Shows
HR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep124: Heels, Health, and HR Headaches - The Dress Code Lawsuit Every Employer Should KnowSend us a textWhat happens when a company's dress code walks straight into a lawsuit? In this eye-opening episode, Chuck and John unpack the real-life legal battle between a cocktail server and MGM National Harbor over mandatory high heels, disability discrimination, and a rigid appearance policy.This isn’t just about shoes. It’s a cautionary tale for HR professionals and small business owners alike. We break down the legal pitfalls of gendered dress codes, the requirements of the ADA, and the importance of honoring medical accommodations. With real court rulings, evolving workplace fashion tren...2025-05-0639 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep122: Burnout, Stress & Leadership – What HR Needs to Hear Right NowSend us a textJohn Thalheimer and Chuck Simikian unpack the growing crisis of burnout and chronic stress among HR professionals and business leaders. With recent federal actions, such as workforce reductions and the rollback of affirmative action policies, HR leaders are navigating more pressure than ever.You’ll learn:What burnout really looks like in the workplaceThe link between DEI policy changes and HR stressHow to build resilience while supporting your teamPractical tools like boundary-setting, mindfulness, and peer connectionWhy burnout is a leadership and culture issue, not just a personal oneWhether yo...2025-04-2243 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep120: Updates from the EEOC - Lawful DEI in the Trump EraSend us a textThe Trump Administration has signed a flurry of executive orders - some of which have direct impacts on the workplace. It’s critical, now more than ever, to pay attention to changes and updates that are coming your way. In today’s episode, Chuck and John review some new documents released by the EEOC that are providing clearer guidance around how to legally approach DEI in the workplace. Andrea Lucas, the EEOC Acting Chair, released 11 Tips for Lawful DEI, listed below:Audit Job Descriptions – Cut unnecessary degree or experience requirements.Audi...2025-04-0846 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep116: HR on Trial - The Importance of Good Record KeepingSend us a textIn this episode, we dive into the shocking case of Reena Mathew, an HR Business Partner at Santander Consumer USA, who was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan and fired after announcing her pregnancy. Was it a case of performance management—or pregnancy discrimination disguised as poor performance?Chuck and John break down the timeline of events, the questionable "exculpatory paper trail," and the lessons HR professionals need to learn about documentation, timing, and ethical management practices.In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics an...2025-03-1144 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep114: Beating the Challenges of Being a CHROSend us a textIn today’s episode, you’ll follow along with a CHRO who was tasked with tackling hybrid work challenges, boosting employee well-being, and building a future-ready workforce. Listen as Chuck and John talk through these ways to come out on top of these challenges:✅ “Collaboration Week” – Fixing hybrid work disconnect✅ Mental health & burnout solutions that work✅ Upskilling & leadership development strategies✅ Winning the war for top talent with DE&ISee more from John about DEI in the workplace here. In the HR News segment, th...2025-02-2543 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep112: Perceived Bias and Promotion Troubles - Keeping Hiring Legal & ClearSend us a textIn this episode, Chuck and John break down the Cunningham v. Department of Defense case, where a qualified employee’s promotion was denied due to subjective interview evaluations. Gwendolyn Cunningham, despite her expertise, was passed over for a new leadership role, leading to claims of bias and a legal battle.Listen in as Chuck and John discuss the lessons for HR professionals on documentation, transparency, and balancing technical skills with leadership qualities in hiring decisions.In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:...2025-02-1142 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep108: Trump's HR Impacts - What to Expect From the Next AdministrationSend us a textWe are just days away from a new administration stepping in to The White House. Every time we have a change of office, there are impacts to the employment sector that are felt down to the small business levels, often coming from how laws are enforced and interpreted. While we have a preview of what may be expected from Trump’s administration from his first term, it’s important for us to refresh ourselves on what changes may be coming and how to ensure we are following the laws through these changes.Li...2025-01-1432 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep107: The LIVE Edition! How These Checklists Can Improve Your 2025 & BeyondSend us a textWELCOME TO THE LIVE EPISODE! Join Chuck and John for this playback of their first live recording, done on January 7th, 2025. There's no shortage of ways that people set out to make their new year a better - working out, eating better, journaling. The Team at HR Stories wanted to provide a tool that you use use to improve your work life any time of the year. Listen in as the team gives a rundown of the importance of checklists and how they can make your work life easier. In the H...2025-01-0853 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep106: When Audits Come Knocking - Start 2025 On The Right FootSend us a textThe new year is upon us and with it comes an opportunity for a fresh start. Start your 2025 off right with an audit of the top-ten issues that the team has encountered when working with HR Teams. Proactive work on these areas can prevent major headaches later in the year. From I-9 pitfalls (likely important in 2025) to employee handbook