The HR Hub

The 4 box reflective feedback model is a practical alternative to the feedback sandwich that gets employees talking about their own performance first. Leadership trainer Russell Stratton of Bluegem Learning in Calgary, co-author of I Need to F***ing Talk To You, walks through each box, joins Andrea in a live role play, and shares coaching questions managers can use in performance conversations. Key takeaways: - The feedback sandwich is so familiar that employees wait for the "but," and the manager does most of the talking. - The four boxes alternate: the employee says what went well, the manager adds...

How much does a workplace investigation cost? Andrea Adams breaks down the real hours and hourly rates behind a harassment investigation so employers can budget with confidence. Using a typical moderate complaint, she walks through each stage, from intake and scoping to the final report, and explains the hidden costs most businesses don't plan for. Key takeaways: - Every investigation follows five steps: intake and scoping, document review, interviews, analysis, and report writing. - A moderate complaint (one complainant, one respondent, four witnesses, a few incidents) takes about 30 hours to investigate properly. - Report writing is the longest single...

False allegations in workplace investigations are somewhat rare. Or are they? HR professionals need to know how to recognize and handle a bad faith complaint when one comes up. Bob Stenhouse, founder and CEO of Veritas Solutions and a former police investigator and undercover officer, explains the difference between unfounded, vexatious, and bad faith complaints. He also covers counter allegations and why employers need a policy on bad faith allegations. Key takeaways: 🤷 An unfounded complaint is not a false one. Many complainants believe their own account, even when the evidence does not support it. 👹We don't usually use the word...

Stay interviews are not just to keep employees who are thinking about leaving. They help HR and leaders gather employee insights to build a better organization.

Juli Prizant, founder and president of OptiPeople Resources, explains how stay interviews compare to exit interviews and engagement surveys, who should conduct them, and what to do with what you hear. Juli has spent more than 30 years building people systems for growing companies.

Key takeaways from this

Building an effective compensation framework is essential for creating fair compensation systems, having something defensible and sustainable, meeting pay transparency requirements, attracting top talent and, importantly, defusing pay disatisfaction! Shawn Raible, founder of GamePlan Total Rewards, breaks down the structure of sustainable pay systems, from market positioning to job evaluation. Learn how to construct clear pay bands, prevent title creep, and implement practical governance without overcomplicating your HR processes. Key points from the discussion: - There are 5 pieces of the system starting with the comp philosophy - Job architecture helps price roles more easily and accurately - Career frameworks...

HR has a a lot of processes. Together they make systems. Each program must connect directly back to core business goals and the business strategy. Former VP of HR Jim Utley explains why standalone performance reviews and disconnected processes create organizational friction instead of performance.

Learn how aligning performance management, job design, compensation, and regular coaching builds a cohesive people strategy that drives genuine employee engagement.

Key Takeaways:

Conflict resolution is the option most organizations skip when two employees stop being able to work together. Chartered mediator Michelle Phaneuf explains how facilitated conversations resolve workplace conflict, what the process looks like from first call to solution, and why letting someone go often kicks the can down the road. If the problems stem from your systems you aren't fixing anything. Michelle is a partner at Workplace Fairness West in Calgary with more than 15 years in conflict management. What you will get from this episode: ⚙️ Why conflict that looks like a clash between two people is often a systemic prob...

Independent contractors are easier than employees right? Flexibility, less risk. So many employers create that contract AND unknowingly create legal, financial, and tax liabilities for themselves. Employment lawyer Brady Farmer, partner with Mathew Dinsdale Clarke, explains so much about this and why written contracts do not shield companies from liability when the daily working relationship looks like standard employment. You will learn the specific tests courts use to evaluate control, tools, and financial risk, plus how HR can safely transition misclassified workers. Key Takeaways: - Courts assess the full context of the relationship rather than relying on your contract. ...

Most HR strategy fails because HR confuses their programs with actual business impact. In this conversation, Ranya Nehmeh, founder of Elevare HR Advisory and former HR leader at the OPEC Fund and European Central Bank, breaks down how to build a people plan that will make HR indispensable. We explore why initiative overload hurts performance and how to connect business goals directly to people outcomes. Key takeaways from this episode: 3️⃣ HR strategy has 3 components. It's simple and not. 📈 Organizations with aligned people and business strategies are 3.5 times more likely to outperform similar companies 😟 Why our strategies fail so often 🤐 How we stop t...

Job analysis provides the foundational framework needed for many activities of HR. It also will help you understand work and adapt your workforce as artificial intelligence reshapes daily tasks and organizational roles. Dr. Edie Goldberg joins the conversation to explain the critical difference between quick job descriptions and structured task analysis, offering practical advice on legal defensibility, future-oriented job design, and removing workplace toil. Key Takeaways: - The important difference between performing a detailed job analysis and drafting a basic job description. - Why observation yields far richer data than simple interviews or surveys. - How to weight task...

