Episodes

  • Scary scary times: Election Season Rhetoric
    Sep 23 2024

    In this episode of HR Nightmares, Lisa Leath and Beth Looney are diving into one of the most polarizing, yet unavoidable, challenges we face in the workplace: navigating sensitive situations around election season. As we get closer to election day, we see more political conversations, social media posts, and yes, even heated debates creeping into the workplace. So how do we as HR leaders manage this delicate balance? How do we protect our company culture, promote inclusivity, and support our employees—without letting politics divide us?

    Join us and explore everything from handling political tensions in the office to managing social media activism, and even the potential for unconscious bias creeping into our decision-making processes during these turbulent times. This episode covers the tough, real-world scenarios that HR leaders and companies can’t afford to ignore. #hrnightmares #2024election

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    33 mins
  • Non-Competes and Overtime Woes: HR’s Summer Blockbusters
    Aug 23 2024

    This week, the HR Nightmares crew tackled the legal spaghetti bowl that is non-compete agreements and the proposed FTC ban, and they brought in the big legal guns—Katie Greene from Michael Best. Lisa dove into the hot topics keeping employment lawyers and HR leaders up at night—non-compete bans, overtime thresholds, and employee classifications. She managed to make compliance sound almost exciting! Katie Greene from Michael Best chimed in with the latest on how courts are treating non-competes and the non-exempt/ overtime rollercoaster. Fun times ahead when those 2nd round January FLSA salary floor exemption changes hit!

    In classic HR Nightmares style, the group offers some (semi-)comforting words to those recently canned. Lisa suggests turning your non-competes into "barely-competes" by keeping them specific and narrow—otherwise, see you in court. With remote work a norm, Katie and Lisa remind us that if your trade secrets are spilling out of Zoom calls, it's time to get serious about information security.

    Follow Leath HR Group on socials and tell your friends to tune in on YouTube or wherever audio podcasts are!

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    44 mins
  • Ship Happens: Navigating HR Seas
    Jul 31 2024

    This episode of HR Nightmares was a ride through the choppy waters of HR. Joined by guest, attorney Geoff Losee, the Leath HR Group hosts navigated topics from open container laws to office romances with the grace of a seasoned sailor This episode of HR Nightmares dives into a whirlwind of workplace issues. From the complexities of maritime law to the everyday challenges of managing employees, pitfalls of open container laws and the importance of solid workplace policies, these four tackle an array of employment nightmares and how to navigate to calmer waters. It's a reminder that even the calmest workplace can unexpectedly turn into a hurricane.

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    47 mins
  • HR Managers from Hell: Don't Let Your HR Dept. Become a Horror Story!
    Jun 26 2024

    Ever feel like HR is stuck in a filing cabinet from the dark ages? This week on HR Nightmares, the Leath HR Group crew – your friendly neighborhood HR exorcists – are here to slay those workplace woes!

    We're throwing down the gauntlet. We're talking clueless HR reps, policy-obsessed robots, and service levels that make the DMV look like Disneyland. Is your HR department more of a roadblock than a resource?

    But fear not! We'll also delve into the secrets of a kickass HR leader. Learn how to spot the good, the bad, and the downright scary when it comes to HR leadership. Hint: experience, grit, and a willingness to ditch the rulebook are key!

    Plus, we are serving up some serious HR philosophy. It's time to ditch the dusty policy manuals and embrace a more human-centered approach. Because let's face it, robots with hearts make way better HR reps than robots with red tape.

    We'll also hear war stories from the trenches of employee management. Learn how to deliver tough news with compassion (even if you have to fire someone who keeps bringing their pet ferret to work – yes, that's a real story!).

    And the episode wouldn't be complete without some laughs! Stick around for a lighthearted (and slightly embarrassing) moment with the ladies.

    So, tune in! Let's turn those HR nightmares into hilarious cautionary tales (and maybe some valuable takeaways).

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    37 mins
  • Unlock the Secrets of Workplace Behaviors: Beyond the Personality Assessment Maze
    Jun 19 2024

    Tired of team meetings that sound like a pack of hyenas arguing? This episode's all about unlocking the secret weapon of assessments!

    We delve into the Tracom Social Styles model, where Ashley breaks down the four basic human types: the charging Drivers, the lovable Amiables, the bubbly Expressives, and the meticulous Analyticals. Think of it as your guide to navigating the office jungle! Great assessment facilitators train you to speak fluent "people" by adapting your communication style to each type. Imagine a world where your colleagues actually understand what you're saying!

    Lisa throws down the "Don't Be a Quizmaster" gauntlet, reminding us that these assessments are tools, not fortune cookies. We dish on the misuse of assessments in hiring, like bombarding candidates with unpaid quizzes or letting unqualified managers decipher their deepest desires. Assessments are all about self-awareness and communication, not replacing good old-fashioned emotional intelligence. Let us know what your favorite assessments are and why!

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    37 mins
  • Blazing Trails: From Adversity to Inspiration with Firefighter Jarvis Harris
    Jun 5 2024

    Firefighter Jarvis Harris joins the Leath HR Group HR crew to share his journey through adversity to becoming a first responder. You’re sure to be inspired by Harris’ dream to become a firefighter since childhood, and how he overcame setbacks to achieve his goal. Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney talk to Harris about effective interview techniques (emphasizing the importance of authenticity and storytelling), expanding non-traditional talent pipelines (landing high school kids in full-time jobs after graduation), the importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone to get what you want and even inspire others in the process of doing so.

    Don’t miss your chance to get FREE HR ADVICE by visiting www.leathhrgroup.com and submitting your anonymous questions to be answered by our team of senior HR experts on the next episode of HR Nightmares!

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    31 mins
  • HR All Stars: Hiring, Compliance & More for Bosses on the Rise
    May 16 2024

    Struggling to build your dream team? Drowning in HR paperwork? This isn’t your father’s HR! Lisa Leath, Amy Conway & Beth are here to LEVEL UP your people game!

    Join them as they dish their favorite secrets for hiring rockstars, staying compliant, and keeping your crew happy. Legal & financial jargon got you stressed? Change got your team overwhelmed? We have you covered!

    Buckle up for Season 3 - it's going to be epic!

    #HR #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #GrowthMindset #BusinessUnusual #nccareercoast

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    45 mins
  • A Battle for Brains - How Booming cities can win over Skilled Talent
    Feb 22 2024

    In this episode of "HR Nightmares," Lisa, Beth and Amy dive deep into the heart of boomtown, Wilmington, North Carolina, unraveling the cutting-edge strategies that are redefining talent attraction and retention with special guest, Megan Mullins. Amidst the scenic backdrop of this burgeoning business hub, the discussion takes a turn into the future of workforce development, shining a spotlight on the innovative approaches to strategic recruitment and the crucial role of educational initiatives in building a highly skilled labor pool.

    With an eye on the looming shadow of baby boomer retirement, our HR experts dissect the urgent need for succession planning and the art of preserving institutional knowledge through a dynamic framework of individual development. The episode is a treasure trove of insights, featuring Lisa Leath's groundbreaking tactics for promoting internal career growth and the transformative impact of the NC Career Coast in knitting together the community of employers and job seekers in North Carolina and beyond.


    As we navigate the intricate dance of keeping talent thriving within local confines, especially in high-demand sectors like tech, "HR Nightmares" offers an unmissable blueprint for cities and companies alike aiming to stay at the forefront of the talent game. This episode is not just a podcast; it's a call to action for all forward-thinking leaders ready to harness the power of collaboration and innovation in securing the future of their workforce.

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    46 mins