Ep. 4 - Who Gets Left Behind? Navigating the Human Realities of RTO Decisions - with Veronica Bruner
What happens when return-to-office mandates collide with real-world complexity and the realities of people’s lives?
In this episode, host James Weier sits down with Veronica Bruner, Senior Human Resources Manager, for a candid conversation on the true impact of RTO decisions in a post-pandemic world.
With a decade in tech HR, Veronica exposes the hidden costs of rigid RTO mandates, the burden on caregivers, and how binary policies threaten inclusion and gender equity. She explains why strong cultures are purposefully built and shows HR leaders how to move past quick fixes to address the real issues at play.
Veronica challenges leaders to rethink flexibility and advocates for hybrid models that balance values with business needs. Packed with insights and lived experience, this episode is a must-listen for HR leaders facing RTO decisions or culture transformation.
You'll learn:
1. Why nostalgia and sunk costs drive return-to-office, often at the expense of talent
2. How rigid RTO mandates can undermine inclusion, flexibility, and gender equity
3. What it takes to intentionally design a culture, whether it's remote, in-office or hybrid
4. How to identify who gets left behind before mandating any workplace policy
5. Practical ways to align company values with rewards, flexibility, and performance
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Get in touch with Veronica Bruner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-bruner-b487b811/
Veronica's book recommendations:
Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future by Reid Hoffman and Greg Beato | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5WMKV9H
The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the 21st Century's Greatest Dilemma by Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar | https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593593952
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski | https://www.amazon.com/dp/198481706X
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About the host James Weier:
James is Director, US at EGYM Wellpass and President of the Denver chapter of the Level Up HR Community. With 10 years of experience and a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, James brings a collaborative, community‑focused approach to his work. When he’s not elevating employee experience or strengthening HR leadership, James enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young boys in Colorado’s great outdoors.
Get in touch with James Weier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesweier/