The HR nightmares never stop coming — and in this episode of Leath HR, co-hosts Lisa, Amy,

and Greg crack open the inbox to tackle more of your most head-scratching workplace

dilemmas. From surveillance concerns to emotional outbursts, they share the stories that keep

managers second-guessing and employees walking on eggshells.

What happens when your CEO installs Alexa devices in every conference room? The crew talks

about the fine line between workplace convenience and perceived privacy invasion — and how

to communicate tech policies in a way that builds trust instead of suspicion. From virtual happy

hours that drift into too-casual territory, to political messages on clothing, to the surprisingly

divisive practice of taking Zoom calls from bed, Lisa, Amy, and Greg weigh in on where to draw

the line. They balance empathy with practicality, offering strategies that protect company

culture without killing morale.

Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this

conversation wherever you get your podcasts. Join us next time for more straight talk from the

frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares!

Lisa Leath and the HR Nightmares team open up their inbox to tackle real-world workplace dilemmas ranging from micromanaging bosses to unconventional emotional support animals. The team provides practical advice for HR professionals and managers navigating these challenging situations.

The conversation takes fascinating turns as the team unpacks how trust issues manifest in management styles, exploring why some leaders feel compelled to verify every sick day claim or monitor employees' social media activity. They provide practical guidance for addressing these behaviors without creating additional workplace tensions, emphasizing the importance of data-driven approaches and direct communication.

Throughout the episode, the HR Nightmares team brings their combined decades of experience to these real-world scenarios, offering solutions that balance compliance with compassion. Whether you're an HR professional facing similar challenges, a manager looking to improve your leadership approach, or simply someone fascinated by workplace dynamics, you'll find valuable insights and practical takeaways to apply in your own professional life.

Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcasts. Join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares!

Workplace whiplash is real. Since the pandemic, companies have swung wildly between remote, hybrid, and return-to-office mandates—and employees are feeling the impact. In this episode of HR Nightmares, Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney unpack the real reasons behind these shifts.

Is it truly about collaboration and culture, or are deeper motives at play—like commercial real estate, poor management, or quiet downsizing?

Drawing from their HR consulting work, the hosts share powerful client stories and challenge the logic of outdated office mandates—especially when workers are commuting just to sit on Zoom calls. They explore the human toll of sudden policy reversals, like employees being forced to relocate or leave jobs entirely. The takeaway? Rigid one-size-fits-all policies don’t work. Flexibility, performance-based decisions, and clear expectations are the future of work—and this episode offers actionable ideas to get there.

Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcasts. Join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares!