What The Hell Just Happened?!

AI is already showing up in the workplace, but many employers aren’t thinking through the risks. In this episode, Paul and Jennie break down how AI is being used in HR, where it can create compliance issues, and what employers need to watch for. From policy drafting to employee communication, using AI the wrong way can lead to costly mistakes. If you’re using AI at work, or considering it, this ep...

Your team is busy. You’re busy. Everyone’s working hard. So why does it still feel like nothing’s getting done? In this episode of What the Hell Just Happened?, Paul Edwards and CeCe unpack one of the most frustrating realities in growing businesses. The harder everyone works, the more stuck things seem to become. It’s easy to blame burnout. Or staffing. Or motivation. But the real issue is simple...

Most HR problems don’t start with bad intentions — they start with bad advice. In this episode of What the Hell Just Happened?, Paul Edwards and CeCe, CEDR’s COO and HR expert, unpack one of the biggest mistakes employers make when dealing with HR issues: going on the internet or an A/I tool and asking a question that requires much more context and nuance to answer, than you would ever imagine. Wh...

Termination Without a Reason: Why Lawyers Love It, and How Smart Employers Protect Themselves Many business owners believe “at-will employment” means that when firing someone, not giving a reason is more protective than giving one. In this episode, Paul Edwards and Jennie (Director of Compliance at CEDR HR Solutions and former employment attorney) dismantle that myth and explain why “no reason giv...

Employees don’t usually quit “out of nowhere”, but for managers, it can feel that way.   In this episode, Paul Edwards sits down with CeCe, COO of CEDR HR Solutions, to unpack why surprise staff shortages happen and what leaders often miss before employees walk out the door.   Unexpected turnover can leave business owners scrambling, frustrated, and short-staffed. Paul and CeCe break down the earl...

Paul Edwards gets cheesy with this episode of What the Hell Just Happened?! With a totally new topic - Pizza. He does still answer a listener HR question at the end, however, this episode is a break from the typical HR content we typically share and gets into something more fun - how to make the perfectly imperfect pizza. Join Paul Edwards and Eileen Lyons as they share their culinary wisdom aroun...

In this episode of What the Hell Just Happened?!, Paul Edwards and Grace Godlasky discuss how core values can improve your business and your workplace culture. Join them as they discuss the importance of understanding and having core values. This week, episode 104 of What the Hell Just Happened?! is about how core values for your business can unify a growing team and help solidify your business re...

In this episode of What the Hell Just Happened?!, Paul Edwards and CeCe Wilson discuss how rapid growth can both be exciting, but also lead to compliance concerns. Join them as they discuss the importance of having a handbook and knowing the laws around being a business owner. This week, episode 105 of What the Hell Just Happened?! is about how Med Spas experience rapid growth and the negative imp...

In this episode of What the Hell Just Happened?!, Paul Edwards and CeCe Wilson explore the pros and cons of quirky interview questions—and why they might be doing more harm than good in your hiring process. Join them as they discuss the importance of asking smart, strategic questions that actually help you find the right candidate. This week, episode 104 of What the Hell Just Happened?! breaks dow...

In this episode of What the Hell Just Happened?!, Paul Edwards and CeCe Wilson discuss why they don’t like the standard Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), and even how it could cause legal trouble for small businesses. Join them as they discuss the importance of creating performance expectations and holding your team accountable. This week, episode 103 of What the Hell Just Happened?! is about...

This episode of What the Hell Just Happened?! dives into the compliance around immigration and I-9 forms so you are prepared should you have a visit to your workplace from ICE. Join Paul Edwards and his guest, Tiana Starke, as they discuss the importance of documentation around the right to work in the United States. This week, episode 102 of What the Hell Just Happened?! is about the I-9 and E-Ve...

When it comes to HR issues, we understand how tricky the situations can feel. Ultimately, you want to manage your team effectively and efficiently - but what happens when the situations are just a little too tough to handle on your own? You ask Paul. On today’s podcast episode, Paul answers three questions from our community about tough HR situations they are experiencing right now. This week, epi...

On this episode of What the Hell Just Happened?!, Paul Edwards and CeCe Wilson discuss the importance of being proactive in managing your HR responsibilities. Join them as they discuss the need for company-provided emails and phones, the Hollywood mishaps that led to this lawsuit, and how this applies to your small practice. This week, episode 100 of What the Hell Just Happened?! is about Lively’s...

Our 100th episode of What the Hell Just Happened?! discusses the shocking truth about DIY handbooks and why borrowing an employee handbook from another practice can lead to legal ramifications. Join Paul Edwards and his guest, Kimberlee Polansky, as they discuss the importance of properly written employee handbooks for your small privately owned practice. This week, episode 100 of What the Hell Ju...

This episode examines three common HR issues facing small businesses and offers practical guidance for navigating employee requests, religious expression in the workplace, and office relationships. Join Paul Edwards as he discusses three of your burning HR questions. This week, episode 99 of What the Hell Just Happened?! is about Ask Paul Anything questions from podcast listeners.. Check out Lodme...

This episode provides valuable insights into the often misunderstood concept of at-will employment, from the actual power it gives both employers and employees, to the history of how it came to be. Join Paul Edwards and his guest, Divya Pillai, as they discuss the importance of documentation and 1:1s with employees in at-will states. This week, episode 98 of What the Hell Just Happened?! is about...

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has employees and wants to avoid a timekeeping nightmare! Using a real-life example of a hospital system that had to pay a huge settlement, you'll learn how simple mistakes like rounding time clock punches incorrectly can have major consequences. We'll also break down how to use timekeeping software effectively (and legally!) so you can protect your bus...

Do you have an employee that’s hindering growth and innovation in your practice? This podcast explores the concept of “blockers” -- those employees who, often unintentionally, stifle progress and demoralize teams. Join Paul Edwards and his guest, Michelle Richard, as they discuss how to turn blockers on your team into champions of change. This week, episode 95 of What the Hell Just Happened?! is a...

It’s Election Day, and your team members may have a lot on their minds - including the political choices of their coworkers. Join Paul Edwards and his guest, Jeff Dorfman, as they discuss the political tensions we are seeing in workplaces across the country, and why this is just the start of the political tensions at work. This week, episode 94 of What the Hell Just Happened?! is about how to hand...

It’s Halloween week and we have monsters lurking in dental practices all over the nation - and we want to help you stop them! Join Paul Edwards and his guest, Britt Lanza, as they dissect the gory details of the Timekeeping Zombies eating away at your time and brains, the Work Conflict Werewolves who shift when things get stressful, and the Emotional Vampires who can’t possibly see the silver lini...

The internet seems to hate cover letters - with many people discussing how employers who require a cover letter in the application process are toxic or how no one reads the cover letter, there’s a lot of reasoning as to why you may be questioning the importance of the cover letter in your own hiring process. CeCe Wilson, CEDR’s Human Resources Manager, breaks down why you don’t need a cover letter...

Telling an employee that they smell bad is a tough and rather personal conversation that many office managers and owners avoid. Whether you’ve had patients or other employees complain, or have noticed the odor yourself, it can be tricky to tell an employee that they stink. Grace Godlasky, CEDR’s Solution Center Manager, is on the podcast today to discuss her new complimentary HR education course:...

One of our members (a dental practice) used AI to summarize their notes and recently asked how people are addressing AI in the workplace. We've discussed AI and hiring biases on the podcast (a very long time ago!) As expected, more uses are coming to light. Because of that, we're back with updated guidance and information regarding using AI in the workplace, and our focus is on HIPAA compliance an...

In this episode of What the Hell Just Happened?!, hosts Paul Edwards and Jennie McLaughlin delve into the recent FTC ruling on non-compete clauses. While this could herald significant changes for employment contracts nationwide, there's no need to panic just yet. Paul and Jennie break down the details of the ruling, emphasizing that it won't take effect immediately and discussing potential legal c...

Let’s delve into a scenario that could happen to any of us in the professional world. We've all seen them by now—the secret Zoom video recordings of a large company firing a remote employee via call go viral. Secretly recording a conversation raises privacy issues, and, once again, a crazy ruling by the NLRB last year states that eavesdropping on employers by employees is legal under federal law....