I Hate It Here

Look, we've all been there at this point: Your company claims it's “all about accessibility,” but somehow, employees still struggle to find answers to basic questions.  Leadership preaches an open-door policy, but good luck getting a response anytime soon. And don't even get me started on the “We're ADA compliant!” flex like it's some kind of gold medal when it's actually the bare minimum! That's why I brought in the brilliant friend Lia Seth, Director of People at Cylinder Health, disability advocate, and self-proclaimed Accessibility Queen, to break down why access and accessibility aren't the same thing, how hustle culture is sabotaging your teams, and why your transparent pay philosophy might still be leaving people in the dark. We're calling out gatekeeping, ghosting, and performative corporate nonsense, because employees deserve better, and HR is done cleaning up avoidable messes! Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SixFifty.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! Whether you're scaling fast or filling a critical role, Oyster helps you tap into the global talent pool and navigate international hiring with confidence. Hire full time talent or work flexibly with contractors- hire remotely, manage payroll, and ensure compliance ethically, with real employment experts by your side. Visit ⁠⁠⁠oysterhr.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! 0:02:24 - One Truth About Work Lia Wishes More Leaders Understood 0:07:40 - What Access and Accessibility Means in the Context of Your Workplace 0:09:16 - The Biggest Misconceptions Between Access and Accessibility 0:13:49 - Why Employees Feel Shut Out 0:20:17 - Why Access to Leadership is a Barrier in Some Companies 0:26:49 - An Example of a Small Change That Can Create Genuine Access for Employees 0:31:06 - How Tech Can Unintentionally Create Accessibility Issues 0:39:04 - Gatekeeping Behaviors in the Workplace and How to Dismantle Them 0:49:34 - How Companies Can Move Past Performative Accessibility   And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Lia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liaseth/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

I hate to say it, but your “amazing culture” might be a lie. Today, Latesha Byrd and I are ripping off the culture band-aid to expose what's actually happening in your org! You know the drill: shiny values on the wall that nobody abides by, all-hands full of empty promises, and that lovely gaslighty feeling when leadership says “we're family” but acts like a toxic ex. We're explaining why “bring your whole self to work” is a scam if your culture is performative, how to spot and fix the disconnect between what leaders say and what employees live, and the corporate red flags that scream RUN, along with the green flags worth fighting for! Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SixFifty.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! Whether you're scaling fast or filling a critical role, Oyster helps you tap into the global talent pool and navigate international hiring with confidence. Hire full time talent or work flexibly with contractors- hire remotely, manage payroll, and ensure compliance ethically, with real employment experts by your side. Visit ⁠⁠oysterhr.com⁠⁠ to learn more! 0:01:40 - One Truth About Work Latesha Wishes More Leaders Understood 0:03:51 - How to Define Real Culture and How to Tell When It's Missing 0:10:39 - When a Company's Culture Initiative Falls Completely Flat 0:19:03 - Why Performative Actions Ruin Trust at Work, and How to Fix It 0:22:47 - The Role Communication Plays in Shaping Culture Narratives at an Org 0:26:30 - Towing the Line Between Being Inspiring and Being Honest About Challenges 0:31:32 - How to Hold Leaders Accountable 0:37:31 - The “Red Flag or Green Flag?” Game 0:41:10 - If Latesha Could Redesign Culture From Scratch, What Would She Prioritize First? 0:46:16 - What the Next Generation of Employees Will Expect From Real Workplace Culture And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Latesha: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lateshabyrd/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Look, I'll be honest: most “leadership experts” lowkey make me want to throw my laptop into a pool.  But Dr. Matt Poepsel? This man's the REAL DEAL! Marine veteran, Ironman triathlete, PhD in psychology, and the actual godfather of talent optimization (no, really, he wrote the book on it)!  So when he says leadership today is broken, you listen. Today, we're dragging egos, calling out the “hero leader” BS, and answering the question employees are too scared to ask:  Why are so many leaders terrible at their jobs?  From vulnerability without oversharing to why your status reports are already obsolete, this is the leadership reset you didn't know you needed. Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SixFifty.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! Whether you're scaling fast or filling a critical role, Oyster helps you tap into the global talent pool and navigate international hiring with confidence. Hire full time talent or work flexibly with contractors- hire remotely, manage payroll, and ensure compliance ethically, with real employment experts by your side. Visit ⁠oysterhr.com⁠ to learn more! 0:02:30 - One Truth About Work Matt Wishes More Leaders Understood 0:03:37 - How to Build Self-awareness as a Leader 0:06:57 - When A Leader's Ego Gets in the Way of Good Leadership 0:09:36 - Spotting the Difference Between Authentic Leaders and Stiff Leaders 0:12:58 - A Game-changing Moment in Matt's Leadership Journey 0:19:21 - What Employees ACTUALLY Want From Leaders 0:22:19 - If a Manager Only Has Time to do One Thing, What Should it Be? 0:27:07 - A Small Action Leaders Can Take That Has a Huge Impact 0:32:41 - The Fine Line Between Vulnerability and Oversharing 0:34:39 - Navigating Leadership in an Era of Burnout, Layoffs, and AI 0:40:03 - Something Every CEO Should Understand About Their Company 0:43:41 - Rewriting the Playbook on How Companies Develop Leaders And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Matt:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Whether we like it or not, office politics are an unavoidable part of corporate life. But don't worry—you're in for a TREAT today because one of my absolute favorite humans, Jessica Winder, is back on the pod, and we're diving into the BS of corporate life in detail!  You know, the kind where you're expected to read minds, kiss ass, and perform miracles while leadership acts like promotions are some kind of Da Vinci Code situation.  We're talking about why “being liked” often beats “being right,” how LinkedIn is just one giant performance of corporate cringe, and why trust is literally cheaper than surveillance (but somehow, companies still don't get it).  There's value in learning how to play the corporate game without compromising your integrity, so let's get into it! Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠SixFifty.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! Whether you're scaling fast or filling a critical role, Oyster helps you tap into the global talent pool and navigate international hiring with confidence. Hire full time talent or work flexibly with contractors- hire remotely, manage payroll, and ensure compliance ethically, with real employment experts by your side. Visit oysterhr.com to learn more! 0:03:17 - One Truth Jessica Wishes More Leaders Understood 0:04:16 - What Does Kissing Ass Mean in the Workplace? 0:06:02 - When Good Work Isn't Enough to Get Ahead 0:08:57 - Unwritten Rules of Career Advancement That Nobody Talks About 0:12:06 - Is Playing Office Politics Part of the Job, or is There Another Way to Succeed? 0:15:01 - How Race and Gender Tie Into Unspoken Rules of Advancement 0:24:23 - Hebba's Round of Spicy Questions 0:35:11 - How Jessica Would Rewrite the Rules of Career Advancement 0:38:44 - Employees Who Feel Stuck Because They Refuse to Kiss Ass And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Jessica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadwinder/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

This should come as no surprise anymore, but your employees aren't just asking for certainty these days, they're BEGGING for it!  And yet, most workplaces still operate like a Magic 8 Ball: "Ask again later," "Outlook not so good," and my personal favorite, "Cannot predict now." Cool, cool.  So why do we keep acting shocked when people quit over unclear expectations, bad leadership, and the soul-crushing weight of "figure it out yourself" culture? Joining me today is Kat Kibben, recruiting expert and professional truth-teller, to drag the leadership myths we're all tired of and drop some real talk on how to actually make work WORK for people!  We're breaking down why humans would rather deal with a known disaster than unknown chaos, how bad managers create generational trauma in the workplace, and the one thing leaders always get wrong about certainty. Lots of gems in here, so buckle up! Fortunately, you don't have to choose between investing in people programs and consolidating your tech stack. With Lattice, you can have both. Visit ⁠⁠⁠lattice.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more. Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit ⁠⁠⁠SixFifty.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! 0:03:51 - One Truth About Work Kat Wishes More Leaders Understood 0:05:05 - Why Do Humans Crave Certainty So Much? 0:08:25 - How Leaders Can Make Employees Feel Safe 0:19:43 - Why Not Every Good Employee Needs to Be a Manager 0:24:38 - What Does Creativing Clarity Actually Look Like? 0:31:58 - How Good or Bad Communication Shapes Teams Over Time 0:38:34 - Bouncing Back From a Toxic Boss/Environment 0:46:13 - One Thing Leaders Often Get Wrong About Providing Certainty 0:49:33 - One Message Leaders Should Repeat to Their Teams During Uncertain Times And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Kat: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: MONEY.

Let's get one thing straight: People Leaders are tired of companies pretending they care about equity while quietly rolling back DEI initiatives and gaslighting employees into thinking they're the problem.  So I brought in someone I admire DEEPLY, Cierra Gross, Founder of Caged Bird HR and Wrk Receipts, to drag corporate America's favorite lies—and yes, it got spicy! We're discussing why “accountability” is a corporate buzzword for “we'll investigate ourselves and find no wrongdoing,” how Gen Z is forcing much-needed change at work, and the invisible barriers that sabotage equity.  Cierra's app, Wrk Receipts, is also about to be a problem, in the absolute best way possible! Choosing the wrong HR platform is rife with regrets: losing a top performer, promoting the wrong person, or failing to engage your team when the business needs it most. Fortunately, you don't have to choose between investing in people programs and consolidating your tech stack. With Lattice, you can have both. Visit ⁠lattice.com⁠ to learn more. Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit ⁠SixFifty.com⁠ to learn more! 0:02:22 - One Truth About Work Cierra Wishes More Leaders Understood 0:04:42 - Why Accountability and Equitable Outcomes are Top Priorities Right Now 0:12:31 - What Accountability and Equity ACTUALLY Means in the Workplace 0:15:24 - What Happens if Companies Don't Care About Adapting? 0:23:10 - The Gap Between What Employees Expect and What Companies Deliver 0:25:12 - Why Don't Companies Have an Incentive to Live Up to Their Ideas? 0:41:03 - Invisible Systems and Habits That Quietly Sabotage Equity and Fairness 0:49:55 - A Necessary Shift to Make Accountability and Equity Non-negotiable at Work And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Cierra: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cierragross/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Employees aren't just asking for feedback—they're begging for it.  So why are we still serving them stale, twice-a-year performance reviews like it's 1999? This week, I'm sitting down with Jessica DeVlieger to unpack why your team is secretly screaming, “Just tell me if I'm doing a good job!”—and how leaders keep missing the mark. We're digging into:

Let's talk about fairness—or, more accurately, let's talk about how your company is probably failing at it! You know the drill: the ‘neutral' policies that somehow always disadvantage the same people, the DEI initiatives that start and end with a Slack emoji, the performance reviews that feel more like a lottery than actual feedback.  This week, Zach Nunn (founder of Living Corporate and certified corporate truth-teller) joins me to rip apart the illusion of fairness at work!  We're talking remote work double standards, the sneaky policies that keep marginalized employees stuck, and why ‘transparency' is often just corporate code for ‘we'll tell you the rules but not how to win.'  If most workplaces were actually fair, we wouldn't need this episode!  But since that's not our reality yet… press play and let's get figure it out together. Choosing the wrong HR platform is rife with regrets: losing a top performer, promoting the wrong person, or failing to engage your team when the business needs it most. Fortunately, you don't have to choose between investing in people programs and consolidating your tech stack. With Lattice, you can have both. Visit lattice.com to learn more. Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit SixFifty.com to learn more! 0:03:43 - One Truth About Work Zach Wishes More Leaders Understood 0:11:30 - What is Living Corporate and What Inspired Zach to Start It? 0:17:02 - What Most Companies Get Wrong About Fairness at Work 0:25:42 - Defining a Fair Workplace and How It Feels to Employees 0:38:52 - Policies That Seem Neutral, But Actually End up Being Unfair 0:52:54 - One Thing HR Should Stop Doing Immediately to Build Fairer Workplaces 0:53:50 - What Gives Zach Hope? 0:56:32 - Get in Touch With Zach And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Zach: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharynunnphr/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

I'm back in your ears with another banger of an episode, and this one's the season finale! I couldn't think of a better way to wrap things up than by geeking out with my incredibly impressive friend Jeet Mukerji, co-founder and CEO of Kinfolk. Whether you're an AI skeptic or a full-on tech enthusiast, there is a lot of food for thought to digest. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today! 00:02:25 - A Topic Jeet Has Been Interested in Lately 00:03:57 - What Inspired Jeet to Build Kinfolk? 00:06:00 - The Biggest Challenges HR Teams Face With Employee Requests 00:11:01 - Why AI Complements the Human Piece of HR, Not Replaces 00:16:09 - The Biggest Misconceptions About AI in HR 00:21:10 - Using Data to Show Why AI Will Improve Efficiency in HR 00:28:58 - Can AI Handle the Nuances of Emotion in Text? 00:36:03 - Can AI be Used to Make a More Equitable, Inclusive Workplace? 00:42:00 - A Bold, Groundbreaking Thing Jeet Would Love to See in HR 00:44:49 - The Biggest Hurdle in HR Teams Adopting AI Tools And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Jeet: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeetmukerji/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

I've been on a mission this season to learn something new in every episode, and today?  Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of investing and retirement planning—and I promise, it's way more interesting than it sounds! It's also an incredibly important topic that not enough people in our roles are talking about at length. Unfortunately, financial stress is the #1 stressor for most people, and HR leaders are no exception.  But here's the thing: investing doesn't have to be a jargon-filled nightmare! So in this episode, Breene Murphy and I are breaking down what HR leaders need to know about investing—no fluff, no confusing terms, just practical insights to help you build a retirement plan that works for your company and your people! Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today! 00:03:16 - A Topic Breene Has Been Interested in Lately 00:05:46 - One Thing Every HR Leader Should Know About Investing 00:09:52 - Why It's so Important for HR Leaders to Understand Investing 00:13:17 - The Best Ways to Evaluate Your 401k Providers 00:25:46 - Why Newer Generations Contribute Less to Their Retirement Funds 00:42:12 - The Biggest Mistakes HR Leaders Make When it Comes to Offering Benefits 00:51:32 - What Breene Would Change About How Companies Approach Investing 00:53:17 - Tools and Resources to Learn About Investing And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Breene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breene-murphy-climate-friendly-401k/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Recruiting is rough right now. Job seekers are frustrated, recruiters are overwhelmed, and everyone's wondering, “Is it just me, or is this whole system broken?”  In this episode, I sit down with Kiersten Smith, founder of Trap Recruiter and a 24-year recruiting veteran, to unpack the chaos.  Kiersten pulls back the curtain on what's really happening in today's job market, why recruiters are the unsung heroes of HR, and how both candidates and hiring teams can navigate this mess. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today! 00:02:19 - A Topic Keirsten Has Been Interested in Lately 00:05:03 - What is Happening in Today's Market? 00:10:01 - How Will the Job Market Look in the Next Year? 00:14:06 - How to Stand Out During a Hiring Process 00:23:04 - Why Does Everybody Think You Need to Beat the ATS? 00:29:14 - Using AI for Resumes or Job Searching 00:36:39 - The Biggest Inefficiencies in the TA Process Right Now 00:44:16 - How Long Should the Overall Interview Process be? 00:51:46 - What is the Most Important Part of the Candidate Experience?  00:57:03 - The One Tip Kiersten Would Give Recriuters And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Keirsten: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traprecruiter/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Work is changing FAST.  Between global pandemics, remote work, and the Great Reshuffle, it's no wonder we're all feeling a little unhinged! Nothing like building a deep work connection to help you adjust to it all, eh? That's why this week's episode is a fun (slightly wild) ride with Chris Hagood, CEO of AstutEdge and all-around HR powerhouse.  We're covering everything from the role of work friendships to whether you'd take $10,000 to return to the office (spoiler: Chris has thoughts).  Plus, we're throwing in some HR raps courtesy of ChatGPT because why not?! Whether you're here for the laughs, the insights, or just to feel less alone in your corner of chaos, this episode has it all.  Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today! 00:03:00 - A Topic Chris Has Been Interested in Lately 00:08:04 - What the F&*%$ is Going on in the World? 00:11:34 - Does Christ Have a Best Friend in Life That he Met at Work? 00:13:52 - Should HR Play an Active Role in Fostering Friendships at Work? 00:17:19 - Would You Take $10,000 to Return to the Office? 00:23:00 - Professional Myths or Facts 00:33:35 - Yes or No? 00:37:08 - HR Raps From ChatGPT 00:42:12 - 3 Things HR Definitely Shouldn't Say   And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Chris: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisrhagood/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef Hostile Government Takeover Song  Gallup Best Friend at Work survey

There's more to people than what you see when they show up for work.  Stories matter because we are in the age of radical authenticity and transparency. Exciting? Yes! Challenging? Also yes. Torrin Ellis, a powerhouse in recruitment, talent development, and operationalizing diversity and inclusion is here to break it all down!  We'll unpack Torrin's latest report, Reducing Bias in HR Using AI, and explore building trust, vulnerability, and doing things differently to push humanity further and deeper into your respective organization. Plus, we'll tackle the scary stuff—like how to do the right thing even when it's hard and why re-skilling is non-negotiable in the age of AI. Don't worry, we'll also squeeze in some hot takes on the Super Bowl performance because, well, priorities. Tune in, take notes, and let's make work better, one uncomfortable conversation at a time. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today! 00:05:01 - How Hebba and Torin Met 00:10:26 - Breakdown of the Superbowl Performance 00:18:42 - Understanding Bias and Prejudice  00:30:22 - What Inspired Torin's Report about Reducing Bias in HR using AI 00:38:56 - The Pros and Cons of Capitalism 00:44:35 - Doing the Right Thing, Even When It's Scary 00:51:09 - Torin's ONE Takeaway You Should Have From This Episode 00:53:37 - Get in Touch With Torin And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Torin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torinellis/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

There's so much we can learn from the sports that we love. So lace up your sneakers and pull up your socks, because this episode is a full-court press of insights, laughs, and way too many basketball metaphors! Today, Chris Henrichs is giving a masterclass on how the lessons from the court can transform the way we think about HR, leadership, and building a workplace that doesn't just survive, but thrives. From Michael Jordan's killer competitiveness to the art of drafting the right players (or employees), Chris breaks down all the interesting parallels between basketball and HR.  We're talking leadership styles, creating a winning culture, handling competition, and why HR is basically the coach, GM, and referee of the workplace. Whether you're a die-hard sports fan or someone who thinks a “pick-and-roll” is a bakery order, you'll still hae actionable takeaways that'll make you rethink how you lead, collaborate, and bounce back from setbacks. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today! 00:03:45 - One Topic Chris is Really Interested in Right Now 00:06:00 - The Connection Between Basketball and HR 00:08:07 - How Competition Helped Shape Chris's Career  00:13:22 - Who Inspires Chris in Sports, and How it Translates to HR Leadership 00:18:31 - How This Famous Michael Jordan Quote Plays Out in the Workplace 00:21:22 - Lessons Chris Learned About People Ops From Playing Basketball 00:27:26 - Different Leadership Styles and How They Compare to Leaders on the Court 00:31:24 - Balancing Top Perfomers With the Rest of the Team 00:34:45 - HR's Equivalent of Drafting the Right Players 00:42:02 - Creating a Workplace Where People Challenge Each Other But Still Collaborate 00:43:57 - Bouncing Back From a Rough Patch 00:46:57 - Creating a Competitive But Healthy Work Environment 00:53:13 - Chris's Dream Basketball Team Roster And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Chris: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishenrichs/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

On today's episode, you're going to hear one word a million times… And that is strategic. Let's be real, we've all heard the word “strategic” thrown around a million times, but what does it ACTUALLY mean? And why does it feel like everyone has a different definition?  It's probably because they do.  Joining me today is the incredible Morgan Williams, CEO and founder of Peak HR. Morgan's resume is basically the HR equivalent of a mic drop—she's handled everything from massive layoffs to reopening retail stores for giants like Macy's, Casper, and Topshop.  She's been in the trenches, and she's here to help us unpack the myths, misconceptions, and realities of what it means to be strategic in HR. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today! 00:01:25 - Something Morgan is Interested in Right Now 00:04:52 - What Being Strategic Means to Morgan as an HR Leader 00:08:00 - Why the Word Strategic is Often Misunderstood in HR 00:14:58 - How to be Seen as More Strategic and Less Operational 00:22:11 - Why HR Teams Struggle to Align Their Work With Business Goals 00:30:37 - Making Sure Your Initiative Have Measurable Impact on Business Outcomes 00:34:50 - Skills That Will Make You More Strategic 00:33:30 - Barriers HR Leaders Face Trying to Implement Strategic Initiatives 00:43:00 - Key Differences Between Operational and Strategic Thinking in HR 00:46:24 - How HR Leaders Can Advocate for Resources to Execute on Plans 00:50:41 - Some of the Risks of Focusing TOO Much on Strategy And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Morgan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganbwilliams/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Today we're going to embrace the messy, imperfect, and downright hilarious side of learning from making mistakes. Kim has seen it all, done it all, and definitely messed it all up a few times too! It's part of the growth process, as you know. From compensation catastrophes to performance management mishaps, she has the stories (and the scars) to prove that sometimes, the best lessons come from the biggest blunders. Besides, who doesn't love a good “I can't believe I did that” moment? Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today! 00:03:23 - Something Kim is Insanely Curious About Right Now 00:06:16 - The Time Kim F&%$#d up Compensation 00:23:25 - Kim's Performance Management Mistakes, Explained 00:29:51 - The Real Purpose of Performance Management Reviews 00:36:53 - How AI Might Impact Performance Management 00:45:50 - Kim's Advice on How to Prepare for the Future of HR And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Kim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-minnick/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Want to know what's at the heart of every successful organization? Connection, gifting, recognition, and appreciation! All four of these are so core to making somebody feel seen and heard at work. So in today's episode, we're discussing connection-building because let's face it, loneliness is hitting hard and it's an epidemic that is creeping into our workplaces.  Join me and Ross Langley from Snappy as we unpack innovative and personalized ways to foster connections with anybody in the office.  We're diving deep into creating meaningful experiences, leveraging personalization in gifts, and ensuring everyone in your organization feels truly seen and appreciated. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today! 00:01:35 - What Topic Has Been Interesting to Ross Lately? 00:05:07 - How We Define Meaningful Connections at Work and Why It Matters 00:08:17 - The Biggest Challenges Orgs Face Trying to Build Authentic Connections 00:13:41 - How Unique Gifts Build Genuine Relationships at Work 00:21:59 - Leveraging Personalization to Create Emotional Impacts 00:25:35 - The Impact of Experiential Vs Physical Gifts 00:30:37 - Creative Ways for HR to Integrate Gifting Into Engagement Programs 00:37:07 - Potential Pitfalls With Using Gifts to Build Connections 00:41:14 - Advice for HR Leaders Incorporating Gifting Into Their Connection-building Efforts And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Ross: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-ross-langley/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

