HR:ER

Hosted by Hroes

Business

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

HR: ER is the emergency room for business owners, HR professionals and anyone else who is responsible for managing or employing a team of people. Hosted by Hroes founder Elissa Thursfield, with 15 years of first-hand lawyer and consulting experience and software service specialist Oliver Robinson they provide you with a generous dose of insights and practical advice. From hiring nightmares to compliance chaos, the unexpected to the downright disastrous "HR: ER" pulls back the curtain on events that have unfolded in workplaces around the world, the challenges HR professionals face daily the juicy details of HR missteps, legal blunders, and workplace fiascos. Sharing real stories that will make you gasp, laugh, and maybe even nod your head in sympathetic understanding, and bringing in industry experts, seasoned HR professionals, and legal minds alike. So whether you're an HR professional looking to enhance your skills, a business leader aiming to create a resilient workplace, or just wanting to hear workplace drama, this podcast is for you. "HR: ER” is a judgment-free zone where we share stories, offer solutions, and build a community dedicated to improving the world of work. Join Us: Subscribe now to "HR: ER" and send us your questions to HRER@hroes.co.uk to become part of the conversation. Learn how to treat your HR, so your workplace can be disaster-free. If you’re a fan of the show, please leave us a 5-star review kinda thing? https://lovethepodcast.com/hr-er We're one of the top 20 UK HR Podcasts - https://podcasts.feedspot.com/uk_hr_podcasts/

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 25, 202633 min

New Contract, Worse Terms

Can you really just issue a new contract and change the terms? 👀 What happens when a “contract update” actually means losing sick pay, reducing notice, changing holiday rights and removing contractual benefits? And what if the employee refuses to sign? 🎙️ Listen to the full episode to find out what employers should be doing - and how HR can prevent these issues in the first place. With our Unified Offering, benefit from employment software, HR and employment law advice, training and £250k protection they need to make better employment decisions - before it turns into an expensive tribunal claim. https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/james146? #EmploymentLaw #HRER #HRPodcast #ContractChanges #FireAndRehire /

August 4, 202626 min

Is Your Remote Employee Working... Somewhere Else?

What would you do if you suspected a remote employee was juggling another job during contracted hours? 📌 They're regularly unavailable. 📌 Their work suddenly looks AI-generated. 📌 Productivity doesn't quite add up. Can you investigate? Can you monitor them? And if they are working another job, can you dismiss them? That's exactly what our Unified Employment Solution delivers, combining expert employment law advice, software, manager training, and up to £250,000 of tribunal cover if a claim arises. Book a short demo: https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/james146/ #HRER #EmploymentLaw #RemoteWorking #ArtificialIntelligence #HRPodcast /

July 21, 202632 min

Tracking Every 15 Minutes… Is This Really Legal?

Would you be comfortable being asked to log everything you do at work in 15-minute intervals, every day? That’s what our HR consultancy tackles in our latest episode! An employee with a strong performance record and no disciplinary issues has been asked to complete detailed activity tracking to improve “visibility” of their workload. Our all-in-one solution is designed to help you prevent claims before they arise, while providing tribunal cover that protects your business against claims, compensation, and legal costs up to £250,000 - with zero excess to pay. https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/james146/ /

July 8, 202629 min

⚽ Is it Coming Home...or Into a Disciplinary?

The World Cup doesn't just divide fans...it can divide the workplace too. On the podcast, we're tackling the biggest workplace football debates, and of course, our silly paddles are back! 🎙️⚽ ⚽ Office sweepstakes - harmless fun or should they be banned? 🍹 Buzzballs at the office World Cup party - yes or no? 👕 Football shirts at work? 🤒 Repeated "post-match" sick days - absence review? 🗣️ Talking more about football than actually working? Do you think it’s coming home? Let us know in the comments 💬 ⚖️ Find out more about our all-in-one solution, including employment insurance that covers your business for claims, compensation, and legal fees up to £250,000 – with no excess to pay. 👉 https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/jame... #FifaWorldCup #WorldCup #Football #EmploymentLaw #HRER /

June 16, 202628 min

When Ollie Crashed Into Dawn at Work

Don't worry, Dawn survived. But after recording a podcast, Ollie accidentally reversed into the front of her car in the studio car park. It sounds like a simple bump... but what if it wasn't? 🤔 If an accident happens during work hours but off company premises, does HR need to get involved? 🤕 If someone had been injured, how much legal risk could that create for the business? ⚖️ Could a "minor" incident quickly escalate into a major HR, legal, or insurance headache? In our latest HR:ER episode, we break down the HR, legal and practical lessons every employer should know from one unexpected car park collision. https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/james146/ #HR #HumanResources #EmploymentLaw #PeopleManagement #HRPodcast /

June 2, 202632 min

A Welfare Case Turned Operational Crisis

🚨 A welfare case turned operational crisis. An employee's flexible working request was approved to support caring responsibilities. A welfare meeting followed. The employee was signed off with mental health concerns. Now the business wants to introduce even later shifts, making the agreed arrangement unworkable. In this episode, we explore the legal, practical, and people implications of changing working hours, managing welfare concerns, and balancing business needs with employee rights. With our unified offering, conduct the right checks, resolve issues efficiently, and reduce risk with our lawyer-led employment software, consultancy, and CPD-accredited e-learning. https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/james146/ #HRER #FlexibleWorking #HRPodcast #PeopleManagement #EmploymentLaw /

May 19, 202637 min

“My AI Lawyer Sent That”

"Please disregard the resignation letter… my AI lawyer sent it.” Yes, really. ⚖️ An employee off sick for 6+ months 📂 Multiple grievances + a huge SAR request 🤖 An AI-generated legal letter alleging discrimination & constructive dismissal So: Is the resignation valid? Should AI-generated complaints be taken seriously? Who’s liable when AI gets it wrong? How should HR respond? Tune in to find out more! And get in touch to hear about our AI virtual assistant in our portal, which can draft disciplinary letters, provide guidance on appropriate actions, assess whether decisions are legally compliant, and so much more. https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/james146/ #HR #EmploymentLaw #ArtificialIntelligence #EmployeeRelations #HRER /

May 5, 202640 min

Transgender Employee, Incorrect Pronouns, Neurodiversity and the Law

What happens when two protected characteristics collide? An employee with dyspraxia struggles to consistently use a colleague’s correct pronouns after their gender transition. They say it’s not intentional - it’s their disability. But the risk? A potential discrimination claim. We explore: Mistake or discrimination? Legal risks for employers Reasonable adjustments & support How HR can prevent issues early Avoid discrimination altogether with our practical CPD training, employment law software, and legal consultancy - all designed to keep you out of tribunal and reduce legal costs. https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/james146/ #Neurodiversity #EmploymentLaw #HRPodcast #DiversityAndInclusion #HRER /

April 21, 202633 min

HR:ER Reads Mean Comments

HR:ER just read your meanest comments… out loud 🎙️🔥 And honestly? Some of you did NOT hold back 👀 💬 “Has this woman swallowed a HR manual, get a life love” 💬 “You don’t pay my sick pay b*tch” 💬 “I’d focus more on getting your barber into a disciplinary mate” We’re also owning up to our own mistakes. If you’ve ever thought HR gets it wrong… or been on the receiving end of it - this one’s for you. #HRPodcast #WorkplaceDrama #MeanComments #HRER #EmploymentLaw /

March 31, 202629 min

Family Feuds at Work: When Political Arguments Turn Professional

A father and son clash over politics - and now it’s escalated into tense meetings, team discomfort, and formal grievances. The twist? Their uncle owns the business. In this episode, our HR consultancy answers: • What HR should do first • Do family ties change anything? • Where “free speech” becomes workplace risk • Are political beliefs protected in the UK? Keep conflict out of your workplace - manage grievances, disciplinaries, and policies with our HR software, complete with legal guidance. Rated Excellent on Trustpilot. /