HR Stories Podcast - A Lesson in Every Story!

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

1. Is there a type of policy an organization should have that shows the process of suggesting new ideas or policies?
2. Our company is being bought out and there is a new perfect attendance policy. This feels like it will disproportionately impact working parents. Is this legal? How should I address concerns on this?
3. What’s t...

This week, the team is uncovering the dark side of retaliation in the workplace, straight from a nightmarish case at Tosh Farms, Tennessee. A shocking number of EEOC claims involve retaliation. Listen in to hear the spine-chilling tactics used against employees and the impact on company reputation and legal standing. 

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

• How payroll weeks impact ove...

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

1. Our handbook policy says we cannot wear anything vulgar, but we don’t have anything about vulgar bumper stickers on our personal vehicles. Can managers order individuals to cover vulgar bumper stickers on their personal vehicles?
2. I have an HR friend who was asking me about a problem supervisor who likes to limit an emp...

Join Chuck and John in this special episode where they replay their webinar they hold quarterly, updating HR professionals in all of the major industry law and regulation updates YOU CAN’T MISS! Stick around to the end for a special announcement

From reviewing the big game changer policies of 2023 such as the I-9 changes, the PUMP Act, and religious accommodations, to talking about the most recent updates to minimum wage, Joint Empl...

In this week's episode, we delve into the critical yet often overlooked aspects of the PUMP Act, through the lens of two compelling stories from nursing mothers at McDonald's. Discover what happens when workplace policies fail to support nursing employees, and the crucial lessons HR can learn from these real-life experiences. 

We'll explore the importance of the PUMP Act for HR professionals, offering key insights int...

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

1. We’re having trouble with a background check on a 15 year old intern. Is this even required?
2. An employee verbally assaulted a new employee and she claims her autoimmune disease causes her to not think clearly and not act herself. What do you do in this situation?
3. Are we legally required to provide medical benefits to ou...

Dive deep as we peel back the corporate curtain, revealing the shocking disconnect between leaders' expectations and the harsh realities faced by employees. From unpaid overtime at Garnett News Company to deadly safety oversights, discover how policies fail in the face of middle management decisions and workplace culture.

Are extensive policies enough when employees suffer and laws are ignored? Join us as we explore the crucial...

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

1. How many times/how often do you fire employees in your organization? What’s your take on who should talk during a termination?
2. How long should you usually give an emplopyee to cash a check? If a check was lost and you re-issue a check and they have not come to pick up the re-issued check, 2 months later.
3. Can you review ...

It goes without saying (but we will anyways) that the pandemic drastically changed our ways of working as well as our expectations of a job. One of the most notable changes was the shift to remote work. While many companies embraced this change and have found a new way of collaborating, others have grown tired of it and are starting to pull back on the remote flexibility many employees have come to expect. 

While there is ...

In this episode, we dive into the unique challenges faced by HR department of one employees. From managing PTO allocation to navigating a remote-first company culture spread across multiple states, listeners gain insights into the delicate balance of work-life boundaries and professional expectations. We explore practical strategies for addressing personal relocation requests within a company mission rooted in a different geographi...

Dive into a riveting episode of HR Stories Podcast, featuring the story of Sheri Minarsky's brave stand against workplace harassment. This episode, reveals Sheri's struggle as a secretary in Susquehanna County’s Department of Veterans Affairs, where she endured years of harassment in silence due to fear and isolation. Her story unfolds as a gripping narrative of resilience and courage, culminating in a groundbreaking lega...

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

Question #1 –

Does your company do anything to compensate exempt employees if they travel/work on weekends or holidays? Also, if they travel home on a work day, but they get to town with 4 hours of work day left, do they have to go into the office or get to take the rest of the day off?

Question #2 -

Have you ever heard of a...

When a piece of equipment with a history of related injuries claims the life of a high school student picking up hours over the summer, is it just a freak accident, or was this a preventable situation? How did the company respond to the OSHA recommendations? In today’s episode, Chuck and John dive into a heavy story about the death of an employee at a mill, covering different levels of OSHA considerations when evaluating injuries i...

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

1. Does anybody have good ideas to make your Indeed postings stand out and look less “basic” and “dry”?
2. As a Manager, how do you create an environment where employees can be brave and have no fear of speaking up? Could you share some examples if you have any?
3. We hired a woman who is pregnant. One of the supervisors is worr...

What a year it has been, not only in the world of HR, but for The Team at HR Stories! This year, we kicked off a new episode format called Listener Q&A where we answer questions submitted by YOU! This has been a great opportunity to discuss a variety of issues, from hygiene to employees illegally recording others. Thank you for joining us each week as we dive into stories and learn lessons along the way! Keep the questions comi...

In this special holiday edition of the HR Stories Podcast, join John and Chuck as they delve into the enchanting yet enlightening tale of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This episode offers a whimsical exploration of serious HR topics, including workplace discrimination, ADA implications, and the responsibilities of management in fostering an inclusive environment. Through the story of Rudolf's unique challenges at Santa's...

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

1. My new employer is sending me on training in Los Angeles. Can I bring my significant other?
2. I recently discovered an employee is recording her teammates when she leaves the room to find out what they are saying about her when she is gone. Any other words of wisdom in encouraging her to stop recording?
3. I have an employee...

The ADEA, or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, is meant to protect older workers from disadvantages in job searching and while employed. Whether it's assumptions about technology skills or desires to see a longer tenure from a new hire, older people in the workforce face several hurdles that can result in discrimination allegations. In today's episode, Chuck and John go through three different scenarios where ther...

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

1. From an HR perspective, what do we need to keep in mind during a merger?
2. Which would be better received by staff - a Friday or Tuesday as a day to observe a holiday?
3. If you have an employee requesting to move from full-time to part-time, do you adjust their accrual rate?
4. How do you stay motivated through the challenges o...