If there is one silver bullet for connecting with other people, it's storytelling! Last episode, my friend Georgia Clark and I unpacked the lessons HR can glean from romance novels about character development and storytelling.  Today, I'm pushing that conversation forward with Tara Turk-Haynes. Tara isn't just any guest—she's a powerhouse in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and DEI, with a vibrant background in the arts like playwriting and screenwriting.  With her at the helm of DEI initiatives and her roots in creative storytelling, Tara will share how authentic narratives can be the perfect bridge to deeper connections within the workplace. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today! 00:02:48 - What Topic Has Been Interesting to Tara Lately? 00:07:24 - Why Storytelling is Critical for Building Connections 00:10:45 - What Makes Stories Truly Resonate With People? 00:25:20 - A Story That Has Stuck With Tara Over the Years 00:31:43 - How Story Revelations Apply to the Workplace 00:41:02 - How can HR Professionals Become Better Storytellers? 00:44:39 - Storytelling Mistakes People Make, and How to Avoid Them 00:50:01 - How Tara Would Change How Stories are Told in Corporate Spaces And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Tara: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttaraturkhaynes/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Beyond the typical day-to-day activities in HR… I'm just a mega-dorknerd with a fierce love for books, especially when they whisk me away to worlds filled with fantasy, sci-fi, and heart-stirring romance! And today, we're exploring how the twists and turns of romance novels can actually offer fascinating insights into HR.  I'm thrilled to have Georgia Clark with us to guide us through these narrative mazes! She's not just any novelist—she's a storytelling wizard who's penned titles like Most Wonderful and Island Time, and she lights up New York's iconic Joe's Pub with her storytelling night, Generation Women. During our chat, we discuss how romance and the hero's journey in novels can uniquely resonate within the corridors of HR, enhancing empathy and understanding, which are crucial for anyone in this role. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today! 00:02:12 - A Topic Georgia is Interested in Right Now 00:05:50 - Georgia's Favorite Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episode 00:09:47 - How Georgia Became a Writer 00:16:24 - How Georgia Develops Her Characters 00:21:29 - The Approach Behind Character Transformation 00:30:30 - How Georgia Thinks About Conflict While Creating Characters 00:39:15 - Uncovering Character Motivations in a Natural Way 00:45:58 - How to Make a Story Truly Captivating for People 00:48:28 - What is Generation Women? 00:53:35 - Why the Hero Journey in Romance Novels Resonates With People 01:00:07 - Making Stories Reflect Diverse Perspectives and Experiences And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Georgia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-clark-b451412/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Welcome to a brand new season of the podcast, where I'm flipping the script and diving deep into more diverse topics! I'll be challenging myself (and my guests) to rethink what we think we know about the world of work, and how seemingly unrelated topics still tie back to HR. Today, we've got the one and only Sarika Lamont, aka my Comp Guru Queen, joining us! If you want to understand pay transparency and total rewards in a way that actually makes sense, Sarika is here to break it all down.  Spoiler alert: pay isn't as simple as it seems—and neither is the communication behind it.  We talk about why employees often misunderstand compensation, how we can improve the conversation, and why education is the key to getting pay transparency right. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today! 00:05:45 - One Topic Sarika is Interested in Right Now 00:16:05 - Explaining Compensation and Total Rewards in Simple Terms 00:19:07 - How do you Decide What Employees Should be Paid? 00:36:22 - What Makes Creating Good Pay Packages so Challenging? 00:53:55 - What do Employees Misunderstand About Pay, Benefits, and How They're Determined? 01:13:55 - Should Companies be Open About How Much They Pay Employees? 01:16:02 - Non-money Rewards That Companies Can Offer to Make Employees Feel Valued 01:17:36 - How Pay and Rewards for Employees Will Change in the Future And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Sarika: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarikal/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

As we wrap up 2024, it's time to start thinking ahead to 2025—and let's be honest, it's about time we take our place as the experts in the room.  From fixing the broken candidate experience to building stronger bridges with other teams, it's time for HR to show up and show out! This episode features a series of friends/leaders sharing their bold wishes for the future, and why 2025 is our year to make real change happen. We're not holding back! Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo. 00:00:55 - Tara Turk-Haynes's Wish for HR in 2025 00:10:01 - Sarika Lamont's Wish for HR in 2025 00:16:02 - Cassidy Edwards's Wish for HR in 2025 00:19:35 - Noah Warder's Wish for HR in 2025 00:26:52 - Cassandra Babilya's Wish for HR in 2025 And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Tara: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttaraturkhaynes/ Follow Sarika: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarikal/ Follow Cassidy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-edwards-yyom/ Follow Noah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahwarder/ Follow Cassandra: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-babilya/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

As People Leaders, we love our people, but sometimes we miss how the two worlds of business strategy and people strategy need to work together to drive results.  Joining me is the brilliant Halai Shukran, COO at Pluribus Digital, who's built her career around understanding exactly how people and business strategy intersect. From leading talent functions to overseeing operations, IT, and comms, Halai's insight is next level.  She's breaking down how to speak the language of other business units, why you should get your seat at the table, and how to prioritize when resources are tight. Plus, we talk about the big picture—how seeing the whole organization helps shape better leadership and decision-making. So, if you've ever felt stuck in the HR bubble, today's episode is your guide to breaking out and making a real impact.  Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo. 00:02:27 - One Thing People in HR Should Rethink 00:06:10 - How Halai Discovered Her Zone of Genius 00:10:43 - Keeping Business and People Strategies Aligned 00:18:10 - The Process for Diagnosing Organizational Challenges 00:23:30 - Prioritizing When Resources are Limited 00:37:18 - Approaching Prioritization When Working Across Multiple Teams 00:42:57 - How Seeing the Bigger Picture Influences Leadership and Decision-making 00:48:14 - Advice for Leaders who Want to Cultivate the “Big Picture” Mindset 00:50:58 - What Excites Halai About the Future of Work And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Halai: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/halai-shukran-sphr/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

