HR:ER

HR:ER

Hroes

HR: ER is the emergency room for business owners, HR professionals and anyone else who is responsible for managing or employing a team of people.Hosted by Hroes founder Elissa Thursfield, with 15 years of first-hand lawyer and consulting experience and software service specialist Oliver Robinson they provide you with a generous dose of insights and practical advice.From hiring nightmares to compliance chaos, the unexpected to the downright disastrous "HR: ER" pulls back the curtain on events that have unfolded in workplaces around the world, the challenges HR professionals face daily the juicy details of HR missteps, legal blunders, and...

Employee Brings Smelly Support Cats to Work

Employee Brings Smelly Support Cats to Work

Emotional Support Animals at Work: Reasonable or Too Far? 🐱One employee says their emotional support animal helps manage anxiety—but coworkers are complaining about allergies, hygiene, and distractions.⚖️ What’s a fair accommodation, and what’s impractical?🗒️ What authority does a doctor's note carry?⚠️ What workplace issues come with support animals?What’s the right balance for employers? Tune into the HR:ER podcast to find out!With a built-in grievance system and contract generator, our HR s

Feb 18, • 34:57

When Does Banter Become Sexual Harassment?

When Does Banter Become Sexual Harassment?

When Does Banter Become Sexual Harassment?What happens when workplace "banter" crosses the line?In this episode, our HR consultancy deals with a real HR crisis: a junior employee reports their supervisor for graphic sexual conversations, dismissing concerns as just "a teenage boy's dream."We Diagnose:- The fine line between joking and harassment- How power dynamics impact workplace behaviour- The right way to handle complaints & protect employeesIs it just banter, or has a serious boundary been

Feb 4, • 35:45

Our Top HR Emergencies - HR:ER Turns One! 🎉

Our Top HR Emergencies - HR:ER Turns One! 🎉

Over the past year, we’ve tackled some of the wildest workplace emergencies you could imagine. From "Is sniffing a shirt sexual harassment?" to "HR hires a murderer," and even "When are you too fat to work?" – these jaw-dropping scenarios are real cases we’ve handled through our HR consultancy.In this special birthday episode, hosts Elissa and Oliver take a trip down memory lane, sharing their personal favourites and reflecting on the chaos, the lessons, and yes, the laughs. (Of course, we had c

Jan 21, • 24:31

Failed ID Checks: Candidate Submits Naked Selfie

Failed ID Checks: Candidate Submits Naked Selfie

During a routine ID check, a candidate sent… a nude selfie. 😳 Yes, you read that right. It’s one of those moments our HR consultancy never saw coming. So, what’s the next step?🤳 Is this considered sexual harassment?🔒 Could it violate privacy or data protection laws?🤝 What’s the right move with this candidate's offer? Our platform integrates TrustID, making ID checks simple, secure, and hassle-free in just a few clicks. Keep your workplace safe and compliant with our sexual harassment e-learn

Jan 7, • 38:17

Caught on Tape: Employee Illegally Records 300 Hours of Conversations

Caught on Tape: Employee Illegally Records 300 Hours of Conversations

What do you do when an employee alleges bullying and a "conspiracy" against them—while refusing to cooperate with investigations? And to top it off, they reveal they've secretly recorded over 300 hours of workplace conversations, including toilet visits? 😱This is the crisis our HR consultancy handled in our latest HR:ER episode! It raises BIG questions for HR, including:👉 Are secret recordings a violation of privacy laws?👉 Can you legally dismiss an employee who won't cooperate?👉 How can HR

Dec 10, 2024 • 36:26

HR vs. Employee Theft: Employee Steals Company Car

HR vs. Employee Theft: Employee Steals Company Car

UK businesses lose over £183 million annually due to employee theft. As an HR and business leader, you play a pivotal role in safeguarding company assets.In the latest episode of HR:ER, our consultancy faced a challenging scenario: an employee was dismissed, stole the company car, and escalated tensions when HR visited their residence to retrieve it, resulting in threats of trespassing from family members.Want to reclaim company property? Our employment lawyers and HR software can help you creat

Nov 26, 2024 • 34:07

Christmas Party Gone Wrong: Employee Strips Naked!

Christmas Party Gone Wrong: Employee Strips Naked!

It’s all fun and games until a holiday party goes off the rails! Recently, our HR consultancy tackled a case that got everyone talking. Dave got a bit too merry at the Christmas party - he climbed onto a table, stripped naked, and then told the CEO to f*ck off… 🎄🙈Catch the full story and our expert advice on handling holiday party chaos in the latest episode of HR:ER.Follow now - and if you’re gearing up for party season, contact our employment lawyers to keep things merry and mana

Nov 12, 2024 • 32:25

Without a Trace: Employee Kidnapped!

