WTF is Business Casual

Rise Human Resources

Buckle up for real HR stories that'll make you laugh, cringe, and thank your lucky stars you're not that guy.

WTF is Business Casual is the HR podcast where two seasoned consultants—Sarah Bursten and Jenny Lavey, co-founders of RiseHR—dish on wild workplace fails, toxic bosses, employee drama, and leadership gone wrong. With 35+ years of combined experience in HR, leadership development, and people management, they offer surprisingly useful advice wrapped in real talk and hilarious storytelling.

If you’re an HR professional, small business owner, people manager, or just someone who’s survived office politics, this show is for you.

Subscribe to WTF is Business Casual—because work is weird, leadership is messy, and people always be peopling.

Hosted by Sarah Bursten & Jenny Lavey | RiseHR
www.risehumanresources.com

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32 episodes
Updated July 22
Explicit

Episodes32

Newest first

July 22 · 39 min
What is HR? Myths, Mayhem & the Real Cost of Being in HR
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah pull back the curtain on what HR really does, and rip apart every myth that makes them want to flip a table. Spoiler: it's not party planning, it's not firing people for fun, and it is absolutely not easy. From a termination that had Sarah fearing for her physical safety in a basement, to a manager who sent Jenny in to handle a potentially violent situation and then got mad at her for not doing it fast enough — this one gets real about the mental, emotional, and sometimes physical toll of being an HR professional that nobody talks about. Whether you work in HR, manage a team, or have ever said the words "HR told me to do it," you'll leave with: ✅ What HR is actually there to do and why good HR is proactive, not reactive 💡 Why "HR keeps things fair by treating everyone the same" is a myth that drives them insane 😂 The apple story that perfectly explains why equal treatment and equitable treatment are not the same thing ✅ Why the second you say "HR made me do it," you've torched your own credibility as a leader Highlights: [00:00] Cold open: HR protects everyone [06:26] Topic: HR myths vs. reality [08:26] The real mental toll of terminations [12:09] The violent termination situation (and the Stanley cup backup plan) [15:25] Myth: HR just protects the company [23:56] Myth: HR treats everyone the same [28:30] Myth: HR handles performance issues [33:05] Myth: HR is reactive PS: HR knows more about you than you think, says less than you'd ever imagine, and is fighting for you behind the scenes in ways you'll probably never know. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
July 1 · 44 min
"Soft Skills" is a Terrible Name for the Most Important Skills You Have
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah get real about why "soft skills" is a garbage term for the most critical thing missing from your workforce right now. Armed with a Harvard Business Review study of 70 million job transitions, they make the case that collaboration, communication, and problem-solving aren't the floor. They're the ceiling raiser. And yet companies keep hiring, promoting, and paying for the wrong thing. Whether you're a small business owner, a people manager, or just someone who's been on hold with a chatbot for forty-five minutes, you'll leave with: ✅ Why technical skills have a half-life of under two years, and what actually holds its value 💡 The real reason managers keep getting promoted into roles they can't handle 😂 A Wendy's AI drive-through that has customers ready to commit crimes ✅ One practical thing you can do this week to start building human skills in your organization Highlights: [00:00] Cold open: foundational skills beat specialists long-term [01:02] "Soft skills" is a bad name. Let's call them human skills [03:24] The HBR study: 70M job transitions, one big finding [04:51] Technical skill alone destroys culture [05:19] Internships vs. real-world people skills [10:23] The half-life of technical skills is shrinking fast [12:20] AI does the technical stuff — then what? [13:19] What happens when a manager reads an AI script to an employee [16:09] Why organizations invest in the wrong training [18:46] Promoted for technical skills, unequipped to lead [19:11] Gen Z, COVID, and why we're failing them [23:51] Job postings: collaboration language up, supervision language down [26:40] Why Jenny and Sarah's first product flopped (and why that matters) [27:09] The coffee shop owner who threw her barista under the bus [31:45] Engineering humans out of human resources [32:14] The Airbnb nightmare — no human, no resolution [38:45] Wendy's AI drive-through and the rage it's about to unleash [41:03] Tactical takeaway: pick one human skill and define it Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
June 17 · 38 min
WTF are Peanut Butter Raises?! Why Pay-for-Performance Keeps Getting Smeared
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah talk about the "peanut butter raise" debate that's been making the rounds in HR circles. A recent industry article predicts companies are about to ditch across-the-board raises in favor of rewarding top performers only, and Jenny and Sarah have some thoughts. Spoiler: they don't think it's actually going to happen, and they've got a decade of compensation-cycle scar tissue to back it up. From an executive team that wants to reward top performers but won't hold itself to the same standard, to the very real reason most managers would rather give everyone the same 3% than have an honest conversation about why someone didn't earn more — this one digs into why pay-for-performance sounds great in theory and falls apart the second a human has to deliver the message. Oh, and there's also a foster dog, a pee-soaked shoe that's been migrating around someone's house for weeks, and a jewelry box that may or may not have met its end in the trash. Priorities. Whether you're an HR pro, a manager who dreads comp season, or just someone who's ever gotten the exact same raise as the guy who does the bare minimum, you'll leave with: Highlights: [00:00] AI cold open [02:16] Foster dog & pee-shoe saga [07:22] Jewelry box mishap [09:16] Topic: peanut butter raises [11:08] The stats [12:01] Why companies are pulling back [13:24] Managers avoid pay talks [16:39] Sponsor: HR Collective [18:06] Exec accountability gap [22:55] COL vs. COL vs. merit [25:50] AI vs. human HR [33:46] Bias & "top performer" [36:12] The prediction 🎧 Hit play because nobody's getting a real raise until somebody learns to have an uncomfortable conversation. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
June 3 · 44 min
Affordable HR Support for Colorado Small Businesses: The HR Collective
Send us Fan Mail Most small business owners know they need HR support. The problem is figuring out what level of support they actually need. In this episode, Jenny and Sarah pull back the curtain on RiseHR's HR Collective and explain why they created it, who it's designed for, and how it helps Colorado small business owners get expert HR guidance without paying for a full-time HR professional. They discuss the most common HR mistakes they see, why Colorado employment law is especially complex, and how small businesses can avoid costly compliance issues before they become expensive problems. If you've ever wondered whether your business really needs HR support, this episode is for you. Common HR Mistakes Discussed Misclassifying employees as salaried when they should be hourly Misclassifying employees as independent contractors Incorrect PTO policies Non-compliant sick leave practices Mishandling final pay requirements after termination Lack of documentation and recordkeeping Poorly written employee handbooks Relying on generic internet advice for Colorado-specific issues Who The HR Collective Is For The HR Collective is designed for: Colorado-based small businesses Employers with approximately 1–20 employees Business owners who want expert guidance without hiring full-time HR Companies looking for practical HR resources and compliance support Leaders who genuinely care about their people and culture Resources Mentioned RiseHR Collective: Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA): Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI): Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Employee Handbook Templates (available to HR Collective members) HR Compliance Resources and Training Library (available to HR Collective members) Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
May 6 · 44 min
When Employees Start Making the Rules: How Leaders Should Respond
Send us Fan Mail What happens when employees stop asking and start telling? In this episode, Jenny and Sarah unpack a growing workplace trend they have been seeing with small business owners: employees announcing schedule changes, cutting their hours, demanding remote work, and assuming the answer will be yes. The bigger issue is not employee boldness. It is leadership hesitation. They dig into why so many leaders struggle to respond in the moment, how unclear expectations create bigger problems later, and why avoiding uncomfortable conversations often creates legal risk, resentment, and confusion across the team. This conversation covers the real difference between being flexible and being run over. In this episode, they cover: Why employees are increasingly telling leaders what they will do instead of asking The difference between a reasonable request and an unreasonable demand Why small business owners often struggle more with boundaries than corporate leaders How unclear expectations create confusion, inconsistency, and frustration Why avoiding hard conversations almost always makes the problem worse How to think through requests for schedule changes, reduced hours, and remote work What leaders should do before saying yes to a request tied to stress, family needs, or medical concerns Why documentation matters more than most leaders realize The role of boundaries, accountability, and clear communication in healthy workplaces Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
April 22 · 43 min
The Most Expensive "Free" Lunch in HR History.