Going into a presentation and feeling terrible? Watch this. You can do it AND do a good job. Building workplace confidence and executive communication skills is essential for driving career growth and establishing credibility in leadership. Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, an executive communication coach with a doctorate from Harvard Business School, shares actionable strategies to manage imposter syndrome, use body language, and project authority even when you're swimming in self doubt. Key Takeaways: - Imposter Syndrome is Growth: Experiencing imposter syndrome often signals that you are actively pushing your limits and taking professional risks. - Reframing your Anxiety: The body's...

There are specific and tangible ways to build psychological safety on teams and help your clients do it too. Leadership consultants Karolin Helbig and Minette Norman share five practical plays from their psychological playbook series to help human resources professionals and business executives transform our team cultures. The tactics are easy to do although sometimes they require you to be your better self. Key Takeaways - Humility required: Asking "What am I missing?" invites ideas and discussion. - Listening: You've heard about the importance of listening - and it's necessary for psychological safety too. We need to listen to...

You think you have an HR strategy but you don't. Because strategy is not a list of programs. You have a strategy when you create something aimed at concrete business outcomes like risk reduction, market growth, and core operational productivity. In this discussion, Ranya Nehmeh, founder of Elevar HR Advisory, shares her framework for escaping operational traps and building sustainable partnerships with senior leadership. Key Takeaways: - The Blueprint: A real strategy must outline exactly where the business is going, the specific capabilities required, and what operational elements must change. - Language Barrier: HR teams often focus on framework...

HR is failing when we look at problems narrowly: accepting a manager's convenient opinion that the employee is the problem.

This episode looks at how human resources professionals can properly diagnose whether a team issue stems from the employee, the manager, or the system they both work within. Debbie Pearmain and I look at what actually works to improve the performance of a manager. I meant most managers work 10 years before they ever get any training. And training alone is questionably effective. So key takeaways: - Look for systemic patters: Individual issues point to the employee, but...

Most of us spend our days heads-down focusing on our immediate work - compensation, hiring, performance management, employee issues... But HR leaders need to look up - and out. To build a strong workforce strategy, we must look beyond organizational boundaries to anticipate macroeconomic, political, and technological shifts. In this episode, former Vice President of HR Jim Utley shares how to successfully transition your human resources function from purely operational to deeply strategic. Key Takeaways 1) Look Outside the Building: Operational HR is necessary, but managers and leaders must lift their heads to track external economic, social, political, technological, and...

Performance management conversations can be stressful. This video should help. If you are nervous about it, you have probably been avoiding it and avoidance will not solve the problem. This video will help you prepare for and execute difficult workplace conversations without watering down your core message. So learn how to address behavioural issues constructively while maintaining professional boundaries and respect. Key Takeaways - Be Prepared: Consider specific 'evidence because general impressions or vagueness will cause defensiveness. - Prioritize Clarity: Avoid softening the message so much that the employee leaves under the impression everything is fine. - Explain the...

Research reveals a worrying trend regarding the wellness of HR. While HR professionals are tasked with managing company culture and supporting workforce wellness, the vast majority of us lack adequate support. Clinical psychologist Dr. Jo Burrell shares insights from three years of research to highlight how organizational systems can better HR from chronic stress. Here are some of what she had to share: - Only 13% of HR professionals feeling well-supported at work and this metric has not moved. - But HR professionals who feel supported experience fewer mental health issues, take less sick leave, and are far less likely...

Building a positive work environment requires more than just corporate perks or collaboration values on a wall. Josh Block, President of Block Imaging, joins the show to discuss how focusing on "Together, Thoughtful, and Transparent" transforms company culture and employee ownership.

How the "Together" principle improves major business decisions.

Moving from the Golden Rule to the Platinum Rule

Why pay attention to the lighting

The importance of constant feedback.

The 3 C's of hiring and exiting: Character, Competency, and Chemistry.

00:00 Intro 00:46 The 3 T's as a foundation 01:35 Together: Making...

Constructive dismissal is an often-discussed but rarely-realized part of employment law where fundamental changes to a role can lead to significant employer liability. This episode breaks down what counts as a unilateral change and how employers can navigate restructuring without triggering valid legal claims.

Defining the "unilateral and fundamental" test for dismissal.

Why salary reductions and demotions are primary triggers.

The role of "reasonable notice" in changing contract terms.

How "consideration" and signing bonuses can mitigate risk.

The employee’s duty: choosing to accept or resign.

The le...

Implementing AI is different than other types of software. Globalization Partners (G-P) Head of HR Laura Maffucci shares her lessons from navigating an AI mandate, handling employee fear, and building a cross-functional AI governance council. Listen to hear how we transition from informal employee experimentation to structured, agentic workflows that enhance productivity without removing the human in the loop.

Key takeaways from the discussion:

Why bolting generic AI tools onto existing, broken workflows fails to deliver much results

How an internal cross-functional AI council enables employee use

The difference between executive...

Implementing a clear progressive discipline policy ensures that your organization handles employee performance issues fairly and legally. This episode covers this essential HR topic which I have avoided for over 5 years. 😬 The purpose of discipline, though, is to address workplace conduct AND provide the individual with a genuine opportunity to improve. Key Takeaways - The True Intent: Progressive discipline provides a fair, structured path for improvement, rather than acting as a fast track to termination. - Verbal Warning: The initial conversation must clearly state the required change and document potential consequences - but no letter. - Written Letters: Formal let...

Calculating severance pay in Canada requires understanding the difference between statutory minimums and common law reasonable notice.

In this episode, employment lawyer Brady Farmer explains how age, position, and length of service determine what an employee is truly owed. Key Takeaways: - The difference between the "floor" of statutory law and the "ceiling" of common law. - Why the "one month per year" rule is actually a myth. - How the duty to mitigate can lower an employer's total payout. - The stark contrast between Canadian notice requirements and US "at-will" employment. 00:00 Defining statutory vs common law...

Many professionals wonder why others with less technical skill seem to get further in their careers. The answer often lies in their ability to build influence and trust through emotional intelligence rather than relying on formal authority.

In this conversation, Jen Shirkani explains how to use the "Three Rs" of EQ—recognizing, reading, and responding—to connect your goals with what your stakeholders actually care about. Whether you are delivering bad news or trying to change a leader's mind, these insights help you navigate tough workplace dynamics.

Key Takeaways:

The "Three Rs" of emot...

Workplace friendships are pretty important: they are a primary driver of employee engagement and retention. And, of course, just a nice workplace where people actually want to be. In this episode, Ryan Jenkins explains how modern technology is leading us us to prioritize convenience over connection, inadvertently increasing professional isolation. Which we can't ignore because it undermines organizational performance. We explore the "Team Connection Model" and discuss how HR leaders can move beyond ho-hum team building toward meaningful team BINDing. You will learn about the role of synchronization in team health, why Gallup has refused to remove the "Best...

When an employee responds to a performance improvement plan with a formal complaint, it can feel like a calculated move to avoid accountability. This video explains why these counter-complaints happen and how small business owners can manage the investigation without derailing their performance management process.

You will learn how to protect yourself from liability while ensuring that legitimate grievances are heard. We break down the procedural steps to take when timing feels suspicious but the law requires action.

Key Takeaways:

Why employees use complaints as leverage during performance reviews.

The legal...

Conducting a workplace investigation is about much more than finding someone guilty. To protect your organization, you need a defensible, neutral process that can withstand the scrutiny of a courtroom or an arbitrator.

In this episode, Bob Stenhouse from Veritas Solutions joins me to break down the six essential components of a high-standard workplace investigation. We explore how to handle initiating events (including social media triggers), the nuances of gathering sufficient evidence without a "smoking gun," and the legal standard of the balance of probabilities. Whether you are dealing with a formal complaint or a high-risk harassment...

Pay transparency is no longer just a "nice to have" feature for job postings: in many provinces and states, it is now a legal requirement. It's not enough to add the numbers to a posting - consider what your other employees will think when it shows up on a posting for a job similar to theirs and - wow! - it's more than they are paid!

This shift will force an overhaul of internal compensation structures.

In this episode, I speak with Sean Raible, founder of Game Plan Total...

Company culture is ignored too often as a focused activity of HR. And it's rare to find someone who has a system for intentionally shaping culture. Nadia Uberoi, Head of People at Garner Health, is that person.

She argues that shaping culture is one of, if not the most important activity we do in HR. In this episode, we break down: 🤷🏻‍♀️The difference between organic and intentional company culture. 3️⃣ Nadia’s three-part framework for systemizing culture: Expectations, Mechanisms, and Enablement.

❗️ And a bonus: How to build a "high candour" environment where thoughtful feedback is a requirement, not an op...

Managing employee complaints in a small business can quickly become a demanding role that drains your decision-making energy. If you find yourself frustrated by constant venting about co-workers or office lighting, it is a signal that you may need to shift how you respond to complaints. In this episode, I break down how to differentiate between complaints that require your intervention and those that serve as coaching opportunities for your team. I explore the importance of written policies for predictability, how to handle feedback regarding your managers, and the specific questions you can ask to return responsibility to your...

Stop hiring for the wrong things. When you hire, are you actually screening for success, or just a polished resume and a good interview that ticks the experience and credentials boxes?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nita Chhinzer (University of Guelph) who challenged my perspective on recruitment. And as a bonus, what's happening in the market.It turns out, most of us are looking at the wrong things and asking the wrong questions. While technical skills get someone through the door, the evidence indicates that three "hidden" traits actually predict long-term performance: 1. Professional Maturity...

