HR Spot

Hosted by Linda Michaels

Business

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Episodes

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Introducing HR Spot Podcast Looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of Human Resources? Look no further than HR Spot, the ultimate podcast destination for HR professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge, skills, and career and business owners who don’t have an HR person. Hosted by industry experts, HR Spot offers a fresh, insightful, and engaging approach to all things HR. Each episode delves into the core challenges and trends shaping the HR landscape, providing practical solutions, best practices, and thought-provoking discussions. Why should you tune in to HR Spot? Here are a few reasons: 1. Expert Insights: HR Spot brings you firsthand insights from seasoned HR leaders, consultants, and thought influencers. Get a glimpse into their experiences, triumphs, and lessons learned, empowering you with the knowledge to tackle today's toughest HR issues. 2. Cutting-Edge Topics: From remote work and employee well-being to diversity and inclusion initiatives, HR Spot covers a wide range of relevant topics. Stay in the loop with the latest HR practices, strategies, and emerging trends that can make a real impact on your organization's success. 3. Practical Guidance: HR Spot focuses on actionable takeaways that you can implement immediately. Discover practical tips, tools, and resources designed to streamline your HR processes, foster employee engagement, and drive positive change within your organization. In a world where HR practices are constantly evolving, HR Spot is your trusted compass, guiding you towards excellence in HR management. So, don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to broaden your HR horizons. Tune in to the HR Spot podcast and unlock the path towards HR success!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 19, 2026Episode 7720 min

Episode #77 - The HR Mistakes You Don't Know You're Making

Most business owners aren’t intentionally making HR mistakes—but some of the most expensive people problems start with decisions that seem perfectly reasonable at the time. In this episode of HR Spot, Linda Michaels and Gary break down five common HR mistakes businesses may be making without even realizing it. From misunderstanding at-will employment and failing to document performance issues to misclassifying 1099 contractors, handling employee situations inconsistently, and waiting too long to involve HR, Linda and Gary share practical examples of where businesses can get into trouble. Plus, they tackle one phrase that should make every business owner stop and think: “We’ve always done it this way.” If you manage employees, this episode will help you spot potential HR risks before small issues turn into expensive problems. Support the show

October 19, 2026Episode 7631 min

Episode #76 - You Don't Have HR But You Should Have HR

You may not have an HR department—but if you have employees, you already have HR responsibilities. In this episode of HR Spot , Linda Michaels and Gary discuss why small and growing businesses often wait too long to think about HR and the risks that come with managing it off the side of someone’s desk. From hiring and employee classifications to performance issues, compliance, manager support, and those unexpected employee situations, Linda and Gary share the warning signs that your business has outgrown DIY HR. They also explain why having HR support doesn’t necessarily mean hiring a full-time HR professional. The takeaway is simple: you don’t have to be a big company to need HR—you just need employees.

October 9, 2026Episode 7520 min

Episode #75 - Why Didn't You Fire Them Sooner?

Most problem employees didn't become a problem yesterday—so why do managers wait so long to address them? In this episode of the HR Spot Podcast, Linda Michaels and Gary discuss the real cost of holding onto an employee who isn't working out. From managers avoiding difficult conversations and coworkers picking up the slack to your best employees becoming frustrated and leaving, waiting too long can turn one employee problem into a much bigger business problem. Linda and Gary share how to recognize when coaching has turned into avoidance, why clear expectations and documentation matter, and three important questions every leader should ask before giving “one more chance.” The takeaway? Don't fire quickly. Address quickly.

October 5, 2026Episode 7433 min

Episode #74 - HR as a Business Partner: A Leader’s Guide to Using HR

Having HR and actually using HR effectively are two very different things. In this episode of HR Spot , Linda Michaels and Gary Nigh discuss how business owners and leaders can get more value from HR by treating it as a true business partner—not just the department that handles paperwork, policies, and employee problems. They break down when HR should be brought into business decisions, how HR can help develop stronger managers, reduce risk, use workforce data, and shape company culture, and what leaders should expect from a great HR professional or consultant. They also tackle a common situation—“I want to fire this person”—and explain how the right HR support can help leaders move from frustration to a well-informed, well-documented decision. Whether you have 15 employees or 500, this episode will help you rethink what HR should be doing for your business.

