Best Chuck Simikian Podcasts (2024)

1
Q&A: The Employee Edition - The questions your employees may be afraid to ask 41:31

1h ago41:31

41:31

Send us a text In today's episode, Chuck and John take on some of the tough questions that come from the employee's perspective. As an HR professional, keep an open ear for ways to make sure your employees don't go unheard. Check out how the team tackles these questions: How do I know if I’m being paid fairly for my role? Can I refuse to work in a …

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: Would you like cheese with that? 22:45

23h ago22:45

22:45

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: How much do you take dietary restrictions into consideration for company events? Can you require salary employees to clock in and out? What’s the best way to develop a time off policy? Support the show Our new book...The Ultimate G…

1
The Future Of Work: What Are We Missing? 37:46

8d ago37:46

37:46

Send us a text It’s easy for us to look back and see how much has changed from 5 or 10 years ago but it can sometimes be easy to miss the subtle changes as they come that lead to those bigger changes. In today’s episode, Chuck and John talk through the changes that have been coming to the work environment over the recent years and how they will sha…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: Avoiding a bad hire and restriction avoidant workers 24:00

15d ago24:00

24:00

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: How do you effectively advise on not hiring a bad culture-fit candidate? How do you properly navigate legal documentation and onboarding documentation for transgender individuals? How do you work with an employee who is hesitant to…

1
He Was In Hot Water... Literally - Workmans' Comp Need To Know 52:39

22d ago52:39

52:39

Send us a text When a new hire of a trucking company follows directives from a supervisor, he lands in hot water - literally - and in a dispute around workmans' comp. What is classified under this umbrella and how can you think about it in realistic terms? This week, Chuck and John dive into all of this an more as they discuss intramural sports lea…

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Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: Getting Directors to Take a Step Back and Operations to Align 28:35

29d ago28:35

28:35

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Should supervisors working in the field be exempt or non-exempt? What questions should we ask? When you try to offload responsibilities from Directors to Managers but the Directors continue to step in and say how things should be h…

1
Make HR Easy - The Ultimate Guide to HR 53:08

1M ago53:08

53:08

Send us a text Whether you’re a seasoned HR professional or someone who was volun-told that you are now handling HR functions at work, there can be an overwhelming amount of questions around every corner and in every process. Maybe you’re trying to figure out how to manage remote workers effectively or how to properly handle an investigation into a…

1
A Smile or a Consequence - Trader Joe's Problematic Stance on Positivity 46:44

1M ago46:44

46:44

Send us a text A story in the New York Times brought to light a different side to the Trader Joe's so many know and love, talking about how a policy of positivity and happy greetings was creating quite the opposite of a work environment for employees. In today’s episode, Chuck and John talk about this contradicting policy and environment, particula…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: When you want to fire a customer 20:04

2M ago20:04

20:04

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Are the new FLSA Salary threshold rules in place for January 2025? Did we miss the announcement? If you have an employee working on the phone with customers and the customer starts speaking very inappropriately, what action can you…

1
From the Vault: "I’m Going to Run You Over with this Forklift" - An Intense Tale of Sexual Harassment 51:27

2M ago51:27

51:27

Send us a text Today, Chuck and John went into the vault to talk about the crazy story that had someone saying, "I'm going to run you over with this forklift!" Join them on this trip into the archives. We'll be back next week with a new Q&A episode. --------- When an employee consistently makes harassing comments and even threatens violence against…

1
Nose Pickers and Scab Pickers - It Gets Weird In HR 43:38

2M ago43:38

43:38

Send us a text In this weird and wacky episode, Chuck and John talk about some of the more strange instances they and other HR professionals have dealt with. Being in the unique position of HR, you’ll encounter all sorts of interesting people and situations, often having to figure out how to navigate the most challenging of circumstances. From nose…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: Working for Competitors and Social Media Problems 39:51

2M ago39:51

39:51

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: How do you handle a salary non-exempt employee working overtime one week and under hours the next during a pay period? Are you required to give pay increases to all employees? A manager suspects someone is working for a competitor.…

1
Interviews: Getting Them Right 41:45

3M ago41:45

41:45

Send us a text Join us in this episode of the HR Stories Podcast, where we uncover the complexities and legalities of the interview process. Chuck and John dive into a lively discussion sparked by a heated Facebook debate on working interviews. They clarify the nuances of what employers can legally ask candidates to do, ensuring organizations navig…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: FMLA, Merger Timelines, and Layoff Worries 23:00

3M ago23:00

23:00

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Does FMLA paperwork need to be filled out by the doctor or can a nurse practitioner fill it out? Can we deny it if the doctor won’t fill it out? What timelines do I need to keep in mind during a merger? How do I handle layoffs and …

1
You Can't Make Me Take This Training! 48:26

3M ago48:26

48:26

Send us a text Something big is coming from The Team at HR Stories this fall! Don’t miss out on the chance at an early view of it. In this week’s episode, the team does an extended Listener Q&A format, diving further in to some interesting topics, telling a story alongside each question - Can employees refuse to do mandatory training? Can there be …

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: Will all this be declassified? Or is this confidential? 26:50

3M ago26:50

26:50

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: How does confidentiality work in HR? What suggestions do you have to boost employee moral and how do you work with employees who don’t want to participate in employee activities? We have one person who had approved time off - has b…

1
Celebrating the Civil Rights Act - There are Still Lessons to Learn 41:43

4M ago41:43

41:43

Send us a text It’s July! You know that means we’re celebrating! Not only the 4th of July but also the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, signed July 2nd in 1964. In today’s episode, Chuck and John talk about the importance of this act and the work of the EEOC through the eyes of three employees of a property management company where they we…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: Out-of-work behavior, Termination Blues, and PTO Swaps 22:46

4M ago22:46

22:46

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Can I hold an employee responsible for behavior that they participate in outside of work, on personal time? Does it ever get easier to terminate someone? If a company schedules a meeting over a posted holiday, can you shift that PT…

1
Gender Discrimination: How to Ensure an Inclusive Workspace and Avoid a Lawsuit 48:42

4M ago48:42

48:42

Send us a text Laws around discrimination on the basis of sex are nothing new but the conversation and nuance around it has changed. While political climates have made conversations around gender and sex a heated topic, how do you ensure your employees, management, and HR policies align with the law, not personal opinions. In today’s episode, Chuck…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: Job Descriptions, Balancing Accommodation with Production, and Celebrations 22:29

5M ago22:29

22:29

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Do you have a good step-by-step process for creating or gathering job descriptions for all roles in the company? How do you handle an employee who has slower output but claims to have a disability? Do you have any suggestions for r…

1
Preventable Death in the Workplace 49:20

5M ago49:20

49:20

Send us a text Summer’s here and you don’t want to get ‘burned’ by the seasonal conditions. In today’s episode, Chuck and John explore the dangers of outdoor work conditions and how they can result in the most tragic of circumstances if you are not taking the proper steps to protect your employees. In the HR News segment, the team touches on the fo…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: The Dos and Don'ts of Exempt vs Non-exempt 14:49

5M ago14:49

14:49

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Can I, as an exempt employee, work in a non-exempt role at the same company performing a separate job? We hired someone has a salary exempt employee but after 10 months, his job description changed and reclassified him as non-exemp…

1
The Hidden Dangers of Social Media Retaliation - What Employers Need to Know 43:56

5M ago43:56

43:56

Send us a text In today's episode, we're unraveling a case that blends social media, workplace rights, and a touch of constitutional debate. Chuck and John explore how Bevins & Son Inc. found themselves embroiled in a Department of Labor lawsuit over unpaid wages and social media retaliation. Discover how a Facebook post turned a wage dispute into …

1
From the Vault - Breaking Legal Barriers: The Part-Time Secretary Who Rewrote Harassment Laws 51:47

5M ago51:47

51:47

Send us a text Today, we jump back into the vault to revisit one of our most popular stories from this year - Sheri Minarsky's workplace harassment fight. We'll be back next week with a new episode. ------------ Dive into a riveting episode of HR Stories Podcast, featuring the story of Sheri Minarsky's brave stand against workplace harassment. This…

1
It Spreads Faster Than Covid! - Watch out for this contagion in your office. 43:22

5M ago43:22

43:22

Send us a text Your office might be susceptible to a fast-spreading and harmful contagion. You can't see it but you can feel it... and you can definitely hear it. In this week's episode, Chuck and John talk about those negative voices you experience in the office and how they can impact your team. Navigating these type of interactions and individua…