Without a Trace: Employee Kidnapped!

Ever had an employee disappear without a trace? Imagine this – an employee goes radio silent for five days, only to return with an astonishing tale of a “mistaken kidnapping.” Is it real, or just a bold cover-up?In our latest podcast, we tackle this jaw-dropping HR emergency and dive into the challenges employers face with missing team members.Here's what we break down: 🔍 Fact vs. Fiction: Steps to verify an employee's claim when something doesn’t add up🔐 Monitoring Boundaries: Wha

Oct 29, 2024 • 31:07

Truth or Lie: Employee Alleged Affair With HR

Truth or Lie: Employee Alleged Affair With HR

How do you handle a rule-breaking employee who faces complaints for misogyny, then when confronted threatens to expose an alleged affair with HR?That's what our HR consultancy tackles in our next HR:ER episode! We share our emergency measures to stop sexual harassment from happening in your workplace.Got a workplace emergency of your own? Reach out to us and our expert lawyers will help you confidentially manage the situation - https://hroes.co.uk/ /

Oct 15, 2024 • 33:54

What Happens When Police Seize Company Property?

What Happens When Police Seize Company Property?

How should HR handle an employee's property seized by police?💻👮Our HR consultancy recently helped a business uncover that an employee, involved in a major criminal drug ring, had their work computer seized by police. The issue only surfaced when the employee requested another computer for work, prompting our further investigation.It was imperative HR acted with caution. Even when an employee is involved in criminal activity, mishandling the situation could result in claims of unfai

Oct 1, 2024 • 27:19

Fired or Hired: What Happens When Employees Lie About Their Qualifications?

Fired or Hired: What Happens When Employees Lie About Their Qualifications?

What do you do when a long-standing, trusted employee is caught lying about their qualifications? 💡🫠Our HR consultancy tackles another workplace crisis! Natalie, a senior accountant on track for a promotion to director, was asked to provide proof of her chartered accounting qualifications - only to reveal that her CV was riddled with lies.As the truth unravels, we dissect how could this slip through during hiring? What are the legal and financial risks for the business? And most im

Sep 17, 2024 • 38:56

When Are You Too Fat To Work?

When Are You Too Fat To Work?

When are you too fat to work? 😲Hear how our HR consultancy team tackled another emergency as a small business with an employee who, due to morbid obesity, has already required three specialised chairs - which cost thousands each and becoming unsustainable for the company.What are the employer's legal obligations if no health conditions contribute to the employee’s obesity?How can HR address an employee’s weight when it affects job performance?If accommodation costs become unsustaina

Sep 3, 2024 • 43:10

When Are You Too Fat To Work?

When Are You Too Fat To Work?

When are you too fat to work? 😲Hear how our HR consultancy team tackled another emergency as a small business with an employee who, due to morbid obesity, has already required three specialised chairs - which cost thousands each and becoming unsustainable for the company.What are the employer's legal obligations if no health conditions contribute to the employee’s obesity?How can HR address an employee’s weight when it affects job performance?If accommodation costs become unsustainable, what ar

Sep 3, 2024 • 43:14

How to Make Staff Training and Development Not BORING With Gilly Cohen, Head of Global Performance at YMU

How to Make Staff Training and Development Not BORING With Gilly Cohen, Head of Global Performance at YMU

Is your training and development failing to truly develop your staff? If so, it’s not engaging enough.We sit with Gilly Cohen, Head of Global Performance at YMU Group. In her unique role, Gilly has revolutionised learning and development at YMU, a global powerhouse in talent management, representing the biggest stars in entertainment.We discuss:Is Gen Z the laziest workforce generation yet?How to make training not ‘boring’Training and development initiatives that actually stickLeader

Aug 13, 2024 • 32:51

Providing the Right Support to Mental Health First Aiders With Paul McGregor, Founder of Everymind at Work

Providing the Right Support to Mental Health First Aiders With Paul McGregor, Founder of Everymind at Work

Does your organisation use mental health first aiders? Next in our guest series, we sit down with Paul McGregor, founder of Everymind at Work, which provides on-demand support designed for Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace.In this HR:ER discussion, we discuss the legal implications if an employee confides in an MHFA and subsequently causes harm to themselves, share "wellbeing washing" workplace horror stories, and discuss the evolving role of managers in supporting mental h

Jul 30, 2024 • 36:04

People Strategies for Global Fashion Growth With Lucy Aylen, Founder of Never Fully Dressed

People Strategies for Global Fashion Growth With Lucy Aylen, Founder of Never Fully Dressed

We're excited to launch our first HR:ER guest series, and we're kicking it off with none other than Lucy Aylen, the founder of Never Fully Dressed!Since its inception in 2009 as a market stall, Never Fully Dressed has succeeded into a renowned international fashion brand, now featured in high street retailers like Flannels, ASOS, and House of Fraser.Join us as we dive into Lucy's journey and discover the people strategies that have made Never Fully Dressed a global phenomenon, includ

Jul 16, 2024 • 37:06

Is Losing £50K of Company Money to a Scam Gross Negligence?

