What happens when jobs start changing faster than your org chart can keep up?

In this episode of HR Nightmares, Lisa Leath and Amy Conway sit down with Lucy Wert, Head of HR at Pairwise, to talk about what modern HR leadership looks like when the business is moving fast, AI is changing how work gets done, and nobody has time to hide behind “that’s not my job.”

Lucy shares her not-so-linear path into HR, starting with an economics degree, psychology and folklore minors, a rough job market, and a career that has taken her through financial services, startups, pharma, tech, and now agtech. Turns out, supply and demand, human behavior, and storytelling make a pretty useful HR toolkit.

The conversation digs into one of the biggest challenges facing HR teams right now: how do you design roles and organizations when the work itself keeps changing?

The group talks about hiring for curiosity and learning agility, why scrappiness matters, and how to spot candidates who naturally stretch beyond the boundaries of their job description. They also get into AI adoption, including why using the tools matters, why judgment matters even more, and why measuring logins probably tells you a lot less than whether employees are solving real problems differently.

They also tackle talent planning without turning it into a once-a-year PowerPoint Olympics. Lucy shares how Pairwise uses talent reviews, career tracks, cross-functional committees, rotational opportunities, and ongoing conversations to develop employees and build flexibility into the organization.

Plus, there’s a strong case for tying rewards not just to what people accomplish, but how they accomplish it. Because hitting your numbers while terrorizing everyone around you probably should not earn the exact same bonus.

Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcasts, and join us next time for more straight talk from the front lines of HR on HR Nightmares.

What does the future workforce actually think about careers, college, AI, and life after graduation?

In this episode of HR Nightmares, Lisa and Beth sit down with Ruby Vogt and Ella Kober, two rising college sophomores with very different career paths and a surprisingly clear perspective on what comes next.

They talk about choosing a major when you are barely old enough to know what you want for dinner, the pressure to have your entire career mapped out, study abroad adventures in Prague and New Zealand, and why having the right college adviser can change everything.

The conversation also turns to AI. Ruby and Ella share how they are already using it in school, where they think it helps, and why there is still plenty of work that requires an actual human brain. For HR leaders wondering how the next generation will approach technology, communication, and the workplace, consider this your preview.

Plus, there is plenty of discussion about social skills, good manners, college roommates, sorority recruitment, part-time jobs, parenting, parking tickets, Disney uniforms, and the apparent return of the mock neck.

The future of work is not some far-off HR strategy exercise. It is already sitting in college classrooms, using ChatGPT, planning a semester overseas, and figuring out what kind of life it wants. And frankly, we think the future looks pretty good.

Have an HR nightmare of your own? Submit it at LeathHRGroup.com for a chance to have the team tackle it on the show.

We hope you enjoy this episode! Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcasts, and join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares.

It’s time for another round of audience HR nightmares.

In this episode of HR Nightmares, Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney tackle three workplace situations that HR leaders and business owners run into all the time: confusing PTO policies, an employee whose performance never quite improves, and a well-liked leader who isn’t actually leading.

First up: What should a modern PTO policy actually look like? The team breaks down traditional accrual, rollover policies, use-it-or-lose-it rules, unlimited PTO, company shutdowns, sabbaticals, and why smaller businesses should be careful not to overengineer time off. They also take a detour into bereavement leave and why policies surrounding loss could stand to be a lot more compassionate and human.

Then, an employer asks what to do about an employee who improves every time they’re coached…only to slide right back into the same performance problems a week or two later. Add frequent callouts and possible health concerns, and suddenly the employer is afraid to make a decision. The conversation covers separating performance issues from medical concerns, documenting expectations, exploring reasonable accommodations, and recognizing when continued patience is hurting the rest of the team.

Finally, what happens when you promote a longtime, well-liked employee into leadership and discover they’re much better at doing the work than leading the people doing it? Lisa, Amy, and Beth talk executive coaching, courageous feedback, accountability, nonprofit board responsibility, 360 reviews, and the difficult transition from doer to leader.

The bottom line? Take the vacation, have the hard conversation, and stop assuming every great employee will automatically become a great leader.

Have an HR nightmare of your own? Submit an audience write-in to Leath HR Group for a chance to have it answered on a future episode of HR Nightmares.

We hope you enjoy this episode! Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcasts, and join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares.

You can love your work and still know it is time to change your life. Lisa, Amy and Beth are joined by Kelly Conway, a museum curator and glass historian whose career spans the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Corning Museum of Glass, before she made a sharp turn into a PhD program at William & Mary. Now she’s on the edge of another shift, finishing her dissertation and preparing to re-enter the workforce, and she tells the truth about what that feels like when your professional identity has been your anchor for years.

We talk about the practical side of career transitions in the arts and nonprofit sector: how networking changes when you’re no longer in the room, why search firms matter for senior museum roles, and how “being in a hole” during dissertation life can quietly shrink your network. Kelly also breaks down what curators actually do, beyond the trendy way people use the word “curate” now, and why stewardship, storytelling, and translation are core museum skills that connect directly to visitor experience and nonprofit fundraising.

If you’re considering a mid-career pivot, a return to school, or a jump back into the job market, this one will hit home. We hope you enjoy this episode! Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcasts, and join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares.

Is HR becoming obsolete, or is the role simply evolving? Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney kick off this episode by unpacking one of the biggest debates in the profession. From CEO headlines and the Bolt People Ops story to the growing conversation around AI, the team explores why some leaders believe HR is no longer necessary and what that says about the way organizations view the function.

The conversation goes beyond the headlines to discuss how HR creates value through employee relations, investigations, workforce planning, and change management. Lisa, Amy, and Beth share why great HR isn't about enforcing policies. It's about helping leaders solve problems, manage risk, and build stronger organizations. If you've ever wondered where HR is headed or how to demonstrate its value in a changing workplace, this episode is for you.

We hope you enjoy this episode! Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcasts, and join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares.

What should HR leaders expect from their benefits broker? Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney sit down with benefits advisor Seth Crawford to discuss what separates a true strategic partner from someone who only shows up at renewal time.

From navigating rising pharmacy costs and understanding level funded versus fully insured plans to helping small employers gain buying power, Seth shares practical ways organizations can make smarter benefits decisions and avoid costly surprises.

The conversation also explores the challenges of leading HR today, including why senior HR leaders often feel isolated and how peer networks can make a meaningful difference. The group discusses AI's impact on the workplace, why collaboration between HR and finance is becoming more important than ever, and how thoughtful partnerships can help organizations better manage change.

Whether you're reviewing your benefits strategy or looking for stronger HR leadership support, this episode offers practical insights you can put to work right away.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcasts, and join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares.

Season five is here, and HR Nightmares is kicking things off with a look at the workplace issues dominating headlines, social media feeds, and breakroom conversations. Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney share what's new for the season, why they continue tackling real workplace challenges, and how listener questions help shape the conversations ahead. From the growing "HR is not your friend" narrative to the latest People Ops debates, the team explores what HR's role should be and why strong communication solves more problems than most organizations realize.

The conversation dives into several high-profile workplace stories, including the Bolt CEO firing and the JP Morgan lawsuit, using them as a springboard to discuss investigations, reporting processes, workplace harassment, and the importance of fair and consistent decision-making.

Along the way, the gals break down the difference between harassment and awkward workplace interactions, why managers often avoid direct feedback, and how poor coaching can turn small issues into major headaches.

The episode also explores challenges facing today's workforce, from entry-level hiring and internship expectations to burnout among high achievers and the growing gap in basic workplace and financial literacy. Lisa, Amy, and Beth discuss the impact of AI on workforce planning, employment law, and the future of work while offering practical advice for leaders trying to navigate constant change.

We hope you enjoy this episode! Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcasts, and join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares.

This season finale of HR Nightmares revisits the biggest topics of the year, including AI at work, ICE site visits, culture drift, fractional HR, and the high performer who creates more problems than they solve. Lisa and Amy break down what actually worked, what failed, and which decisions made the biggest difference for leaders navigating real-world people issues.

The team covers how to approach AI practically, from interview questions to tasks most likely to change at the entry level. They walk through clear, lawful steps for handling high-pressure situations like ICE arriving onsite, along with guidance on communication, manager training, and response planning. Listener questions spark conversations on micromanagement, support animals, Zoom etiquette, and workplace surveillance, all tied back to clear policy and consistent leadership.

The episode also explains when fractional HR makes sense for growing companies and how to protect culture when unofficial leaders or high-revenue employees start driving behavior. The season wraps with a focus on building HR that is steady, credible, and aligned with business outcomes. If you want fewer distractions and stronger teams, this recap delivers practical takeaways you can use immediately.

We hope you enjoy this episode! Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcasts, and join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares.

On this episode of HR Nightmares, the team sits down with Travis “The HR Dude” McCracken of Global Laser Enrichment to unpack how to scale fast without turning HR into the department of no. Travis shares what it took to grow from 15 to 110 employees, build an HR business partner model, and hire for highly specialized roles inside a heavily regulated environment where mistakes are not an option.

The conversation also tackles credibility in HR, including the ongoing debate around certifications like SHRM and SPHR, and why credentials only matter when paired with sound judgment and real problem-solving. The group digs into the role of AI in modern HR, where it adds value, where caution is required, and how teams can use it responsibly even in restricted environments. From avoiding unhelpful HR archetypes to measuring success by speed, quality, and trust, this episode offers clear, practical guidance for HR leaders navigating growth in complex organizations.

We hope you enjoy this episode! Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcasts, and join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares.

Ever worked with someone who hits every goal but leaves a trail of chaos behind? This episode of HR Nightmares digs into the tension between high performance and toxic behavior. Lisa, Amy, and Beth break down how gossip, manipulation, and emotional outbursts quietly drain teams, no matter how talented the person causing them may be. They explore the archetypes of workplace drama, from the nonstop talker who spreads tension to the polished leader who charms upward while stirring conflict below.

The team shares practical tools to bring calm back to the workplace. You’ll learn how to shut down gossip respectfully, set clear boundaries, and spot red flags before bringing drama into your team. They also challenge leaders to look in the mirror and stop rewarding chaos disguised as engagement. If you want a team that runs on trust instead of tension, this conversation will help you see the signs, make tough calls, and protect your culture.

We hope you enjoy this episode! Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcasts, and join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares.