Practical advice for mid-level HR professionals navigating real workplace challenges. Weekly interviews with experts who deliver solutions and insights you can actually use.
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Company culture is ignored too often as a focused activity of HR. And it's rare to find someone who has a system for intentionally shaping culture. Nadia Uberoi, Head of People at Garner Health, is that person.
She argues that shaping culture is one of, if not the most important
activity we do in HR.
In this episode, we break down:
š¤·š»āāļøThe difference between organic and intentional company culture.
3ļøā£ Nadiaās three-part framework for systemizing culture: Expectations, Mechanisms, and Enablement.
āļø And a bonus: How to build a "high candour" environment where
thoughtful feedback is a requirement, not an option.
š¤ Practical ways to assess if your team is actually living your values.
00:00 Intro
01:36 Why culture is the foundation of HR
02:30 What it means to systemize culture
03:25 The three-part culture framework explained
04:13 Defining cultural competencies and expectations
06:14 Designing mechanisms into the flow of work
08:52 Training and enabling your people
11:21 Using real case studies for onboarding
12:25 How to accurately assess culture
15:33 The truth about feedback and mindset
17:48 Candour with decency
**Find Nadia**
Website: https://www.getgarner.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-uberoi/
**Find Andrea (me)**
Website: https://thehrhub.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-adams1/
[SMB Essentials] Handling Employee Complaints - The Draining Kind
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 ā¢ Duration 11:00
Managing employee complaints in a small business can quickly become a demanding role that drains your decision-making energy. If you find yourself frustrated by constant venting about co-workers or office lighting, it is a signal that you may need to shift how you respond to complaints. In this episode, I break down how to differentiate between complaints that require your intervention and those that serve as coaching opportunities for your team. I explore the importance of written policies for predictability, how to handle feedback regarding your managers, and the specific questions you can ask to return responsibility to your employees. Running a productive business does not mean an environment free of friction, but it does require helping your people navigate that friction themselves.00:00 Managing normal complaints01:10 Why frequent complaints wear you out02:02 Balancing policy and nimbleness03:22 Deciding when to get involved04:38 Respecting employees through their own problem-solving05:30 Handling complaints about your managers07:08 Using coaching questions instead of fixing08:44 Calibrating realistic workplace expectations10:06 Support for small and medium businesses**Find Andrea (me)**Website: https://thehrhub.ca/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-adams1/Email: andrea@thehrhub.ca
Wellness Programs Weren't Built for ParentsāHere's What Works (with Dr. Rosina McAlpine)
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 ā¢ Duration 22:53
Most wellness programs weren't built with parents in mind. Gym memberships and meditation apps don't help much when you're managing work deadlines while your kid is home sick. Or when you know your toddler can't wait for you to pick them up from daycare.
Dr. Rosina McAlpine is back to talk about what actually works when organizations want to support working parentsānot with token gestures, but with programs that address the real challenges.
We discuss why working parents have the highest burnout and lowest mental health scores across the workforce, what family-friendly workplaces are doing differently, and how to measure whether any of it is making a difference.
We also get into the equity vs equality question. It's not one we think about in this context, but it does work. After all, what we need is a workplace where everyone is able to thrive.
* Dr. Rosina's 5-Point Guide*https://www.winwinparenting.com/closing-the-gap-in-parent-support-guide*Contact Dr. Rosina McAlpine*https://winwinparenting.com/https://drrosina.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrosina/*Contact Andrea Adams*https://thehrhub.cahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-adams1/
Are you frustrated with your presentation skills? For some it's total fear. For others like me, I'll do it, but there are many other things I would rather do.
In this episode of The HR Hub, I explored how to use storytelling in presentations. My guest, Jilliane Yawney, is a speaking coach who turns scientists and engineers (and HR) into confident speakers and storytellers. Jilliane is not just a speaking coach. She's also the founder of the Calgary Story Slam, one of the biggest in Canada. Using her expertise, she helps professionals weave useful stories into their presentations, ensuring the key messages are understood and remembered.
Here's a sneak peek into our conversation:
š¬ How storytelling humanizes data and makes it more relatable. So you need both!
š The power of storytelling in conveying emotions and influencing decisions, while avoiding blatant manipulation.
