HR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!

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Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions:

1. How do you deal with the death of an employee?
2. How do you convince executives to support HR?
3. How do you recognize birthdays and anniversaries?

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! 

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event?  You can reach the Team at  [email protected] for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns. 

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In 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:

• New interpretations from opinion letters - Can supervisors accept tips?
• What do you do if an employee goes viral for bad behavior?
• Usage of FMLA and paid leave clarifications
• Supreme Court sides with businesses in an overtime case

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! 

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event?  You can reach the Team at  [email protected] for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns. 

Send us Fan Mail

HR is hard - BambooHR is easy!  See for yourself with a free demo at BambooHR: https://shorturl.at/E7kkF

Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions:

1. How do we handle an individual who attended multiple days of training without completing paperwork or signed their contract yet?
2. We have to terminate a great employee due to financial reasons. Any tips?
3. Can you lower a contractor’s compensation if a customer complained and want a refund?
4. How do you handle a passive aggressive manager who has caused people to quit?

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! 

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event?  You can reach the Team at  [email protected] for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns. 

Send us Fan Mail

In a landmark remote work case, when Inna worked remotely in New Jersey for a Pennsylvania-based company, she assumed New Jersey's employee-friendly laws would protect her. However, the courts made a surprising ruling: the company's location, not the employee's, determines which state laws apply. This key decision highlights the complex "It Depends" nature of remote work employment law.

HR is hard - BambooHR is easy!  See for yourself with a free demo at BambooHR: https://shorturl.at/E7kkF

In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:

• Right to Disconnect Bill - the needs for boundaries versus the needs of the business.
• Employee satisfaction is at an all time low. Over half of employees are seeking a new job.
• Civility in the workplace on the decline over the last month. Is leading with empathy the right next step?
• Early impacts of the new Trump administration and a great resource to help you navigate it: https://www.littler.com/

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! 

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event?  You can reach the Team at  [email protected] for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns. 

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions:

1. Can you start an employee as a contractor then transition them to full time?
2. When an employee changes from part time to full time, do you need to fill out new paperwork or can you just update their status in the HRIS?
3. How do I prepare myself for the next HR role?

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! 

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event?  You can reach the Team at  [email protected] for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns. 

Send us Fan Mail

We 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.

Listen along as John takes you through how the new administration may impact the following areas:

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives
• Immigration Policies and Workforce Impact
• Independent Contractors and Labor Relations
• Wage and Hour Updates
• OSHA and Regulatory Changes

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! 

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event?  You can reach the Team at  [email protected] for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns. 

Send us Fan Mail

WELCOME 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 HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:

• New administration means new regulations - preparing for a Trump administration in HR
• Publix in legal troubles with pregnancy-related lawsuits
• Dress code modifications to increase employee retention
• Blake Lively’s legal complaint regarding sexual harassment

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! 

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event?  You can reach the Team at  [email protected] for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns. 

Send us Fan Mail

The 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:

1. Using an outdated version of the I-9 form.
2. Failing to complete the employer section of the form.
3. Omitting the employee’s start date.
4. Incomplete or incorrect employee information.
5. Keeping I-9 forms in employee files instead of a separate location.
6. Collecting the wrong combination of documents.
7. Using an old form with outdated lists of valid documentation.
8. Missing forms for some employees.
9. Enrolling in E-Verify but failing to create cases for new hires.
10. Collecting too many supporting documents.

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! 

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event?  You can reach the Team at  [email protected] for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns. 

Send us Fan Mail

The 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. 

1. Does anybody have good ideas to make your Indeed postings stand out and look less “basic” and “dry”?
2. Can managers order individuals to cover vulgar bumper stickers on their personal vehicles?
3. How do you create a suitable employee handbook?
4. Do you have a good step-by-step process for creating or gathering job descriptions for all roles in the company?
5. Can I hold an employee responsible for behavior that they participate in outside of work, on personal time
6. What timelines do I need to keep in mind during a merger?
7. How do I handle layoffs and uncertainty around my job status?
8. How do you effectively advise on not hiring a bad culture-fit candidate?
9. What’s the best way to develop a time off policy?
10. Can an employer change the agreed upon in-office requirement?

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! 

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event?  You can reach the Team at  [email protected] for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns. 

Send us Fan Mail

Take 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 show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE! 

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event?  You can reach the Team at  [email protected] for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns.