In this episode of HR Peep Show, hosts AnnE Diemer, Claire Baker, and Krista Lane pull back the “HR curtain” on why job interviews often go badly and what makes them effective. They share horror stories of disorganized, disrespectful processes, highlighting how poor interview experiences can misrepresent the job. The conversation contrasts hazing-style brainteasers with intentional, role-relevant ways to see how candidates think, emphasizing structured interviews, clear rubrics, and preparation to reduce redundancy and mitigate bias (including the “violin behind the curtain” example). They also stress candidate experience details (scheduling, breaks, snacks, respect), recommend fewer questions in 30 minute interviews, regular breaks, and carefully scoped work samples that don’t exploit free labor, reinforcing that candidates are interviewing companies too. Tune in for practical advice and hot takes to help build sustainable, people-driven companies.

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To find episode transcripts, participate in future episodes or learn more about us and how we help companies do better, visit hrpeepshow.com. You can also follow the show on Instagram.

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In this episode of HR Peep Show, host AnnE Diemer continues the “HR is everywhere” series by interviewing HR leader David Gaspin about his path from a musical theater degree and years of auditioning in New York to building a long HR career. He explains what was unique about doing HR in early-2000s media, where relationship-based influence mattered more than policy enforcement, and shares what it was like leading HR for Playboy’s New York magazine office, including the workplace “social contract” around content and a sexual harassment case that crossed the line by personalizing comments. HR is everywhere, and trust me, we're gonna find it in some weird places. Subscribe to see where we go next.

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To find episode transcripts, participate in future episodes or learn more about us and how we help companies do better, visit hrpeepshow.com. You can also follow the show on Instagram.

If you liked this episode, please be an amplifier and help us reach your colleagues or friends (or enemies, if they need to hear what we have to say!).

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In this episode of HR Peep Show, hosts Claire Baker, AnnE Diemer, and Krista Lane debate whether HR certifications are a worthwhile investment and what they actually measure. They argue the exam largely rewards memorization of laws and “right answers,” much of which is easily searchable and may quickly become outdated, and that certifications can reinforce low legal standards rather than teach how to build better workplaces. The hosts emphasize that strong HR judgment comes from experience, curiosity, research skills, values-based decision-making, and comfort with ambiguity, and that certifications are at best a baseline signal—not a reliable indicator of competence.

Thanks for listening!

To find episode transcripts, participate in future episodes or learn more about us and how we help companies do better, visit hrpeepshow.com. You can also follow the show on Instagram.

If you liked this episode, please be an amplifier and help us reach your colleagues or friends (or enemies, if they need to hear what we have to say!).

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In this episode of HR Peep Show, host AnnE Diemer kicks off a new series: HR is everywhere, which will explore how human resources actually works across wildly different industries by talking to real humans doing the work behind the scenes.

This episode features Kim Minnick, a fractional HR leader for VC-backed startups.

HR is everywhere, and trust me, we're gonna find it in some weird places. Subscribe to see where we go next.

Thanks for listening!

To find episode transcripts, participate in future episodes or learn more about us and how we help companies do better, visit hrpeepshow.com. You can also follow the show on Instagram.

If you liked this episode, please be an amplifier and help us reach your colleagues or friends (or enemies, if they need to hear what we have to say!).

If you really liked this episode, you can buy us a coffee.

In this episode of HR Peep Show, hosts AnnE Diemer, Claire Baker, and Krista Lane make the case that HR is most effective as a proactive partner rather than an emergency responder – and unpack how delays in looping HR in compound operational, emotional, retention, and compliance risks. They explore how leaders tend to hold off on bringing HR into the conversation until issues have already escalated – unresolved patterns, burnout, communication breakdowns, performance concerns, or payroll and compliance errors that harden into documented problems once employees take notice. They dig into why "little things are big things," why avoidance is still a decision, and how HR expertise surfaces early warning signs and builds sustainable processes that stop fires before they start. They also tackle why people hesitate to involve HR – naming low trust as a real barrier – and argue that trust gets built through consistent, proactive relationship-building, regular check-ins, clear communication, and stepping in to facilitate hard conversations before problems become irreversible.

Thanks for listening!

To find episode transcripts, participate in future episodes or learn more about us and how we help companies do better, visit hrpeepshow.com. You can also follow the show on Instagram.

If you liked this episode, please be an amplifier and help us reach your colleagues or friends (or enemies, if they need to hear what we have to say!).

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In this episode of HR Peep Show, hosts AnnE Diemer, Claire Baker, and Krista Lane dive into their unique origin stories in the field of human resources. Discover how unexpected backgrounds can lead to a career in HR and gain insights into the often undervalued yet crucial aspects of the job. We discuss our favorite parts of working in HR, the emotional challenges we face, and why HR certifications are probably not worth your time. Tune in for an in-depth look at the intricacies of HR and the emotional labor behind managing workplace dynamics.

00:00 HR Origin stories
01:07 Childhood ambitions
05:01 Our paths to HR
14:20 Most interesting parts of HR
19:39 What we (occasionally) hate about HR
25:39 What keeps us up at night
29:58 Lightning round questions
33:22 HR Certifications

Thanks for listening!

To find episode transcripts, participate in future episodes or learn more about us and how we help companies do better, visit hrpeepshow.com. You can also follow the show on Instagram.

If you liked this episode, please be an amplifier and help us reach your colleagues or friends (or enemies, if they need to hear what we have to say!).

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In this episode of HR Peep Show, hosts AnnE Diemer, Claire Baker, and Krista Lane delve into the often uncomfortable reality of workplace dynamics in human resources. We discuss the frustrations of dealing with asshole bosses, the limitations of expecting justice through HR, and the practicalities of when and how to report workplace issues. We also talk about the nuances of performance improvement plans (PIPs), emotional regulation, and finding the balance between standing up for oneself and protecting one's peace. Tune in for practical advice and hot takes to help build sustainable, people-driven companies.

Thanks for listening!

To find episode transcripts, participate in future episodes or learn more about us and how we help companies do better, visit hrpeepshow.com. You can also follow the show on Instagram.

If you liked this episode, please be an amplifier and help us reach your colleagues or friends (or enemies, if they need to hear what we have to say!).

If you really liked this episode, you can buy us a coffee.

In this episode, HR professionals delve into the often-overlooked employee handbook. They discuss its significance, common misconceptions, and the essential role it plays in setting clear and consistent expectations at work. The conversation covers the legal implications, the balance between comprehensiveness and accessibility, and the importance of regular updates. Tune in for practical advice and hot takes to help build sustainable, people-driven companies.

Thanks for listening!

To find episode transcripts, participate in future episodes or learn more about us and how we help companies do better, visit hrpeepshow.com. You can also follow the show on Instagram.

If you liked this episode, please be an amplifier and help us reach your colleagues or friends (or enemies, if they need to hear what we have to say!).

If you really liked this episode, you can buy us a coffee.