updates, you won’t want to start 2025 without listening to this episode.Join Chuck and John for a rundown of how to check for these 10 biggest I-9 mistakes in your workplace:Us...2024-12-3140 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep105: 2024 Top 10 Q&A!Send us a textThe year has been filled with a lot of updates, changes, and questions along the way. Hang out with Chuck and John as they review some of the top listener Q&A's from 2024. We'll see everyone next week with new content to prepare you for 2025. Does anybody have good ideas to make your Indeed postings stand out and look less “basic” and “dry”?Can managers order individuals to cover vulgar bumper stickers on their personal vehicles?How do you create a suitable employee handbook?Do you have a good step-by-step process fo...2024-12-2451 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep104: From the Holiday Vault - Revisiting the Poor Working Conditions of the North PoleSend us a textTake a trip down memory lane with Chuck and John as they visit the North Pole and talk about the brutal work conditions of everyone's favorite red-nosed reindeer. Learn about how Jolly Ol' St. Nick mishandled a toxic work environment filled to the brim with harassment and exclusionary practices and where he could have done better. Support the showOur new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: a...2024-12-1722 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep103: Grandma Got Fired, Not Retired - How Trader Joe's learned that Niceness can BackfireSend us a textGloria worked for Trader Joe's for over 15 years and it was a family affair - with her grandson working at the same store. When a situation arose with her underage grandson and the sale of alcoholic beverages, Trader Joe's offered her the opportunity to retire but then had to terminate her when an email arrived in their inbox with some troubling details. Join Chuck and John in this tale of the importance of consistent policies and documentation. In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics an...2024-12-1053 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep101: Questions and Lessons from the News - Topics You'll Give a Hoot AboutSend us a textIn this week's episode, Chuck and John dive into several questions ripped from headlining stories. From Hooters discriminatory hiring practices to reality shows providing too much alcohol to participants, there has been no shortage of lessons to be learned from corporate missteps. The team also looks at recent survey results that say not only is your company leadership still not seeing the value in culture but your remote employees may want to break up their marriage before coming back into the office full time - awkward...Support the show2024-11-2648 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep100: The Big 100 - HR Stories Podcast Celebrates 100 EpisodesSend us a textThe big day is here! Chuck and John celebrate the podcast's 100th episode by looking back at their top 10 podcast stories, looking at the most controversial episode titles, and the best and worst stories they've told. You won't want to miss this look back at where it all began along with an exciting announcement about next year's episodes!Support the showOur new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get...2024-11-1948 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep99: Q&A - The Employee Edition: The questions your employees may be afraid to askSend us a textIn today's episode, Chuck and John take on some of the tough questions that come from the employee's perspective. As an HR professional, keep an open ear for ways to make sure your employees don't go unheard. Check out how the team tackles these questions: How do I know if I’m being paid fairly for my role?Can I refuse to work in a hazardous environment?Do I have any rights because I am pregnant?Can an employer change the agreed upon in-office requirement?What kind of standards do empl...2024-11-0541 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep97: The Future Of Work: What Are We Missing?Send us a textIt’s easy for us to look back and see how much has changed from 5 or 10 years ago but it can sometimes be easy to miss the subtle changes as they come that lead to those bigger changes. In today’s episode, Chuck and John talk through the changes that have been coming to the work environment over the recent years and how they will shape the future of work.In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:EEOC finding merit in more protected clas...2024-10-2237 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep95: He Was In Hot Water... Literally - Workmans' Comp Need To KnowSend us a textWhen a new hire of a trucking company follows directives from a supervisor, he lands in hot water - literally - and in a dispute around workmans' comp. What is classified under this umbrella and how can you think about it in realistic terms? This week, Chuck and John dive into all of this an more as they discuss intramural sports leagues, lunchtime volleyball, and... waxing slides? In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:A big merger in the internet job board industryThe r...2024-10-0852 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep93: Make HR Easy - The Ultimate Guide to HRSend us a textWhether you’re a seasoned HR professional or someone who was volun-told that you are now handling HR functions at work, there can be an overwhelming amount of questions around every corner and in every process. Maybe you’re trying to figure out how to manage remote workers effectively or how to properly handle an investigation into a claim of harassment. Perhaps you’ve taken a new job and have found that the previous HR team left you nothing but a mess to work with and you don’t even know where to start. T...2024-09-2453 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep92: A Smile or a Consequence - Trader Joe's Problematic Stance on PositivitySend us a textA story in the New York Times brought to light a different side to the Trader Joe's so many know and love, talking about how a policy of positivity and happy greetings was creating quite the opposite of a work environment for employees. In today’s episode, Chuck and John talk about this contradicting policy and environment, particularly with how it came across with a “smile” policy.How do you create a positive environment for customers without putting employees in uncomfortable or unreasonable situations?In the HR News + Updates segmen...2024-09-1746 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep90: From the Vault - "I’m Going to Run You Over with this Forklift" - An Intense Tale of Sexual HarassmentSend us a textToday, Chuck and John went into the vault to talk about the crazy story that had someone saying, "I'm going to run you over with this forklift!" Join them on this trip into the archives. We'll be back next week with a new Q&A episode.---------When an employee consistently makes harassing comments and even threatens violence against another coworker, this company made missteps in responding and properly stepping in. In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:2024-09-0351 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep89: Nose Pickers and Scab Pickers - It Gets Weird In HRSend us a textIn this weird and wacky episode, Chuck and John talk about some of the more strange instances they and other HR professionals have dealt with. Being in the unique position of HR, you’ll encounter all sorts of interesting people and situations, often having to figure out how to navigate the most challenging of circumstances. From nose pickers to scab pickers, tarot card readers to hunting iguanas, listen in to these entertaining (and sometimes gross) stories and text us yours if you have one that can top it! Support the show2024-08-2743 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep87: Interviews - Getting Them RightSend us a textJoin us in this episode of the HR Stories Podcast, where we uncover the complexities and legalities of the interview process. Chuck and John dive into a lively discussion sparked by a heated Facebook debate on working interviews. They clarify the nuances of what employers can legally ask candidates to do, ensuring organizations navigate the process without falling into legal pitfalls. From job postings to background checks, each step holds potential challenges, and the team will share real-world stories of companies that got it wrong and how they could have done better.2024-08-1341 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep83: Celebrating the Civil Rights Act - There are Still Lessons to LearnSend us a textIt’s July! You know that means we’re celebrating! Not only the 4th of July but also the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, signed July 2nd in 1964. In today’s episode, Chuck and John talk about the importance of this act and the work of the EEOC through the eyes of three employees of a property management company where they were subjected to vulgar and ethnicity-related harassment.In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:HR technology solutions are damaging reputationsA timely...2024-07-1641 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep81: Gender Discrimination - How to Ensure an Inclusive Workspace and Avoid a LawsuitSend us a textLaws around discrimination on the basis of sex are nothing new but the conversation and nuance around it has changed. While political climates have made conversations around gender and sex a heated topic, how do you ensure your employees, management, and HR policies align with the law, not personal opinions. In today’s episode, Chuck and John take you through three stories where companies failed to follow these laws and show you what you can learn from them to avoid the same legal fate.In the HR News segment, the team to...2024-07-0248 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep79: Preventable Death in the WorkplaceSend us a textSummer’s here and you don’t want to get ‘burned’ by the seasonal conditions. In today’s episode, Chuck and John explore the dangers of outdoor work conditions and how they can result in the most tragic of circumstances if you are not taking the proper steps to protect your employees.In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:Years of experience on its way out of job requirements.Is unemployment insurance the reason young males aren’t working?More AI bias being caught in em...2024-06-1849 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep77: The Hidden Dangers of Social Media Retaliation - What Employers Need to KnowSend us a textIn today's episode, we're unraveling a case that blends social media, workplace rights, and a touch of constitutional debate. Chuck and John explore how Bevins & Son Inc. found themselves embroiled in a Department of Labor lawsuit over unpaid wages and social media retaliation. Discover how a Facebook post turned a wage dispute into a federal case, challenging the boundaries of employer speech and employee protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Tune in for a compelling tale of digital age pitfalls and essential lessons for HR professionals.In the HR News...2024-06-0443 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep75: It Spreads Faster Than Covid! - Watch out for this contagion in your office.Send us a textYour office might be susceptible to a fast-spreading and harmful contagion. You can't see it but you can feel it... and you can definitely hear it. In this week's episode, Chuck and John talk about those negative voices you experience in the office and how they can impact your team. Navigating these type of interactions and individuals can be challenging but it is key to address it before it tears the team apart. In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:ChatGPT biases in t...2024-05-2143 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep73: The Headline Stories - You've Read About It. Let's Talk About it.Send us a textChuck and John do a twist on