Rage Bait: When Companies Claim to Eliminate HR Because We Have Tyrannical Zeal

Jaded HR: Your Relief From the Common Human Resources Podcasts

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Is eliminating HR departments the bold new frontier in business leadership, or a recipe for legal disasters? We dive into a provocative New York Post op-ed that's generating tons of views by claiming HR has evolved from protecting companies to enforcing "woke ideology."
The rage-bait article from a former Levi's executive proudly announces her intention to run a company without HR, complete with intentional misgendering and rejection of workplace respect policies. We break down why this approach isn't just misguided—it's potentially catastrophic from both business and legal perspectives.
Between fits of justified outrage, we explore the real-world situations HR professionals navigate daily, including new hire orientation snafus, handbook questions that could be self-solved, and the delicate balance of workplace dress code enforcement. Our discussion reveals how quality HR actually protects businesses while supporting employees, contrary to the mischaracterization of HR as "head girls" and "hall monitors."
The conversation takes fascinating detours into international workplace language differences, the evolution of HR as a strategic function, and why so many managers blame HR for decisions they themselves make. We also touch on SHRM's announcement of Joe Biden as a 2025 keynote speaker and what this signals about the organization's positioning.
Whether you're an HR professional tired of your profession being maligned or a business leader wondering about HR's true value, this episode offers critical insights into what happens when companies mistake HR for the enemy rather than a strategic partner in business success. Join us as we separate clickbait from reality in the world of workplace management.

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Chapters

1. Show Introduction and Schedule Updates (00:00:00)

2. SHRM Adding Biden as 2025 Keynote (00:01:45)

3. Warren's New Hire Orientation Stories (00:05:50)

4. No Good Deed Goes Unpunished (00:09:02)

5. Handbook Questions That Could Be Self-Solved (00:10:55)

6. Reddit HR Dress Code Dilemma (00:13:47)

7. DOD Training Certificate Requirements (00:16:18)

8. Anti-HR Article Rage Bait Analysis (00:20:36)

9. Misgendering and Legal Liability Concerns (00:36:24)

10. Language Policing and International Workplace Cultures (00:43:04)

11. Show Wrap-up and Listener Feedback (00:48:44)