Send us Fan Mail A team gets invited to a "free" lunch with a consultant, and it ends up costing the company six months of peace. Jenny and Sarah unpack a "WTF" moment where a simple midday meeting turned into a spiral of written statements, HR investigations, and a team that stopped speaking to each other. It’s a look at how a lack of curiosity and a surplus of ego can turn a minor oversight into a total relationship wrecking ball. Spoiler: When leaders choose "investigation mode" before asking a single question, everyone loses. They dive into the ripple effect of a leader who skipped the facts to go straight for the jugular, and a leader whose "I’d tell you if you sucked" management style left her team feeling like cogs in a machine. In this episode, you’ll get: The Anatomy of "Lunch-Gate": How a tiny miss in communication led to half a year of resentment and "mechanical" one-on-ones. The Ego Trip: Why "hot and emotional" leadership is a recipe for collateral damage. The Power of the Non-Apology: Why it’s so hard for leaders to just say, "I forgot, and I’m sorry this landed on you." Assuming Negative Intent: How we "stack" stories in our heads until our bosses look like villains and our office doors stay closed. The Empathy Deficit: A reality check on why being "black and white" at the top leads to a very grey future for your culture. Whether you’ve been thrown under the bus or you’re the one driving it, this episode is a mirror moment for anyone who’s ever forgotten that HR stands for Human Resources. Hit play. Bring your own lunch—just make sure you run it by the head honcho first. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
April 8 · 1 hr 3 min
Gen Z at Work: Lazy, Loud, or the Wake-Up Call Corporate Needed? (Rebroadcast)
Send us Fan Mail Rebroadcast: It’s graduation season, and we’re dusting off one of our all-time fan favorites! Whether you’re tossing your cap, building a team, or guiding the next generation, this episode is essential listening for navigating the transition from campus to career. ______ Gen Z has officially entered the chat and corporate America isn’t ready. Jenny and Sarah rip into the chaos (and low-key brilliance) of the newest generation in the workplace. Are they entitled job hoppers with no soft skills… or the only ones brave enough to call BS on burnout culture? Spoiler: it’s complicated — and very, very human. They unpack everything from Gen Z’s allergy to fake leadership to why they’ll quit faster than you can say “circle back.” Plus, the hosts drag every generation (including their own) through the mud for good measure. You’ll get: The truth about Gen Z’s “bad attitude” and why it’s actually a boundary How pandemic schooling and parenting styles rewired workplace expectations Real talk on feedback, flexibility, and why managers need to grow up too The tension between “just do your job” and “I need meaning in my job” A mirror moment for HR pros who keep trying to lead with policies instead of people Because every generation swears the next one’s the problem, but maybe Gen Z’s just the first one bold enough to say the quiet part out loud. Hit play. Laugh a little, cringe a lot, and maybe rethink how you talk about “kids these days.” Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
March 25 · 35 min
What "Lack of Initiative" Means (And Why Employees Get It Wrong)
Send us Fan Mail This week, Jenny and Sarah break down one of the most misunderstood workplace complaints: “You lack initiative.” But what does that actually mean? Because to employees, it often sounds like: Work more. Stay later. Do extra. Don’t get paid for it. And to leaders, it usually means something completely different. This episode unpacks the gap between those two interpretations—and why it’s creating frustration on both sides. Using simple, real-world scenarios, they show the difference between task-based thinking and outcome-based thinking, and why that shift is what leaders are actually looking for. They also get into where things go wrong: unclear expectations, over-structured environments, and managers who forget they need to teach—not just expect. And yes… the Gen Z stare makes an appearance. What’s inside this episode: [00:00] What leaders mean when they say “initiative” [03:00] The viral example that perfectly explains task vs. outcome thinking [06:20] Why employees hear “initiative” as unpaid extra work [08:45] The role leaders play in setting clear expectations (“paint it done”) [10:00] How school and parenting shape workplace behavior [12:30] When initiative goes too far (and hurts your reputation) [15:30] The “Gen Z stare” and what it really signals [18:30] Interpersonal conflict: handle it yourself or escalate? [22:00] The difference between tattling and professional communication [24:45] Why managers hate the “boomerang” problem [27:30] Problem-solving: don’t bring just problems—bring thinking [31:00] When leaders say they want solutions but reject all of them [33:30] Why none of this is easy—and how it gets better over time This episode is about clarity. Because most people aren’t failing due to lack of effort. They’re failing because no one clearly defined what “good” actually looks like. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
