HR Current

A leadership change begins long before the announcement.

Nicole Lobdell and Colleen Madden Blumenfeld unpack the September 2026 CEO Turnover Report and discuss what it means for succession planning, internal leadership development, and women in the top job.

From HR Current at the Challenger Content Studio.

Read the report: https://www.challengergray.com/blog/ceo-turnover-falls-in-september-women-gains-climb-to-27-9/

A company can talk about valuing people. What does that look like when their jobs change?

This episode explores the practical side of dignity at work: listening to employees, considering retraining and redeployment, communicating clearly when positions are eliminated, and offering meaningful career transition support. We also discuss how layoffs affect the employees who remain—and why honest updates matter even when leaders do not have every answer.

What is one workplace practice that makes you feel respected? Join the conversation, and follow the show for more discussions about work and career transitions.

When companies cut jobs and invest in AI, where do the savings go—and what happens to the people whose work is changing?

In Part Two of HR Current’s breakdown of our Michael Peregrin interview, host Nicole Lobdell returns to Colleen Madden Blumenfeld’s conversation with the corporate governance adviser to examine what companies are promising, what they’re funding, and how boards can check the results.

Michael discusses the questions directors should ask about AI investments: Is the technology improving customer service? Making employees’ work easier? Are retraining commitments backed by funding—and followed through?

This episode covers:
• Where savings from workforce reductions go.
• How to measure whether AI is helping employees do their work.
• Why retraining promises deserve board oversight.
• One practical step directors can take at their next meeting.

Part One explored worker dignity and employee trust. Part Two follows the money behind those commitments.

Catch up on Part One:
https://www.challengergray.com/blog/ai-at-work-what-companies-owe-their-people-part-1/

Watch the full interview with Michael Peregrin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTO7hkHdjYM

Like this episode and subscribe to HR Current. On Spotify, tap Follow for more conversations about work, leadership, and the labor market.

Questions or topic ideas? Email challengercontentstudio@challengergray.com.

HR Current is a podcast from Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Employers are cutting fewer jobs, but hiring remains slow. What does that mean for HR leaders—and the people looking for their next role?
Colleen Madden-Blumenfeld examines September’s job cuts and employment reports, the mixed signals from Manufacturing, and the outlook for holiday hiring. Plus, three practical takeaways on finding talent, supporting departing employees, and planning for seasonal help.
A labor market update from the Challenger Content Studio at Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Read the September Challenger Report.

Stay connected with HR Current
Subscribe on YouTube or follow HR Current on your favorite podcast platform for conversations about work, careers, and the issues shaping today’s workplace.
Have a question, topic suggestion, or guest idea? Email us at ChallengerContentStudio@ChallengerGray.com.

What does outplacement return to your organization? Andy Challenger breaks down the business case—from employee turnover and engagement to legal risk and employer reputation—and explains how HR leaders can bring meaningful numbers into the budget conversation.
In this episode of HR Current:
• Look beyond severance to the broader costs of a workforce reduction.
• Understand how supporting departing employees affects the people who stay.
• Tailor your business case to your CFO, CEO, and board.
• Use your company’s headcount, wages, and reduction size.
• Bring outplacement into the conversation before the transition plan is finalized.
Calculate your organization’s potential outplacement ROI:
https://info.challengergray.com/roi_of_outplacement_calculator

#Outplacement #HumanResources #HRCurrent
Stay connected with HR Current
Like and subscribe for more HR Current conversations about workforce trends, leadership, and supporting people through career transitions.
Have a question, topic suggestion, or guest idea? Email us at ⁠ChallengerContentStudio@ChallengerGray.com⁠.