Recent Gallup findings show employee engagement is at its lowest in a decade, even worse than during the pandemic. In this thought-provoking episode of Recruiting is No Joke, host Joel Lalgee sits down with Josh Drean, co-author of "Employment is Dead: How Disruptive Technologies are Revolutionizing the Way We Work." Together, they dive deep into the seismic shifts reshaping the modern workplace, from the lingering effects of the "Great Resignation" and "Quiet Quitting" to the growing chasm between corporate profits and employee compensation.

Josh and Joel explore the critical role of employee experience design in fostering engagement and retention, particularly as younger generations redefine their relationships with work. They challenge traditional corporate practices, arguing that companies must prioritize employee well-being and adapt to evolving workforce expectations to thrive in the long term.

The conversation takes a hard look at the pitfalls of traditional employee engagement surveys, using a striking example of employees being fired after an "anonymous" feedback session. This underscores the urgent need for trust, transparency, and actionable change in workplace culture.

Looking ahead, Josh and Joel envision a future of work powered by decentralized, skill-based employment models enabled by web3 technologies. They discuss how these innovations could democratize opportunities and redefine the employer-employee relationship.

The episode wraps up with Josh sharing insights from his book and promoting his upcoming events, while Joel encourages listeners to join the conversation and rethink the future of work. Let’s dive in!

In this episode:

(00:00:03) Introduction to the Episode

(00:01:36) Guest Introduction

(00:02:20) Overview of the Book

(00:02:50) Employee Engagement Trends

(00:03:55) Reflection on 2021

(00:05:57) Employee Experience Design

(00:07:18) Culture vs. Employee Satisfaction

(00:08:34) Short-Term Gains vs. Workforce Needs

(00:09:58) Shifts in Employee Mindset

(00:11:10) Rise of Content Creation

(00:12:50) Bank CEO Salaries vs. Employee Raises

(00:13:08) Employee Frustrations at JPMorgan Chase

(00:15:55) The Contractual Nature of Employment

(00:16:56) Resentment in the Workforce

(00:17:54) Job Market Realities

(00:18:04) Employee Retention vs. Engagement

(00:19:37) HR Limitations and Automation

(00:20:18) Diversity and Inclusion News

(00:21:31) Impact of Political Changes on D&I

(00:22:05) Equity in the Workplace

(00:23:26) Generational Divide in HR Perspectives

(00:24:24) Corporate Compliance and D&I Efforts

(00:26:38) Public Perception of D&I Value

(00:28:04) Future of D&I Over the Next Four Years

(00:28:42) Rise of the Gig Economy

(00:29:50) The Importance of Trust in Employee Surveys

(00:30:16) The Consequences of Honesty

(00:31:42) The Disconnect in Workplace Culture

(00:32:40) Employee Expectations vs. Reality

(00:34:57) The Creator Economy as a Model

(00:39:44) The Future of Work and Decentralization

(00:41:06) Skill Verification and Employment Dynamics

(00:44:04) The Role of Education in Freelancing

(00:45:12) Promoting Engagement and Connection

About Josh Drean

Josh Drean is a visionary leader in the future of work, employee experience, and decentralized work models. As a co-author of "Employment is Dead", Josh challenges traditional workplace paradigms and advocates for innovative approaches to employee engagement and satisfaction. With a deep...