September 22, 2026Episode 7332 min

Episode #73 - Your Manager Is the Problem — Now What

What happens when the problem isn’t the employee—it’s the manager? In this episode of HR Spot , Linda Michaels and Gary tackle one of the toughest challenges business owners face: dealing with a manager who gets results but may be driving good employees away. We discuss how to recognize the difference between a demanding manager and a damaging one, why great employees don’t automatically make great managers, the warning signs leadership shouldn’t ignore, and how to address the problem through clear expectations, coaching, training, and accountability. We also explore what happens when the manager is a longtime employee or trusted friend—and why ignoring bad management can create a much bigger culture and retention problem. If good employees keep leaving the same team, it may be time to stop looking only at who left and start looking at who they worked for.

September 14, 2026Episode 7224 min

Episode #72 - The Employee Isn’t Working Out — Now What?

You know an employee isn't working out—but can you just fire them? In this episode of HR Spot , Linda Michaels and Gary tackle one of the most uncomfortable situations business owners and managers face: what to do when an employee isn't meeting expectations. They discuss the difference between performance and behavior problems, when coaching makes sense, why documentation matters, whether you really need a PIP, and how to recognize when it's finally time to part ways. You'll also hear about one of the biggest mistakes managers make—waiting too long to address a problem—and how that can affect the rest of your team. If you've ever thought, “I know this employee isn't working out, but I don't know what I'm supposed to do next,” this episode is for you.

September 8, 2026Episode 7128 min

Episode #71 - The Why: The Leadership Conversation Most Managers Skip

Great leaders don’t just tell people what to do—they help them understand why it matters . In this episode of HR Spot , Linda and Gary explore one of the most overlooked leadership conversations: explaining the “why” behind decisions, changes, policies, and expectations. They discuss what happens when leaders leave an information vacuum, the difference between compliance and true ownership, and why employees are more likely to trust and support a decision when they understand the context behind it. You’ll also learn a simple set of questions every leader should ask before communicating a change to their team. Whether you’re leading a company, managing a team, or supporting leaders through HR, this episode will challenge you to stop communicating only the “what” and start making the “why” part of every leadership conversation.

September 2, 2026Episode 7035 min

Episode #70 - They’re a 1099 Contractor…Or Are They?

You call them a contractor. You pay them as a contractor. They may have even signed an independent contractor agreement. But does that actually make them a 1099 contractor? In this episode of HR Spot , Linda Michaels and Gary tackle one of the most common—and potentially costly—mistakes businesses make: misclassifying workers. We break down the red flags that could mean your “contractor” should actually be a W-2 employee, why “they wanted to be a 1099” isn't enough, and why having an LLC or signed agreement doesn't automatically settle the issue. Plus, we put some common workplace scenarios to the test. If you have even one independent contractor working for your business, this episode may have you asking a very important question: Are they really a contractor…or have you been treating an employee like one?

August 24, 2026Episode 6937 min

Episode #69 - How to Fire a Toxic Employee - Without Creating a Bigger Problem

A toxic employee can impact far more than one relationship — they can damage morale, drive away great employees, disrupt productivity, and create unnecessary risk for your business. In this episode of HR Spot , Linda and Gary discuss how to recognize different types of toxic employees, why leaders often wait too long to take action, the importance of documentation, when a PIP makes sense, and how to handle termination professionally. If you’ve ever known an employee was hurting your team but weren’t sure what to do next, this episode is for you.

August 21, 2026Episode 6826 min

Episode #68 - What Happens if your Key Employee Quits Tomorrow?

What would happen to your business if one of your most important employees quit tomorrow? In this episode of The HR Spot , Linda and Gary are joined by AZ HR Hub’s Tony to talk about the hidden risks of relying too heavily on key employees. From lost institutional knowledge and disrupted customer relationships to overwhelmed teams and revenue at risk, they explore what can happen when a critical person suddenly walks out the door. You’ll learn how to identify the roles your business can’t afford to lose, protect important knowledge and relationships, cross-train your team, and start building a succession plan before you actually need one. If there’s someone in your organization who makes you think, “We’d be in trouble if they left,” this episode is for you.