and engaging recruitment experience.

Join us for a special "Board Takeover" episode of the DE Talk podcast as members of the DirectEmployers Board of Directors discuss the evolving compliance landscape for federal contractors. This insightful conversation explores the challenges faced in 2024, including navigating complex OFCCP compliance requirements, adapting to regulatory changes, and fostering inclusive hiring practices. Looking ahead to 2025, the Board examines the potential impact of the new Trump Administration, anticipating shifts in compliance priorities and enforcement. From updates to affirmative action plans to strategies for strengthening workplace diversity, this episode provides actionable insights to help federal contractors stay prepared and compliant.

Women veterans often face unique and overlooked challenges when transitioning from military service to civilian employment, as many veteran hiring programs are built with men in mind. In this episode, DirectEmployers Community & State Outreach Administrator Kim Lott sits down with Women Veterans Interactive Foundation Founder & CEO Ginger Miller to explore the roadblocks women veterans encounter, the resources they need, and how employers can build supportive recruitment and retention strategies tailored to them. Ginger shares her insights on connecting with veteran organizations and the importance of building an inclusive workplace that truly supports women veterans: “If you can’t reach women veterans, you can’t support women veterans.

In today's competitive hiring landscape, simply posting a job and waiting for responses is no longer effective. Companies need innovative, tech-driven approaches to reach and attract top talent. In this episode, we're joined by Michelle Rawlins, VP of Sales and Client Success at Nexxt, to explore the power of programmatic job advertising. Michelle explains how this approach differs from traditional, duration-based job postings and how AI and performance-based strategies can increase traffic, improve candidate quality, and reduce costs. Tune in to learn how programmatic advertising is reshaping the recruitment landscape for today's employers.

Businesses of all sizes are impacted by the potential benefits and possible harms of artificial intelligence (AI) in their recruiting and hiring technologies. While some may consider the HR tech space "too technical" or beyond their current capabilities, this mentality can cause them to lose job candidates with the skills they need to succeed. In some cases, small and midsized businesses (SMBs) may already use AI-enabled hiring technologies without knowing it. In this session, Our Ability's CEO, John Robinson, and the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology's Director of Communications, Lex Huth, team up to show how people with disabilities are leading the way to more inclusive AI in hiring technologies – and how SMBs can maximize the benefits they get from these AI-powered tools.

With an unemployment rate nearly twice that of the national average, individuals with disabilities continue to face barriers to employment that prevent them from sharing their unique skills and talents with the workforce. In this episode we sit down with EmployReward Solutions Project Director Tripp Carter for a discussion on employment networks – what they are, how employers can connect with them, and how they can benefit from their services. Tripp also shares success stories of how DirectEmployers Members have found success in working with EmployReward Solutions, and offers humbling advice on how to create inclusive and accommodating hiring programs that attract and retain talent within the disability community.