2024 HR CONFERENCE

Breakfast & Registration

Welcome and Intro to the Center for Working Well

Title: Employee Push Back Against “Always-on” Work Cultures

Presenter: Dr. Kate Zipay, Assistant Professor of Management

Session Description:

The rise of accessible technology has created an "always-on" work culture, where employees are expected to be available outside of regular hours, leading to productivity issues, burnout, and a lack of work-life balance. Proactive pushbacks, or subtle, self-initiated acts of resistance—such as ignoring after-hours emails—challenge these norms and promote healthier work boundaries. In our research, we explore the complex social reactions to being a workplace rebel, finding that while these actions may inspire admiration from coworkers for defending work-life balance, they can also provoke resentment if seen as shirking responsibilities. These emotional responses—admiration for courageous behavior and resentment for norm violations—can shape critical workplace dynamics, influencing whether others emulate or undermine boundary-setting behaviors. For HR leaders, supporting proactive pushbacks can promote employee well-being, but managing these social dynamics is key to fostering a healthy work environment.

Title: Love in the Digital Age: Impact of Dating Apps on Employee Well-being and Performance

Presenter: Phoenix Chen, PhD Candidate in OBHR

Session Description:

With over 30% of U.S. adults reporting being single, a significant number of individuals—including young professionals in the workforce—are seeking romantic relationships through online dating applications (“dating apps”). Our research examines the impact of dating app use on employees’ experiences at work—both good and bad. Results indicate that finding desirable relationships through dating app use can reduce emotional exhaustion at work, whereas finding undesirable relationships through dating app use can undermine employees’ task performance. These findings highlight the relevant impact of employees’ lives outside work on their lives inside work, meaning that organizations should allow for time away from work for employees. During our presentation, additional implications will be discussed, including ways organizations can support employees who may feel lonely and isolated in their lives inside of work (e.g., social and/or support groups).

Title: Pawsitive Impact: Boosting Employee Well-being with Pets

Presenter: Dr. Leanne Nieforth, Assistant Professor of Veterinary Medicine

Session Description:

Pets provide multiple benefits to their owners including benefits to mental health, physical health, and social health. With these benefits, it is no surprise that more and more people are integrating their pets into their workplace, whether physically bringing them to the office or incorporating them into the work from home routine. This presentation will focus on discussing the current research surrounding the influence that pets may have on employee wellbeing in the workplace, specifically highlighting outcomes from a long-standing bring your dog to work program. The results of this research can inform organizations seeking ways to sustain productivity and employee retention all while maintaining total workplace well-being.

Title: Panel Discussion

Panelists:

AJ Brow, CHRO at White Lodging

Sarah Ponsler, Director- Talent & Organizational Effectiveness at Wabash

Pramukh Jeyathilak, Co-Founder and CEO, TalentLign

Title: Roundtable Discussion

Each table will have a facilitator and answer provided questions