If HR should be anything it's these two things: creative and curious. This week's guest is as delicious as the bagels her company makes (and that's saying something).  Nikki Rappaport, Chief People Officer at Call Your Mother—aka my go-to for stress-eating bagels—is here to share her creativity and wisdom! With a decade of experience in creative marketing and employee experience design, Nikki shares how curiosity and creativity drive exceptional HR practices.  From storytelling to culture-building, we're exploring how HR can learn from marketing to build trust, align teams with company values, and create meaningful employee experiences. Also, yes, we talk a little bit about bagels. Obviously. Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo. 00:03:50 - One Thing People in HR Should Rethink 00:04:53 - How Nikki Found Her Zone of Genius 00:07:20 - How Creativity Translates into Exceptional Employee Experiences 00:10:50 - The Overlap Between Marketing and HR 00:15:38 - The Connection Between Marketing and a Strong Workplace Culture 00:18:53 - How HR Can Utilize Storytelling to Strengthen Culture and Branding 00:24:53 - How to Align Employees With Company Missions and Values 00:36:30 - Lessons From Customer Experience Design That HR Should Learn And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Nikki: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkirap/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Ever feel like recruiting is just herding cats—or maybe gremlins?  And job searching? Let's call it what it is these days: a special kind of torture. In this episode, I've rounded up some previous guests and we're tackling the dual headache of being a recruiter and a job seeker in today's chaotic market! With 2025 shaping up as the “Year of the Personal Brand,” we're dishing out the tea on trust, relationships, and why recruiters who don't build a foundation are always playing defense. Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo. 00:02:22 - Shannon's Biggest Piece of Advice for Recruiters 00:04:41 - What Job Seekers Should Consider in This Market 00:09:32 - Rhona's Biggest Piece of Advice for Recruiters 00:11:42 - Tips for Job Seekers of Today 00:15:21 - Brandon's Biggest Piece of Advice for Recruiters 00:17:34 - Brandon's One Tip for Job Seekers 00:21:15 - Sean's Biggest Piece of Advice for Recruiters 00:22:24 - Sean's One Tip for Job Seekers 00:26:53 - Can you Beat the ATS? 00:34:58 - What is the Best ATS System to Use? And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Shannon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonogborn/ Follow Rhona: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ Follow Brandon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandohires/ Follow Sean LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-page-capm/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Hot take: Nobody is inherently a good leader. Being a leader is a learned skill. What does it really take to be a good leader?  It's not about being perfect, having all the answers, or walking in like a natural-born boss! Leadership is messy, vulnerable, and learned.  In this episode, my unofficial co-host (and leadership guru) Jessica Winder is back to break it all down.  We talk about why vulnerability is a must (not an option), how to lead when you have zero authority, and why leadership isn't a natural-born trait—it's a skill you grow over time. Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo. 00:01:35 - Jessica's Background  00:03:45 - One Thing That HR People Should Rethink 00:06:30 - What Does it Mean to be a Leader? 00:11:57 - How Jessica's Leadership Style Evolved Over the Years 00:16:13 - When Jessica Realized Leadership as Her Zone of Genius 00:19:20 - Common Myths About Leadership, Debunked 00:23:38 - What Qualities Differentiate a Good Leader From a Great Leader? 00:30:40 - Balancing Empathy and Decision-making as a Leader 00:36:48 - Advice for People Stepping Into Their First Leadership Role 00:38:27 - What Leadership Could Look Like in 5-10 Years And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Jessica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadwinder/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Just how different is a work environment that's unionized versus one that isn't? Today, we're diving headfirst into the world of unionized workplaces with the brilliant Morgan Williams!  Spoiler alert: unions aren't just about strikes and tension—they can actually make your organization stronger if you know how to play the game.  Morgan's expertise? Managing unionized environments, reducing conflict, and building collaboration that lasts.  She's here to drop some knowledge on how you can navigate union demands without breaking a sweat (or losing your mind). Plus, why you should care about union negotiations—because, trust me, what they're asking for today might just be what your employees are eyeing tomorrow. Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo. 00:02:15 - Something That HR Folks Should Rethink 00:04:20 - What Sparked Morgan's Interest in Working With Unions 00:07:30 - How the Election Could Impact Unionized Work 00:10:47 - Working in a Unionized Environment VS a Non-unionized Environment 00:13:04 - Common Misconceptions About Unionized Workplaces 00:20:00 - Why Some People Don't Support Unions 00:22:17 - Fostering Positive Labor Relations and Reducing Conflict 00:28:58 - How Employee and Union Relationships Have Changed Over the Years 00:38:10 - Where Can People Educate Themselves on Unions? 00:45:22 - Where to Get in Touch With Morgan And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Morgan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganbwilliams/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Last week, the US elected its 47th president. As I was sifting through the reactions of family, friends, and coworkers online, feelings of excitement and feelings of sadness were all over the place, and it was a lot to think about. But the thing I kept coming back to was the mission of I Hate It Here and the ways that elections affect us all! So today, we're taking a stroll down HR memory lane, digging into the laws that flipped the script on how we work. From the Fair Labor Standards Act to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, we're exploring the major pieces of legislation that shaped HR as we know it. Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo. 00:01:00 - The Misson of I Hate It Here 00:01:50 - The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) 00:03:55 - The Civil Rights Act of 1964 00:06:00 - The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 00:08:05 - The Employee of Income Retirement Security Act (ERISA) 00:10:04 - The Americans With Disability Act 00:11:04 - The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 00:13:17 - The Affordable Care Act 00:15:05 - The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act 00:17:40 - The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Most of us have experienced it before—there's nothing worse than working for a company that doesn't practice what it preaches.  If you don't actually stand for the things you're talking about, how can your employees gain the trust you need for them to succeed? Today, we're talking about authenticity and why the “long game” in business means actually living up to what you say.  Joel Lalgee, aka The Realest Recruiter, joins us with insights from his 2 billion views of no-BS content on how companies and brands can truly earn employee trust.  Joel shares his take on building a personal brand, keeping creative energy alive, and why he cranks out videos every single day (yep, every day). Let's dive in! Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo. 00:06:00 - Something That HR Folks Should Rethink 00:15:24 - Joel's Zone of Genius: Creative Work and Connecting People 00:21:15 - The Beginning of Building a Personal Brand 00:34:05 - How to Stay Creatively Inspired 00:39:14 - How Many Videos Joel Makes on an Average Day 00:46:50 - The One Thing you Need to Start a Personal Brand 00:49:10 - Where to Connect With Joel  And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Joel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joellalgee/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

This episode of I Hate It Here is getting spooky with a second edition of HR Horror Stories!  Last year, we dove into tales that had us shaking our heads, and this year?  Let's just say my jaw's still on the floor after these submissions.  I'll be reading these stories exactly as they were submitted, and trust me, they're a reminder that nobody outside of HR quite understands the unique trauma we face.  Tune in to hear about The Bad Employee, The Unhinged CEO, and yes, even a Rubber Duck and Plastic Dinosaur making their grand entrance. 00:02:09 - The Tale of the Bad Employee 00:05:33 - The Tale of the Interesting Meeting 00:08:30 - The Rubber Duck and Plastic Dinosaur 00:10:35 - The Tale of ‘Do Not Disturb' 00:11:55 - The Tale of Lack of Gratitude 00:12:51 - The Tale of the Group Text 00:16:10 - The Tale of the Unhinged CEO 00:19:02 - The Tale of Bad References 00:20:50 - The Tale of the Mediator 00:22:29 - The Tale of the Pervert And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef  Got an HR horror story of your own? Submit it here!

What does it really take to make HR more human?   Today, we're exploring that question by diving into the concept of the zone of genius—that flow state where you're most creative and impactful.  Joining me is Demario, a powerhouse connector, community builder, and unofficial HR bestie.  We talk about everything from leading with authenticity to why curiosity is the key to shaking up HR (yes, we need more people asking “why”!).  Demario opens up about his journey in building inclusive spaces, fostering a genuine culture, and why the future of HR is all about connection.  Whether it's building strong relationships with your team, manager, or broader community, Demario shows us how human connection is at the core of it all.  Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo. 00:04:14 - Something That HR Folks Should Rethink 00:06:23 - How Demario Became a Connector of People and What That Means 00:15:20 - How to Connect People From Different Backgrounds and Walks of Life 00:22:40 - Building an HR Community Without an HR Background 00:32:56 - Bridging the Gap Between Conceptual HR Ideas and Directly Practicing in the Field 00:41:55 - How Leading an HR Community for the First Time Influenced Demario's Perspective 00:46:16 - Demario's Culture First Community And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Demario: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demario-bell-7a510994/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

When was the last time you felt truly creative at work? If your answer is "uh… never," then this episode is for you! Today, we're shaking up everything you thought you knew about HR.  We talk about how HR can move into the future by embracing creativity, joy, and collaboration.  My guest, Justin Gignac, is the ultimate collaborator and brainstorming guru, and we dive deep into how we can stop recreating the same old things in HR and start thinking outside the box.  We tackle why HR is often too self-conscious and fearful to take risks, and how bringing joy and bold ideas into the mix can transform how we connect with people and create better workplaces. For more than a decade, the world's most innovative brands and companies have trusted Working Not Working to help them discover and hire top-tier Creative talent.  Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo. 00:02:19 - Something That HR Folks Should Rethink 00:05:48 - Justin's Zone of Genius Explained: Brainstorming and Collaborating 00:08:27 - How Did Justin Discover His Zone of Genius? 00:12:43 - How to Create an Optimal Environment for Effective Collaboration 00:18:27 - Why People Are Afraid to be Themselves at Work 00:23:12 - Approaching Collaboration in Remote and Hybrid Settings 00:31:56 - Ensuring That Everybody's Voice is Heard in a Collaboration 00:34:43 - Common Barriers That Happen During Brainstorming 00:37:49 - Determining Which Ideas to Pursue or Abandon And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Justin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justingignac/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

In every generation, there's a “chosen one”—but I'm not talking about Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Right now, we've got five generations working side by side: Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. So yeah, managing this mix isn't exactly a walk in the park.  This week, Dave Garcia has returned to dive into the wild world of multi-generational workforces and bring some clarity to it all.  We're busting some myths, breaking down what each generation really wants (spoiler: it's not all about avocado toast), and exploring how to lead a team that spans decades.  Whether you're trying to figure out how to get everyone on the same page or just curious about which generation started the job-hopping trend, this episode is packed with insights. 00:02:50 - How Many Companies Are Still Working With the Traditionalist Generation? 00:06:12 - Challenges With Managing a Multi-generational Workforce 00:10:30 - Using ChatGPT to Better Understand Generational Stereotypes 00:21:55 - Did Gen X Start the Trend of Job Hopping? 00:30:22 - Dave's Take on Gen Z 00:38:03 - How to Create an Inclusive Culture Among Such Diverse Generations 00:45:30 - Benefits of a Multi-generational Workforce 00:50:26 - The Best Leadership Style for Managing a Multi-generational Workforce 00:55:20 - How to Future Proof Your Organization  And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Dave: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nycddg/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Why are leaders so damn difficult to deal with sometimes?  It all comes down to "The Shadow of a Leader"—the unseen influence leaders have on workplace culture, performance, and relationships.  In this episode, Dave Garcia joins me to unpack this concept.  We dive into how every word, action, and decision from leaders impacts teams, often more than they realize.  We'll discuss why communication is a leader's most important tool, the nonverbal cues that leaders send, and how HR can help leaders recognize their blind spots.  Plus, Dave shares his personal experience with confronting his own leadership shadow. 00:01:41 - The Key to Maintaining Strong Relationships at Work 00:04:50 - The Shadow of a Leader Concept, Explained 00:09:37 - How The Shadow of a Leader Impacts Culture and Performance at Orgs 00:20:30 - Common Positive/Negative Shadows That Leaders Cast 00:26:43 - Why is Information so Inaccessible at Some Orgs? 00:32:23 - Examples of Leadership Shadows That Strongly Influenced Teams 00:42:15 - How Leaders Can Be More Aware of the Shadows They Cast 00:46:07 - A Time Dave Had to Confront His Own Leadership Shadow 00:56:00 - How Orgs Can Encourage Leaders to be Mindful of Their Shadows 01:01:16 - Advice For Emerging Leaders and The Shadows They Cast And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Dave: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nycddg/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

People are at the core of everything we do at HR, but let's face it people—can be DIFFICULT.  Not because they have difficult personalities, but because no two people you meet are the same. Eventually, the things that make us different can create problems if we're not aware of how to exist across differences. A lot of the conflict at work can simply be between people who are just different. That complexity is exactly what we're unpacking today with Jennifer Laurie. In this episode, we're exploring how the things that make us all different can sometimes lead to workplace conflicts, and what HR can do to help everyone not just coexist but truly thrive together.  We're talking about fostering inclusive, equitable environments and how HR can bridge gaps and manage conflicts when personalities and perspectives clash. From discussing how to maintain strong relationships at work to handling power imbalances and supporting marginalized employees, we've got a lot to cover.  Jennifer shares her insights on why recognizing differences is crucial and offers practical advice for HR professionals navigating the evolving landscape of workplace diversity. 00:01:45 - The Key to Maintaining Strong Relationships at Work 00:04:08 - What Does Existing Across Differences Mean? 00:07:25 - Why Recognizing Differences is So Important Today 00:10:10 - How Does HR Help Employees Exist Across Their Differences? 00:12:50 - How to Learn Conflict Management, Even Without Resources 00:16:35 - How HR Can Address Power Imbalances Across Differences 00:20:00 - Supporting Employees Who Feel Marginalized 00:25:25 - Bridging the Gap Between Employees With Different Worldviews 00:29:42 - Common Obstacles With Building an Inclusive Environment 00:34:08 - Advice for HR Professionals New to Dealing With Diversity 00:37:42 - How Diversity is Evolving With the Addition of Global Employees 00:40:25 - What Initiatives Will Help HR With Diversity in the Coming Years? And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow Jennifer: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlauriehr/  Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Growing up, I heard about how often my sister was the only woman in some rooms. She is an electrical engineer and her field was heavily dominated by men.   The lack of diversity isn't just a numbers issue—it affects how tech solves problems and perpetuates existing biases. So on today's episode, we're diving into a hot topic with Marissa McNeelands: tackling gender diversity in tech and its impact on building equitable systems.  Marissa is on the frontline, championing the push to level the playing field in tech. We're exploring why having a diverse team isn't just good ethics, it's smart business, sparking innovation and creativity.  Join us as we discuss the challenges, the victories, and why every step toward diversity is a step toward better technology. 00:03:45 - The Key to Maintaining Strong Relationships at Work 00:06:37 - The Origin Story Behind the Creation of Toast 00:11:24 - Transitioning From Project Management to Tech 00:14:37 - Common Challenges Women Face in the tech Industry 00:20:53 - Why Gender Diversity in Tech Creates a More Innovative Culture 00:24:03 - How to Motivate Companies to Prioritize Diversity  00:31:20 - Trends Emerging Between AI and HR in the Next Few Years 00:35:25 - Advice for Women in Tech Who are Struggling to Integrate And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow Marissa: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissamcneelands/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Let's be real, HR doesn't exactly scream creativity to most people, right?  But, are we selling it short by overlooking all of the hidden opportunities?  Could HR actually be a secret powerhouse of creativity, ready to lead the charge in fostering a culture of innovation within organizations? I'm here to tell you that is possible to carve out that creative space in your role as an HR leader, and Cassidy Edwards is here to break down the many ways HR can lead the charge in fostering a culture of creativity and innovation within your company. Cassidy will also dig into how HR can work hand-in-hand with marketing to craft stories that resonate with employees, the role of curiosity in driving creative thinking, and tips for keeping team relationships vibrant and productive—you'll also get her take on the coolest sneakers out there. 00:02:280 - Cassidy's Current Favorite Pair of Sneakers 00:03:45 - The Key to Strong Work Relationships 00:04:48 - Defining Creativity in Work and Personal Life 00:06:34 - What Inspires Cassidy's Creativity? 00:013:12 - Inspiring Creativity Through Photography Books 00:15:46 - Why Creativity Matters in HR Roles 00:19:11 - Creative Best Practices for Day-to-day Duties 00:25:33 - Fostering Creative Cultures to Keep Employees Satisfied 00:31:12 - Injecting Creativity into Employee Training 00:36:50 - How to Foster a Creative Environment in Your Team 00:41:47 - Cassidy's Advice for Unlocking Creative Potential And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow Cassidy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-edwards-yyom/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

We hate so much about things he chose to be. Let's get into it once and for all: was Toby Flenderson the worst HR representative in the history of TV? Or was he just trying his best to preserve his mental health from the wild antics of Dunder Mifflin? Hebba and special guest Kim Roher discuss some of television's best (and worst) portrayals of HR. Which fictional universes could have benefitted most from an HR rep (*cough* Silicon Valley *cough*)? And which real-life work sets were desperately in need of a decent CPO?   Yeah, Joss Whedon we're pointing a well-deserved finger at you. Maybe Buffy didn't need to slay demons when the real monsters were the humans all along…   00:00:14 - Parenting and Pop Culture with Kim Rohr 00:07:04 - “The Office”- Uncanny HR Valley?  00:18:32 - Michael Scott's Insensitivity in "The Office" 00:23:46 – Silicon Valley 00:37:15 - Exploring Buffy's Impact on HR 00:38:38 - Hollywood's Broken HR System Exposed 00:47:18 - Leadership in HR: Impactful Behind-the-Scenes Work 00:48:20 - Exploring Pop Culture in HR   And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow Kim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimrohrer/   Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

There's nowhere safe you can go to avoid politics anymore. Social media? Forget about it. Family holidays? Highly unlikely. Work? Definitely not. So when, if ever, is talking politics at work a problem? And how should HR professionals handle the upcoming elections? Hebba and Jessica Winder (Senior VP of People at CoLab Software) break down how to handle the upcoming election season— how much is too much when it comes to allowing employees to talk about politics? And is there such a thing as workplaces not allowing employees to talk about politics enough? From the impact of political decisions on HR practices to creating a more respectful and inclusive culture, Jessica and Hebba also explore how to handle differing political opinions and the importance of aligning with company values. And stay tuned because later, they're dishing out some of the juiciest stories about social media political posting gone completely haywire… You won't want to miss this insanity!   And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow Jessica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadwinder/   Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

This weekend I was featured in the New York Times article, “So Human Resources is Making You Miserable.” And NGL… I may have ruffled a few feathers. But let's face it— the CPO/CHRO role is one of the hardest jobs out there, and there's going to be plenty of bad days to go around. BUT that doesn't mean HR can't have a brat girl summer.  Rebecca Taylor (Chief Customer Officer and Co-Founder of SkillCycle) joins me to discuss the state of HR and chat about how we're fighting to battle old perceptions of HR on the daily. What lessons are worth taking away from the NYT article? And is it possible that this mutual frustration will eventually pave the way for innovation? Yes. ENTHUSIASTICALLY YES. So let's channel that frustration with HR into positive change— don't miss out on this super special bonus episode! And don't forget to read the New Times article here.   Follow Rebecca: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccataylor2/   Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef   And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!

