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...
Oct 31, 2024•26 min
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, fosterin...
Oct 28, 2024•53 min
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 sel...
Oct 21, 2024•52 min
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 n...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 4 min
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 recog...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 3 min
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 explorin...
Sep 09, 2024•48 min
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...
Sep 02, 2024•39 min
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 cr...
Aug 26, 2024•47 min•Season 5Ep. 6
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 i...
Aug 19, 2024•49 min
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 work...
Aug 12, 2024•48 min
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 perception...
Aug 08, 2024•53 min
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 cult...
Aug 05, 2024•55 min
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 increas...
Jul 29, 2024•55 min
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 Haygo...
Jul 22, 2024•1 hr 3 min
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?”...
Jul 15, 2024•34 min
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....
Jul 08, 2024•15 min
“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 em...
Jun 24, 2024•47 min
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 phenomena...
Jun 17, 2024•45 min
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 actual...
Jun 10, 2024•47 min
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 challe...
Jun 03, 2024•58 min
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 cha...
May 28, 2024•52 min
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. T...
May 20, 2024•56 min
Retaining top talent looks easy on paper. So why then, do so many companies have difficulty with their retention strategies? Hebba chats with “Modern People Leader” podcast hosts Daniel and Stephen Huerta about personalization in the age of information, the rise of AI, and the best ways companies can boost their retention strategies. Having spoken to over 200 people leaders on their pod, Daniel and Stephen understand a thing or two about the importance of a great people ops team. They break down...
May 13, 2024•59 min
Oil and water. Fire and ice. CEOs and CPOs. Some things just don’t go together like they should. But does it always have to be that way? In this super candid conversation, Hebba chats with her IRL CEO at Workweek, Adam Ryan, to discuss the complex relationship between CEOs and CPOs. Adam opens up about the CEO’s perspective on HR and shares his thoughts on how HR leaders can build a better relationship with their CEO. What role can honesty, vulnerability, and empathy play in building a better pa...
May 06, 2024•41 min
Feeling stuck in your career? You’re not alone. Join Hebba and special guest Tori Lazar, a strategic storyteller and executive coach, as they discuss how to recognize career quagmires and turn stalemates into personal growth. What are the top three warning signs of career unhappiness, and how can leaders be more personally aware of their own internal red flags? Tori shares insights on tapping into your inner child, overcoming fear, and pinpointing the source of unhappiness in your current career...
Apr 29, 2024•53 min
Why do employees quit? Compensation, growth opportunities, and environment are usually the top 3 reasons cited. But what does all that actually mean to the employees and is there anything HR can really do to stop employees from fleeing? Jessica returns to sit down with Hebba to clear up what growth actually means, the biggest misconceptions about compensation, and red flags to look out for to identify toxic cultures. You’ll hear their take on why counter-offers shouldn’t be a regular practice an...
Apr 22, 2024•46 min
Whether employers like it or not, greater pay transparency is the future. So why do HR leaders need to start embracing pay transparency rather than fearing it? Lulu Seikaly, a senior corporate employment attorney with Payscale, sheds light on the topic in a candid conversation with Hebba about the impact of pay transparency laws on employees, the challenges employers face when implementing them, and the future of pay transparency on a global and local scale. How has Gen Z become the poster child...
Mar 25, 2024•59 min
“How much do you make?” It’s the one question that sends chills up corporate spines and the one question every employee is secretly dying to ask one another. But what if it didn’t have to be that way? What if pay was… *gasp* actually transparent? Meet the viral TikTok sensation daring to bring pay transparency to the forefront of the social media conversation, Hannah Williams. Sick of corporate America making employees feel powerless in the pay cycle, Hannah’s viral TikTok series, “Salary Transp...
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Puberty. Periods. Motherhood. Menopause. Let's be real—women go through a lot of challenging life stages. So why then, do employee benefits often feel like a one-size-fits-all? How can HR find a way to help women throughout all stages of their life, in a way where they feel fully supported? Hebba sits down with Isha Vij, Vice President of Sales at Maven Clinic, a digital health organization focused on women’s and family health, to chat about the challenges and solutions surrounding women’s healt...
Mar 11, 2024•49 min
Too often, HR is expected to bet the jack of all trades for a business. But what do you do when it leaves you feeling like a master of none? Hebba sits down with Sarah Rose Hattem, a former HR team of one and currently a Senior HR Consultant for Rippling, to discuss the challenges of being a one-person HR department. How, as a one-person department, can you more effectively communicate your value to leaders who may not view you as a primary function of the business? Sarah Rose shares why utilizi...
Mar 04, 2024•45 min
