HR Nightmares

What should HR leaders expect from their benefits broker? Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney sit down with benefits advisor Seth Crawford to discuss what separates a true strategic partner from someone who only shows up at renewal time. From navigating rising pharmacy costs and understanding level funded versus fully insured plans to helping small employers gain buying power, Seth shares prac...

Season five is here, and HR Nightmares is kicking things off with a look at the workplace issues dominating headlines, social media feeds, and breakroom conversations. Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney share what's new for the season, why they continue tackling real workplace challenges, and how listener questions help shape the conversations ahead. From the growing "HR is not your friend" n...

This season finale of HR Nightmares revisits the biggest topics of the year, including AI at work, ICE site visits, culture drift, fractional HR, and the high performer who creates more problems than they solve. Lisa and Amy break down what actually worked, what failed, and which decisions made the biggest difference for leaders navigating real-world people issues. The team covers how to approach...

On this episode of HR Nightmares, the team sits down with Travis “The HR Dude” McCracken of Global Laser Enrichment to unpack how to scale fast without turning HR into the department of no. Travis shares what it took to grow from 15 to 110 employees, build an HR business partner model, and hire for highly specialized roles inside a heavily regulated environment where mistakes are not an option. Th...

Ever worked with someone who hits every goal but leaves a trail of chaos behind? This episode of HR Nightmares digs into the tension between high performance and toxic behavior. Lisa, Amy, and Beth break down how gossip, manipulation, and emotional outbursts quietly drain teams, no matter how talented the person causing them may be. They explore the archetypes of workplace drama, from the nonstop...

If the real meeting happens after the meeting, you’re not alone. This week on HR Nightmares, co-hosts Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney talk about what happens when culture drifts—when feedback goes quiet, side conversations take over, and the “inmates” start running the asylum. They share what it looks like to bring a team back to balance and rebuild trust before things fall apart.  Th...

Harassment in the workplace isn’t just a headline issue—it’s a lived reality for far too many employees. On this episode of HR Nightmares, co-hosts Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney dig into high-profile cases and share real-world encounters from their own careers. From inappropriate comments to boundary-crossing behavior, the crew brings candid critiques and hard truths to each example. Wit...

Struggling to afford executive-level HR talent but need more than basic compliance? On this episode of HR Nightmares, co-hosts Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney break down the power of fractional HR leadership. Unlike traditional consultants who make recommendations and move on, fractional leaders embed within organizations as true partners — drawing from diverse experience to solve people p...

The HR nightmares never stop coming — and in this episode of Leath HR, co-hosts Lisa, Amy, and Greg crack open the inbox to tackle more of your most head-scratching workplace dilemmas. From surveillance concerns to emotional outbursts, they share the stories that keep managers second-guessing and employees walking on eggshells. What happens when your CEO installs Alexa devices in every conference...

Lisa Leath and the HR Nightmares team open up their inbox to tackle real-world workplace dilemmas ranging from micromanaging bosses to unconventional emotional support animals. The team provides practical advice for HR professionals and managers navigating these challenging situations. The conversation takes fascinating turns as the team unpacks how trust issues manifest in management styles, expl...

Workplace whiplash is real. Since the pandemic, companies have swung wildly between remote, hybrid, and return-to-office mandates—and employees are feeling the impact. In this episode of HR Nightmares, Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney unpack the real reasons behind these shifts. Is it truly about collaboration and culture, or are deeper motives at play—like commercial real estate, poor mana...

Is the entry-level job... extinct? In this episode of HR Nightmares, co-hosts Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney dive into the AI-fueled shake-up that’s redefining what it means to “get your foot in the door.” As automation handles more of the repetitive and routine, many roles that once served as launchpads for new grads are either vanishing or morphing beyond recognition. The team explores...

In this episode of HR Nightmares, Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney tackle one of the most challenging scenarios HR leaders face: immigration enforcement in the workplace. What do you do when ICE shows up unannounced?  The team shares real-life stories, including the heartbreaking account of an employee deported after decades in the U.S., and breaks down actionable strategies for employ...

Welcome to Season 4 of HR Nightmares. Today, Lisa Leath (Chief People Officer at Vantaca), Beth Looney (Senior Consultant at Leath HR Group), and Amy Conway (Senior Consultant at Leath HR Group) tackle artificial intelligence in the workplace. Is AI revolutionizing business or threatening jobs? Let's find out.   Our hosts examine how differently businesses are adopting AI tools—from hesitant...

Welcome back to HR Nightmares, where every "growth opportunity" is just one awkward coaching conversation away from a full-blown crisis. In this episode, hosts Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, Beth Looney, and guest, Lakesha McDay tackle one of the spiciest HR hot potatoes — embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into workplace culture. Spoiler alert: It’s more than just a catchy LinkedIn post. &...

The latest episode of the HR Nightmares podcast took a deep dive into the role of workplace design in boosting employee well-being and productivity—because, as Lisa quipped, “If your office looks like a dungeon, don’t be surprised if morale’s in the basement.”   HR Nightmares’ guest, Rick Snyder, a furniture design guru, shared how thoughtful office design can alleviate common HR headaches, f...

In this episode of HR Nightmares, Lisa Leath and Beth Looney are diving into one of the most polarizing, yet unavoidable, challenges we face in the workplace: navigating sensitive situations around election season. As we get closer to election day, we see more political conversations, social media posts, and yes, even heated debates creeping into the workplace. So how do we as HR leaders manage th...

This week, the HR Nightmares crew tackled the legal spaghetti bowl that is non-compete agreements and the proposed FTC ban, and they brought in the big legal guns—Katie Greene from Michael Best. Lisa dove into the hot topics keeping employment lawyers and HR leaders up at night—non-compete bans, overtime thresholds, and employee classifications. She managed to make compliance sound almost exc...

This episode of HR Nightmares was a ride through the choppy waters of HR. Joined by guest, attorney Geoff Losee, the Leath HR Group hosts navigated topics from open container laws to office romances with the grace of a seasoned sailor This episode of HR Nightmares dives into a whirlwind of workplace issues. From the complexities of maritime law to the everyday challenges of managing employees...

Ever feel like HR is stuck in a filing cabinet from the dark ages? This week on HR Nightmares, the Leath HR Group crew – your friendly neighborhood HR exorcists – are here to slay those workplace woes! We're throwing down the gauntlet. We're talking clueless HR reps, policy-obsessed robots, and service levels that make the DMV look like Disneyland. Is your HR department more of a roadblo...

Tired of team meetings that sound like a pack of hyenas arguing? This episode's all about unlocking the secret weapon of assessments! We delve into the Tracom Social Styles model, where Ashley breaks down the four basic human types: the charging Drivers, the lovable Amiables, the bubbly Expressives, and the meticulous Analyticals. Think of it as your guide to navigating the office jungle! Gre...

Firefighter Jarvis Harris joins the Leath HR Group HR crew to share his journey through adversity to becoming a first responder. You’re sure to be inspired by Harris’ dream to become a firefighter since childhood, and how he overcame setbacks to achieve his goal. Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney talk to Harris about effective interview techniques (emphasizing the importance of authenticity...

Struggling to build your dream team? Drowning in HR paperwork?  This isn’t your father’s HR! Lisa Leath, Amy Conway & Beth are here to LEVEL UP your people game!   Join them as they dish their favorite secrets for hiring rockstars, staying compliant, and keeping your crew happy. Legal & financial jargon got you stressed?  Change got your team overwhelmed?...

In this episode of "HR Nightmares," Lisa, Beth and Amy dive deep into the heart of boomtown, Wilmington, North Carolina, unraveling the cutting-edge strategies that are redefining talent attraction and retention with special guest, Megan Mullins. Amidst the scenic backdrop of this burgeoning business hub, the discussion takes a turn into the future of workforce development, shining a spotlight on...

Total rewards expert, Steven Osiel from 3rd Quartile joins Lisa Leath and Amy Conway to discuss various topics related to human resources and compensation. They highlighted the complexities of compensation and reward systems, the importance of effective communication when implementing bonus payments, the complicated relationship between employee compensation and job satisfaction, the issue of...