What shapes who we are at work? Join Hebba and her guests, Catalina Colman (COO and Co-Founder of Peak HR), and Morgan Williams (CEO and Co-Founder of Peak HR), as they dive into the factors that shape our work personalities. From upbringing and education to work experience and more, they discuss the challenges and lessons they've learned along their storied HR career paths. How has the immigrant experience shaped Catalina's journey? She reveals the true effect of assimilating into American culture from a young age and explains how it shaped her HR career. Catalina and Morgan also discuss how their backgrounds shaped their views on fairness and how they managed to navigate corporate America despite feeling like outsiders to the system. How did empathy and understanding help them to ultimately succeed in their careers and find happiness? Tune in now to find out.   00:00:20 - Factors Influencing Identity in Workplace 00:01:24 - Supporting Growing Businesses with Progressive HR 00:02:39 - Empathy and Understanding Key Leadership 00:04:13 - Kat's Immigrant Journey to Success 00:07:04 - Transition from Psychiatry to HR Success 00:10:03 - How Immigrant Parents Influenced Their Philosophy 00:11:56 - Push Towards Education: A Personal Journey 00:21:09 - Navigating Life as a First-Gen 00:22:28 - Challenges in Corporate America 00:27:37 - Navigating Pressure to Conform at Work 00:32:14 - Career Challenges in Uncertain Times 00:40:19 - Impact of Upbringing on HR Leadership 00:42:46 - Equity in HR Leadership Strategies 00:46:26 - Navigating Workplace Fairness as an Immigrant Child   And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow Catalina: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catalinaandradecolman/   Follow Morgan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganbwilliams/   Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Do you wear sweatpants all day and night? Do you find yourself going days without leaving the house? Is binge-watching 7 hours of “Pride and Prejudice” the only thing that seems to give you life? Good news— you may not be a full-on Depressed Barbie just yet! You might just be the average remote worker. In this ep, Hebba chats with Austen Tully (the SVP Director of Integration and Culture at Guided by Good) about the struggles of creating strong connections and relationships at work in an increasingly more remote environment. What can we do to alleviate loneliness? Austen and Hebba share their best strategies for accommodating both in-person and remote interactions (without making things feel forced or super awkward). They discuss the power of one-on-one conversations, the impact of leaders' behavior on team dynamics, and the need for empathy and inclusivity in the workplace. Plus, how can you create a culture audit? Austen gives her best tips for creating a culture audit of your own and explains the significance of communication, connection, creativity, and recognition in creating a positive work environment.

It's no surprise that I think HR and people leaders have one of the hardest roles at any organization. For me, it feels like sometimes we're not seen as true organizational partners. Or our role is so diminished and viewed as not important, yet everyone else in a business performs better because of the work that HR does. Coincidence? I think not! So, how can we finally be seen as key drivers to company growth, instead of the employee who puts out fires and pushes paperwork? My guest, Chris Haygood of Astute Edge, is here to shine a light on just how pivotal HR is when it comes to tackling big organizational challenges, not just the compliance stuff. We're diving into how the view of HR is changing, its strategic importance, and some hands-on tactics to help HR pros cement their role as key business influencers. Our chat also touches on the next decade of HR, including the role of AI and the need for HR leaders to be considered for CEO positions. It's time for HR leaders to finally be seen as strategic partners, because the success of our teams depend on it! 00:01:03 - Chris Hagood's Introduction and Credentials 00:03:20 - What is the Key to Maintaining Strong Relationships at Work? 00:05:19 - Why HR Leaders Struggle to Be Seen as True Partners 00:12:40 - Common Misconceptions Other Executives Have About HR 00:16:34 - How Does Organizational Structure Impact HR Influence? 00:22:38 - When Do You Need a Senior People Leader? 00:31:49 - The Legal Misconceptions Around HR Duties 00:38:12 - The Exciting Potential of HR in the Next 10 Years 00:45:15 - How Organizations Should Perceive and Integrate HR Leaders 00:53:19 - Advice For HR Leaders Struggling to be Seen as Strategic Partners And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow Chris: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisrhagood/   Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

We all know TJ Lavin hates quitters. But real life isn't “The Challenge.” And sometimes, quitting is the only option when you're burnt-out, stressed out, unacknowledged, and at your wit's end. So what leads employees to quit? More importantly, what's the one thing a company could do to cause someone to hand in their two weeks notice without pause? This past season, I've asked each of my guests one simple question to find the root cause of employee dissatisfaction— “What would cause you to quit?” And in this episode, we're taking a look at the best answers my all-star roster of HR experts had to give. From being unacknowledged to feeling like you're stuck at a dead-end job, you don't want to miss out on these red-flag warning signs.   And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Get ready for a trip down memory lane as we relive some of the hottest, juiciest, takes from the last season of guests! Jessica Winder, author of "The Hidden Gem Within," kicks things off discussing the issue of lack of growth opportunities and how HR teams can address this concern. She emphasizes the importance of data and people analytics in understanding and addressing employee needs. Next, Tori Lazar shares insights on the value of facing challenges head-on and the rewards that come with it. Adam Ryan, CEO of Workweek, shares his insights on the relationship between CEOs and Chief People Officers (CPOs). He emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency in resolving tensions and ensuring HR stays connected to the pulse of the company. Steven and Daniel Huerta, hosts of the Modern People Leader podcast, share their insights and lessons learned from over 200 conversations with people leaders.  Finally, Erica Spitale closes the conversation, highlighting the role of HR in promoting growth and development within organizations. She challenges the traditional hierarchy and advocates for rebranding organizations as hubs for growth and development. 00:00:38 - Jessica Winder, one of the most honest voices in HR, highlighting why transparency for growth opportunities is so important 00:03:01 - Tori Lazar shares how to turn career stalemates and challenges into personal growth 00:06:57 - Adam Ryan breaks down the complicated relationship between CEOs and CPOs 00:09:55 - Stephen and Daniel Huerta discuss the unique challenges facing HR today, using insights from 200 HR leaders 00:12:22 - Erica Spitale joins me for one of my favorite segments—answering audience-submitted questions And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content! Follow Jessica:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadwinder/ Follow Tori:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tori-lazar/ Follow Adam:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamtryan/ Follow Stephen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenhuerta/   Follow Daniel:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-huerta-mpl/ Follow Erica:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-j-spitale-psyd/ Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

“If you dislike the company so much, then why don't you just leave?” At some point, we've all been given that advice from a friend or a loved one about a job we couldn't stomach. Yet, chances are good, we probably kept it for several months after that advice was doled out. So why don't employees leave when they've overstayed their welcome? And when is it time for HR to give them a nudge in the right direction? Q Hamirani, an executive coach and advisor talks with Hebba about what happens when employees refuse to leave. How can leaders approach workers from a place of empathy and understanding when it's obvious their career is on the wrong trajectory? Are there risks to asking employees to quit? And what's the best way to frame such a difficult conversation? Hebba and Q also dissect the value of offering company opt-out packages before exploring the importance of candid communication, personal growth, and finding joy in your work. Learn why strong relationships with employees are the key to unlocking their full potential and how you can build more satisfying relationships today.

