In this episode of the EVOLVE Talent & HR Show, Anna Morgan sits down with Stephanie Lemek, founder and CEO of The Wounded Workforce, for a candid conversation about trauma-informed workplaces, employee well-being, burnout, and resilience. Stephanie shares her journey from more than two decades in HR to entrepreneurship, and how conversations about mental health, suicide, substance misuse, and trauma in the construction industry inspired the creation of The Wounded Workforce.
Anna and Stephanie unpack why resilience shouldn't be treated as an individual responsibility or a solution to workplace problems. They explore compassion fatigue and secondary trauma among HR and Talent professionals, the limitations of relying solely on EAPs and wellness programs, and how workplace structures, leadership, and culture can either support people or contribute to burnout. Stephanie also explains the seven principles of trauma-informed workplaces and how they can be applied to recruiting, leadership, and the employee experience.
The conversation also highlights the power of community, vulnerability, curiosity, and collaboration between HR and Talent. Anna and Stephanie discuss how leaders can create safer workplaces without asking employees to disclose personal trauma, why HR and TA professionals need support too, and what it looks like to approach work with greater humanity and intention. Together, they challenge the idea that people simply need to become more resilient—and invite leaders to look at the conditions that shape how people experience work.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why resilience isn't simply a personality trait or individual responsibility
How workplace structures can contribute to burnout and employee well-being challenges
What trauma-informed workplaces actually mean in practice
How physical, psychological, and financial safety shape the employee experience
Why compassion fatigue and secondary trauma affect HR and Talent professionals
How leaders can minimize harm without asking employees to disclose personal trauma
The seven principles of trauma-informed workplace practices
How trauma-informed practices can improve recruiting and candidate experiences
Why HR and Talent need stronger collaboration and community
What HR and Talent professionals can do when they're experiencing burnout or compassion fatigue
Join the EVOLVE 2027 Waitlist:
https://link.evolve-conference.com/widget/form/qAdMlQRQIeVYVWw7349y
Interested in collaborating or sponsoring EVOLVE experiences?
Book an EVOLVE partnership call:
https://link.evolve-conference.com/widget/form/Z62948iqsNWpiOpdZwtJ
Powered by the WRKdefined Podcast Network.
Sponsors