Emotional labour is the unwritten work of managing your feelings and the emotions of others to be effective in the workplace. HR professionals and leaders often act as "toxin handlers," absorbing organizational frustrations and conflicts without a formal strategy for recovery.

In this episode, executive coach and author Dina Denham Smith breaks down why emotional labour feels like pushing a beach ball underwater and how to prevent it from leading to compassion fatigue. We explore the difference between emotional and cognitive empathy, the physical toll of suppressing true feelings, and practical ways to "metabolize"...

Complaints from employees can be intimidating for any leader, but especially in an SMB where you don't have HR or anyone in HR with this kind of depth.

This episode breaks down the immediate steps you must take when an employee brings forward an alarming complaint to avoid legal issues and protect your organization.

You need to know which kinds of complaints come with legal obligations and which don't and then how to avoid making the situation worse.

Key Takeaways:

5️⃣ 5 steps during the initial complaint meeting.

🇨🇦 vs 🇺🇸: Key differences between Canada a...

Building a people first culture is an aspiration for many in HR and leadership. But we struggle to close the gap between our good intentions and the actual impact on people.

In this conversation, Josh Block, President of Block Imaging and author of People Matter at Work, explains why caring is a legitimate business strategy that drives ownership and long term performance. So that our people FEEL that we care.

We discuss the "Three T’s" of leadership, the difference between viewing employees as resources to be extracted versus a garden to be nurtured, and th...

There is trepidation in the learning and development community right now.

With AI shifting the landscape daily, many are asking: What will the role of an L&D professional be in the future? What will the role of the function be??

I sat down with Josh Cardoz, Chief Creative & Learning Officer at Sponge Learning, to get a pulse on 2026. Josh is mostly excited - tempered with a warning for those wishing to go back to the old ways of doing things.

Key Takeaways from our Conversation:

- AI is a double-edged...

We’ve all seen the 'Brilliant Jerk'—the executive who delivers high-impact results but leaves a trail of cultural destruction and turnover in their wake.In today’s episode, I tackled emotional intelligence (EQ) in organizational behaviour. My guest, Jen Shirkani, has spent 25 years coaching the C-suite on how to bridge the gap between technical brilliance and relational leadership. She breaks EQ down into a high-performance framework: Recognize, Read, and Respond.We dive deep into the specific competencies that will contribute to HR performance, drive workplace trust, and help us improve leadership effectiveness, including: - Cognitive empathy vs. affective empath...

~ 30% of your new hires will leave before the 90-day mark.Unless you onboard properly.

You’ve already done a lot: you spent thousands on recruitment, vetting, and interviewing. You will pay for them and their training. But without a solid onboarding process, there is a high chance that your investment will walk out the door.

Onboarding is quite possibly the easiest and most cost-effective retention activity you can do, yet so many businesses treat it as an afterthought. Or a tedious activity they avoid.

So watch the video and make sure you do it...

The lack of connection within workplaces is more than a sad fact —it’s a serious business issue impacting performance. It's dollars left on the table.

In this episode, Ryan Jenkins (WSJ Bestselling Author of Connectable) explains why workplace loneliness is increasing and how HR leaders can build a culture of belonging to combat employee isolation.

Loneliness was a recurring theme on this channel throughout 2025. And Gallup has reinforced over and over that it's a critical piece of engagement. That question: "Do you have a best friend at work?" is important.

But what do y...

Most wellness programs weren't built with parents in mind. Gym memberships and meditation apps don't help much when you're managing work deadlines while your kid is home sick. Or when you know your toddler can't wait for you to pick them up from daycare.

Dr. Rosina McAlpine is back to talk about what actually works when organizations want to support working parents—not with token gestures, but with programs that address the real challenges.

We discuss why working parents have the highest burnout and lowest mental health scores across the workforce, what family-friendly workplaces are do...

Wellness at work is easy to talk about, but the actual data is a disaster. These are the groundbreaking findings from clinical psychologist Dr. Jo Burrell’s 2025 survey into the mental health and wellbeing of HR professionals.

If we look at the state of HR as a whole, we are facing a crisis. The research reveals staggering rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout across the profession. Perhaps the most shocking result? 42% of HR professionals are considering leaving the profession entirely.

Dr. Burrell was shocked by these results, and frankly, I am too. We need to sh...

HR probably deals with more emotional situations than any other department. Angry employees storming into your office sure about what we are supposed to do, leaders who are frustrated, workplace conflicts that we are supposed to solve. And then we also need to read any room we are in.Emotions. A lot of emotions.

Dina Denham Smith is an executive coach who works with senior leaders at companies like Adobe, Netflix, and Google. She's written over 60 articles for Harvard Business Review, and her book Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work (co-authored with...