
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

Dec 23, 2024 • 30min
S6 E10: HR in 2025: Bolder Aspirations & Bigger Moves
As we wrap up 2024, it's time to start thinking ahead to 2025—and let’s be honest, it’s about time we take our place as the experts in the room. From fixing the broken candidate experience to building stronger bridges with other teams, it’s time for HR to show up and show out!This episode features a series of friends/leaders sharing their bold wishes for the future, and why 2025 is our year to make real change happen. We’re not holding back!Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo.00:00:55 - Tara Turk-Haynes’s Wish for HR in 202500:10:01 - Sarika Lamont’s Wish for HR in 202500:16:02 - Cassidy Edwards’s Wish for HR in 202500:19:35 - Noah Warder’s Wish for HR in 202500:26:52 - Cassandra Babilya’s Wish for HR in 2025And 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 Tara:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttaraturkhaynes/Follow Sarika:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarikal/Follow Cassidy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-edwards-yyom/Follow Noah:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahwarder/Follow Cassandra:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-babilya/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Dec 16, 2024 • 58min
S6 E9: HR’s Secret Weapon: Bridging the Gap Between People and Business with Halai Shukran
Halai Shukran, COO at Pluribus Digital, brings her expertise in managing people and operations to the discussion. She emphasizes the importance of aligning business and people strategies for optimal results. Halai shares her journey to understanding her 'zone of genius' and how to effectively communicate across departments. The conversation dives into HR's evolution post-COVID, the role of data in diagnosing organizational challenges, and the need for empathy in leadership decisions. This insightful dialogue provides actionable strategies for breaking out of the HR bubble.

7 snips
Dec 9, 2024 • 53min
S6 E8: Unlocking HR's Creative Superpowers with Nikki Rappaport
Nikki Rappaport, Chief People Officer at Call Your Mother, brings a decade of expertise in creative marketing and HR. She shares how creativity and curiosity can transform traditional HR practices. Nikki emphasizes the importance of storytelling in building trust and aligning teams with company values. She connects employee happiness to customer experience, highlighting the impact of a vibrant workplace culture. Plus, they dive into integrating HR and marketing to elevate employee engagement, all while casually discussing delicious bagels!

Dec 2, 2024 • 48min
S6 E7: Recruiting, Relationships, and Resume Real Talk
Shannon Ogborn, a former recruiter turned community leader at Ashby, Rhona Barnett Pierce, a video marketing whiz for recruiters, and Brandon Jeffs, Director of People and Talent at TLDR, delve into the chaotic world of recruiting and job hunting. They share invaluable advice for recruiters and job seekers alike, emphasizing the importance of personal branding and relationship-building. The discussion reveals strategies for overcoming applicant tracking systems and highlights the significance of networking to enhance job prospects in today’s market.

Nov 25, 2024 • 47min
S6 E6: Your Leadership Era Starts Now with Jessica Winder
Jessica Winder, author and SVP of people, dives into the messy world of leadership. She emphasizes that leadership is a learned skill, not an inherent trait. Vulnerability is essential for effective leadership, and balancing empathy with decision-making is crucial. Jessica shares her journey from traditional authority to empowering leadership, debunks myths, and highlights key qualities that differentiate good leaders from great ones. She also draws parallels between parenting challenges and leadership lessons, making her insights relatable and engaging.

Nov 18, 2024 • 49min
S6 E5: Breaking Bad… Stereotypes About Unions with Morgan Williams
Just how different is a work environment that’s unionized versus one that isn’t?Today, we’re diving headfirst into the world of unionized workplaces with the brilliant Morgan Williams! Spoiler alert: unions aren’t just about strikes and tension—they can actually make your organization stronger if you know how to play the game. Morgan’s expertise? Managing unionized environments, reducing conflict, and building collaboration that lasts. She’s here to drop some knowledge on how you can navigate union demands without breaking a sweat (or losing your mind).Plus, why you should care about union negotiations—because, trust me, what they’re asking for today might just be what your employees are eyeing tomorrow.Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo.00:02:15 - Something That HR Folks Should Rethink00:04:20 - What Sparked Morgan’s Interest in Working With Unions00:07:30 - How the Election Could Impact Unionized Work00:10:47 - Working in a Unionized Environment VS a Non-unionized Environment00:13:04 - Common Misconceptions About Unionized Workplaces00:20:00 - Why Some People Don’t Support Unions00:22:17 - Fostering Positive Labor Relations and Reducing Conflict00:28:58 - How Employee and Union Relationships Have Changed Over the Years00:38:10 - Where Can People Educate Themselves on Unions?00:45:22 - Where to Get in Touch With MorganAnd 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

Nov 11, 2024 • 25min
S6 E4: Legislation Legends: Laws That Changed Everything in HR
Last week, the US elected its 47th president.As I was sifting through the reactions of family, friends, and coworkers online, feelings of excitement and feelings of sadness were all over the place, and it was a lot to think about.But the thing I kept coming back to was the mission of I Hate It Here and the ways that elections affect us all!So today, we’re taking a stroll down HR memory lane, digging into the laws that flipped the script on how we work. From the Fair Labor Standards Act to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, we’re exploring the major pieces of legislation that shaped HR as we know it.Now, Working Not Working is helping to keep that talent with NTRNL— the new platform that unlocks employee passions and ignites productivity. So you can see your people as they see themselves: as humans, not headcount. Visit seeyourpeople.com to learn more or book a demo.00:01:00 - The Misson of I Hate It Here00:01:50 - The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)00:03:55 - The Civil Rights Act of 196400:06:00 - The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)00:08:05 - The Employee of Income Retirement Security Act (ERISA)00:10:04 - The Americans With Disability Act00:11:04 - The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)00:13:17 - The Affordable Care Act00:15:05 - The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act00:17:40 - The Pregnant Workers Fairness ActAnd 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 Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

4 snips
Nov 4, 2024 • 54min
S6 E3: The No-BS Approach to Trust-Building in the Workplace with Joel Lalgee
Joel Lalgee, an internationally recognized recruiting leader and coach, dives into the vital role of authenticity in the workplace. He emphasizes that businesses must genuinely embody their values to earn employee trust. Sharing insights from his extensive experience, Joel discusses the impact of personal branding and the necessity of creative inspiration. He reveals his daily video creation habits and the importance of building genuine connections in a digital world, all while staying true to oneself in professional settings.

Oct 31, 2024 • 26min
Special Episode: From Unhinged to Bizarre: HR’s Biggest Horror Stories, Vol.2
This episode of I Hate It Here is getting spooky with a second edition of HR Horror Stories! Last year, we dove into tales that had us shaking our heads, and this year? Let’s just say my jaw’s still on the floor after these submissions. I’ll be reading these stories exactly as they were submitted, and trust me, they’re a reminder that nobody outside of HR quite understands the unique trauma we face. Tune in to hear about The Bad Employee, The Unhinged CEO, and yes, even a Rubber Duck and Plastic Dinosaur making their grand entrance.00:02:09 - The Tale of the Bad Employee00:05:33 - The Tale of the Interesting Meeting00:08:30 - The Rubber Duck and Plastic Dinosaur00:10:35 - The Tale of ‘Do Not Disturb’00:11:55 - The Tale of Lack of Gratitude00:12:51 - The Tale of the Group Text00:16:10 - The Tale of the Unhinged CEO00:19:02 - The Tale of Bad References00:20:50 - The Tale of the Mediator00:22:29 - The Tale of the PervertAnd 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 Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef Got an HR horror story of your own? Submit it here!

Oct 28, 2024 • 53min
S6 E2: How to Shift HR Toward More Connection & Curiosity with Demario Bell
Demario Bell, a senior community manager at CultureAmp and a passionate community builder, shares his insights on transforming HR through connection and curiosity. He emphasizes the need for authenticity and empathy in leadership roles, encouraging a culture of asking 'why' to foster inclusivity. Demario discusses his journey from unconventional beginnings to shaping HR practices and highlights the essential role of relationships in creating a vibrant workplace culture. His call to action is clear: put humanity back at the heart of HR.