Is Losing £50K of Company Money to a Scam Gross Negligence?

Has your business fallen victim to a phishing scam? Is it gross negligence when an employee loses company money?In our next HR crisis story, a senior Finance Director lost £50k of company funds to an obvious scam. This error led to the company's collapse; a simple check of the email address would have revealed it was a fraudulent email.In this episode of the HR:ER podcast, we discussWhich scams are getting more prevalent?What is gross negligence in the context of company cyber fraud?

Jul 2, 2024 • 33:18

Should Relationships Be Allowed in the Workplace? An Extra Marital Affair That Turned Into Stalking

Should Relationships Be Allowed in the Workplace? An Extra Marital Affair That Turned Into Stalking

Workplaces often spark new relationships, but what happens when an extramarital affair spirals into a stalking nightmare?This is after a staff member ‘caught’ Matt and Ben in a storeroom. The situation then escalated to Matt bombarding Ben with love letters, trying to change his shifts to be on shift with him, and making ‘heavy breathing’ phone calls to him and his wife.In this episode, we explore whether workplace affairs constitute inappropriate conduct, the dangers of sexual haras

Jun 18, 2024 • 33:44

Has ‘Sick Note Culture’ Gone Too Far?

Has ‘Sick Note Culture’ Gone Too Far?

The NHS has issued a record 10.4 million fit notes, with GPs admitting, "We don't want to risk confrontation. We just see the request in our inbox and okay it."This surge has led to significant unproductively, resource strain, and increased costs for businesses. In this week's HR:ER podcast episode, we dissect:What factors have contributed to the rise in 'sick note' culture?How can HR differentiate between genuine health concerns and abuse of sick leave policies? How should HR handl

Jun 4, 2024 • 35:15

Onboarding Disasters: How Can HR Build a Better Onboarding Experience?

Onboarding Disasters: How Can HR Build a Better Onboarding Experience?

Is HR providing a good onboarding programme? Only 12% of employees feel that their organisation provides a good one.In our next HR:ER episode, our host and founder, Elissa Thursfield, shares her personal onboarding experience and how HR can avoid similar mistakes.Onboarding sets the tone for an employee’s experience with the company, influencing whether they choose to stay long-term or leave. Effective onboarding can improve employee retention by 82%, saving businesses a lot of time

May 21, 2024 • 37:57

What Happens When HRs Skip Recruitment Checks? "Murderer" Hired

What Happens When HRs Skip Recruitment Checks? "Murderer" Hired

What happens when HRs skip compliance and DBS checks with a new employee? You accidentally hire a murderer.This was only discovered when staff noticed the "strange vibe" of a new employee around the office. After a social media stalk, it turned out he faked his identity and previously spent time in prison for murdering a woman.As part of his role, he had been visiting homes as a handyman and moreover, the office staff was also mostly female, who were at risk in his presence.This is w

May 7, 2024 • 39:26

What Happens When HRs Skip Recruitment Checks? "Murderer" Hired

What Happens When HRs Skip Recruitment Checks? "Murderer" Hired

What happens when HRs skip compliance and DBS checks with a new employee? You accidentally hire a murderer.This was only discovered when staff noticed the "strange vibe" of a new employee around the office. After a social media stalk, it turned out he faked his identity and previously spent time in prison for murdering a woman.As part of his role, he had been visiting homes as a handyman and moreover, the office staff was also mostly female, who were at risk in his presence.This is why it's cruc

May 7, 2024 • 39:26

Face Value: Are 'Middle Finger' Tattoos Workplace Appropriate?

Face Value: Are 'Middle Finger' Tattoos Workplace Appropriate?

What do you do when an employee breaches the company dress code? According to research, 63% of the public say they would consider face and neck tattoos to be unprofessional.In this episode of HR:ER, we share the unexpected challenges HR professionals face when an employee's personal choices collide with workplace policies. Our HR crisis story involves an employee in a customer-facing role who let loose on a stag do and returned with a 'middle finger' tattoo.Join us as we dissect the

Apr 23, 2024 • 36:46

Face Value: Are 'Middle Finger' Tattoos Workplace Appropriate?

Face Value: Are 'Middle Finger' Tattoos Workplace Appropriate?

What do you do when an employee breaches the company dress code? According to research, 63% of the public say they would consider face and neck tattoos to be unprofessional.In this episode of HR:ER, we share the unexpected challenges HR professionals face when an employee's personal choices collide with workplace policies. Our HR crisis story involves an employee in a customer-facing role who let loose on a stag do and returned with a 'middle finger' tattoo.Join us as we dissect the complexities

Apr 23, 2024 • 36:46

Can Employees Really Work From Anywhere? The Rise of Digital Nomads

Can Employees Really Work From Anywhere? The Rise of Digital Nomads

Can employees pack up and work from anywhere?With the rise of remote work spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in digital nomads opting to work from abroad. But is it really feasible? What are the legal, logistical, and team challenges that come with it?This follows after an employee who relocated to Finland for the duration of the ski season without telling her employer who then noticed when she saw ski slopes in her Team's background rather than her 'usual' office setup.Our

Apr 9, 2024 • 32:49

Can Employees Really Work From Anywhere? The Rise of Digital Nomads

Can Employees Really Work From Anywhere? The Rise of Digital Nomads

Can employees pack up and work from anywhere?With the rise of remote work spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in digital nomads opting to work from abroad. But is it really feasible? What are the legal, logistical, and team challenges that come with it?This follows after an employee who relocated to Finland for the duration of the ski season without telling her employer who then noticed when she saw ski slopes in her Team's background rather than her 'usual' offi

Apr 9, 2024 • 32:49

Is It Acceptable To Pull a ‘Sicky’ To Go on Holiday?

Is It Acceptable To Pull a ‘Sicky’ To Go on Holiday?

Facing an employee who's pulling a 'sicky'?It's a common HR dilemma, which we tackle in our latest HR:ER podcast! A lucky employee won 10k on a scratch card and booked a holiday without authorisation, quoting "I'll just pull a sicky" when their holiday request was rejected.So what can HRs do? We share emergency measures HRs can implement to prevent 'sickies' happening in the workplace, including:- What steps should HR take when an employee threatens to call in sick after being denied time off?-

Mar 26, 2024 • 28:07

Is It Acceptable To Pull a ‘Sicky’ To Go on Holiday?

Is It Acceptable To Pull a ‘Sicky’ To Go on Holiday?

Facing an employee who's pulling a 'sicky'?It's a common HR dilemma, which we tackle in our latest HR:ER podcast! A lucky employee won 10k on a scratch card and booked a holiday without authorisation, quoting "I'll just pull a sicky" when their holiday request was rejected.So what can HRs do? We share emergency measures HRs can implement to prevent 'sickies' happening in the workplace, including:- What steps should HR take when an employee threatens to call in sick after being denied

Mar 26, 2024 • 28:07

Is It Acceptable To Pull a ‘Sicky’ To Go on Holiday?

Is It Acceptable To Pull a ‘Sicky’ To Go on Holiday?

Facing an employee who's pulling a 'sicky'?It's a common HR dilemma, which we tackle in our latest HR:ER podcast! A lucky employee won 10k on a scratch card and booked a holiday without authorisation, quoting "I'll just pull a sicky" when their holiday request was rejected.So what can HRs do? We share emergency measures HRs can implement to prevent 'sickies' happening in the workplace, including:- What steps should HR take when an employee threatens to call in sick after being denied time off?-

Mar 26, 2024 • 28:07

OnlyFans in the Workplace? Are “Side-Hustles” Becoming a Problem?

OnlyFans in the Workplace? Are “Side-Hustles” Becoming a Problem?

What do you do when you catch an employee viewing inappropriate content, notably OnlyFans, on a work computer?How do you untangle the web when the OnlyFans account in question, is someone else who also works for your business?This is the crazy story that we're discussing in our next podcast episode of HR:ER, as our HR crisis story is about an employee who not only riddled his computer with viruses but also confessed to accessing the OnlyFans profile of someone that they directly line manage.We t

Mar 12, 2024 • 31:15

OnlyFans in the Workplace? Are “Side-Hustles” Becoming a Problem?

OnlyFans in the Workplace? Are “Side-Hustles” Becoming a Problem?

What do you do when you catch an employee viewing inappropriate content, notably OnlyFans, on a work computer?How do you untangle the web when the OnlyFans account in question, is someone else who also works for your business?This is the crazy story that we're discussing in our next podcast episode of HR:ER, as our HR crisis story is about an employee who not only riddled his computer with viruses but also confessed to accessing the OnlyFans profile of someone that they directly line

Mar 12, 2024 • 31:15

Is Mental Health Ever An Excuse For Violence In The Workplace?

Is Mental Health Ever An Excuse For Violence In The Workplace?

In today's workforce, mental health challenges affect a staggering 84% of workers annually. This prevalence has surged in recent years, paralleling the rise of conditions such as ADHD and Autism, leaving many employers grappling with how to navigate this complex terrain effectively.But where do we draw the line between health conditions and violence in the workplace? In our latest HR:ER episode, our crisis story focuses on an employee who had a mental health outburst at work, which e

Feb 27, 2024 • 27:57

Is Mental Health Ever An Excuse For Violence In The Workplace?

Is Mental Health Ever An Excuse For Violence In The Workplace?

In today's workforce, mental health challenges affect a staggering 84% of workers annually. This prevalence has surged in recent years, paralleling the rise of conditions such as ADHD and Autism, leaving many employers grappling with how to navigate this complex terrain effectively.But where do we draw the line between health conditions and violence in the workplace? In our latest HR:ER episode, our crisis story focuses on an employee who had a mental health outburst at work, which ended up with

Feb 27, 2024 • 27:57

When Does Using AI Become Cheating at Work?

When Does Using AI Become Cheating at Work?

AI (Artificial Intelligence) has no doubt become an everyday tool in the modern workplace, but when does it become classed as cheating?Our next HR crisis story is about an employee using AI to do all his work and then spending the rest of his time playing virtual poker and snooker. Causing issues with the employer due to the quality of his work, specifically with the accuracy of some of the content.In this episode, we cover the issues HR professionals face when it comes to AI misuse in the workp

Feb 13, 2024 • 26:38

When Does Using AI Become Cheating at Work?

When Does Using AI Become Cheating at Work?

AI (Artificial Intelligence) has no doubt become an everyday tool in the modern workplace, but when does it become classed as cheating?Our next HR crisis story is about an employee using AI to do all his work and then spending the rest of his time playing virtual poker and snooker. Causing issues with the employer due to the quality of his work, specifically with the accuracy of some of the content.In this episode, we cover the issues HR professionals face when it comes to AI misuse

Feb 13, 2024 • 26:38

Is Sniffing A Shirt Sexual Harassment Gone Too Far?

Is Sniffing A Shirt Sexual Harassment Gone Too Far?

Welcome to our first episode of the HR: ER podcast, where we get into dealing with your HR Emergencies! Our first episode doesn't disappoint, as our HR crisis story is a unusual but serious one. It begins with an employee, whose admiration for a famous model went a little too far! This all ended up with an employee caught using their client's hot tub, sniffing their t-shirt and getting reported for sexual harassment in the workplace. This begs the questions: - What is classed as sexual haras

Jan 30, 2024 • 28:29

Is Sniffing A Shirt Sexual Harassment Gone Too Far?

Is Sniffing A Shirt Sexual Harassment Gone Too Far?

Welcome to our first episode of the HR: ER podcast, where we get into dealing with your HR Emergencies! Our first episode doesn't disappoint, as our HR crisis story is a unusual but serious one. It begins with an employee, whose admiration for a famous model went a little too far! This all ended up with an employee caught using their client's hot tub, sniffing their t-shirt and getting reported for sexual harassment in the workplace. This begs the questions: - What is classed as

Jan 30, 2024 • 28:29

HR:ER - Trailer

HR:ER - Trailer

HR: ER is the emergency room for business owners, HR professionals and anyone else who is responsible for managing or employing a team of people.Hosted by Hroes founder Elissa Thursfield, with 15 years of first-hand lawyer and consulting experience and software service specialist Oliver Robinson they provide you with a generous dose of insights and practical advice.From hiring nightmares to compliance chaos, the unexpected to the downright disastrous "HR: ER" pulls back the curtain o

Jan 23, 2024 • 2:12

HR:ER - Trailer

HR:ER - Trailer

HR: ER is the emergency room for business owners, HR professionals and anyone else who is responsible for managing or employing a team of people.Hosted by Hroes founder Elissa Thursfield, with 15 years of first-hand lawyer and consulting experience and software service specialist Oliver Robinson they provide you with a generous dose of insights and practical advice.From hiring nightmares to compliance chaos, the unexpected to the downright disastrous "HR: ER" pulls back the curtain on events tha

Jan 23, 2024 • 2:12

Switch to the Fountain App