HR:ER
HR: ER is a podcast that serves as an emergency room for business owners, HR professionals, and anyone managing a team. Hosted by Elissa Thursfield, founder of Hroes, and Oliver Robinson, it offers insights and practical advice on workplace issues. The show covers hiring nightmares, compliance chaos, and other HR missteps, sharing real stories and expert perspectives. It aims to help listeners navigate the challenges of HR and create resilient workplaces.
Episodes
Tracking Every 15 Minutes… Is This Really Legal?
Would you be comfortable being asked to log everything you do at work in 15-minute intervals, every day? That’s what our HR consultancy tackles in our latest episode! An employee with a strong performance record and no disciplinary issues has been asked to complete detailed activity tracking to improve “visibility” of their workload.Our all-in-one solution is designed to help you preve
⚽ Is it Coming Home...or Into a Disciplinary?
The World Cup doesn't just divide fans...it can divide the workplace too. On the podcast, we're tackling the biggest workplace football debates, and of course, our silly paddles are back! 🎙️⚽ ⚽ Office sweepstakes - harmless fun or should they be banned? 🍹 Buzzballs at the office World Cup party - yes or no? 👕 Football shirts at work? 🤒 Repeated "post-match" sick days - absence review?
When Ollie Crashed Into Dawn at Work
Don't worry, Dawn survived. But after recording a podcast, Ollie accidentally reversed into the front of her car in the studio car park. It sounds like a simple bump... but what if it wasn't? 🤔 If an accident happens during work hours but off company premises, does HR need to get involved? 🤕 If someone had been injured, how much legal risk could that create for the business? ⚖️ Could a
A Welfare Case Turned Operational Crisis
🚨 A welfare case turned operational crisis. An employee's flexible working request was approved to support caring responsibilities. A welfare meeting followed. The employee was signed off with mental health concerns. Now the business wants to introduce even later shifts, making the agreed arrangement unworkable. In this episode, we explore the legal, practical, and people implications
“My AI Lawyer Sent That”
"Please disregard the resignation letter… my AI lawyer sent it.”Yes, really. ⚖️ An employee off sick for 6+ months 📂 Multiple grievances + a huge SAR request 🤖 An AI-generated legal letter alleging discrimination & constructive dismissal So: Is the resignation valid? Should AI-generated complaints be taken seriously? Who’s liable when AI gets it wrong? How should HR respond? Tune in to
Transgender Employee, Incorrect Pronouns, Neurodiversity and the Law
What happens when two protected characteristics collide? An employee with dyspraxia struggles to consistently use a colleague’s correct pronouns after their gender transition. They say it’s not intentional - it’s their disability. But the risk? A potential discrimination claim.We explore: Mistake or discrimination? Legal risks for employers Reasonable adjustments & support How HR can p
HR:ER Reads Mean Comments
HR:ER just read your meanest comments… out loud 🎙️🔥 And honestly? Some of you did NOT hold back 👀 💬 “Has this woman swallowed a HR manual, get a life love” 💬 “You don’t pay my sick pay b*tch” 💬 “I’d focus more on getting your barber into a disciplinary mate” We’re also owning up to our own mistakes. If you’ve ever thought HR gets it wrong… or been on the receiving end of it - this one’
Family Feuds at Work: When Political Arguments Turn Professional
A father and son clash over politics - and now it’s escalated into tense meetings, team discomfort, and formal grievances. The twist? Their uncle owns the business.In this episode, our HR consultancy answers:• What HR should do first• Do family ties change anything?• Where “free speech” becomes workplace risk• Are political beliefs protected in the UK?Keep conflict out of your workplac
Caught Watching Adult Material at Work
An employee reports a colleague watching explicit content in the office. She’s uncomfortable. He denies it. IT may hold the answer… but what should HR do first? In this episode, our HR consultancy discusses: What managers should do in the first few hours after an allegation How to run a fair workplace investigation How far employers can go when checking devices and browsing history Whe
Stop Choosing Between Safety & Profit with Simon Hayhurst
Health & safety still sitting on your to-do list? On the podcast, Simon Hayhurst, IOSH Certified and Managing Director of Big Mountain Consultancy, explains why so many SMEs delay action - and why that mindset is risky.We cover:⚖️ The myth that safety slows growth💰 Balancing risk with commercial reality🤝 Why HR & H&S must work together📉 The true legal, financial & reputational cost whe
The Workplace Reality of Menopause with Dr Lucy Mather
Women aged 40-55 are often at the peak of their careers. They are senior leaders, decision-makers, technical experts, and culture carriers. Yet many are being pushed out or are struggling at work because of their symptoms. If businesses aren’t paying attention, they risk losing experienced talent at the height of their careers - costing the organisation through legal claims and increas
Reasonable Adjustments: Why Are We Still Getting This Wrong? Featuring employment barrister Chelsea Brooke-Ward
Reasonable adjustments sit at the heart of fair work - yet they remain one of the most misunderstood (and litigated) areas of employment law.🎙️ On the podcast this episode:Chelsea Brooke-Ward, Head of Employment and Employment Barrister at Park Square Barristers, cuts through the confusion and gets practical about what the law actually requires.We cover:👉 What triggers the duty to make
