I Hate It Here

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 confli...

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, di...

Most of us have experienced it before—there’s nothing worse than working for a company that doesn’t practice what it preaches.  If you don’t actually stand for the things you’re talking about, how can your employees gain the trust you need for them to succeed? Today, we’re talking about authenticity and why the “long game” in business means actually living up to what you say.  Joel Lalgee, aka The...

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...

What does it really take to make HR more human?   Today, we’re exploring that question by diving into the concept of the zone of genius—that flow state where you’re most creative and impactful.  Joining me is Demario, a powerhouse connector, community builder, and unofficial HR bestie.  We talk about everything from leading with authenticity to why curiosity is the key to shaking up HR (yes, we ne...

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 recr...

In every generation, there’s a “chosen one”—but I’m not talking about Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Right now, we’ve got five generations working side by side: Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. So yeah, managing this mix isn’t exactly a walk in the park.  This week, Dave Garcia has returned to dive into the wild world of multi-generational workforces and bring some clarity...

Why are leaders so damn difficult to deal with sometimes?  It all comes down to "The Shadow of a Leader"—the unseen influence leaders have on workplace culture, performance, and relationships.  In this episode, Dave Garcia joins me to unpack this concept.  We dive into how every word, action, and decision from leaders impacts teams, often more than they realize.  We’ll discuss why communication is...

People are at the core of everything we do at HR, but let’s face it people—can be DIFFICULT.  Not because they have difficult personalities, but because no two people you meet are the same. Eventually, the things that make us different can create problems if we’re not aware of how to exist across differences. A lot of the conflict at work can simply be between people who are just different. That c...

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...

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 C...

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 mo...

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 to...

This weekend I was featured in the New York Times article, “So Human Resources is Making You Miserable.” And NGL… I may have ruffled a few feathers. But let’s face it— the CPO/CHRO role is one of the hardest jobs out there, and there’s going to be plenty of bad days to go around. BUT that doesn’t mean HR can’t have a brat girl summer.  Rebecca Taylor (Chief Customer Officer and Co-Founder of Skill...

What shapes who we are at work? Join Hebba and her guests, Catalina Colman (COO and Co-Founder of Peak HR), and Morgan Williams (CEO and Co-Founder of Peak HR), as they dive into the factors that shape our work personalities. From upbringing and education to work experience and more, they discuss the challenges and lessons they've learned along their storied HR career paths. How has the immigrant...

Do you wear sweatpants all day and night? Do you find yourself going days without leaving the house? Is binge-watching 7 hours of “Pride and Prejudice” the only thing that seems to give you life? Good news— you may not be a full-on Depressed Barbie just yet! You might just be the average remote worker. In this ep, Hebba chats with Austen Tully (the SVP Director of Integration and Culture at Guided...

It's no surprise that I think HR and people leaders have one of the hardest roles at any organization. For me, it feels like sometimes we're not seen as true organizational partners. Or our role is so diminished and viewed as not important, yet everyone else in a business performs better because of the work that HR does. Coincidence? I think not! So, how can we finally be seen as key drivers to co...

We all know TJ Lavin hates quitters. But real life isn’t “The Challenge.” And sometimes, quitting is the only option when you’re burnt-out, stressed out, unacknowledged, and at your wit’s end. So what leads employees to quit? More importantly, what’s the one thing a company could do to cause someone to hand in their two weeks notice without pause? This past season, I’ve asked each of my guests one...

Get ready for a trip down memory lane as we relive some of the hottest, juiciest, takes from the last season of guests! Jessica Winder, author of "The Hidden Gem Within," kicks things off discussing the issue of lack of growth opportunities and how HR teams can address this concern. She emphasizes the importance of data and people analytics in understanding and addressing employee needs. Next, Tor...

“If you dislike the company so much, then why don’t you just leave?” At some point, we’ve all been given that advice from a friend or a loved one about a job we couldn’t stomach. Yet, chances are good, we probably kept it for several months after that advice was doled out. So why don’t employees leave when they’ve overstayed their welcome? And when is it time for HR to give them a nudge in the rig...

If anyone preaches to you about the power of authenticity in the workplace, pay attention when it’s coming from an ex-Enron employee who has a few thoughts about how a little honesty can go a long way for a company.  Needless to say Nicole Alvino knows a thing or two about the value of authentic leadership, thanks to her early Enron experience. As the current CEO and Founder of Firstup, she’s on a...

With grandiose job descriptions, and rose-tinted portrayals of the workplace, is it really any wonder there are a lot of problems in recruiting boiling underneath the surface?? A lot of retention problems actually start in the recruiting process..  Is it that far of a stretch to understand why new hires are noping out of fresh jobs in the first six months? Def not.  In the quest to find the perfec...

In HR, quitting is a part of the job. But no one talks about what happens when HR is ready to quit HR.  RyanMae McAvoy, Senior Director of People Operations at Blackthorn.io, joins Hebba to unpack quitting from an HR-centric point of view. When is it time to call it quits? And what factors are the primary motivators behind discontentedness in HR?  RyanMae and Hebba break down the emotional aspects...

Change doesn’t come easy— in fact, it can be downright disruptive, And worse yet, it’s often at the forefront of employee turnover. So how can HR leaders prevent change from becoming an unmanageable force?  Keynote speaker Tiffany Lanier drops by to chat with Hebba about the widespread impact of organizational change, and to explain how massive restructuring can impact employee well-being.  Having...

How can you help employees when a company is small and has limited growth opportunities? What happens when an employer insists there’s a dress code… but only for curvier employees?   Hebba and talent strategist/culture connoisseur Erica Spitale tackle some super juicy questions submitted by listeners. From navigating terminations without legal repercussions to encouraging CEOs to offer more health...