Today’s agenda: Workplace wubbie Cringe corporate speak: core competency Hot topic: all things work-life balance - who is responsible and is it achievable? What does work-life balance look like to us? The B word (boundaries) Unbalanced power dynamics - work-life balance is a shared responsibility but not always an equal opportunity Balance is fluid and circumstantial Questions/Comments We'll be back for season 6 in August, Besties! Until then, we're due for a little R&R... Your To-Do List: G...
Jun 25, 2025•43 min
Today’s agenda: A thoughtful (and bold) introduction Cringe corporate speak: workshop Hot topic: toxic positivity: what it is and how to deal with the toxic positivity trap in the workplace #goodvibesonly Seeing the silver linings is okay and so is having feelings Toxic positivity and layoffs Feeling safe to talk about ways to improve in an organization Hype vs. hope Toxic positivity and support are not the same thing Questions/Comments Your To-Do List: Grab merch, submit Questions & Comment...
Jun 18, 2025•38 min
Today’s agenda: Check your surroundings (and wait three more stops…) Cringe corporate speak: open the kimono (and special bonus: mowing someone else’s lawn) Hot topic: all things AI - being human in the age of AI at work with special meeting crasher KeyAnna Schmiedl, Chief Human Experience Officer at Workhuman How will AI impact the workplace? Feeling in control in our roles Keeping the unique human touch while benefiting from AI efficiency AI tools can allow HR professionals to focus on the hum...
Jun 11, 2025•48 min
How many of these have you heard in your workplace, Besties? Open kimono New sheriff in town Out of pocket Too many balls in the air Bang it out More to come Executive presence Ducks in a row We're like family Your To-Do List: Grab merch, submit Questions & Comments, and make sure that you’re the first to know about our In-Person Meetings (events!) at https://www.hrbesties.com. Follow your Besties across the socials and check out our resumes here: https://www.hrbesties.com/about...
Jun 04, 2025•37 min
Today’s agenda: The a** itch salad bar The pantless employee Motion lotion Hide your kids at work day The (broken) decorative periscope Malicious salsa Growling at work The world's greatest email subject line Plan B receipt Ear licking Your To-Do List: Grab merch, submit Questions & Comments, and make sure that you’re the first to know about our In-Person Meetings (events!) at https://www.hrbesties.com. Follow your Besties across the socials and check out our resumes here: https://w...
May 28, 2025•48 min
Today’s agenda: Moist legal team in the night club Cringe corporate speak: mission critical Hot topic: all things time off: how to make the most of your time off and enjoy your vacation Bringing the work laptop? Total focus on what you're doing in and out of the workplace Rest to do your best How to support your team members so they can take time off comfortably Practicing what you preach as a leader or HR professional and keeping boundaries Time should be off (not "off-ish") Unlimited PTO Quest...
May 21, 2025•44 min
Today’s agenda: Yep, that's a power trip! Cringe corporate speak: one off Hot topic: coaching and dealing with difficult coworkers: how to work effectively (even when they're jerks!) Defining what "difficult" means is hard, especially in the HR world Assuming the best intent and playing dumb Are you okay? Gatekeeping and lack of consideration Productive conversations can make things better BTW: check out our Besties newsletter this week for helpful discussion guide questions and prompts Knowing ...
May 14, 2025•40 min
Today’s agenda: Awkward and lecturing CFO emails Cringe corporate speak: per my email Hot topic: the importance of HR with Matt Taylor, President of Guardian HR: a leader's perspective on why the function of HR is vital in an organization and the future of HR Employers need to be proactive in maintaining working relationships with employees: HR can help with effective employee and employer communication What is the role of HR today? What skills will HR professionals need in the future? Utilizing...
May 07, 2025•43 min
Today’s agenda: The manual of me Cringe corporate speak: take it offline Hot topic: all things start-ups: how to be successful, key traits and how to survive in an evolving organization What is it like working as an HR professional in a start-up? Reactivity vs. proactivity Working in an unpredictable and evolving environment can be an effective way to grow in your career Opportunities to build departments from the ground up RSUs and equity Informing and influencing on the job - it's not for ever...
Apr 30, 2025•42 min
Today’s agenda: The best busser Cringe corporate speak: heads up Hot topic: what to do if you hate your job FYI, hating your job affects every aspect of your life What makes someone hate their job? Identifying what really makes someone dislike their job vs. what is tolerable or enjoyable at work can help solve the issue How to make the most of jobs we hate so they don't affect our lives outside the organization Setting boundaries can make a huge difference Communicating with leaders, management ...