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Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: They're threatening to sue for wrongful termination 21:04

6M ago21:04

21:04

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Several employees clock in early and sit around, drinking coffee and talking, prior to their shift. Are we required to pay them for this? What do you do if you start a new company and some employees do not have I-9’s or other docum…

1
The Headline Stories - You've Read About It. Let's Talk About it. 27:58

6M ago27:58

27:58

Send us a text Chuck and John do a twist on the normal episode, taking headlines you may have read and heard about and diving into them to pull out the lessons to be learned. In this jam-packed episode, the team talks through a several topics. Can making someone work longer shifts be illegal? The team's favorite answer - It depends. When companies …

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: The Trolly Car Predicament for Saving Jobs 30:11

6M ago30:11

30:11

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today we have a couple of updates before we dive into the questions. White-Collar Exemption Update Can you keep gossip out of the workplace? Reasons companies aren’t hiring 50+ Today's episode goes into these questions: Do I need to get a new I-9 for an employee who just be…

1
Testing the limits: when Honest Belief meets Workplace Reality. 52:12

7M ago52:12

52:12

Send us a text An employee gets drug tested and the test comes back positive. Seems like an easy call to make... or so you think. This was the predicament that an Airgas employee found himself in after using hemp products during his cancer treatments. After trying to plead his case, that he had not been doing drugs, Airgas terminated him, claiming …

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: Got a policy for your policies? 24:22

7M ago24:22

24:22

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Is there a type of policy an organization should have that shows the process of suggesting new ideas or policies? Our company is being bought out and there is a new perfect attendance policy. This feels like it will disproportionat…

1
A Pig’s Head : I am going to make him an offer he can’t refuse 38:05

7M ago38:05

38:05

Send us a text This week, the team is uncovering the dark side of retaliation in the workplace, straight from a nightmarish case at Tosh Farms, Tennessee. A shocking number of EEOC claims involve retaliation. Listen in to hear the spine-chilling tactics used against employees and the impact on company reputation and legal standing. In the HR News s…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: Vulgar Vehicles, Restricted Workloads, PTO Negotiations, and Poor Performers 20:50

7M ago20:50

20:50

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Our handbook policy says we cannot wear anything vulgar, but we don’t have anything about vulgar bumper stickers on our personal vehicles. Can managers order individuals to cover vulgar bumper stickers on their personal vehicles? I…

1
What You Missed - Policy and Law Updates You Can't Afford to Miss 49:50

7M ago49:50

49:50

Send us a text Join Chuck and John in this special episode where they replay their webinar they hold quarterly, updating HR professionals in all of the major industry law and regulation updates YOU CAN’T MISS! Stick around to the end for a special announcement From reviewing the big game changer policies of 2023 such as the I-9 changes, the PUMP Ac…

1
Exposed and Ignored: The Battle for Mother’s Rights Under the Golden Arches 49:05

8M ago49:05

49:05

Send us a text In this week's episode, we delve into the critical yet often overlooked aspects of the PUMP Act, through the lens of two compelling stories from nursing mothers at McDonald's. Discover what happens when workplace policies fail to support nursing employees, and the crucial lessons HR can learn from these real-life experiences. We'll e…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! A Verbal Assault and a Disability Defense 20:07

8M ago20:07

20:07

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: We’re having trouble with a background check on a 15 year old intern. Is this even required? An employee verbally assaulted a new employee and she claims her autoimmune disease causes her to not think clearly and not act herself. W…

1
We Don't Know What We Don't Know 34:14

8M ago34:14

34:14

Send us a text Dive deep as we peel back the corporate curtain, revealing the shocking disconnect between leaders' expectations and the harsh realities faced by employees. From unpaid overtime at Garnett News Company to deadly safety oversights, discover how policies fail in the face of middle management decisions and workplace culture. Are extensi…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions: I'm tired of firing people. Help! 14:03

8M ago14:03

14:03

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: How many times/how often do you fire employees in your organization? What’s your take on who should talk during a termination? How long should you usually give an emplopyee to cash a check? If a check was lost and you re-issue a ch…

1
Remote Work: The Failure to Return 55:31

9M ago55:31

55:31

Send us a text It goes without saying (but we will anyways) that the pandemic drastically changed our ways of working as well as our expectations of a job. One of the most notable changes was the shift to remote work. While many companies embraced this change and have found a new way of collaborating, others have grown tired of it and are starting …

1
Boundaries Beyond Borders: Navigating PTO, Relocations, and Rumors in Solo Departments 22:59

9M ago22:59

22:59

Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the unique challenges faced by HR department of one employees. From managing PTO allocation to navigating a remote-first company culture spread across multiple states, listeners gain insights into the delicate balance of work-life boundaries and professional expectations. We explore practical strategies …

1
Breaking Legal Barriers: The Part-Time Secretary Who Rewrote Harassment Laws 51:47

9M ago51:47

51:47

Send us a text Dive into a riveting episode of HR Stories Podcast, featuring the story of Sheri Minarsky's brave stand against workplace harassment. This episode, reveals Sheri's struggle as a secretary in Susquehanna County’s Department of Veterans Affairs, where she endured years of harassment in silence due to fear and isolation. Her story unfol…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! My Ex-Wife Is Claiming I Forced Her Out of the Company 20:12

9M ago20:12

20:12

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Question #1 – Does your company do anything to compensate exempt employees if they travel/work on weekends or holidays? Also, if they travel home on a work day, but they get to town with 4 hours of work day left, do they have to go…

1
Failure to Follow Direction Leads to an Employee Death 42:24

10M ago42:24

42:24

Send us a text When a piece of equipment with a history of related injuries claims the life of a high school student picking up hours over the summer, is it just a freak accident, or was this a preventable situation? How did the company respond to the OSHA recommendations? In today’s episode, Chuck and John dive into a heavy story about the death o…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! How to Make Them Swipe Right on Your Job Posting 22:22

10M ago22:22

22:22

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: Does anybody have good ideas to make your Indeed postings stand out and look less “basic” and “dry”? As a Manager, how do you create an environment where employees can be brave and have no fear of speaking up? Could you share some …

1
2023's Top 10 Listener Questions 53:01

10M ago53:01

53:01

Send us a text What a year it has been, not only in the world of HR, but for The Team at HR Stories! This year, we kicked off a new episode format called Listener Q&A where we answer questions submitted by YOU! This has been a great opportunity to discuss a variety of issues, from hygiene to employees illegally recording others. Thank you for joini…

1
Rudolph and Kringle Inc.- Unwrapping HR Lessons at the North Pole 38:12

11M ago38:12

38:12

Send us a text In this special holiday edition of the HR Stories Podcast, join John and Chuck as they delve into the enchanting yet enlightening tale of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This episode offers a whimsical exploration of serious HR topics, including workplace discrimination, ADA implications, and the responsibilities of management in fost…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! She Was Recording Her Coworkers! 23:18

11M ago23:18

23:18

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: My new employer is sending me on training in Los Angeles. Can I bring my significant other? I recently discovered an employee is recording her teammates when she leaves the room to find out what they are saying about her when she i…

1
No Age Limitations: Old Workers Rebel against Employer Bias 51:00

11M ago51:00

51:00

Send us a text The ADEA, or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, is meant to protect older workers from disadvantages in job searching and while employed. Whether it's assumptions about technology skills or desires to see a longer tenure from a new hire, older people in the workforce face several hurdles that can result in discrimination alleg…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! Mergers, Holidays, and Status Changes 18:35

11M ago18:35

18:35

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: From an HR perspective, what do we need to keep in mind during a merger? Which would be better received by staff - a Friday or Tuesday as a day to observe a holiday? If you have an employee requesting to move from full-time to part…

1
Something Illegal Brewing at Starbucks 55:16

12M ago55:16

55:16

Send us a text Who ordered the Venti Peppermint Mocha Latte topped with discouraging of union activity? Anyone? In today’s story, Chuck and John ‘spill the beans’ on a an issue that ‘brewed’ among a group of employees at Starbucks. This story goes into the ripple effects that can spread when basic communication breaks down and employees have collec…

1
Listener Q&A - We Answer Your Questions! Prioritize, Performance Evaluations, and PTO 23:03

12M ago23:03

23:03

Send us a text Welcome to another Listener Q&A with The Team at HR Stories! Today's episode goes into these questions: As a new HR Team of One, where do I start? What would you do if an employee uses PTO suddenly, then silently quits? Would you pay out the time off? What is HR’s role in performance evaluations? Do owner partners count toward your t…

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