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The HR Hub

The HR Hub

Written by: WRKdefined Podcast Network
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 Practical advice for mid-level HR professionals navigating real workplace challenges. Weekly interviews with experts who deliver solutions and insights you can actually use.All rights reserved by WRKdefined Careers Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Success
Episodes
  • Workplace friendships: Why they're so important

    Workplace friendships: Why they're so important
    May 5 2026
    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 Friend at Work" survey question , and practical ways to foster connection in remote or hybrid environments. It's not at all impossible and, now, it's more important than ever. 00:00 The decline of workplace connection 01:32 Choosing convenience over connection 03:50 The lake village vs ocean community - the setup matters 06:56 Why Gallup asks about best friends 09:09 Communication vs true connection 11:21 Scaling connection with technology 16:13 The three psychological 'nutrients' 20:06 Team building vs team binding 21:48 The See, Sync, Support model 23:40 Why synchronization matters for teams **Find Ryan Jenkins** Website: https://www.ryan-jenkins.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjenkinskeynotespeaker/ His book: https://www.amazon.com/Connectable-How-Leaders-Move-Teams-Loneliness-Connection/dp/1400232231 **Find Andrea (me)** Website: https://thehrhub.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-adams1/
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    27 mins
  • [SMB Essentials] Managing Employee Complaints During Performance Reviews

    [SMB Essentials] Managing Employee Complaints During Performance Reviews
    Apr 28 2026
    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 risks of continuing performance management during an open investigation. How to properly document a "pause" in the disciplinary process. Why "unsubstantiated" does not always mean the employee was lying. Resuming accountability once an investigation is closed. The danger of letting a complaint permanently stop necessary performance management. 00:00 Managing the dreaded counter-complaint 00:52 Why you can't ignore suspicious timing 01:56 Why employees file complaints during PIPs 02:50 When to pause performance management 04:47 Getting investigations done quickly 05:40 Resuming the process after unsubstantiated findings 07:22 Preventing complaints from derailing accountability Find Andrea (me) Website: https://thehrhub.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-adams1/
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    9 mins
  • Workplace Investigations: 6 Steps to a Defensible Process

    Workplace Investigations: 6 Steps to a Defensible Process
    Apr 21 2026
    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 allegation, these insights will help you ensure your investigative findings are objective and legally sound. 00:00 The goal of neutral workplace investigations 01:04 Six components of every investigation 04:15 Can the news trigger an investigation? 06:06 Harassment vs. bullying: the legal difference 07:36 Using a risk-informed approach for complaints 11:12 When is your evidence actually sufficient? 14:59 Explaining the balance of probabilities standard 17:32 What makes a solid investigation report? 20:07 Aggravating vs. mitigating factors in discipline 21:42 When to hire an external investigator Find Bob Website: https://veritassolutions.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobstenhouse/ Find Andrea (me) Website: https://thehrhub.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-adams1/
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    24 mins
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