I Hate It Here

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!

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.

When was the last time you felt truly creative at work? If your answer is "uh… never," then this episode is for you!Today, we’re shaking up everything you thought you knew about HR. We talk about how HR can move into the future by embracing creativity, joy, and collaboration. My guest, Justin Gignac, is the ultimate collaborator and brainstorming guru, and we dive deep into how we can stop recreating the same old things in HR and start thinking outside the box. We tackle why HR is often too self-conscious and fearful to take risks, and how bringing joy and bold ideas into the mix can transform how we connect with people and create better workplaces.For more than a decade, the world’s most innovative brands and companies have trusted Working Not Working to help them discover and hire top-tier Creative talent. 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.00:02:19 - Something That HR Folks Should Rethink00:05:48 - Justin’s Zone of Genius Explained: Brainstorming and Collaborating00:08:27 - How Did Justin Discover His Zone of Genius?00:12:43 - How to Create an Optimal Environment for Effective Collaboration00:18:27 - Why People Are Afraid to be Themselves at Work00:23:12 - Approaching Collaboration in Remote and Hybrid Settings00:31:56 - Ensuring That Everybody’s Voice is Heard in a Collaboration00:34:43 - Common Barriers That Happen During Brainstorming00:37:49 - Determining Which Ideas to Pursue or AbandonAnd 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 Justin:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justingignac/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Dave Garcia, an expert in managing multi-generational workforces, dives deep into the complexities of leading teams that span five generations: Traditionalists, Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. He busts myths about generational stereotypes, revealing what each group truly values. The conversation explores the impact of Gen X on workplace culture, the job-hopping trend among younger workers, and how organizations can create an inclusive environment that leverages diverse perspectives for innovation.

Dave Garcia, former CEO of Newsstand and head of retail experience innovation at Verizon, shares his insights on leadership. He discusses "The Shadow of a Leader"—the profound, often unseen effects leaders have on workplace culture and performance. Communication is emphasized as a leader's most vital tool, while Garcia recounts personal experiences confronting his own leadership influences. He offers strategies for leaders to enhance self-awareness and navigate the complexities of workplace dynamics, highlighting the role HR plays in this process.

Jennifer Laurie, an expert in managing workplace differences and conflicts, dives into the complexities of human interactions at work. She emphasizes that understanding our differences is key to fostering inclusion and resolving conflicts. Jennifer shares strategies for HR professionals to maintain strong relationships and manage power imbalances effectively. The conversation highlights the importance of safe spaces for open dialogue and the role of empathy in bridging communication gaps. A playful exchange about LinkedIn adds some light-heartedness to the insightful discussion.

Growing up, I heard about how often my sister was the only woman in some rooms. She is an electrical engineer and her field was heavily dominated by men.  The lack of diversity isn’t just a numbers issue—it affects how tech solves problems and perpetuates existing biases.So on today’s episode, we're diving into a hot topic with Marissa McNeelands: tackling gender diversity in tech and its impact on building equitable systems. Marissa is on the frontline, championing the push to level the playing field in tech. We're exploring why having a diverse team isn’t just good ethics, it’s smart business, sparking innovation and creativity. Join us as we discuss the challenges, the victories, and why every step toward diversity is a step toward better technology.00:03:45 - The Key to Maintaining Strong Relationships at Work00:06:37 - The Origin Story Behind the Creation of Toast00:11:24 - Transitioning From Project Management to Tech00:14:37 - Common Challenges Women Face in the tech Industry00:20:53 - Why Gender Diversity in Tech Creates a More Innovative Culture00:24:03 - How to Motivate Companies to Prioritize Diversity 00:31:20 - Trends Emerging Between AI and HR in the Next Few Years00:35:25 - Advice for Women in Tech Who are Struggling to IntegrateAnd 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 Marissa:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissamcneelands/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

Let’s be real, HR doesn’t exactly scream creativity to most people, right? But, are we selling it short by overlooking all of the hidden opportunities? Could HR actually be a secret powerhouse of creativity, ready to lead the charge in fostering a culture of innovation within organizations?I’m here to tell you that is possible to carve out that creative space in your role as an HR leader, and Cassidy Edwards is here to break down the many ways HR can lead the charge in fostering a culture of creativity and innovation within your company.Cassidy will also dig into how HR can work hand-in-hand with marketing to craft stories that resonate with employees, the role of curiosity in driving creative thinking, and tips for keeping team relationships vibrant and productive—you’ll also get her take on the coolest sneakers out there.00:02:280 - Cassidy’s Current Favorite Pair of Sneakers00:03:45 - The Key to Strong Work Relationships00:04:48 - Defining Creativity in Work and Personal Life00:06:34 - What Inspires Cassidy’s Creativity?00:013:12 - Inspiring Creativity Through Photography Books00:15:46 - Why Creativity Matters in HR Roles00:19:11 - Creative Best Practices for Day-to-day Duties00:25:33 - Fostering Creative Cultures to Keep Employees Satisfied00:31:12 - Injecting Creativity into Employee Training00:36:50 - How to Foster a Creative Environment in Your Team00:41:47 - Cassidy’s Advice for Unlocking Creative PotentialAnd 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 Cassidy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-edwards-yyom/Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

We hate so much about things he chose to be.Let’s get into it once and for all: was Toby Flenderson the worst HR representative in the history of TV? Or was he just trying his best to preserve his mental health from the wild antics of Dunder Mifflin?Hebba and special guest Kim Roher discuss some of television's best (and worst) portrayals of HR. Which fictional universes could have benefitted most from an HR rep (*cough* Silicon Valley *cough*)? And which real-life work sets were desperately in need of a decent CPO?  Yeah, Joss Whedon we’re pointing a well-deserved finger at you. Maybe Buffy didn’t need to slay demons when the real monsters were the humans all along… 00:00:14 - Parenting and Pop Culture with Kim Rohr00:07:04 - “The Office”- Uncanny HR Valley? 00:18:32 - Michael Scott's Insensitivity in "The Office"00:23:46 – Silicon Valley00:37:15 - Exploring Buffy's Impact on HR00:38:38 - Hollywood's Broken HR System Exposed00:47:18 - Leadership in HR: Impactful Behind-the-Scenes Work00:48:20 - Exploring Pop Culture in HR 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 Kim:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimrohrer/ Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef

There’s nowhere safe you can go to avoid politics anymore. Social media? Forget about it. Family holidays? Highly unlikely. Work? Definitely not.So when, if ever, is talking politics at work a problem? And how should HR professionals handle the upcoming elections? Hebba and Jessica Winder (Senior VP of People at CoLab Software) break down how to handle the upcoming election season— how much is too much when it comes to allowing employees to talk about politics? And is there such a thing as workplaces not allowing employees to talk about politics enough?From the impact of political decisions on HR practices to creating a more respectful and inclusive culture, Jessica and Hebba also explore how to handle differing political opinions and the importance of aligning with company values.And stay tuned because later, they’re dishing out some of the juiciest stories about social media political posting gone completely haywire… You won’t want to miss this insanity! 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 Jessica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadwinder/ Follow Hebba: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here/videosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssefTwitter: https://twitter.com/hebbamyoussef