Avoiding Discrimination Claim Due to Menopause Symptoms
What do you do when an employee is underperforming, refuses every reasonable adjustment, and cites menopause as the reason?In this episode of HR:ER, our HR consultancy dissects:✔️ When does “reasonable adjustments” become enough is enough?✔️ Can you start a PIP without it looking like discrimination?✔️ Does under two years’ service reduce legal risk - or not at all?✔️ What menopause sy
Accidentally Telling the Whole Company to F*ck Off
Reply-all.400+ people.Including the CEO.One stressed, sleep-deprived employee on a business trip thought they were replying to spam…They weren’t.Now the CEO wants them fired. Is this gross misconduct… or just a very human mistake? In this episode, our HR consultancy tackle an increasingly common workplace crisis.What safeguards should’ve existed to stop this ever happening?(Hello HR sy
Workplace Christmas Do’s and Don’ts 🎄
Think your festive spirit is harmless fun? A tribunal might think differently… 👀 Our HR consultancy shares the do’s and don’ts of workplace Christmas behaviour - from homemade mulled wine to karaoke chaos and questionable Secret Santa gifts. Grab your headphones (and maybe your policy handbook). 🎁🎅Make sure you’re ready when the Christmas fallout hits. Our HR software includes a Disci
How to Deal With an Employee Who Constantly Falls Asleep
Dave has been nodding off at his desk for up to 90 minutes a day… for years. 😬His manager knows, but no one’s taken action.So - is it a health issue or a performance issue? Should HR make reasonable adjustments… or start a disciplinary process? And what happens when managers ignore repeated performance problems?🎧 Listen now - and find out how to wake up your workplace.Handle performanc
Caught In The Restructure - Maternity Discrimination
Two maternity leaves. One restructure. Endless risk. So, what should HR do? Our HR consultancy dives into this workplace emergency.🤰 What protection do pregnant employees really have?⚖️ Can you pre-allocate roles before consultation ends?💰 What’s the true cost - legally and culturally - of getting this wrong?Maternity discrimination can cost £100k+ per case. Build a clear redundancy po
The Employee Who Never Showed Up
What do you do when a new hire never actually returns to work… but every absence comes with another heartbreaking reason? In this episode of HR:ER, our HR consultancy tackles one of the toughest dilemmas small businesses face: chronic absenteeism with limited legal resources. When does support turn into formal action? How can you verify absences ethically? What protections should empl
Earning HR’s Seat at the Table: Beyond Operations to Strategy
Too often, HR gets left out of the room when the big financial and strategic decisions are being made. But what if HR was seen as a growth driver - not just a support function?On this episode of HR:ER, we're joined by Bernard Savage, Director at Size 10½ Boots, to dissect:- Why HR is still sidelined in business planning- How leaders can reframe HR as commercially strategic- How profess
Creating Truly Customised Benefits on a Budget with Dipa Mistry Kandola
HR leaders are under more pressure than ever: deliver better employee benefits, but do it with tighter budgets. So how do you create benefits packages that actually work - for a hybrid, multigenerational workforce- without overspending? That’s exactly what we unpack in our latest podcast with Dipa Mistry Kandola - CEO at Parallel Employee Benefits, Advisor, Chartered Director, and SaaS
When a Sick Note Says ‘Work-Related Stress’… with Barrister Simon Anderson
HR Professionals, take note! When an employee hands in a sick note citing “work-related stress”… what happens next could make or break your legal risk.On the latest episode of HR:ER, we sit down with Simon Anderson - barrister at Park Square Barristers and serial winner in complex workplace harm cases. What we unpack:⚖️ How often stress leave turns into tribunals - and why.🚩 Legal red
Beyond the Job Description: What’s Classed as Unreasonable?
Where do we draw the line on “any other duties as required”?From junior staff cleaning up excrement 🧹 to graduates being sent to move cars to dodge parking tickets 🚗 - some workplace “extras” cross into unreasonable (and unsafe) territory.In this HR:ER episode, our HR consultancy digs into:- What really counts as a “reasonable” duty?- Who gets to decide when the line is crossed?- When
From Reddit to Reality: Disability Leave, Onboarding & Payroll for Dead Employees
We went down the Reddit HR rabbit hole - so you don’t have to! In this episode, our HR consultancy unpacks real workplace dilemmas pulled straight from Reddit’s most popular HR threads.👉 What should you do if an employee vanishes on short-term disability?👉 What’s the best way to onboard your staff?👉 How do you handle final pay for an employee who has passed away?🎧 Tune in, share your t
Employment Myth-Busters: What Employers Need to Know
In our latest podcast, we bust the most common employment law myths - and reveal what employers really need to know to avoid landing their business in tribunal.We cover:- Why “no contract = no liability” is a dangerous assumption- The truth about dismissing during probation- What makes restrictive covenants actually enforceable- Legal risks around long-term sick leave- Why wage deducti
"They Think I’m Transgender": Is That Discrimination?
A false rumour, claims of micromanagement, and an accusation of trans-related bias - but the employee says she isn’t transgender.Is this workplace discrimination? In this HR:ER episode, our HR consultancy dissects:- What the law actually says about gender identity following the Supreme Court Ruling- How to separate performance management from potential prejudice- The risk of discrimina
Off the Books: The Chef Who Won’t Pay Tax
A new chef wants the job - but only if they’re “self-employed” to skip tax. What would you do? 🍳💵From dodging tax to walking the legal tightrope of contractor vs employee, our HR consultancy dissects:⚖️ Where the legal line really is❌ Employer risks of getting it wrong🤔 Who’s really self-employed-and who’s notWhether you’re hiring your first employee or scaling a team, don’t guess your
Code at Midnight, Chaos by Morning: Autistic Employee
An autistic support advisor works overnight, misinterprets tasks, and leaves chaos by morning. Is it a performance issue — or a failure to accommodate?That's what our HR consultancy must dissect in our latest episode!⚖️ What reasonable adjustments really look like📉 How HR should approach neurodivergence with performance issues🧠 Legal and ethical risks of mishandling autism at work Our
Dialled In, Switched Off: The Cost of a Call Behind the Wheel
One phone call. One moment of distraction. One life almost lost.That's what our HR consultancy had to deal with when a delivery driver, carelessly using his phone, hit a pedestrian — and claimed, 'It wasn’t that bad.' 📲 Is using a phone while driving gross misconduct?⚖️ Can employers be held legally responsible if a pedestrian is killed/injured?⛔ Should you suspend staff immediately af
Facelifts & Fine Lines: Do Employers Deserve the Details?
Sick leave or sly lift? A personal trainer calls in for a "medically required" procedure… but rumours swirl it was a Brazilian butt lift 👀. As HR tries to sort fact from filler, tensions rise:➡️ Should cosmetic surgery qualify as medical leave?➡️ Who decides what’s “medically necessary”?➡️ Can your boss ask what kind of surgery you had — or is that crossing a line?Plus: What happens wh
Tongue-Tied – When HR Speaks One Language
Can you dismiss an employee for not speaking English? 💬❌With almost 1 million people in Britain unable to speak English fluently, our HR consultancy team addresses a real-life case where an employee’s English skills were poor, causing issues with performance management.Mishandling could leave you wide open to claims of unfair dismissal or discrimination. Tune into HR:ER to hear how we
Dead Bodies & Office Affairs: When to Use SOSR Dismissal
Dead bodies and broken hearts 🚑💔In this week’s HR: ER, our HR consultancy treats two wild workplace emergencies:A trainee paramedic at a private ambulance company who couldn’t cope with a key part of the job—dealing with dead people.A husband-wife duo working in a small team… until an affair with a colleague blew everything up. Cue fist fight, slashed tyres, and countless grievances.Fr
Mental Health or Capability Issue? Nurse Thinks TV is Talking to Her
A veterinary nurse is struggling with a mental health crisis, convinced that people on TV are speaking directly to her 😱📺.Now, here’s the challenge—figuring out if this is a well-being issue or a capability issue, all while ensuring the safety of both animals and colleagues. 🐾Follow the HR:ER episode to hear how our HR consultancy dealt with it! 🎧Our HR software, with performance tools
Too Sick to Work... But Not Too Sick to Side Hustle?
Our HR consultancy solved a tricky situation: an employee signed off sick was unengaged at work—tears in meetings, refusing to engage… But the next day? She’s all over Instagram promoting her business and calling herself a #GirlBoss. 🤳💁♀️ Tune into HR:ER to find out how we treated this emergency:➡️ When does it become misconduct, and can you dismiss them?➡️ Should social media activit
Is International Women’s Day “Too Much” at Work?
That’s how one employee feels—he says it makes the workplace "a nightmare". But is this just a difference of opinion or gender discrimination? How should HR respond? Our HR consultancy is breaking it down in HR:ER:🤔 Are awareness days effective or just corporate box-ticking?👨 Should International Men’s Day get the same spotlight?😬 Is discomfort around IWD a sign of gender discriminatio
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 employ
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 beh
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, shari
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
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 re
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
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 i
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. Fict
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 hel
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 em
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 thi
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 ad
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
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
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 journ
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 discussWh
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
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
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
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 handym
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 r
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 emp
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,
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
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:E
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 o
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 getti
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 nightmar
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