March 11 · 33 min
Productivity at All Costs? The Workplace Obsession With “More With Less”
Send us Fan Mail This week, Jenny and Sarah follow a strange rabbit hole that started with a podcast about the history of meth. Yes, really. The episode explored how stimulants were once used to push soldiers, pilots, and workers to stay awake longer and produce more. And it sparked a bigger question: why has the workplace always been obsessed with squeezing more productivity out of humans? More with less. Work harder. Sleep less. Grind. Sound familiar? What’s inside this episode: [03:30] The surprising history of productivity drugs and why they were originally used [06:45] Why workplaces have chased “more with less” for decades [10:20] The Uber leadership philosophy that openly promotes grind culture [15:10] When transparency about workload actually helps employees self-select out [18:40] The dangerous expectation that employees should care as much as founders [21:15] The difference between working hard and sacrificing your entire life to work [24:30] Why “work as hard as I do” is a flawed leadership mindset [27:00] The reality of corporate workloads and why “more with less” usually means something else gets dropped [30:15] The two leadership lessons every company should take from this conversation This episode isn’t about avoiding hard work. It’s about being honest about what work actually demands, and remembering that the people doing it are human. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
February 25 · 40 min
WTF Workplace Moments: AI Fails, Paycheck Glitches & Career-Limiting Questions
Send us Fan Mail This week, Jenny and Sarah lean into the weird. They kick it off with an AI interview note-taker that accidentally sent a candidate the hiring team’s unfiltered commentary about other applicants. Yes, really. Including the not-so-flattering parts. It’s a cautionary tale about AI tools, privacy, and why you should absolutely lock down your settings. They also get into: Employees being “forgotten” but still collecting paychecks Why keeping money you know you shouldn’t have never ends well The awkward rise of team lunch contributions and workplace gift pressure Companies letting employees pull paychecks “on demand” And the employee who asked a wildly off-topic sustainability question in an all-hands meeting… and was quietly gone weeks later The throughline? Just because you can say something doesn’t mean you should. Just because AI spits something out doesn’t mean it’s true. And just because nobody noticed doesn’t mean it won’t catch up to you. There’s humor. There’s mild outrage. There’s a reminder to make good choices. If you’ve ever sat in a meeting thinking, “WTF is happening right now?” this one’s for you. And if you’ve got your own workplace WTF moment, send it in. We’ll keep it anonymous. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
February 11 · 47 min
Small Business HR Mistakes That Will Cost You: Employee Classification, PTO Policies & Intern Rules
Send us Fan Mail This week, Jenny and Sarah tackle the HR landmines small businesses step on all the time. They break down three compliance issues that quietly turn into very loud, very expensive problems: employee misclassification, messy PTO policies, and unpaid interns who legally aren’t interns. First: employee misclassification. Paying someone a salary does not make them exempt. Titles don’t matter. Good intentions don’t matter. If someone should’ve been earning overtime and wasn’t, the Department of Labor is not interested in your logic. They’re interested in back pay and penalties. Then: PTO policies. That “use it or lose it” language still floating around in Colorado? Illegal. Accrued PTO is earned wages. You cannot wipe it out at year-end. They also break down accrual vs. lump sum, payout rules, and why negative PTO feels generous until someone quits and payroll gets messy. Finally: unpaid interns. The “it’s for experience” kind. The “my friend’s kid needs exposure” kind. The rules are stricter than people think. If the company is benefiting more than the intern, you likely have an employee. And that risk adds up fast. If you think “we’ve always done it this way” is a solid strategy, this episode might stress you out a little. In a good way. What’s inside this episode: [03:12] Why paying someone a salary does not automatically make them exempt [06:45] The real difference between exempt and non-exempt under FLSA [10:18] How misclassification turns into back wages, penalties, and audits [15:02] Why independent contractor status isn’t a “mutual agreement” situation [19:37] What the Department of Labor actually looks at [24:11] Why “use it or lose it” PTO policies are illegal in Colorado [28:26] Accrued vs. lump-sum PTO and where companies get into trouble [32:54] The negative PTO trap no one thinks through [36:40] The strict rules around unpaid internships [41:12] How to structure internships so they’re actually compliant Hit play. Fix what needs fixing. Then send it to the friend who still thinks titles determine exemption status. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
January 28 · 42 min
Cussing at Work: Where “Authentic” Meets “HR Nightmare”
Send us Fan Mail This week, Jenny and Sarah tackle a topic that somehow manages to be both extremely relatable and extremely lawsuit-y: swearing at work. It starts with a law update that made both of them do a double take. Turns out, “letting an F-word fly” at work is no longer just a culture question. In some cases, it is a legal one. And in 2024 and 2025, the courts made that line a lot thinner than it used to be. What’s inside this episode: [05:32] Why swearing can make you seem more authentic and more trustworthy, according to research [12:17] Why that same swearing can still get your company sued [14:56] The court cases that changed the rules around hostile work environment claims [15:55] Why one single comment can now be enough to trigger serious legal trouble [25:09] The difference between swearing at the printer and swearing at a person [17:17] Why gender-specific and identity-based slurs are basically a career-ending choice [18:13] How different industries and different countries treat workplace language very differently [28:31] The impossible spot employers are in between the EEOC and the NLRB [34:25] Why “that’s just how our industry is” is not a legal defense [35:48] What new grads and early-career employees should do about swearing at work (hint: don’t) [39:03] How much these lawsuits actually cost companies when things go wrong [40:30] Why culture always starts at the top, for better or worse Jenny and Sarah are not here to pretend nobody ever swears. They are here to explain why the workplace is a different arena, why intent does not protect you from impact, and why “we’ve always done it this way” is a very expensive strategy. Hit play for some uncomfortable truths, a few wild stories, and a very clear explanation of why the law does not care how authentic you feel. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
January 14 · 54 min
The Workplace Is Tired: The Darker Side Of Modern Work
Send us Fan Mail This week, Jenny and Sarah start the year by doing what they do best: collecting a pile of workplace nonsense from the internet and asking the uncomfortable question. Why are we still building work like people are machines? They bounce through everything from four-day workweek studies to open offices, from job hunting on dating apps to LinkedIn slowly becoming Facebook with certificates. Somewhere in the middle, they land on the real issue: work keeps taking more, and nobody seems able to say “that’s enough.” This episode is a grab bag of trends, but the throughline is simple. We are tired. And the system is pretending that’s a personal problem instead of a design flaw. What’s inside this episode: Why working less shouldn’t just make you a better worker, but a better human The real reason open offices exist and why nobody can focus in them Why people are using dating apps to find jobs now How LinkedIn lost the plot What “ghost promotions,” “career shrekking,” “midlife collision,” and “culture rot” actually mean Why some countries are making after-hours work illegal The uncomfortable conversation about unions and power at work Why “just set boundaries” sounds great and works terribly in real life Jenny and Sarah don’t pretend there’s an easy fix. They do argue that modern work is slowly eating everything else and calling it ambition. If you’ve ever looked at your job and thought, “This is too much, but I don’t see a way out,” this one will feel uncomfortably familiar. Hit play. Then go close your laptop. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
January 1 · 1 hr
Interviewing? Maybe Leave Your Mom at Home. (Rebroadcast)
Send us Fan Mail Rebroadcast: We’re bringing back one of our favorite episodes as hiring ramps up in the new year—and it’s just as relevant now as ever! In this laugh-and-learn episode, Jenny and Sarah take you inside the beautiful mess of modern recruiting. From jaw-dropping candidate missteps to the surprising rise of parental involvement in job applications (yes, it’s happening), they break down what’s really going on behind the interview screen. With plenty of humor and hard-earned HR wisdom, this episode serves up real talk on how to stand out—in a good way. Whether you're hiring or job hunting, you'll leave with practical tips, a few "you can’t make this up" moments, and a better sense of what professionalism actually looks like today. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
Dec 17, 2025 · 40 min
Performance Reviews Are Broken (Part 2): Why Development Planning Keeps Missing the Point
Send us Fan Mail Development planning is the most ignored, and most misunderstood, part of performance management. In this episode of WTF is Business Casual, HR consultants Jenny Levy and Sarah Burston break down why development planning deserves its own lane and why bundling it into performance reviews quietly wrecks employee growth, engagement, and retention. This is Part Two of their performance management series, focused on the forward-looking side of work. What’s inside this episode: Why development planning deserves its own conversation separate from performance reviews Why tying development to compensation creates false expectations What Individual Development Plans are supposed to do versus what they usually become Why training is the smallest piece of real development How on-the-job learning actually builds skills leaders care about The problem with leaders deciding career paths without asking employees what they want Why succession planning often ignores human reality How lateral moves develop people without inflating titles Why growth doesn’t look the same in every season of life What leaders owe employees when they say they “care about development” Listen to Part 1: Performance Reviews Are Broken (Part 1): The Messy Reality of Workplace Evaluation Want Practical Tools Without Corporate Jargon? Jenny and Sarah also share details about upcoming free HR training sessions through Rise HR, focused on continuous feedback, development tools, and modern performance management for small and mid-size businesses. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
Dec 3, 2025 · 53 min
Performance Reviews Are Broken (Part 1): The Messy Reality of Workplace Evaluation
Send us Fan Mail This week, Jenny and Sarah drag the workplace ritual everyone hates: performance reviews. They open with a simple truth HR has known forever. Nobody likes them, nobody trusts them, and nobody thinks they actually work. Managers dread writing them. Employees dread reading them. Yet here we are, still clinging to a system that feels older than a fax machine. And yes, they get into the cultural shift that has managers terrified to say anything direct, the rise of “triggered” responses in the workplace, and the confusion leaders feel when employees treat normal feedback like a personal attack. The conversation gets honest about accountability, psychological safety, and why discomfort is not the same as danger. What’s inside this episode: Why everyone complains about performance reviews but nobody changes them The four pieces of performance management that companies mix up constantly What continuous feedback actually looks like when it’s not performative nonsense Why managers need to stop blending praise, coaching, and conflict into one chaotic meeting The problem with leaders who want to fire someone but never documented a thing When corrective action is appropriate — and why clarity matters more than comfort The real difference between doing your job and “going above and beyond” Why market adjustments, merit, promotions, and bonuses should never be lumped together How generational shifts and therapy language have changed workplace conversations What managers owe employees, what employees owe themselves, and what HR is tired of explaining Jenny and Sarah don’t pretend performance reviews are going anywhere tomorrow. But they do challenge the entire way we think about them, and push for a version that’s clearer, kinder, and way less convoluted. Hit play for unfiltered HR truth, some laughs, and the reassurance that if you hate performance reviews, you’re not alone, and you’re not wrong. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
Nov 19, 2025 · 44 min
Sick at Work: Why You Showing Up Is Everyone’s Worst Nightmare
Send us Fan Mail Cold and flu season has arrived, and Jenny and Sarah have officially reached their breaking point. This week, they break down the circus of people dragging themselves into the office sick, logging onto Zoom while sweating through a fever, or insisting it’s “just allergies” in the middle of December. From vomiting kids to adults powering through meetings mid-retch, this episode gets blunt about how unhinged workplace culture has become around “pushing through.” The hosts explain why showing up sick isn’t brave, why it’s often selfish, and why everyone else is tired of catching your germs. This week’s chaos includes: A car ride that felt like a biohazard event A client who tried to finish a Zoom call while actively throwing up Kids who refuse to drink water and are confused when their throat hurts Adults claiming “winter allergies” while running a fever Jenny’s emergency plan for vomiting during a video call (step one: slam laptop shut) How France sees working sick as selfish while the U.S. calls it dedication The badge-of-honor culture that keeps people working when they should be in bed The germ gauntlet of parenting small children People with paid sick leave who refuse to take it A reminder that potluck food handled by children should be illegal Jenny and Sarah say it plainly: If you're too sick to be in the office, you're too sick to “just check email.” Take the day. Drink some water. Stop distributing your germs like confetti. Key takeaways: Your company can replace you faster than it can fix your immune system. Rest is essential, not optional. No one is impressed when you show up sick. Closing your laptop immediately removes you from a Teams call. Use that information wisely. Listen in for an unfiltered breakdown of why sick-at-work culture makes no sense, why boundaries matter, and why rest is part of being a functioning adult human. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
Oct 29, 2025 · 45 min
Please Stop Hugging Me (and Other Workplace Crimes)
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to WTF is Business Casual, where HR consultants Jenny Levy and Sarah Bursten roast, rant, and reality-check the weird stuff that somehow passes for “normal” in the workplace. This week we’re calling out all the things people still think are fine at work, but absolutely aren’t. From awkward hugs to speakerphone oversharers, cubicles that look like dorm rooms, and the office “Happy Birthday” song no one actually enjoys, Jenny and Sarah break down what’s WTF-acceptable and what’ll get you side-eyed by HR. WTF Moments & Hot Takes: Hugging at work. Friendly or lawsuit waiting to happen? (Hint: keep your hands to yourself.) Cubicle clutter. Your desk isn’t a daycare or a personal museum. Being BFFs with your boss. How “we’re just friends” turns into “why did HR call me in?” Reply All crimes. Stop hitting that button, Sally. Just. Stop. Forced birthday singing. Why workplace celebrations feel more like hostage situations. Speakerphone culture. If we can hear your conversation, it’s already gone too far. The unspoken workplace rules. The stuff you’ll never find in an employee handbook (but should). Jenny and Sarah also unpack how corporate culture has shifted from “we dealt with it” to “I’m reporting you,” and why that might be both progress and a buzzkill. Because let’s be honest. We can’t have nice things anymore. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
Oct 8, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Gen Z at Work: Lazy, Loud, or the Wake-Up Call Corporate Needed?
Send us Fan Mail Gen Z has officially entered the chat and corporate America isn’t ready. Jenny and Sarah rip into the chaos (and low-key brilliance) of the newest generation in the workplace. Are they entitled job hoppers with no soft skills… or the only ones brave enough to call BS on burnout culture? Spoiler: it’s complicated — and very, very human. They unpack everything from Gen Z’s allergy to fake leadership to why they’ll quit faster than you can say “circle back.” Plus, the hosts drag every generation (including their own) through the mud for good measure. You’ll get: The truth about Gen Z’s “bad attitude” and why it’s actually a boundary How pandemic schooling and parenting styles rewired workplace expectations Real talk on feedback, flexibility, and why managers need to grow up too The tension between “just do your job” and “I need meaning in my job” A mirror moment for HR pros who keep trying to lead with policies instead of people Because every generation swears the next one’s the problem, but maybe Gen Z’s just the first one bold enough to say the quiet part out loud. Hit play. Laugh a little, cringe a lot, and maybe rethink how you talk about “kids these days.” Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual
Sep 24, 2025 · 38 min
The Detachment Paradox: Why HR Bias Punishes Employees Who Unplug
Send us Fan Mail Employers love to say they support work-life balance and encourage you to take your PTO. But here’s the workplace reality: when employees actually unplug, they’re often seen as less committed, and less promotable. Welcome to the detachment paradox. In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah unpack the HR bias that rewards “always on” employees and punishes those who set healthy boundaries. It’s the messed-up cycle that fuels employee burnout, slows career growth, and leaves leaders scratching their heads about why people keep quitting. Drawing from corporate HR experience, research from Harvard Business Review, and their own stories, the hosts get candid about how organizations really evaluate “commitment” at work—and why leaders need to rethink what performance looks like. In this conversation, you’ll hear: Why workplace detachment (logging off, PTO, boundaries) helps performance but hurts promotions How unconscious HR bias still favors visibility and “green dot” culture over results Real stories of burnout, PTO guilt, and leaders who say “set boundaries” but expect 24/7 availability The generational clash over hustle culture, career growth, and work-life expectations What France’s “Right to Disconnect” law shows us about protecting employee wellbeing How commitment bias skews performance reviews and promotability decisions Jenny and Sarah also get personal about their different leadership styles. One is wired to respond immediately, the other is comfortable letting things wait, and how those differences play out when managing clients, careers, and sanity. If you’ve ever been penalized for taking a vacation, wondered why promotions go to the loudest hustlers, or debated whether “healthy boundaries” and “career growth” can actually co-exist in today’s workplace, this episode is for you. We want your take. Have you seen the detachment paradox play out in your own company? Or caught yourself judging employees (or yourself) for unplugging? Share your story with us on Instagram @wtfisbusinesscasual. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual

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The Detachment Paradox: Why HR Bias Punishes Employees Who Unplug