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HR MixtapePowered by the WRKdefined Podcast Network Author: WRKdefined Podcast Network
HR Mixtape is a weekly human resources and business leadership podcast for HR professionals, people leaders, and executives navigating the real work of managing people. Episodes cover human resources strategy, HR compliance, workplace culture, leadership development, employee experience, payroll and HR technology, and the future of work. Whether you work in HR, talent management, people operations, or business leadership, HR Mixtape offers practical insights, expert conversations, and real-world perspectives to help you lead with confidence in todays evolving workplace. Language: en Genres: Business, Careers, Management Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Grey Area: HR Strategy for Blue and White Collar Workforces
Episode 186
Tuesday, 9 June, 2026
What does it really take to hire and retain people across a workforce that's part office, part shop floor? Jason Lerner, HR Director at Groundwater Treatment and Technology, has spent his career doing exactly that. He's grown his current company from fewer than 300 employees to more than 500 across six states, and he's cracked the code on attracting, developing, and keeping talent in grey industries, where blue-collar and white-collar work exist side by side. In this episode, Jason and Dr. Shari Simpson dig into the skills gap hiding in plain sight, why Gen Z is more suited for grey-collar work than most people think, and how accountability is actually a retention tool, not a threat. Key takeaways: • Why candidates with non-traditional backgrounds may be your best hire, and how to screen for it in the interview. • How to build clear career paths that satisfy Gen Z's need for growth without overpromising. • Why holding people accountable is one of the best things you can do for your top performers. Timestamps [00:00:00] Intro from The HR Mixtape announcer [00:00:41] Jason's non-traditional path: from sales to childcare to HR [00:03:10] Defining grey industries and why they matter right now [00:04:39] Skills transfer: helping candidates see their own potential [00:05:09] Real example of a shop employee who moved into engineering [00:08:35] Reformatting the interview process for non-traditional candidates [00:09:41] Taking candidates on a PPE tour before making an offer [00:11:23] Succession planning and why Gen Z fits into grey industries [00:13:32] Setting expectations and using accountability as a retention tool [00:17:00] Why credibility in the shop matters as much as HR expertise Guest Bio Motivating teams, building consensus, and creating a culture of honest and open communication are the tenets that have defined Jason Lerner's professional life. With a nuanced understanding of human behavior and a high degree of emotional intelligence, Jason leads by example and champions the performance and success of his team. Adept at transforming ideas into actionable programs and breaking down complex concepts into understandable parts, Jason is known as an agent of change and an executive who gets things done. He currently leads the HR function for a privately held transportation and logistics company, overseeing its expansion from fewer than 300 to more than 500 employees across six states. Committed to positioning HR as a strategic business partner, Jason collaborates with finance and executive leaders to advance the mission of the organization. Brought to You by Paylocity Paylocity is the fastest growing unified platform for HR, Finance, and IT. Paylocity brings your people, processes, and data together in one place so HR leaders can spend less time managing systems and more time doing the work that actually moves their organizations forward. Learn more at paylocity.com Keywords: grey industries, blue-collar hiring, white-collar hiring, workforce development, Gen Z retention, skills transfer, non-traditional candidates, succession planning, accountability, HR strategy, career pathing, grey-collar work, employee retention, interview process