If anyone preaches to you about the power of authenticity in the workplace, pay attention when it's coming from an ex-Enron employee who has a few thoughts about how a little honesty can go a long way for a company.  Needless to say Nicole Alvino knows a thing or two about the value of authentic leadership, thanks to her early Enron experience. As the current CEO and Founder of Firstup, she's on a mission to revolutionize intelligent, personalized employee communication and to deliver a phenomenal employee experience. She chats with Hebba about how personalization can make or break employee engagement rates and explains why individualized processes are the key to preventing burnout and producing more meaningful interactions. Plus, how can you implement video and omnichannel communications to improve workplace culture? Learn how HR leaders can use technology and automation to scale personalized experiences and create a culture of connection and authenticity.   Reach every worker with Firstup's intelligent communication platform. Firstup helps you connect with your employees, deliver personalized communication, and gain engagement insights to deliver an exceptional employee experience. Visit firstup.io to learn more. 00:00:06 - Balancing Personalization and Scale in Company Growth 00:03:35 - Career Lessons from Enron's Downfall 00:04:46 - Firstup: The Personalized Workplace Communication Tool for HR 00:08:49 - Bridging Consumer and Employee Experiences 00:11:50 - Personalized Experience's Impact on Employee Engagement 00:14:27 - Struggling HR Leaders Seek Personalization Solutions 00:18:53 - Deciding Right: The Key Step 00:23:12 - Getting C-Level Executives Onboard for Personalized Workplace Culture 00:25:10 - A Tool for Creating Authentic Workplace Connections 00:26:10 - How to Improve Work Emails 00:31:00 - Emerging Trends in Workplace Personalization 00:38:48 - Communication Solves Most Problems in HR   And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow Nicole: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolealvino/   Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

With grandiose job descriptions, and rose-tinted portrayals of the workplace, is it really any wonder there are a lot of problems in recruiting boiling underneath the surface?? A lot of retention problems actually start in the recruiting process..  Is it that far of a stretch to understand why new hires are noping out of fresh jobs in the first six months? Def not.  In the quest to find the perfect hire, job descriptions and interview tactics often portray a false image of what the position actually entails. So why aren't recruiters being more honest about the roles they're hiring for? Hebba chats with Talent Acquisition Consultant and Content Creator Rhona Pierce about how the recruitment system is broken and what HR can do to fix it. How can recruiters be more honest about job descriptions and work culture in their hiring practices? Hebba and Rhona debate if there's a way to make employees understand the full scope of a job's duties during the interview process before revealing some of the best practical strategies that can help retain, attract, and engage qualified talent.  00:00:10 - Recruiting Misconceptions: Valuable Talent Acquisition 00:02:52 - Company Actions That Prompt Immediate Resignation 00:05:01 - Navigating the Gap Between Job Expectations and Reality 00:09:28 - Why People Quit 00:15:14 - Is Recruiting Broken? 00:19:26 - Truth in Interviews 00:23:47 - Asking Questions Before Accepting a Job 00:27:24 - Navigating the Current Job Market 00:36:51 - Transparent Recruiting: Setting Clear Expectations 00:39:35 - Aligning Job Expectations Through Communication 00:44:15 - Maximizing Preparation for Successful Hiring Reach every worker with Firstup's intelligent communication platform. Firstup helps you connect with your employees, deliver personalized communication, and gain engagement insights to deliver an exceptional employee experience. Visit firstup.io to learn more.   And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out  https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow Rhona: Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr?si=841dc4e5b2924a30 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/   Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

In HR, quitting is a part of the job. But no one talks about what happens when HR is ready to quit HR.  RyanMae McAvoy, Senior Director of People Operations at Blackthorn.io, joins Hebba to unpack quitting from an HR-centric point of view. When is it time to call it quits? And what factors are the primary motivators behind discontentedness in HR?  RyanMae and Hebba break down the emotional aspects of leaving a job, explain why community is pivotal in decision-making, and reveal the greatest challenges faced by HR professionals on a day-to-day basis. They also dive into the role of empathy, boundary-setting, and personal acknowledgment in creating a happier workplace.  Why are so many HR professionals contemplating quitting? And why does it so often feel like HR is on an island of its own? Together, Hebba and RyanMae shed light on the often neglected aspect of HR professionals contemplating leaving the field.   Reach every worker with Firstup's intelligent communication platform. Firstup helps you connect with your employees, deliver personalized communication, and gain engagement insights to deliver an exceptional employee experience. Visit firstup.io to learn more.   00:00:37 - Accidental HR Career Leads to Leadership 00:03:27 - Improving Employee Retention Through Acknowledgement 00:08:03 - AI vs. Human Touch in HR 00:09:27 - Reasons People Want to Quit 00:12:34 - Coping Through COVID 00:17:44 - Focusing on Mental Health in Workplace 00:21:51 - How to Prioritize Family Time 00:22:09 - Empathy in HR 00:27:40 - Why Setting Expectations is Key for Mental Health 00:31:49 - How to Handle Employee Resignations 00:36:37 - Understanding the Emotional Toll of HR 00:40:56 - Navigating Relationships When Leaving a Job 00:42:53 - Struggling with Authenticity in Workplace 00:48:12 - Balancing Humanity and Work Demands 00:52:17 - Advice for Dealing with Burnout   And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow RyanMae:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rm80920/   Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Change doesn't come easy— in fact, it can be downright disruptive, And worse yet, it's often at the forefront of employee turnover. So how can HR leaders prevent change from becoming an unmanageable force?  Keynote speaker Tiffany Lanier drops by to chat with Hebba about the widespread impact of organizational change, and to explain how massive restructuring can impact employee well-being.  Having helped thousands of leaders develop systems of support during intense change, Tiffany reveals why change management is a core skill for HR professionals. She explains how, by embracing change, employees can improve their personal well-being and implement practical strategies for creating space for future disruptions.  Tiffany also addresses the different needs and personalities of employees during times of change, from therapy and counseling to the prioritization of spending time alone and sticking to common rituals and routines.  Whether you're undergoing organizational restructuring or dealing with other consequences of change, you won't want to miss out on these actionable tips to help you prioritize employee well-being.   Reach every worker with Firstup's intelligent communication platform. Firstup helps you connect with your employees, deliver personalized communication, and gain engagement insights to deliver an exceptional employee experience. Visit firstup.io to learn more. And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba's newsletter! It's for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow Tiffany:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanylanier/ Website: https://livewithtiffany.com   Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

How can you help employees when a company is small and has limited growth opportunities? What happens when an employer insists there's a dress code… but only for curvier employees?   Hebba and talent strategist/culture connoisseur Erica Spitale tackle some super juicy questions submitted by listeners. From navigating terminations without legal repercussions to encouraging CEOs to offer more health benefits, they're tackling a wide range of topics that any HR professional or leader can relate to. Tune in as Hebba and Erica break down the importance of trust in the workplace, go over the challenges of unrealistic expectations, and explain the value of seeking consistent feedback.  Plus, how can you handle dress code policies, toxic leaders, and professional development opportunities in small companies? You won't want to miss this expert-level advice—tune in now! Reach every worker with Firstup's intelligent communication platform. Firstup helps you connect with your employees, deliver personalized communication, and gain engagement insights to deliver an exceptional employee experience. Visit Firstup.io to learn more.   00:01:51 - Avoiding Values Misalignment in Companies 00:03:29 - How to Handle Unhappy Employees 00:09:01 - How to Handle Toxic Leadership 00:13:24 - Regaining Trust in the Workplace 00:17:03 - When Details for a Promotion are Fabricated 00:22:17 - Managing Professional Development in Small Companies 00:27:03 - Encouraging CEOs to Offer Health Benefits 00:33:31 - Considerations for Transitioning from Operations to HR 00:39:06 - Navigating Employee Relations in Nonprofits 00:41:49 - Setting Realistic Expectations and Seeking Feedback 00:47:39 - Curvier Woman Faces Dress Code Dilemma   And if you love HR Therapy, sign up to I Hate it Here, the newsletter for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration. https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/   And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!   Follow Erica:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-j-spitale-psyd/   Follow Hebba:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videos LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef Twitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef