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Chuck and John are back this week with part 2 of what is keeping HR professionals awake at night. Catch up on the ins and outs of the issues of today so you can walk into your job with the confidence and knowledge needed to tackle them like a pro.

Visit TeamAtHRStories.com to see all of our workshops and offerings to help you feel confident in your HR decisions.

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE!

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event? You can reach the Team at Email@TeamAtHRStories.com for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns.

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Part 1 of 2 - Do you have sleepless nights, stressing about all of the things you need to take care of in your workplace? Working in HR, there are endless lists of important details that human resource professionals are responsible for. From employee burnout to difficulty in recruiting, to handling ever changing political landscapes, in Part 1 of this two-part series, the team will talk about how to navigate these issues and show up like a pro in your workspace.

Visit TeamAtHRStories.com to see all of our workshops and offerings to help you feel confident in your HR decisions.

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE!

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event? You can reach the Team at Email@TeamAtHRStories.com for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns.

Send us a text

Join the team as the jump back to an episode from last summer where they talk about how to keep you and your employees safe during the summer heat and avoid costly mistakes that can lead to serious harm.

We'll see you back next week for a brand new episode.

Visit TeamAtHRStories.com to see all of our workshops and offerings to help you feel confident in your HR decisions.

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE!

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event? You can reach the Team at Email@TeamAtHRStories.com for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns.

Send us a text

What happens when a company's dress code walks straight into a lawsuit? In this eye-opening episode, Chuck and John unpack the real-life legal battle between a cocktail server and MGM National Harbor over mandatory high heels, disability discrimination, and a rigid appearance policy.

This isn’t just about shoes. It’s a cautionary tale for HR professionals and small business owners alike. We break down the legal pitfalls of gendered dress codes, the requirements of the ADA, and the importance of honoring medical accommodations. With real court rulings, evolving workplace fashion trends, and clear HR compliance tips, this episode will help you audit your dress code policies, avoid discrimination claims, and stay ahead of costly employment law violations.

The team also touches on the following topics and more:

• Poorly formatted resumes can be the death of your job application
• There’s an apparent lack of will to work - how to make sure you’re creating an environment that people want to work in and, more importantly, stay in!
• The difficulty of pushing unpopular HR policies and the rise of HR being forced to push policies they don’t agree with.

Visit TeamAtHRStories.com to see all of our workshops and offerings to help you feel confident in your HR decisions.

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE!

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event? You can reach the Team at Email@TeamAtHRStories.com for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns.

Send us a text

Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions:

1. Can you require a doctors note for someone who continually calls in the day after a holiday weekend? Our PTO policy doesn’t require it but it happens every time.
2. Is it an HR issue if someone brings particularly fragrant food into the break room?
3. Can we lower someone’s pay if they move to a cheaper remote work location?
4. Can I take leave to take care of my sister who I am legally responsible for?
5. If a person is off work for the day and they answer emails or do work without being asked to, do we have to pay them?

Visit TeamAtHRStories.com to see all of our workshops and offerings to help you feel confident in your HR decisions.

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE!

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event? You can reach the Team at Email@TeamAtHRStories.com for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns.

Send us a text

John Thalheimer and Chuck Simikian unpack the growing crisis of burnout and chronic stress among HR professionals and business leaders. With recent federal actions, such as workforce reductions and the rollback of affirmative action policies, HR leaders are navigating more pressure than ever.

You’ll learn:

• What burnout really looks like in the workplace
• The link between DEI policy changes and HR stress
• How to build resilience while supporting your team
• Practical tools like boundary-setting, mindfulness, and peer connection
• Why burnout is a leadership and culture issue, not just a personal one

Whether you're a CHRO, HR manager, or team leader, this episode offers actionable insights to help you protect your well-being and lead through change.

Visit TeamAtHRStories.com to see all of our workshops and offerings to help you feel confident in your HR decisions.

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE!

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event? You can reach the Team at Email@TeamAtHRStories.com for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns.

Send us a text

Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions:

1. What should an HR employee do if they’re experiencing retaliation in the workplace but feel like they can’t go to management?
2. How do you handle compensation for someone getting demoted while pay bands changed?
3. Can someone be an independent contractor for the same company they work for full time if the work is out of scope of their normal job?
4. Are there any rules regarding the way time is tracked for hourly employees?

Visit TeamAtHRStories.com to see all of our workshops and offerings to help you feel confident in your HR decisions.

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE!

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event? You can reach the Team at Email@TeamAtHRStories.com for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns.

Send us a text

The Trump Administration has signed a flurry of executive orders - some of which have direct impacts on the workplace. It’s critical, now more than ever, to pay attention to changes and updates that are coming your way. In today’s episode, Chuck and John review some new documents released by the EEOC that are providing clearer guidance around how to legally approach DEI in the workplace. Andrea Lucas, the EEOC Acting Chair, released 11 Tips for Lawful DEI, listed below:

1. Audit Job Descriptions – Cut unnecessary degree or experience requirements.
2. Audit Ads and Interviews – Keep questions and language neutral.
3. Standardize Interviews – Use consistent scoring and avoid vague “fit” questions.
4. Formalize Promotions – Structure the process so everyone understands how to advance.
5. Inclusive Mentorship – Don’t limit opportunities by race or gender.
6. Universal Leadership Training – Offer to all eligible employees.
7. Support First-Gen Pros – Help those new to professional fields (a neutral group).
8. Individualized Training – Base it on job role, not race or gender.
9. Privileged Audits – Use private internal audits to spot issues.
10. Broaden Recruitment – Widen your outreach—no quotas.
11. Rethink Culture – Address policies that unintentionally exclude (e.g., overtime, inflexibility).

In the HR News segment, the team touches on the following topics and more:

• Bumblebee (you may know them from the can of tuna in your pantry) is getting sued for practices on fishing boats provided by the company under the American Trafficking Act. How will this impact other US-based companies with international employees?
• A welder with a reasonable accommodation related to diabetes had his request declined. Now it’s in the courts. Remember to approach your accommodation requests with a reasonable mindset and train your managers to not fall into easy traps that can cost the company a serious fine.
• A recent Gallop poll looks into why Americans are working less. Burnout could be

Visit TeamAtHRStories.com to see all of our workshops and offerings to help you feel confident in your HR decisions.

Support the show

Our new book...The Ultimate Guide to HR: Checklists Edition is now AVAILABLE!

Go to UltimateGuidetoHR.com to Get HR Right: and Avoid Costly Mistakes. Certified and approved for 3 SHRM Recertification Credits.

Join the HR Team of One Community on Facebook or visit TeamAtHRstories.com and sign up for emails so you can be the first to know about new things we have coming up.

You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @HRstoriesPodcast

Don't forget to rate our podcast, it really helps other people find it!

Do you have a situation or topic you’d like the team to discuss? Are you interested in having Chuck or John talk to your team or Emcee your event? You can reach the Team at Email@TeamAtHRStories.com for suggestions and inquiries.

The viewpoints expressed by the characters in the stories are not necessarily that of The Team at HR Stories. The stories are shared to present various, real-world scenarios and share how they were handled by policy and, at times, law. Chuck and John are not lawyers and always recommend working with an employment lawyer to address concerns.