
I Hate It Here
If HR is one of the most soul-crushing industries to work in, how come we’re not talking about it more? I Hate it Here is the unflinching podcast where People professionals to talk honestly and openly about HR, sharing best-in-class resources to make the hardest job in the world that little bit easier. Hosted by Hebba Youssef, Chief People Officer at Workweek and creator of the I Hate it Here podcast and newsletter, this show is for HR People who want to get things done right - even if they do feel a bit empty inside from time to time. You’ll hear from industry insiders, not just the same old voices, sharing all the things you’re secretly thinking but never said out loud, digging into real-life examples, and delivering practical solutions and strategies for your people team.
Latest episodes

Apr 21, 2025 • 1h
S8 E1: Neutral Policies My Ass: The Fairness Farce with Zach Nunn
Let’s talk about fairness—or, more accurately, let’s talk about how your company is probably failing at it!You know the drill: the ‘neutral’ policies that somehow always disadvantage the same people, the DEI initiatives that start and end with a Slack emoji, the performance reviews that feel more like a lottery than actual feedback. This week, Zach Nunn (founder of Living Corporate and certified corporate truth-teller) joins me to rip apart the illusion of fairness at work! We’re talking remote work double standards, the sneaky policies that keep marginalized employees stuck, and why ‘transparency’ is often just corporate code for ‘we’ll tell you the rules but not how to win.’ If most workplaces were actually fair, we wouldn’t need this episode! But since that’s not our reality yet… press play and let’s get figure it out together.Choosing the wrong HR platform is rife with regrets: losing a top performer, promoting the wrong person, or failing to engage your team when the business needs it most.Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between investing in people programs and consolidating your tech stack. With Lattice, you can have both. Visit lattice.com to learn more.Multi-state compliance is a nightmare—but SixFifty makes it easy. Get instant answers to employment law questions, generate a compliant multi-state handbook in minutes, and stay ahead of changing laws with automated updates. Visit SixFifty.com to learn more!0:03:43 - One Truth About Work Zach Wishes More Leaders Understood0:11:30 - What is Living Corporate and What Inspired Zach to Start It?0:17:02 - What Most Companies Get Wrong About Fairness at Work0:25:42 - Defining a Fair Workplace and How It Feels to Employees0:38:52 - Policies That Seem Neutral, But Actually End up Being Unfair0:52:54 - One Thing HR Should Stop Doing Immediately to Build Fairer Workplaces0:53:50 - What Gives Zach Hope?0:56:32 - Get in Touch With ZachAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Zach:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharynunnphr/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Mar 24, 2025 • 49min
S7 E12: AI’s Human Side: Making HR More Personalized with Jeet Mukerji
I’m back in your ears with another banger of an episode, and this one’s the season finale!I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap things up than by geeking out with my incredibly impressive friend Jeet Mukerji, co-founder and CEO of Kinfolk.Whether you’re an AI skeptic or a full-on tech enthusiast, there is a lot of food for thought to digest.Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:02:25 - A Topic Jeet Has Been Interested in Lately00:03:57 - What Inspired Jeet to Build Kinfolk?00:06:00 - The Biggest Challenges HR Teams Face With Employee Requests00:11:01 - Why AI Complements the Human Piece of HR, Not Replaces00:16:09 - The Biggest Misconceptions About AI in HR00:21:10 - Using Data to Show Why AI Will Improve Efficiency in HR00:28:58 - Can AI Handle the Nuances of Emotion in Text?00:36:03 - Can AI be Used to Make a More Equitable, Inclusive Workplace?00:42:00 - A Bold, Groundbreaking Thing Jeet Would Love to See in HR00:44:49 - The Biggest Hurdle in HR Teams Adopting AI ToolsAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Jeet:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeetmukerji/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Mar 17, 2025 • 1h 2min
S7 E11: 401(k)s & Chill: Making Retirement Planning Less Painful with Breene Murphy
I’ve been on a mission this season to learn something new in every episode, and today? Buckle up, because we’re diving into the world of investing and retirement planning—and I promise, it’s way more interesting than it sounds!It’s also an incredibly important topic that not enough people in our roles are talking about at length.Unfortunately, financial stress is the #1 stressor for most people, and HR leaders are no exception. But here’s the thing: investing doesn’t have to be a jargon-filled nightmare!So in this episode, Breene Murphy and I are breaking down what HR leaders need to know about investing—no fluff, no confusing terms, just practical insights to help you build a retirement plan that works for your company and your people!Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:03:16 - A Topic Breene Has Been Interested in Lately00:05:46 - One Thing Every HR Leader Should Know About Investing00:09:52 - Why It’s so Important for HR Leaders to Understand Investing00:13:17 - The Best Ways to Evaluate Your 401k Providers00:25:46 - Why Newer Generations Contribute Less to Their Retirement Funds00:42:12 - The Biggest Mistakes HR Leaders Make When it Comes to Offering Benefits00:51:32 - What Breene Would Change About How Companies Approach Investing00:53:17 - Tools and Resources to Learn About InvestingAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Breene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breene-murphy-climate-friendly-401k/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Mar 10, 2025 • 1h
S7 E10: Recruiting Hell: The Job No One Understands with Keirsten Greggs
Recruiting is rough right now.Job seekers are frustrated, recruiters are overwhelmed, and everyone’s wondering, “Is it just me, or is this whole system broken?” In this episode, I sit down with Kiersten Greggs, founder of Trap Recruiter and a 24-year recruiting veteran, to unpack the chaos. Kiersten pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening in today’s job market, why recruiters are the unsung heroes of HR, and how both candidates and hiring teams can navigate this mess.Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:02:19 - A Topic Keirsten Has Been Interested in Lately00:05:03 - What is Happening in Today’s Market?00:10:01 - How Will the Job Market Look in the Next Year?00:14:06 - How to Stand Out During a Hiring Process00:23:04 - Why Does Everybody Think You Need to Beat the ATS?00:29:14 - Using AI for Resumes or Job Searching00:36:39 - The Biggest Inefficiencies in the TA Process Right Now00:44:16 - How Long Should the Overall Interview Process be?00:51:46 - What is the Most Important Part of the Candidate Experience? 00:57:03 - The One Tip Kiersten Would Give RecriutersAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Keirsten:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traprecruiter/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Mar 3, 2025 • 52min
S7 E9: From Colleagues to Confidants: The Underrated Power of Work BFFs with Chris Hagood
Work is changing FAST. Between global pandemics, remote work, and the Great Reshuffle, it’s no wonder we’re all feeling a little unhinged!Nothing like building a deep work connection to help you adjust to it all, eh?That’s why this week’s episode is a fun (slightly wild) ride with Chris Hagood, CEO of AstutEdge and all-around HR powerhouse. We’re covering everything from the role of work friendships to whether you’d take $10,000 to return to the office (spoiler: Chris has thoughts). Plus, we’re throwing in some HR raps courtesy of ChatGPT because why not?!Whether you’re here for the laughs, the insights, or just to feel less alone in your corner of chaos, this episode has it all. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:03:00 - A Topic Chris Has Been Interested in Lately00:08:04 - What the F&*%$ is Going on in the World?00:11:34 - Does Christ Have a Best Friend in Life That he Met at Work?00:13:52 - Should HR Play an Active Role in Fostering Friendships at Work?00:17:19 - Would You Take $10,000 to Return to the Office?00:23:00 - Professional Myths or Facts00:33:35 - Yes or No?00:37:08 - HR Raps From ChatGPT00:42:12 - 3 Things HR Definitely Shouldn’t Say And if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Chris:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisrhagood/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussefHostile Government Takeover Song Gallup Best Friend at Work survey

Feb 24, 2025 • 59min
S7 E8: Why You Should Never Stop Fighting for Better Treatment at Work with Torin Ellis
There’s more to people than what you see when they show up for work. Stories matter because we are in the age of radical authenticity and transparency.Exciting? Yes! Challenging? Also yes.Torrin Ellis, a powerhouse in recruitment, talent development, and operationalizing diversity and inclusion is here to break it all down! We’ll unpack Torrin’s latest report, Reducing Bias in HR Using AI, and explore building trust, vulnerability, and doing things differently to push humanity further and deeper into your respective organization.Plus, we’ll tackle the scary stuff—like how to do the right thing even when it’s hard and why re-skilling is non-negotiable in the age of AI.Don’t worry, we’ll also squeeze in some hot takes on the Super Bowl performance because, well, priorities.Tune in, take notes, and let’s make work better, one uncomfortable conversation at a time.Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:05:01 - How Hebba and Torin Met00:10:26 - Breakdown of the Superbowl Performance00:18:42 - Understanding Bias and Prejudice 00:30:22 - What Inspired Torin’s Report about Reducing Bias in HR using AI00:38:56 - The Pros and Cons of Capitalism00:44:35 - Doing the Right Thing, Even When It’s Scary00:51:09 - Torin’s ONE Takeaway You Should Have From This Episode00:53:37 - Get in Touch With TorinAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Torin:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torinellis/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Feb 17, 2025 • 1h 1min
S7 E7: Slam Dunk Leadership: What Basketball Taught Me About HR with Chris Henrichs
There's so much we can learn from the sports that we love.So lace up your sneakers and pull up your socks, because this episode is a full-court press of insights, laughs, and way too many basketball metaphors!Today, Chris Henrichs is giving a masterclass on how the lessons from the court can transform the way we think about HR, leadership, and building a workplace that doesn’t just survive, but thrives.From Michael Jordan’s killer competitiveness to the art of drafting the right players (or employees), Chris breaks down all the interesting parallels between basketball and HR. We’re talking leadership styles, creating a winning culture, handling competition, and why HR is basically the coach, GM, and referee of the workplace.Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or someone who thinks a “pick-and-roll” is a bakery order, you’ll still hae actionable takeaways that’ll make you rethink how you lead, collaborate, and bounce back from setbacks.Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:03:45 - One Topic Chris is Really Interested in Right Now00:06:00 - The Connection Between Basketball and HR00:08:07 - How Competition Helped Shape Chris’s Career 00:13:22 - Who Inspires Chris in Sports, and How it Translates to HR Leadership00:18:31 - How This Famous Michael Jordan Quote Plays Out in the Workplace00:21:22 - Lessons Chris Learned About People Ops From Playing Basketball00:27:26 - Different Leadership Styles and How They Compare to Leaders on the Court00:31:24 - Balancing Top Perfomers With the Rest of the Team00:34:45 - HR’s Equivalent of Drafting the Right Players00:42:02 - Creating a Workplace Where People Challenge Each Other But Still Collaborate00:43:57 - Bouncing Back From a Rough Patch00:46:57 - Creating a Competitive But Healthy Work Environment00:53:13 - Chris’s Dream Basketball Team RosterAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Chris:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishenrichs/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Feb 10, 2025 • 56min
S7 E6: Strategic AF: What It Actually Means and Why It Matters with Morgan Williams
On today’s episode, you’re going to hear one word a million times…And that is strategic.Let’s be real, we’ve all heard the word “strategic” thrown around a million times, but what does it ACTUALLY mean? And why does it feel like everyone has a different definition? It’s probably because they do. Joining me today is the incredible Morgan Williams, CEO and founder of Peak HR. Morgan’s resume is basically the HR equivalent of a mic drop—she’s handled everything from massive layoffs to reopening retail stores for giants like Macy’s, Casper, and Topshop. She’s been in the trenches, and she’s here to help us unpack the myths, misconceptions, and realities of what it means to be strategic in HR.Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:01:25 - Something Morgan is Interested in Right Now00:04:52 - What Being Strategic Means to Morgan as an HR Leader00:08:00 - Why the Word Strategic is Often Misunderstood in HR00:14:58 - How to be Seen as More Strategic and Less Operational00:22:11 - Why HR Teams Struggle to Align Their Work With Business Goals00:30:37 - Making Sure Your Initiative Have Measurable Impact on Business Outcomes00:34:50 - Skills That Will Make You More Strategic00:33:30 - Barriers HR Leaders Face Trying to Implement Strategic Initiatives00:43:00 - Key Differences Between Operational and Strategic Thinking in HR00:46:24 - How HR Leaders Can Advocate for Resources to Execute on Plans00:50:41 - Some of the Risks of Focusing TOO Much on StrategyAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Morgan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganbwilliams/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Feb 3, 2025 • 56min
S7 E5: From F&%$#d Up to Fixed: HR Mistakes and Lessons Learned with Kim Minnick
Kim Minnick, an HR expert dedicated to transforming people operations, shares her journey through the hilarious highs and lows of HR. She recounts her most memorable blunders in compensation and performance management, emphasizing that mistakes often lead to the best lessons. Kim discusses the evolving role of performance reviews, the push for compensation transparency, and the impact of AI on HR practices. With a dash of humor, she highlights the importance of humility, transparency, and genuine connections in navigating workplace dynamics.

Jan 27, 2025 • 48min
S7 E4: Unwrapping the Secrets to Better Workplace Connections with Ross Langley
Want to know what’s at the heart of every successful organization?Connection, gifting, recognition, and appreciation!All four of these are so core to making somebody feel seen and heard at work.So in today’s episode, we're discussing connection-building because let's face it, loneliness is hitting hard and it's an epidemic that is creeping into our workplaces. Join me and Ross Langley from Snappy as we unpack innovative and personalized ways to foster connections with anybody in the office. We’re diving deep into creating meaningful experiences, leveraging personalization in gifts, and ensuring everyone in your organization feels truly seen and appreciated.Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your workforce? PI empowers organizations to align talent with business strategy, helping you drive results and build a culture where your people truly thrive. Transform how you hire, engage, and lead—visit predictiveindex.com to learn how you can create meaningful change in your organization today!00:01:35 - What Topic Has Been Interesting to Ross Lately?00:05:07 - How We Define Meaningful Connections at Work and Why It Matters00:08:17 - The Biggest Challenges Orgs Face Trying to Build Authentic Connections00:13:41 - How Unique Gifts Build Genuine Relationships at Work00:21:59 - Leveraging Personalization to Create Emotional Impacts00:25:35 - The Impact of Experiential Vs Physical Gifts00:30:37 - Creative Ways for HR to Integrate Gifting Into Engagement Programs00:37:07 - Potential Pitfalls With Using Gifts to Build Connections00:41:14 - Advice for HR Leaders Incorporating Gifting Into Their Connection-building EffortsAnd if you love I Hate It Here, sign up to Hebba’s newsletter! It’s for jaded, overworked, and emotionally burnt-out HR/People Operations professionals needing a little inspiration.https://workweek.com/discover-newsletters/i-hate-it-here-newsletter/ And if you love the podcast, be sure to check out https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here for even more exclusive insider content!Follow Ross:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-ross-langley/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef
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