HR Unboxed

Workplace relationships: should they be encouraged, managed, or avoided altogether? In this episode of HR Unbox, Natalie and Faye tackle one of the most talked-about and often misunderstood workplace topics – relationships at work. From office romances and friendships to family-run businesses and husband-and-wife directorships, they explore how personal relationships can influence professional env...

In this episode of HR Unboxed with Natalie and Fay, the team takes a deep dive into the real-world impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 — and the fallout businesses are now facing. From day-one rights and rising employment costs to recruitment slowdowns and the growing pressure on small businesses, this episode pulls no punches. Natalie and Fay share honest feedback from business owners naviga...

Why does HR get such a bad reputation—and is it actually deserved? In this episode of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Faye are joined by Owen from Griffin Logistics (aka “The Pallet Network Bandit”) to unpack the truth behind HR in real-world businesses. From the fast-paced transport industry to small family-run companies, they explore why HR is often misunderstood as red tape—and why it’s actually essent...

In this episode of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Faye join Chris in the studio to unpack a topic that many businesses avoid but absolutely cannot ignore — health and safety in the workplace. What might sound like a dry compliance subject quickly turns into a fascinating discussion about real-world risks, HR responsibilities, and why even the smallest organisations need to take safety seriously. The team...

In this episode of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Faye tackle one of the most confusing areas of people management: employee leave. From annual leave clashes and sick days to emergency time off, parental leave, compassionate leave, and jury service, this episode breaks down what managers need to know to stay fair, compliant, and human. They explain the real-life challenges managers face when multiple sta...

Natalie and Faye open the 2026 series with a packed episode exploring the major HR and business changes arriving this year. They break down the rise in the national living wage, what employers need to do to stay compliant, and why even small shifts can have a big impact on payroll and budgeting. There’s clear guidance on the new rules for statutory sick pay, including the move to day-one eligibili...

In this festive edition of *HR Unboxed*, Natalie, Faye and Chris unwrap the lighter (and sometimes messier) side of workplace life with their “12 Days of HR Christmas.” From out-of-office escapades and Secret Santa disasters to tipsy colleagues, offensive jumpers, and mistletoe mishaps, no seasonal HR scenario is off-limits. With wit and warmth, the trio tackle everything from managing absences an...

Welcome to another lively episode of HR Unboxed with Natalie, Fay and Chris! This week, things get a little personal – and occasionally hilarious – as the team are joined by special guest Adam from Breathe HR for a deep dive into how digital HR systems can transform your workplace. From sticky notes and lost holiday forms to #Smellgate and the infamous toilet door holiday planner, this episode exp...

Join Natalie and Fay on HR Unboxed for a candid discussion on "The Truth About Imposter Syndrome at Work". This highly requested episode delves into that common, nervous feeling that you're not as brilliant as others perceive, fearing you'll be "found out" as a fraud, or questioning, "Am I good enough?". Natalie and Fay share personal experiences, highlighting that imposter syndrome affects everyo...

Season 2 of HR Unboxed opens with a fearless deep-dive into “Watched While Working” — the realities, risks and right ways to handle workplace surveillance. Natalie and Fay unpack what employers actually monitor (CCTV, keystroke logging, activity logs) and the rise of “mouse jigglers” in the work-from-home era. They explore remote-work distractions (including the notorious 49-minute washing-machine...

In this unmissable episode, we’re tackling the hot topic chosen by our listeners: workplace clashes. From the everyday tension of denied holiday requests to boardroom bust-ups and “that was my idea!” moments, Natalie and Faye take you behind the scenes of HR disasters with their trademark humour, honesty and a hefty dose of reality. They dive into scenarios including time-off tantrums, religious l...

In Episode 11 of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Fay dive deep into the world of employment tribunals — the stressful, fascinating side of HR that every business owner and manager needs to understand. From real-life cases of explosive hotel bust-ups to sleeping security guards and the surprising cost of excluding someone from the office tea round, discover how small actions can lead to huge payouts. Learn...

It’s episode 10 and Natalie and Faye are celebrating with awards, gongs, and... dismissals?! This special episode dives into the murky world of firing staff—from heat-of-the-moment outbursts to airtight legal processes. Discover how one badly worded email can cost a business thousands, why redundancy isn’t just a scary word, and what the ABCs of dismissal really stand for. With real-life HR horror...

In this jam-packed episode of HR Unboxed, Chris Gregg joins Natalie and Fay to unpack the big topics shaking up the workplace. From jaw-dropping stats on how many Gen Z employees would choose to be "severed" like in the hit series Severance, to the real-life risks of staff taking confidential data with them when they leave. There’s drama, insight, and plenty of laughs as the trio chat data breache...

Middle managers—caught between the top brass and the frontline staff, they deal with everything from unmotivated employees to unexpected absences. In this episode, Natalie and Faye dive into the challenges faced by middle management and why they’re the backbone of any organisation. 💼 Balancing work-life expectations vs. performance demands 📉 Managing absenteeism and the classic "bank holiday sic...

Grievances – we all know them, but when should they be taken seriously, and when are they just workplace gripes? In this episode, Natalie and Chris break down the fine line between a minor complaint and a full-blown HR issue. From unfair pay to passive-aggressive Post-it notes, we tackle real-life workplace dilemmas with insight, humour, and some wild stories. 👀 Are managers playing favourites?...

In this juicy episode of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Faye dive into the world of HR confessions! From awkward workplace crushes to faked sick notes and auto-correct mishaps, this episode is filled with shocking, hilarious, and thought-provoking stories from employees that HR would rather keep under wraps. Here’s what’s in store: 😳 A secret workplace crush that’s about to boil over 😬 A bold holiday s...

In this festive episode of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Faye bring the holiday spirit with practical advice for managing Christmas work events. From secret Santa blunders to tackling inappropriate behavior at the office party, they’ve got everything covered to help employers navigate the season without a hitch. This episode explores: 🎄 Conducting a risk assessment for work events 🎄 Managing alcohol,...

In this episode of HR Unboxed, hosts Natalie and Faye from Rebox HR dive into a practical, step-by-step guide to help small business owners hire their very first employee with confidence. From defining the role to making the final offer, they cover all the essential HR steps you need to know—while sharing real-life stories of potential pitfalls and best practice tips to avoid common hiring headach...

In Episode 3 of the HR Unboxed Podcast, Natalie and Faye from Rebox HR dive deep into the "nitty-gritty" of HR, exploring some of the trickiest challenges businesses face today. From managing employee absences and mental health issues to navigating difficult performance conversations, this episode is packed with real-life HR dilemmas. Learn how to approach sensitive topics like patterned absences,...

Welcome to Episode 2 of HR Unboxed with Natalie and Faye! 🎙️ In this episode, we kick things off by sharing our incredible experience climbing Mount Snowdon for charity! 🏔️ Together, we raised £650 for French Bulldog Rescue, and we’re diving into how teamwork was the key to making it to the top. Join us as we discuss why working together is essential in any challenge, whether it's scaling a mounta...

Welcome to the very first episode of HR Unboxed, the podcast where Natalie and Faye break down the complexities of human resources for small businesses! 🎉 In this inaugural episode, we dive into the critical role HR plays in the success of small businesses. From understanding what HR really is to exploring how it can drive productivity, employee satisfaction, and legal compliance, we cover the es...