Episodes

  • Ep. 10: Addiction, Empathy, and Missteps: HR Stories That Shape Leadership

    Ep. 10: Addiction, Empathy, and Missteps: HR Stories That Shape Leadership
    Jan 16 2025
    Torin Ellis and Rob Boersma bring unforgettable workplace stories that go beyond bad behavior to the tough leadership calls behind the scenes. From managing an addicted but high-performing employee to diffusing hostile interviewees, their experiences reveal the human side of HR’s toughest challenges. In this episode, we dive into addiction and enabling, lessons in leadership accountability, and how empathy and clear processes can transform outcomes. Rob and Torin also explore how emerging tech, like AI-powered skills matching, is reshaping the future of recruitment. It’s a mix of hard lessons, practical advice, and new ideas for HR professionals. Key Takeaways Addiction in the workplace can present tough leadership challenges—balancing accountability with empathy is key. High performance doesn’t excuse misconduct; clear processes and support systems are essential. Hostile candidates during interviews can derail hiring—empathy and preparation help defuse tension. AI-based skills matching is disrupting the "crappy keyword search" approach in recruitment. Leadership lessons often come from missteps; documenting processes builds accountability and fairness. Site visits and hands-on learning can help recruiters build trust and avoid conflict with candidates. Empathy doesn’t mean enabling—it means providing resources and holding people accountable. Companies need a stabilization system for DEI initiatives to withstand shifting market pressures. HR’s client is always the employee first; everything else builds from that foundation. Walking the HR Tech floor reveals buzzwords like AI, but outcomes matter more than jargon. A strong organizational ethos is the backbone for long-term DEI success. Transparency and clarity in leadership decisions build trust and prevent future challenges. This limited series is brought to you by FAMA, Modern Candidate Screening. Talent teams use FAMA to improve candidate quality, create safe and inclusive workplaces and place the right leadership for their organizations. You can subscribe and listen to the #9to5Nightmares podcast here https://fama.io/podcasts or here Connect with Torin Ellis to unlock potential with precision and purpose here and you can also connect with him on LinkedIn here Connect with Rob Boersma on LinkedIn or at Talent.com William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
    Show more Show less
    18 mins
  • Ep.# 9: Colt .45s and Chili’s Beers: Tim Sackett and Kevin Wheeler share their worst HR Nightmare

    Ep.# 9: Colt .45s and Chili’s Beers: Tim Sackett and Kevin Wheeler share their worst HR Nightmare
    Jan 9 2025
    Kevin Wheeler and Tim Sackett drop some unforgettable HR gems, the kind you don’t hear about in your average conference session. Picture this: a loaded Colt .45 sitting in a desk drawer in California and a Chili’s lunch featuring a Budweiser that cost someone their job. These aren’t just wild stories—they’re reminders of how fuzzy workplace policies and unchecked behaviors can turn into HR nightmares. Kevin and Tim don’t just stop at the stories, though. They dig into how global trends and game-changing tech, like AI tools for hiring managers, are flipping the script on how HR tackles these challenges. It’s a smart, real-world look at the lessons HR pros deal with daily. Key Takeaways A loaded Colt .45 in an office drawer? Yes, that happened. HR’s response: unclear policies make everything harder. Lunchtime Budweiser's aren’t the best career move—how HR handles misconduct matters. Screening for "red flags" like firearms and alcohol issues isn’t always straightforward. Clear, enforceable workplace policies are critical for handling unexpected scenarios. Talent trends show gaps in hiring manager enablement—AI is stepping in to coach in real-time. Governance for HR tech stacks is becoming essential for compliance and mitigating risks. Hiring managers rarely hire often enough to retain training—real-time tools can fill the gap. Global HR challenges vary, but shared lessons highlight the importance of proactive solutions. Workplace misconduct stories offer cautionary tales for developing better HR strategies. Emerging startups at HR Tech reveal solutions even the big players haven’t tackled yet. Talent acquisition trends are about reading the fine print: legislation and small signs predict big shifts. HR’s job is more than policies—it’s balancing human behavior with organizational needs. This limited series is brought to you by FAMA, Modern Candidate Screening. Talent teams use FAMA to improve candidate quality, create safe and inclusive workplaces and place the right leadership for their organizations. You can subscribe and listen to the #9to5Nightmares podcast here https://fama.io/podcasts or here Connect with Tim Sackett on LinkedIn or at the Tim Sackett Project Connect with Kevin Wheeler on LinkedIn or at the The Future of Talent Weekly Newsletter William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok
    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • Ep. 8: Bar Raisers, Bra-less Interviews, and Nervous Breakdowns in HR, Steve Levy and Carmen Hudson

    Ep. 8: Bar Raisers, Bra-less Interviews, and Nervous Breakdowns in HR, Steve Levy and Carmen Hudson
    Dec 19 2024
    Carmen Hudson and Steve Levy share unforgettable recruiting stories, from a candidate accidentally removing her top during an Amazon interview to a bar raiser showdown that tested patience and protocol. These moments reveal how preparation—or lack thereof—shapes outcomes in recruiting and hiring. In this episode, we explore interview blunders, the evolving role of empathy in candidate management, and why skill-based hiring remains a pipe dream for many. Carmen and Steve dive into lessons learned, strategies to improve recruiter-hiring manager collaboration, and how AI might finally deliver on its promise to fix the mess in recruitment. Key Takeaways Preparation is everything in recruiting—blank pads and vague objectives don’t cut it. Interview blunders (like accidental wardrobe malfunctions) require grace and empathy to manage. The Amazon bar raiser program shows how tight processes can help—but rigidity can hurt. Skill-based hiring is still far from reality for most organizations. Candidate nervousness and recruiter anxiety can derail interviews—building rapport helps. Ghosting candidates damages the employer brand—communication is critical, even with rejections. AI’s role in hiring must focus on outcomes, not buzzwords, to deliver real value. Collaboration between recruiters and hiring managers is essential for great hiring decisions. Clear rubrics and performance metrics are key to fair and efficient hiring processes. Empathy isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a game-changer for candidate experiences. Nervous recruiters need lifelong learning to stay sharp in today’s AI-driven hiring landscape. Structured interviews with clear goals lead to better hires and happier candidates. This limited series is brought to you by FAMA, Modern Candidate Screening. Talent teams use FAMA to improve candidate quality, create safe and inclusive workplaces and place the right leadership for their organizations. You can subscribe and listen to the #9to5Nightmares podcast here https://fama.io/podcasts or here Connect with Carmen Hudson on LinkedIn here or you can find her Recruiting Book Club Podcast Here Connect with Steve Levy on LinkedIn here William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
    Show more Show less
    20 mins
  • Ep.# 7: Bias, Misconduct, and capital murder. Who hired them?

    Ep.# 7: Bias, Misconduct, and capital murder. Who hired them?
    Dec 12 2024
    Workplace bias and misconduct aren’t just buzzwords—they’re real challenges with real consequences. This episode unpacks stories that push the boundaries of HR, from a shocking workplace arrest to the subtle ways bias shows up in hiring. We’re digging into the tough lessons that redefine how leaders create equitable environments. In this episode, we look at workplace bias, hiring misconduct, gender equity, HR leadership, background screening, pay transparency, inclusion strategies, and the role of AI in shaping hiring practices. Key Takeaways Background screening gaps can lead to shocking incidents, as seen in the workplace arrest for capital murder. Gender bias in hiring remains a persistent issue, with real examples showing the impact of unchecked assumptions. Pay transparency laws highlight progress but underscore the ongoing inequity between male and female salaries. Leaders play a key role in fostering inclusion by amplifying marginalized voices and challenging cultural norms. Managing perceptions in the workplace is essential, with even small actions shaping long-term professional credibility. AI tools offer innovative ways to identify and correct biased language, turning errors into coaching opportunities. This limited series is brought to you by FAMA, Modern Candidate Screening. Talent teams use FAMA to improve candidate quality, create safe and inclusive workplaces and place the right leadership for their organizations. You can subscribe and listen to the #9to5Nightmares podcast here https://fama.io/podcasts or here William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
    Show more Show less
    17 mins
  • Ep. #6 The Wedding That Changed Everything with Jon Lowe, DailyPay's Chief People Officer

    Ep. #6 The Wedding That Changed Everything with Jon Lowe, DailyPay's Chief People Officer
    Dec 5 2024
    Ever been ambushed at a wedding? DailyPay’s CPO shares an HR horror story that’ll make you rethink office relationships and after-hours invites. This episode dives deep into raw moments of workplace misconduct, personal missteps, and lessons HR leaders can’t afford to ignore. In this episode, we look at HR misconduct, workplace horror stories, and the pivotal lessons every HR leader needs to navigate organizational culture, employee relationships, crisis management, policy adherence, ethical decision-making, team dynamics, and leadership accountability. It's a candid conversation with takeaways you’ll want to jot down. Key Takeaways Maintaining strict boundaries between work and personal life is essential to avoid professional pitfalls. Social situations can quickly turn into career nightmares—prepare for the unexpected. Clear ethical guidelines are crucial for navigating relationships and enforcing workplace policies. Empathy and professionalism are key when managing layoffs and other high-stakes situations. Balancing leadership responsibilities with the challenges of a growing organization requires adaptability and foresight. Strong team dynamics and transparent communication can shape positive organizational behavior. Personal social settings can have professional repercussions—always consider optics. Early career missteps offer invaluable lessons for long-term growth and leadership success. This limited series is brought to you by FAMA, Modern Candidate Screening. Talent teams use FAMA to improve candidate quality, create safe and inclusive workplaces and place the right leadership for their organizations. You can subscribe and listen to the #9to5Nightmares podcast here https://fama.io/podcasts or here Connect with Jon Lowe here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lowejon/ William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
    Show more Show less
    9 mins
  • Ep. #5 Fast Food Fraud: The Real Cost of Small Crimes at Work with Chief of Chime Enterprise , Jason Lee

    Ep. #5 Fast Food Fraud: The Real Cost of Small Crimes at Work with Chief of Chime Enterprise , Jason Lee
    Nov 21 2024
    What happens when financial stress leads employees to blur ethical boundaries? A fast-food franchise finds itself grappling with a long-running fraud scheme where small register discrepancies pile up, all tied to rent deadlines. We speak with Chief of Chime Enterprise, Jason Lee about the interplay between financial pressures and workplace ethics. In this episode we look at... Employee misconduct, financial stress in the workplace, ethics in fast food franchises, register fraud schemes, workplace surveillance, employee trust, financial wellness solutions, HR challenges, ethical dilemmas, and scalable solutions for preventing fraud. Key Takeaways: Financial stress can drive employees to rationalize unethical behavior. Small-scale register fraud can lead to substantial losses over time. End-of-month rent deadlines were a common trigger for misconduct. Surveillance tools played a crucial role in identifying widespread employee fraud. Financial wellness programs could preemptively address these workplace pressures. Ethical lapses in one employee can quickly spread to others without intervention. This limited series is brought to you by FAMA, Modern Candidate Screening. Talent teams use FAMA to improve candidate quality, create safe and inclusive workplaces and place the right leadership for their organizations. You can subscribe and listen to the #9to5Nightmares podcast here https://fama.io/podcasts or here William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
    Show more Show less
    12 mins
  • Ep. #4 Helicopter Parents and HR Nightmares: Tales from the Trenches with Josh Rock

    Ep. #4 Helicopter Parents and HR Nightmares: Tales from the Trenches with Josh Rock
    Nov 15 2024
    Let’s face it—HR’s seen it all. In this episode, we dive into the absurdity and brilliance of workplace mishaps, from the helicopter parent showing up at interviews to the coffee-cart reset that saved the day. It's raw, real, and a must-listen for anyone who’s navigated hiring challenges. In this episode, we talk with Josh Rock to look at HR horror stories, recruitment empathy, workplace misconduct, AI in hiring, candidate expectations, gatekeeping practices, and innovative HR solutions, while exploring tools and tactics shaping the future of talent acquisition. Key Takeaways Helicopter Parenting Impact: How over-involved parents disrupt interviews and hiring processes. Empathy in Recruitment: Simple adjustments that turn nervous candidates into confident hires. Workplace Misconduct: Real HR stories highlighting consequences and prevention strategies. HR Tech Innovations: Tools for balancing human connection with AI-driven efficiencies. Setting Candidate Expectations: The importance of clear communication in recruitment. This limited series is brought to you by FAMA, Modern Candidate Screening. Talent teams use FAMA to improve candidate quality, create safe and inclusive workplaces and place the right leadership for their organizations. You can subscribe and listen to the #9to5Nightmares podcast here William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Powered by the WRKdefined Podcast Network.
    Show more Show less
    7 mins
  • Ep. #3 Skills? Check. Wardrobe? Disaster: Lessons in Candidate Prep with Jason Roberts at Cielo Talent

    Ep. #3 Skills? Check. Wardrobe? Disaster: Lessons in Candidate Prep with Jason Roberts at Cielo Talent
    Nov 7 2024
    Workplace realities hit hard when the perfect candidate shows up dressed for disaster. Think killer skills, disastrous style—straight from a comedy of errors. From navigating high-stakes H-1B sponsorships to a suit swap nightmare, this episode dives into the hilariously unplanned side of recruiting and high commissions on the line. In this episode, we talk with Jason Roberts to look at recruiting fails, candidate prep, wardrobe malfunctions, H-1B visa challenges, commission-driven recruiting, real-life agency stories, recruiter improvisation, last-minute fixes, onboarding disasters, cultural missteps, and high-stakes interview moments. Key Takeaways: Why candidate prep is more than just checking resumes. Cultural differences can impact interview expectations and attire. The power of improvisation in high-stakes recruiting. How a wardrobe malfunction nearly derailed a major deal. Importance of managing expectations with clients and candidates. High-stakes commissions bring both thrills and risks to recruiting. This limited series is brought to you by FAMA, Modern Candidate Screening. Talent teams use FAMA to improve candidate quality, create safe and inclusive workplaces and place the right leadership for their organizations. You can subscribe and listen to the #9to5Nightmares podcast here Connect with Jason Roberts here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasrober/ Connect with Micole Garatti: https://www.linkedin.com/in/socialmicole/ William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
    Show more Show less
    9 mins