Navigating Creepy Boss Dads and Coasting Co-Workers

Some workplace problems have clear solutions, while others leave you wondering, Is this really happening? Imagine working for a small, family-owned business where the boss makes wildly inappropriate comments and hovers over female employees—while his wife, who runs HR, conveniently looks the other way. Do you speak up? Walk away? Just try to survive the workday? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky teams up with executive coach and HR expert Peter Vincent to unravel office chaos—from toxic family businesses and resignations gone wrong to holiday disasters that will make you cringe. With 30+ years of experience, Peter shares real-world advice for handling the moments that leave you speechless. Let’s dive in! Key Takeaways How to handle inappropriate behavior in family-run businesses What to do when a coworker quits and leaves you with their mess The impact of generational shifts and the COVID-19 pandemic on workplace culture Rookie mistakes in workplace communication—especially emails that can’t be unsent The emotional toll of making tough decisions, like firing someone How parental leave policies are evolving in the corporate world The power of clear communication and trust in the workplace Strategies for handling awkward social mishaps—like breaking something meaningful to your boss Why sentimental items carry more than just monetary value The right way to apologize (especially when kids are involved) In This Episode: [00:00:00] Introduction to Peter Vincent [00:05:58] Weird workplace moment [00:08:35] The week in work: Netflix's changing parental leave policy [00:16:57] Listener Question #1: Family business issues [00:25:24] Listener Question #2: Handling soon-to-be ex-coworker [00:30:25] Bonus Question: Non-existent emergency leave? [00:35:46] Workplace Weirdness: The holiday party disaster [00:40:33] Closing thoughts Notable Quotes [00:02:24] "The biggest change in HR? The idea that you would hire and work with employees you’ve never met in person. A decade ago, that was unthinkable. Now, it’s the norm." — Peter [00:05:02] "I accidentally sent an email about laying someone off to that person. I heard a groan from two offices down. That was a career moment I’ll never forget." —Peter [00:20:40] "The reason I suggest trying at least internally through HR or whoever to bring it to his attention is I've often seen where when I've gone to a boss and said, 'Hey, one of your employees complained,' the reaction you often get is, 'Why didn't they ever talk to me about it?'" — Peter [00:28:26] "You can be friendly with coworkers, but that doesn’t always mean they’re your friends. A true friend wouldn’t leave you in the lurch on an important project" — Peter [00:30:50] " Kids will be kids, but depending on the age of this little one, could they possibly write an apology letter? Or if not an apology letter, maybe record a little video, a video message that Uh, I'm very sorry. I broke your ornaments to send to the boss." — Maya Resources and Links Peter Vincent Website LinkedIn Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website LinkedIn Workplace Weirdness Email: [e-mail] SpeakPipe Website Instagram Mentioned Georgetown Leadership Coaching Program Wall Street Journal Article on Netflix's Parental Leave Policy Starbucks Parental Leave Policy Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.