Culture Fit: When Your GM's Definition Differs from Everyone Else's

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

• The Setup: Mid-size company celebrates crushing their year with a week-long Vegas retreat
• Day 3 Drama: External "sales training facilitator" arrives with suspicious props
• The Incident: Professional presentation turns into inappropriate performance art
• Key Players: Dana (HR hero), Rick (the GM who orchestrated it), and traumatized managers
• The Fallout: 
  • Multiple managers walk out
  • No apologies or acknowledgment
  • Company culture permanently damaged
• Lessons Learned: 
  • Always vet external vendors through HR
  • Document everything immediately
  • Create clear event/vendor policies
  • Partner with other executives for support
  • Check in with affected employees (carefully)
• Never Again Rules: 
  • Don't plan retreats in Vegas
  • Run all content by someone different from you
  • Have vendor vetting policies in place
  • Consider the "Rick Rule" - make first violations count as three strikes