48 Million Workers Suffer in Silence - Empower Work Uses AI + Human Empathy to Change That

Nearly 48 million Americans face workplace bullying, harassment, or discrimination—often with nowhere to turn. Jamie Alexis Fowler and Rajiv Puranik from Empower Work have created the first confidential crisis text line for workplace issues, combining AI technology with deeply human connection to support over 450,000 vulnerable workers. In this powerful conversation, discover how they're democratizing justice for workers in their darkest moments and why human empathy still outsmarts algorithms.​​

What You'll Learn
Why 91% of U.S. workers have experienced workplace discrimination and where they can turn for help​

How Empower Work pairs AI efficiency with human peer counselors to provide 24/7 confidential support via text

The hidden workplace crisis: 65% of current cases involve job loss—up from 23% during previous economic downturns​

Why AI can only meet one of three critical empathy needs, and how Empower Work designed technology around human connection

Real patterns from 450,000 workplace conversations revealing systemic issues affecting frontline and small-business workers

How volunteer peer counselors build empathy skills that transform their own leadership and workplace relationships

The economic impact: why workers supported by Empower Work see an average 25% improvement in economic wellbeing​

Key Moments
Personal Stories of Crisis – Jamie Alexis shares her experience with workplace harassment that inspired Empower Work's mission​

The Human-AI Balance – Rajiv explains how AI assists counselors with summarization, resource recommendations, and conversation guidance—while humans make all final decisions​

Data-Driven Insights – Discover alarming trends showing workplace discrimination cases increased substantially in 2024, with the EEOC receiving over 81,000 new charges​

Building Empathy Muscle – How 95% of volunteer peer counselors report learning skills they use in their own workplaces​

Technology for Equity – Why designing AI with conscience means putting users first and creating advisory councils of actual counselors​​

The Crisis & The Solution
With workplace harassment charges at 24,000+ annually and discrimination affecting workers across every industry, Empower Work provides immediate, confidential support when it matters most. Text 510-674-4141 for free help with workplace harassment, discrimination, job loss, toxic managers, or any work-related crisis.​​

Get Involved
Need support? Text 510-674-4141 (free & confidential)
Want to volunteer? Become a trained peer counselor and build empathy skills while helping others
Spread the word: Share this resource with anyone facing workplace challenges

About the Guests
Jamie Alexis Fowler – Founder of Empower Work, workplace equity advocate, and survivor of workplace harassment who built the first crisis text line specifically for work issues

Rajiv Puranik – CTO of Empower Work with 25+ years building platforms at Yahoo, HP, and Twilio, now using Silicon Valley expertise for social good

About Socially Conscious AI
Welcome to conversations with the brilliant minds and ethical pioneers harnessing AI's power to address humanity's greatest challenges. Hosted by Valencia Cardoso and Roman Bercot.

Subscribe for more conversations about AI innovation for social good | Share this episode with anyone navigating workplace challenges | Comment with your thoughts on AI and workplace equity

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