HR:ER

Hosted by Hroes

Business

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Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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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

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. /

March 17, 202627 min

Caught Watching Adult Material at Work

An employee reports a colleague watching explicit content in the office. She’s uncomfortable. He denies it. IT may hold the answer… but what should HR do first? In this episode, our HR consultancy discusses: What managers should do in the first few hours after an allegation How to run a fair workplace investigation How far employers can go when checking devices and browsing history Whether this behaviour could be gross misconduct Our HR software makes reporting simple and structured - built-in guidance ensures every grievance follows the right steps, and you can even spot patterns across disciplinary cases to prevent a claim before it happens. Book a demo: https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/james146/ #HR #SexualHarassment #HRPodcast #DataProtection #HRER /

March 3, 202630 min

Stop Choosing Between Safety & Profit with Simon Hayhurst

Health & safety still sitting on your to-do list? On the podcast, Simon Hayhurst, IOSH Certified and Managing Director of Big Mountain Consultancy, explains why so many SMEs delay action - and why that mindset is risky.We cover:⚖️ The myth that safety slows growth💰 Balancing risk with commercial reality🤝 Why HR & H&S must work together📉 The true legal, financial & reputational cost when things go wrong📚 His message (and upcoming book): You don’t have to choose between safety and profit.🎓 Start with our CPD-certified health & safety e-learning - done in under an hour, real-world scenarios, from anywhere. https://hroes.co.uk/packages/e-learning/health-safety/#HealthAndSafety #Leadership #SMEs #RiskManagement #HRER /

February 17, 202637 min

The Workplace Reality of Menopause with Dr Lucy Mather

Women aged 40-55 are often at the peak of their careers. They are senior leaders, decision-makers, technical experts, and culture carriers. Yet many are being pushed out or are struggling at work because of their symptoms. If businesses aren’t paying attention, they risk losing experienced talent at the height of their careers - costing the organisation through legal claims and increased recruitment expenses. In this episode, we sit down with Dr Lucy Mather, GP and menopause specialist, and founder of Jaya Life, to discuss what menopause looks like in the workplace and how employers can better support their staff. Get in touch for support: https://www.jayalife.com/ We’ve created a CPD-certified Menopause e-Learning course - completed in just 30 minutes, accessible anywhere, written by award-winning employment lawyers, and endorsed by Lucy herself! /

February 3, 202631 min

Reasonable Adjustments: Why Are We Still Getting This Wrong? Featuring employment barrister Chelsea Brooke-Ward

Reasonable adjustments sit at the heart of fair work - yet they remain one of the most misunderstood (and litigated) areas of employment law.🎙️ On the podcast this episode:Chelsea Brooke-Ward, Head of Employment and Employment Barrister at Park Square Barristers, cuts through the confusion and gets practical about what the law actually requires.We cover:👉 What triggers the duty to make reasonable adjustments (and what doesn’t)👉 Whether a diagnosis or legal language is really needed👉 Common employer mistakes: doing too much vs doing nothing👉 What “reasonable” means in practice👉 What to do when adjustments don’t workIf you’re unsure what reasonable adjustments mean in practice, get in touch with Park Square Barristers or our award-winning lawyers.#EmploymentLaw #HRLeadership #ReasonableAdjustments #PeopleManagement #HRER /