Apr 23, 2025•32 min
Today’s agenda: He loses his what? Cringe corporate speak: ecosystem Hot topic: catching up on the hot gossip in the world of HR Ashley spills the tea on the ongoing legal drama between Deel and Rippling Updates on the SHRM race discrimination trial New beginnings Announcing the Besties cringe corporate speak bracket challenge winner! Questions/Comments Your To-Do List: Grab merch, submit Questions & Comments, and make sure that you’re the first to know about our In-Person Meetings (events!)...
Apr 16, 2025•38 min
Today’s agenda: Is it process or process? Cringe corporate speak: bite off more than you can chew Hot topic: all things globalization and hiring new talent with special guest Nicole Sahin, CEO of Globalization Partners (G-P) First thoughts on globalization from an HR perspective Hiring outside of the country is a long and lengthy process for both HR and legal within an organization Introducing Nicole and Globalization Partners Access to information is key for hiring managers and leaders Reassuri...
Apr 09, 2025•47 min
Today’s agenda: Introducing Maureen Wiley Clough, host of the It Gets Late Early podcast Drunk interview Cringe corporate speak: culture fit Hot topic: ageism in the workplace Most people are ageist... it's the only "ism" that can affect everyone What sparked Maureen's podcast and focus on ageism? HR professionals should feel empowered to discuss ageism in an organization, such as being included in DEIB discussions More years can mean more experience and enhanced job performance (...duh!) Colora...
Mar 19, 2025•47 min
Today’s agenda: Salary suspension Cringe corporate speak: fight for it Hot topic: all about managing up - how should HR go about this? What does this mean? BTW: subscribe to our HR Besties newsletter for weekly team discussion guide questions Human resources and managing up: how can we influence unapproachable managers? Thinking realistically is a must for HR and leaders: doing what you can do to the best of your ability is key Best practises for HR when providing feedback to toxic leaders and o...
Mar 12, 2025•33 min
Today’s agenda: I quit this b*tch! Cringe corporate speak: transparency Hot topic: ready to resign? Ensure a smooth exit with these dos and don'ts! Empathy in leadership roles is crucial, especially during resignations Putting your mental health above traditional notice periods Leaving on good terms can lead to future opportunities and connections for both employer and employee Honesty and exit interviews can provide valuable insights for an organization's improvement Acknowledging employees' co...
Mar 05, 2025•35 min
Today’s agenda: Unlawful audacity: toxic boss edition Cringe corporate speak: heads will roll Hot topic: catching up on DEI Disney classics and a brief mid week happy hour What is applicable to private companies? Unconscious biases and putting yourself in someone else’s shoes Expanding talent pools to find the right candidates Red flag in leaders: ignoring beneficial hiring choices due to personal biases OSHA/agencies The attack on HR Chopping block performance and having empathy during redundan...
Feb 26, 2025•42 min
Today’s agenda: Introducing Max Farbsy, CEO of Customer Service It's not personal, John Cringe corporate speak: synergy Hot topic: the overlap between employee and customer experience What can we learn from customer experience? How does it relate to employee experience and satisfaction? Why Max is our customer service expert Sticking to the script vs. finding your voice in customer service as well as in the workplace Authenticity and empathy is key in connecting with the customer It's OK to say ...
Feb 19, 2025•48 min
Today’s agenda: Laying down the law in HR, respectfully Cringe corporate speak: hard stop Hot topic: unequal treatment at work: hourly wage vs. salary, department vs. department, field work vs. corporate and everything in between Unequal treatment in the workplace is an issue for everybody Basic benefits and respect should be equal for all employees Benefits and perks hold different values for each team member Culture is shaped by everyone's behavior in the workplace Small gestures made by leade...
Feb 12, 2025•41 min
Today’s agenda: Really great stitches Cringe corporate speak: put a pin in it Hot topic: When your job description changes: what can you do? New job description and evolving roles can be useful in developing a resume and skillset Understanding the legality of role changes is crucial for employees Effective communication from leaders can prevent misunderstandings about job responsibilities Have we seen this before? (yes, absolutely) Self-advocacy is key for employees Establishing boundaries to av...
Feb 05, 2025•37 min
Today’s agenda: The pantless employee Cringe corporate speak: call out Hot topic: out of touch leadership: what does it mean to us? What does it look like? Leaders just who don't have a clue about the lives of team members Kissing up and stomping down Leaders that are more focused on metrics and measurements rather than people... you might lose your best employees Privilege and "mo money, mo problems" Encouraging our leaders and executives to try understanding the lives of employees inside and o...
Jan 29, 2025•39 min
Today’s agenda: Did we date? Cringe corporate speak: big rocks (or BHG's) Hot topic: all things effective goal setting in and out of the workplace What are our goals and how do we set them? Goals can be dependant on the role in an organization Best practises for recording and keeping goals Evolving, changing course, and reaching goals in small increments Encouraging professional development goals is a green flag Taking time to celebrate achievements Jamie and Josh's *spicy* goal for 2025 Questio...
Jan 22, 2025•34 min
Happy New Year, Besties! We're so glad you're here to join us for another year of Business and Bullsh*t. Today’s agenda: Bovine piss in the workplace Cringe corporate speak: back to work Hot topic: workplace trends in 2025 What's hot and happening in the workforce in the new year? Is AI a threat to our jobs? Leaders should embrace new technologies as a way to assist team members and automate everyday tasks Streamlining processes allows for teams to build connections AI is here to stay... leaders...
Jan 15, 2025•54 min
Welcome back to another Happy Hour, Besties! We’re sure as hell glad it’s Friday. In this Happy Hour: UFO drones Jamie is still (partially) offline SHRM updates Happy holidays, Besties! Heads up, HR Besties! We’ll be off the air for some R&R these weeks: November 25 December 16 December 23 December 30 January 6 We'll be recharging our batteries, gathering fresh ideas and cooking up all-new Business + BS to start 2025 strong! Catch us before and after these dates for the latest laughs and les...
Dec 13, 2024•35 min
Today’s agenda: Take your thighs to work day Cringe corporate speak: up the flagpole Hot topic: when HR is the compliant department - why does this happen and what should we do? Employees don't always know where else go to or who else to talk to HR is an everything department The curse of being a great HR professional The importance of an office manager role in the workplace The silver lining: receiving complaints means employees feel safe to use their voice Questions/Comments Your To-Do List: G...
Dec 11, 2024•39 min
Welcome to this bonus Happy Hour, Besties! We’re sure as hell glad it’s Friday. In this Happy Hour: Jamie is locked out Mark Zuckerberg, if you're listening... What do doctors, lawyers and HR professionals have in common? Lessons on what to *not* do brought to you by Ohio State Heads up, HR Besties! We’ll be off the air for some R&R these weeks: December 16 December 23 December 30 January 6 We'll be recharging our batteries, gathering fresh ideas and cooking up all-new Business + BS to start...
Dec 06, 2024•21 min
Today’s agenda: Why Ashley never became a screenwriter Cringe corporate speak: deep dive Hot topic: answering all your burning bestie questions and saying goodbye until next year What were the funniest or most surprising moments in our HR careers? Which episodes were our favorites? Top choices for an HR Besties celebrity guest? What are the biggest misconceptions about HR? How do we unwind after a day of work and HR-ing? What policies would we mandate in an ideal workplace? Trends we're excited ...
Dec 04, 2024•53 min
Welcome back to another Happy Hour, Besties! We’re sure as hell glad it’s Friday. In this Happy Hour: Ashley recommends: Hot Frosty Home Alone (but they get progressively worse) Thanksgiving and holiday season preparation We are incredibly thankful for this community and all of you, listener Besties! Thank you for being here. Heads up, HR Besties! We’ll be off the air for some R&R these weeks: November 25 December 16 December 23 December 30 January 6 We'll be recharging our batteries, gather...
Nov 22, 2024•28 min
Today’s agenda: When Jamie met Josh Cringe corporate speak: fish off the office dock Hot topic: Office relationships, situationships and everything in between Mandates and policies won't stop office romances What have we seen? Formatting the handbook language and reporting structures Abuse of power and maintaining professionalism Relationships vs. drama, affairs and tricky power dynamics Being mindful of the F-Word (favoritism) Questions/Comments Your To-Do List: Grab merch, submit Questions &am...
Nov 20, 2024•40 min
Welcome back to another Happy Hour, Besties! We’re sure as hell glad it’s Friday. In this Happy Hour: So, Jamie slept in a tent last weekend… Being anti-big soap Ashley’s fangirl road trip Updates on the FTC noncompete ban Heads up, HR Besties! We’ll be off the air for some R&R these weeks: November 25 December 16 December 23 December 30 January 6 We'll be recharging our batteries, gathering fresh ideas and cooking up all-new Business + BS to start 2025 strong! Catch us before and after thes...
Nov 15, 2024•29 min
Today’s agenda: Jamie's wigs Cringe corporate speak: pick your brain Hot topic: all things content creation: answering your questions, tips and tricks, getting started and best practises for businesses and HR professionals The path to social media growth is different for everyone Mimicking what someone else has done is not the answer to social influencing. Authenticity is key. What inspired us to begin creating content? What inspires us now? Although it can be useful, try to not overanalyze the ...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 3 min