the normal episode, taking headlines you may have read and heard about and diving into them to pull out the lessons to be learned. In this jam-packed episode, the team talks through a several topics. Can making someone work longer shifts be illegal? The team's favorite answer - It depends. When companies are pulling back the reigns on WFH, is it inadvertently creating a boys club? How is this shift in policy putting unfair challenges on men vs. women? And wha...2024-05-0727 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep67: What You Missed - Policy and Law Updates You Can't Afford to MissSend us a textJoin Chuck and John in this special episode where they replay their webinar they hold quarterly, updating HR professionals in all of the major industry law and regulation updates YOU CAN’T MISS! Stick around to the end for a special announcementFrom reviewing the big game changer policies of 2023 such as the I-9 changes, the PUMP Act, and religious accommodations, to talking about the most recent updates to minimum wage, Joint Employer Rule from NLRB, and DOL’s final rule on Independent Contractors, this episode is jam packed with the deta...2024-03-2749 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep62: Remote Work: The Failure to ReturnSend us a textIt goes without saying (but we will anyways) that the pandemic drastically changed our ways of working as well as our expectations of a job. One of the most notable changes was the shift to remote work. While many companies embraced this change and have found a new way of collaborating, others have grown tired of it and are starting to pull back on the remote flexibility many employees have come to expect. While there is no right or wrong way, there is certainly a better way to tell your employees t...2024-02-1355 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep58: Failure to Follow Direction Leads to an Employee DeathSend us a textWhen a piece of equipment with a history of related injuries claims the life of a high school student picking up hours over the summer, is it just a freak accident, or was this a preventable situation? How did the company respond to the OSHA recommendations? In today’s episode, Chuck and John dive into a heavy story about the death of an employee at a mill, covering different levels of OSHA considerations when evaluating injuries in the workplace. NEW offerings from The Team at HR Stories!! Learn more at TeamAtHRStories.com...2024-01-1642 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep56: Rudolph and Kringle Inc.- Unwrapping HR Lessons at the North PoleSend us a textIn this special holiday edition of the HR Stories Podcast, join John and Chuck as they delve into the enchanting yet enlightening tale of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This episode offers a whimsical exploration of serious HR topics, including workplace discrimination, ADA implications, and the responsibilities of management in fostering an inclusive environment. Through the story of Rudolf's unique challenges at Santa's workshop, listeners will uncover the nuances of employment law and the importance of proactive HR practices. This episode promises not only a festive journey but also valuable insights for HR professionals...2023-12-1938 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep54: No Age Limitations: Old Workers Rebel against Employer BiasSend us a textThe ADEA, or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, is meant to protect older workers from disadvantages in job searching and while employed. Whether it's assumptions about technology skills or desires to see a longer tenure from a new hire, older people in the workforce face several hurdles that can result in discrimination allegations. In today's episode, Chuck and John go through three different scenarios where there were violations of the ADEA and how they could have been avoided. In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics a...2023-12-0551 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Ep53: Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! Mergers, Holidays, and Status ChangesSend us a textWelcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions:From an HR perspective, what do we need to keep in mind during a merger?Which would be better received by staff - a Friday or Tuesday as a day to observe a holiday?If you have an employee requesting to move from full-time to part-time, do you adjust their accrual rate?How do you stay motivated through the challenges of the job?Support the showOur new book...The...2023-11-2818 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Something Illegal Brewing at StarbucksSend us a textWho ordered the Venti Peppermint Mocha Latte topped with discouraging of union activity? Anyone? In today’s story, Chuck and John ‘spill the beans’ on a an issue that ‘brewed’ among a group of employees at Starbucks. This story goes into the ripple effects that can spread when basic communication breaks down and employees have collective issues with company practices.Updates from the Team at HR Stories:Holiday parties webinarHR Kitchen Table - open conversations to help HR professionalsIn the HR News segment, the team touches on the following...2023-11-2155 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! Prioritize, Performance Evaluations, and PTOSend us a textWelcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions:As a new HR Team of One, where do I start?What would you do if an employee uses PTO suddenly, then silently quits? Would you pay out the time off?What is HR’s role in performance evaluations?Do owner partners count toward your total employee count?Support the showOur new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! Go to ...2023-11-1423 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!What Employees WantSend us a textWe’ve all had those days at work where we just can’t give 100%. Maybe we were staying up late to watch the end of the big game. Maybe we had trouble finding childcare for the week. Whatever the reason, there are guaranteed times that employees will struggle with stress and other negative factors that impact overall work production. How can we take opportunities to lessen the negatives and boost the positives, as employers, to not only increase work productivity but also create better environments for our employees?In today’s episod...2023-11-0755 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!From the Vault: Accommodation Fails - All he wanted was to be treated equallySend us a textToday, the team dips into the vault and resurfaces an episode from 2020. See how UPS could have avoided big legal trouble by following accommodation procedures. When a deaf employee was required to attend meets, leadership tried to find every way around hiring an interpreter. Revisit the importance of ADA and how to properly accommodate individuals. Support the showOur new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Ri...2023-10-3126 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Age and Generation DiscriminationSend us a text"Okay, Boomer! Turn those hearing aids up and listen in." Even when said in jest, statements like these can easily create a situation of age or generational discrimination. In today’s episode, Chuck and John dive into stories of employees who have felt discriminated against due to their age, whether through comments, application processes, or pressures to change appearance. Learn ways to avoid having a potential lawsuit on your hands. In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:Proposed changes to EEOC guidelines‘Culture Shock...2023-10-2455 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!HR Q&A - We Answer Listener Questions! Requests, Referrals, and I-9 FormsSend us a textWelcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions:I got fired and now my ex-boss is asking for the whereabouts of important files. How should I respond?What do you do when asked for a reference?Would you require a new I-9 to be completed if there’s an incorrect document number?Support the showOur new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com...2023-10-1718 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!It Ain't Funny Creating a Hostile Work EnvironmentSend us a textWhat do you get when you cross a comedian with a hostile work environment? Today’s story! When a complaint comes out against people on the Jimmy Fallon staff of The Tonight Show, people’s assumptions of it being a fun, positive place to work are challenged. The internal teams at NBC are challenged with the task of addressing issues with a lead personality.On today’s episode, Chuck and John dive into what steps to take when a leader at a business is accused of mistreating employees and creating a hostil...2023-10-1053 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!HR Q&A - We Answer Listener Questions! Grumbling employees, PIPs, and Heavy BurdensSend us a textWelcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions:I have an employee who consistently makes comments that they aren’t getting the OT they are used to getting and the lack of consistent hours (being they get 37 and not 40 plus). These comments are harming them personally (how people are perceiving them in the workplace). What is a good way of handling this with the employee?How do you explain the difference between behavioral issues (insubordination) vs. a PIP (performance improvement plan) for so...2023-10-0317 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!"You don't get to tell me how to do my F_ _ _ ING job!" said the boss. An NLRA Section 7 and 8 Story.Send us a textWhen a Pittsburg pizzeria’s kitchen staff raised a number of complaints about working conditions, they felt repeatedly unheard. After a heated exchange...and references to Nation Labor Relations Act Section 7 and 8 (NLRA) the fallout of the situation landed in the courts. Pulled from court documents, The Team digs deep into this story and breaks it down on where the pizzeria went wrong and what they could have had on their hands if the employees decided to take it a step further and organized into a union.In the HR News se...2023-09-2659 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!HR Q&A - We Answer Listener Questions! Personal, Documentation, and Policy HygieneSend us a textWelcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today’s episode goes into these questions:Is it HR's Responsibility to address personal hygiene in the workplace?If an employee does not follow through on providing necessary paperwork from a doctor for a service animal, what is the employer’s role in that situation?What should be included in an AI policy?Support the showOur new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! Go to Ul...2023-09-1919 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!We are all Employees (Part 2) - Stories about Employee Rights that Managers and HR Pros Need to RememberSend us a textPart 2 of our Employee Rights Series, Chuck and John dive further into how understanding employee rights can not only help your company avoid legal troubles but also improve employee retention.In one case, Amazon had exposed their employees to ergonomic hazards on an ongoing basis. When a situation like this is realized by an employee, what steps would need to take place to correct it? In another story, the team will discuss age discrimination in the application process and whether consequences for statements are a violation of the First Amendment or...2023-09-121h 00HR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! Establishing PoliciesSend us a textWelcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today’s episode goes into these questions:How do you properly calculate travel pay for hourly employees?How do you communicate policies that are not in the employee handbook?Looking for direction on bereavement policies - do you offer pre-death (hospice care) leave, leave for the death of a pet, etc.?Email your questions to TheTeam@hrstoriespodcast.com!Support the showOur new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! ...2023-09-0521 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!We are all Employees (Part 1) - Stories about Employee Rights that Managers and HR Pros Need to RememberSend us a textHave you heard that you can get in trouble for discussing wages with other employees? This intimidation practice can not only be stressful or infringe upon employee rights but also illegal. There are a number of ways that employers can violate employee rights and this is part one of a two-part series all about those rights. It’s important to remember that you, as an HR professional, are also an employee with rights - not just all of the other employees.In today’s episode, Chuck and John will talk about poor...2023-08-2949 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! How far do we investigate?Send us a textWelcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today’s episode goes into these questions:We have a full-time employee who is not reaching his minimum of 32 hours a week. What should we do if his leadership doesn’t have enough work for him?There is a department at my company that has loud cursing all day long. Is it considered a hostile work environment if no one has complained?An employee gets an inappropriate message at 3 am from a coworker that the sender ends up saying was an a...2023-08-2227 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Unveiling Shadows: A Tale of Third-Party Sexual HarassmentSend us a text When a business decides to work with a vendor or other third party that is not an employee, they still must protect their employees from inappropriate or unlawful actions from those third parties. In today's episode learn what happened when a Manager for UPS in Boulder, Colorado turns down the advances of her Union Rep. Chuck and John also tell a couple of different stories where employees were harassed by other non-employees and the companies failed to protect them appropriately, even leading to a criminal investigation. In the HR News...2023-08-1541 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! FMLA Notes and Accommodations, Potential Age Discrimination, Leave of Absence ProceduresSend us a textWelcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today’s episode goes into these questions:We have an employee on FMLA who has been released back to work after surgery in about a month. Do we need to request a more current doctor's note closer to the return date or will the original note suffice? The employee is asking for an accommodation to work from home upon returning - if they were released with no restrictions and the position is not conducive to WFH, do we need to ma...2023-08-0813 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!From the Vault: The Story of the Lost Employee - Onboarding and OrientationSend us a textIn today's episode, we take a trip back to 2020 to revisit one of our most popular episodes - The Story of the Lost Employee. You only get one shot at a first impression and nowhere can that be felt more than the very first day at a new job. From unclear directions to stale information, there is a multitude of ways to have your new employee leaving asking themselves, "Did I just make a big mistake?" But there are also so many little things that can be done to make the f...2023-08-0131 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! Paid Undue Money, Exit and Stay Interviews, and Fire DrillsSend us a textWelcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today’s episode dives into several interesting questions:I left my former employer but they never termed me in their system. They ended up paying me wages on this payroll that I'm not entitled to. I've contacted the CFO and they have not gotten back to me. What do I do?How are you currently handling exit interviews? Do you do something with that data?How do you handle taking attendance during fire drills with hybrid employees, visitors, and inconsistent sc...2023-07-2520 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!The Story of the Night Workers: Paying all Employees RightSend us a textHave you had that nightmare where you’re locked into your office and can’t get out? You check all of the doors and everywhere you go, you’re locked in and have no choice but to keep working. For a team at Home Depot doing overnight work, this was a reality.On top of the safety concerns with this, there were also violations of their break times occurring if a manager was not there to let them out. What do you need to keep in mind when it comes to paying...2023-07-1849 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! Refusing to Work with opposite sex, Bringing someone out of their shell, Switching an employee to non-exemptSend us a textWelcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today’s episode dives into several interesting questionsHow do you deal with an employee who refuses to work alone with a member of the opposite sex citing religious convictions? Any ideas how to bring an admin out of her shell? I hesitate to use the word anti-social, but I'm at my wits end trying to deal with her. She'll use one-word responses that I have to practically drag out of her. No socialization at all. If someone is a...2023-07-1116 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!"I’m Going to Run You Over with this Forklift" - An Intense Tale of Sexual HarassmentSend us a textWhen an employee consistently makes harassing comments and even threatens violence against another coworker, this company made missteps in responding and properly stepping in. In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:E-Verify and I-9 requirementsEEOC newly released sexual harassment guidelinesEEOC weighing in on equal pay when trying to hire new talentProtecting your employees in extreme environmental conditionsAI policy considerationsThe EEOC has recently released some additional information about sexual harassment and in today's episode, Chuck and John dive i...2023-07-0551 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Listener Q&A...We Answer Your Questions! - Remote Workers, FMLA, and Age Discrimination, Oh My!Send us a textWelcome to the first Listener Q&A episode! Today, Chuck and John take on a batch of listener questions:How do you deal with an employee who refuses to work alone with a member of the opposite sex citing religious convictions?Any ideas how to bring an Admin out of her shell? I hesitate to use the word anti-social, but I'm at my wits end trying to deal with her.If someone is an exempt employee, can they ask to be switched to non-exempt? Does the employer need to honor their request?2023-06-2917 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!The HR Stories Podcast TrailerSend us a textThe Team at HR Stories is on a mission to help small business owners, non-profit leaders, and HR Professionals create better employee management practices. We do this through stories. In each episode of the HR Stories Podcast, management and HR consultants John Thalheimer and Chuck Simikian share stories where organizational leaders allowed poor decision-making, lack of knowledge, or hubris to cause harm to their organization. For Example, In Episode 17, we told the story of a company that ignored an employee’s complaint about racial and sexual harassment, which...2023-06-2003 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Spreading Sickness: The New Work PandemicSend us a textYou're sitting at your desk and the person next to you sneezes. A Few moments later, another sneeze, followed by the blowing of their nose. You start hearing some coughs thrown into the mix. We've all been in that position when we see someone in the office while they're under the weather, wishing they had stayed home rather than getting everyone else sick. Since the COVID Pandemic, there has been a rise in awareness around sickness in the workplace. In today's episode, Chuck and John discuss handling sick employees and how t...2023-06-2035 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Pregnancy Discrimination Supreme Court Ruling - Geduldig vs Aiello - the ORIGINAL Pregnancy Supreme Court Case That Changed HRSend us a textSylvia Aiello, was a pregnant woman who sought disability benefits under the California State Disability Insurance program. However, the program excluded coverage for pregnancy-related disabilities. Aiello argued that this exclusion violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The state, represented by Michael N. Geduldig, defended the exclusion, stating that pregnancy was not a "disability" covered under the program and that the program treated men and women equally.In their on-going series – Supreme Court Cases That Changed HR…..John and Chuck breakdown this important case that launched many of the preg...2023-06-0556 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Did you get that signature? The High cost of NOT getting your I-9s right.Send us a textYou get a knock at the door. Your heart is beating in your ears. You knew this day could come but you weren’t sure when. You approach the door, hand trembling to open it. Then you see the government officials asking you for I-9 documents!This doesn’t have to turn into a horror movie. In today’s episode, Chuck and John discuss the importance of I-9 documents and ensuring they are handled properly to avoid fines. In that discussion, you will hear a story about a company that did not ha...2023-05-2252 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!The AI in HRSend us a text“Hello! I'm ChatGPT, an AI language model trained to answer questions and provide information. As an AI myself, I believe that the use of AI in Human Resources has the potential to revolutionize the industry and bring many benefits, but it is important to approach it with caution and ethical considerations.”That message above was provided by one of many AI systems that are ever-growing and evolving. AI is here and it’s time to consider its use in our day-to-day work - the pros and the cons. In today’s episode...2023-05-1544 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Overcoming the HR Time SuckSend us a textYou start out your day with a list of to-do’s. First, you start checking your emails. Then another colleague stops by and asks you to take a look at a document for them. A phone call comes in asking about a new upcoming project and a projected budget to be put together. A task, another, and another all pop up throughout the day and all of a sudden, the day is gone and your original to-do list is still waiting for you.Does this sound familiar? In this episode, Chuck an...2023-05-0853 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Constructive Discharge: Constructing a Potential Lawsuit for your CompanySend us a textRetaliation is a known issue when an employee reports a problem but did you know that indirect action to create an environment that would push someone out of the workplace has its own name? In this episode, Chuck and John talk about Constructive Discharge - how it can happen and how to avoid a lawsuit by preventing it. In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:FTC guideline recommendations for non-competesIncreases in Sexual Harassment ClaimsWalmart’s increase in diversity within leadership rolesA trend in the...2023-05-0154 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Serving up Discipline and Potential Discrimination at Whole FoodsSend us a textIn each of our work environments, we have specific policies and procedures that we outline for our employees. Holding employees to these expectations can, at times, mean disciplinary measures are taken if they are not followed. This can seem like a clear process but there are some important steps to keep in mind when entering into these moments with your team.Haley Evans was an employee working at Whole Foods who had been disciplined for attendance issues when she was repeatedly sent home for wearing a Black Lives Matter face mask...2023-04-2443 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Payroll Pitfalls: The 5 Sneaky Traps You Need to Watch Out ForSend us a textThere are a number of ways that you, as an HR professional, can run into trouble, potentially even legal trouble, with employee payroll. In this week’s episode, the Team take on the topic of payroll and running payroll audits. Doing simple payroll audits to make sure you have all of your bases covered can help you avoid complications before they arise.Want to watch the Team rather than listen? Check out our YouTube channel every Thursday for the video versions of the episodes! See this week's here: https://youtu.be/8YG...2023-04-1857 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Violence in the Night: How to Protect Your EmployeesSend us a textTrigger Warning Today’s episode contains discussions about workplace violence, violent acts, bullying, and the use of weapons. If you are uncomfortable with any of these topics, we recommend skipping this episode and joining us again on the next episode.We hear about new acts of violence daily on the news and, unfortunately, these sometimes occur in people’s workplaces. These can range in severity and complexity while involving customers, clients, or other employees. How do we, as HR professionals, establish procedures and policies to protect our businesses and...2023-04-0949 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!When Joking Around at Work is No Laughing MatterSend us a textIn honor of April Fools Day recently rolling around again, the team talks about when jokes go too far and cross a line in the workplace. Many people have either been the butt of the joke or been around the big joker at work. And perhaps, at times, you may have been around these situations when it goes from being a funny moment into an uncomfortable situation. How, as HR professionals, do we make sure we handle these situations properly? Chuck and John will tell you all about it with several story examples...2023-04-0357 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Why did they leave you? The Story of Employee TurnoverSend us a text We are seeing an increased rate of people voluntarily leaving their jobs. There is no one "golden ticket" answer to say why this is happening, but rather there is a multitude of reasons - pay, flexibility, and culture among them. How do we as HR professionals tackle this? In today's episode, Chuck and John discuss the ins and outs of employee retention.The Team also talks about 4-day work weeks and ongoing studies around them as well as ADHD as an ADA-covered accommodation. After the recent bank collapses in the news, C...2023-03-2749 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Supreme Court weighs-in on FLSA Overtime for HCE'sSend us a textMichael Hewitt worked for Helix Energy Solutions Group on an offshore oil rig, usually for 84 hours a week. Helix Energy paid Hewitt on a daily-rate basis, with no overtime compensation. Michael Hewitt disagreed and eventually it ended up with the U.S. Supreme Court. This week's story shows how a very narrow interpretation of FLSA rules can have very wide impact. Chuck and John also talk about the latest HR news and other stories including upcoming Supreme Court cases, dogs in the workplace, OSHA incident reporting changes that could increase fines, and...2023-03-1948 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Pregnancy and New Laws Coming to the WorkplaceSend us a textThis week, Chuck and John welcome their first guest to the podcast - HR Stories Podcast Social Producer, Kait! When Kait was working in a sales, commission-based role and prepared to go out on maternity leave, she ran into pushback from management around her compensation. When she returned she encountered confrontation around how she was scheduling her pumping time. Along with Kait's story, Chuck and John talk about additional considerations when working with pregnant employees and how to ensure you are following the law and avoiding discrimination. The team...2023-03-141h 11HR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!Griggs vs Duke Power Supreme Court Ruling - Employment Testing and DiscriminationSend us a textIn our ongoing series - Supreme Court Cases that Changed HR, we explore the Griggs v. Duke Power case, a lawsuit that involved intelligence testing that discriminated against a group of African-American employees. Willie Griggs was a Janitor that wanted an opportunity for promotion, yet the policies at his workplace prevented him from moving forward, despite the recent Civil Rights Act of 1964. So he and 13 other employees took matters to the courts. Eventually the Supreme Court made a unanimous landmark ruling that changed HR and employment law forever. Education...2023-03-0647 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!HR Stories Vault Episode - Sexual Harassment and Beth the Lifeguard - Faragher vs The City of Boca RatonSend us a textThis week we pull out one of our more popular recording from the series - Supreme Court Cases that Changed HR Forever!Beth Faragher was a 19 year old college student Lifeguard for the City of Boca Raton in Florida. But after years of constant sexual harassment by her male supervisors, she quit, filed a lawsuit, got heard by the US Supreme Court, and changed everything for companies across the United States. Companies and organization today conduct sexual harassment training and education based on two court cases that c...2023-03-0237 minHR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!The Employee Edition...being Aware and Noticing DiscriminationSend us a textIn this episode, John and Chuck turn the storyline around and talk to employees with stories about how different employers violated the law. They look at circumstances that have occurred where employees experience negative results of poor employer decisions.John and Chuck also talk about best friend at work and social connections, AI/Chatbot, 4 day work week, last week's Valentines episode, and other HR news!Support the showOur new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! Go to...2023-02-2151 min