HR Confessions

In this engaging episode of "HR Confessions," hosts Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer welcome Rhona Barnett-Pearse, founder of Workfluencer Media, to unravel a fascinating HR mystery.

Discover how a consultant, Melissa, seamlessly integrated into a company without formal onboarding, sparking a discussion on the intricacies of HR operations and the importance of vigilance.

Key takeaways include:

As always, this episode offers a blend of humor, real-world HR challenges, and actionable insights to enhance your HR strategies. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking conversation that promises to entertain and educate!

Email [email protected] with your story!

Link to the AI audition Kim references:

https://sergiocilli.com/

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When Shayla returns from six months of parental leave, she's ready to re-engage with the job she loved. Instead, she faces complete silence, discriminatory treatment, and a systematic dismantling of her role. In this episode, Rebecca and Kim are joined by Jessica D. Winder, Chief People Officer and founder of Hidden Gem Career Coaching, to dissect one of HR's most infuriating failures: the botched return from parental leave.

From ghost-town calendars to selective return-to-office mandates, from glass cliff assignments to single-person "layoffs," this story reveals how companies weaponize policy to push out new parents. Jessica, who's successfully returned from leave with two sets of twins, shares what good re-entry looks like and why this situation is textbook discrimination.

The conversation gets real about why people stay in bad situations, how HR fails to intervene, and what managers and organizations must do differently to support returning employees. If you've ever wondered why parental leave return rates are abysmal, this episode answers that question with brutal clarity.

Key Takeaways for People Leaders: 

Treat returners like new hires—full re-onboarding required 

Front-load support, back-load expectations

Single-person layoffs are almost never legitimate 

Policy changes that affect only recent returners signal discrimination 

Check in at 30/60/90 days minimum

If you're an HR professional, people manager, or someone planning for leave, this episode gives you the framework to do better—and the language to call out what's wrong.

Resources: Submit your HR confession: [email protected]

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What happens when revenge porn meets the workplace? In this episode, Rebecca and Kim are joined by Stacey Nordwall (host of Toot or Boot and VP of People Strategy at PIN) to discuss a case that blurs every line between personal and professional.

An HR executive's Saturday morning email check reveals an anonymous complaint against a senior leader, complete with explicit photos and blackmail accusations. With the company in the middle of an acquisition, leadership must decide whether to support an employee who's the victim of a crime or protect the deal at all costs.

This story raises critical questions about risk management, at-will employment, work-life boundaries, and what companies owe employees when their personal lives become workplace liabilities through no fault of their own.

Show Notes:

The anatomy of workplace extortion

When personal matters become HR issues

Risk assessment during high-stakes business moments

At-will employment vs. wrongful termination

Supporting employees who are crime victims

Setting boundaries between work and weekend

Core HR Themes:

Personal vs. Professional Boundaries: Where does an employee's private life become the employer's concern?

Risk Assessment Under Pressure: Making high-stakes decisions during critical business moments

At-Will Employment Gray Areas: Legal vs. ethical termination decisions

Victim Treatment: How organizations respond when employees are targets of illegal activity

Crisis Management: Balancing company protection with employee support

Lessons for People Leaders:

Consult legal counsel before making termination decisions based on personal matters. This situation warranted immediate legal review, especially during an acquisition.

Consider alternatives to termination. Administrative leave would have given everyone time to assess the situation properly and allowed the employee to handle the criminal matter.

Don't negotiate with extortionists. Firing Bart gave the blackmailer exactly what she wanted and set a dangerous precedent.

Support employees who are crime victims. Bart was experiencing revenge porn and extortion. The company could have provided EAP resources and temporary leave instead of termination.

Question your assumptions about risk. Leadership assumed investors would react negatively, but many business leaders have faced personal scandals. A story of supporting an employee through criminal victimization could have been more compelling than appearing reactionary.

Protect work-life boundaries for yourself. Linda's Saturday email check turned into a weekend crisis. Some fires can wait until Monday.

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When three teenage employees at a pizza restaurant decide to investigate a rumored hole in the ceiling above the women's restroom, what starts as reckless curiosity ends with one of them crashing through the ceiling onto their assistant manager. Hosts Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer are joined by Claire Schmidt, founder of All Voices, to dissect this early 2000s workplace disaster.

This episode explores inadequate management training, workplace safety violations, and the complete absence of proper employee relations protocols at small businesses. Learn why documenting incidents matters, how to support employees who experience workplace trauma, and why firing people in the heat of the moment often backfires.

Perfect for HR professionals, people leaders, and anyone managing employees in environments where formal HR doesn't exist.

The dangers of lax management oversight and blurred boundaries

Why workplace safety violations create cascading liability

How to properly investigate and document workplace incidents

Supporting employees who experience traumatic workplace events

Differentiating levels of culpability when multiple employees are involved

Small business HR challenges and practical solutions

The role of social media in modern workplace accountability

Guest: Claire Schmidt, Founder at All Voices

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Join Rebecca, Kim, and special guest Mita Mallick (author of "The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses") for a wild ride through workplace dysfunction that'll make you question everything you know about good employees and bad managers. When an office manager's dedication to recycling leads to a written warning for "theft of company time," you know you're in for a story that's equal parts infuriating and unbelievable. But wait until you hear the twist that involves missing checks, embezzlement, and the most satisfying ending we've ever shared. Perfect for HR leaders who need real-world examples of how to spot talent hoarding, recognize invisible labor, and turn crushing employee spirits into career growth opportunities.

The Setup: Mid-size company with "we're family" culture, dedicated employee sorting trash for $1,500 monthly recycling rebate

The Problem: Manager issues final written warning for "theft of company time" without understanding the employee's contribution

Key Leadership Lessons:

Don't crush employee initiative without investigation

Channel above-and-beyond energy into strategic work

Invisible labor often affects specific demographics disproportionately

Good managers ask questions before making assumptions

The Plot Twist: Manager had been pocketing the rebate checks for years, thinking they were personal bonuses

The Resolution: Senior leader demonstrates proper recognition, offers promotion and additional compensation

Practical Takeaways for HR Leaders:

Create systems to recognize unseen contributions

Have regular conversations about employee initiatives

Channel self-directed energy strategically

Distinguish between going above-and-beyond vs. working on the wrong things

Build processes to catch financial irregularities

Guest Expert: Mita Mallick, author of "The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses"

Red Flags Discussed:

Talent hoarding by insecure managers

Pet-to-threat phenomenon

Control issues in leadership

Final warnings without progressive discipline

Management Archetypes:

Janine: The controlling, potentially fraudulent manager

Ken: The supportive, investigative leader who rewards results

Bottom Line: Be a Ken, not a Janine. Look for your Rileys and channel their energy strategically while ensuring financial oversight prevents embezzlement.

More about Mita's book:

The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses is a must read guide on how not to become that bad boss for anyone on their journey to be a better leader. Mita reminds us that a good leader can be the difference maker: ensuring we are recognized and valued for our contributions in our organizations. So remember that the devil emails at midnight. Let's make sure that devil doesn't become you.

Order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394316488

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Join Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer with special guest co-host Hebba Youssef (Chief People Officer at WorkWeek) as they return to Vegas for another wild leadership retreat story. When a charismatic regional director goes missing on day two of a company offsite, his concerned colleagues stage an impromptu search mission that leads to a shocking discovery. What starts as a wellness check quickly becomes a lesson in crisis management, workplace liability, and the cultural gaps that exist when HR isn't in the room. This episode tackles serious questions about employee safety, incident documentation, and how leadership teams handle (or mishandle) unexpected situations.

Show Notes 

Episode Highlights:

HR Takeaways:

Discussion Points:

Featured Voices:

Submit Your Stories: [email protected]

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When sales incentives go wrong, they can go REALLY wrong. Join HR veterans Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rower as they share a jaw-dropping confession from an IT manager who stumbled upon a secret sales team ritual that would make any compliance officer's head spin. This episode explores the dark side of SPIFFs, workplace favoritism, and what happens when leadership turns a blind eye to frat-house behavior in the office. Plus, get practical advice on designing fair incentive programs and knowing when to speak up about workplace misconduct.

Show Notes:

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In another jaw-dropping episode of HR Confessions, Rebecca and Kim tackle a Vegas offsite gone wildly wrong. When a general manager decides to "enhance" a sales training with an unexpected performance artist, HR is left to navigate the fallout. Join us for a masterclass in what NOT to do at company retreats, plus actionable advice on vendor vetting, protecting your team, and standing your ground when leadership crosses the line. Warning: This episode contains discussions of inappropriate workplace conduct.

Show Notes

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When an employee's volunteer presentation takes an unexpected turn, HR must navigate the aftermath of an all-hands meeting no one will forget. Join Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer as they break down a masterclass in empathetic crisis management, discuss the realities of accidental oversharing in the age of Zoom, and explore how to balance "no harm done" with "never again." Plus, learn why controlling your all-hands content becomes crucial as your company grows.

Key Takeaways:

Practical Actions:

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In this jaw-dropping episode of HR Confessions, Rebecca and Kim unpack a story that will make every HR professional immediately change their passwords. When a meticulous HR manager discovers someone has been redirecting her paycheck, she uncovers a web of identity theft, pharmaceutical side hustles, and company devices being used for... let's say "extracurricular activities." Join us for a wild ride through one employee's audacious attempt to literally become their HR manager, plus actionable advice on protecting your organization from internal threats. Warning: You'll never look at password resets the same way again.

Key Takeaways:

Action Items for HR Leaders:

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