š Balancing storytelling and data: Can you overuse stories? Yes, but...
šÆ The importance of understanding the purpose of your story. Clear purpose is important in many aspects of HR.
š The essential elements of a good story: Conflict and structure. Think Harry Potter.
This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to enhance their presentation skills and make a bigger impact at work. Whether you're an HR professional or just someone who wants to communicate more effectively, this episode is a must-listen!
Find Jilliane at https://www.jillianeyawney.com/
Find Andrea at andrea@thehrhub.ca
Compliance in HR (SMB Series)
Thursday, February 29, 2024 ā¢ Duration 12:24
Navigating HR compliance can feel daunting for HR professionals nevermind for business owners or NFP execs! Today's episode is here to provide an overview of the rules and laws that may affect how you hire, manage, and pay employees.
This is the second in the series for SMBs aiming to help small and medium business owners and NFPs navigate people issues and avoid some of the major pitfalls.
In this episode, I discuss:
š The concept of compliance and why being ethical isn't enough. Skirting the edges of what's legal and ethical can lead to costly court cases and damaged relationships.
š§ The importance of compliance and its impact on small and medium-sized businesses including the risks.
š The top five areas of HR compliance that I frequently encounters as an HR consultant. From provincial employment standards to privacy laws, I provide an overview of each.
š Other areas of compliance such as labour relations, payroll, benefits, and taxation rules, equity legislation, accessibility rules, and pensions and benefits rules.
š ļø Finally, I discuss how to avoid compliance problems.
Find me at andrea@thehrhub.ca
The links I referred to:
Compliance Works: https://complianceworks.ca/
WCB Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPrgga7uuYk&t=2s
Labour Relations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl_xlEa5zi4&t=19s
Knowledge Application: Ensure Transfer of Learning
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 ā¢ Duration 22:45
Do you think about things you learned years ago but didn't really learn? This is one those for me - that is, the 'transfer of learning'.
Michelle Ellis was my partner in this exploration. She's an expert in L&D - currently a director for Intellum, which is an learning management software company. She was also a L&D leader at Disney! Before that, she was a school teacher and has her PhD. She knows some things.
In this episode, you'll gain valuable insights on:
š The concept of learning transfer and its importance for our investment in training.
š How to be intentional about your own learning journey so that you bring what you learn back to work..
š” The role of leaders in ensuring learning transfer into the workplace, and how they can help their employees get the most out of training sessions.
š The importance and challenge of measuring learning transfer. Michelle shared some strategies around quantitative and qualitative data.
š„ļø How learning management software can facilitate learning transfer, with features like social chat and gamification.
Find Michelle on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ellis-phd-cxac-cert-3357833/
See Intellum here: https://www.intellum.com/
I am an HR consultant to small and medium businesses and not-for-profits. Reach out to me here: andrea@thehrhub.ca
How To Setup HR For Your Business (SMB Series)
Thursday, February 22, 2024 ā¢ Duration 12:32
Hey podcast listeners. I am adding something to my interview series... a series for small and medium sized businesses and not for profits (SMBs). And I'm doing them myself!
In this episode I am talking to anyone involved in HR for an SMB, but especially leaders who may not have in-house HR. I delve into how to starting your HR function. When you start HR is a passing thought. As you grow, you'll discover the importance of HR in managing your team more efficiently, and I'll shed light on how to strike the right balance between in-house HR and third-party partnerships.
Here's a sneak peek of what to expect:
š When to add HR: There's a sweet spot for when to bring in HR support. Wait too long and you might find yourself in hot water. I'll share some insights on when to make that crucial decision.
š How HR supports growth: HR isn't just about compliance and risk management. Discover how HR can help you hire the right people, develop their skills, and even design your organization to support smooth and effective growth.
šÆ Mission, Vision, and Values: These aren't just fancy words on a plaque. They're the foundation of your company culture and can guide your employees in their decision-making. Learn how HR can facilitate these crucial discussions.
You can find me to ask a question or provide feedback at andrea@thehrhub.ca.
You can also reach out to me on LinkedIn! I'm always happy to hear from you https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-adams1/
Age Discrimination In The Workplace
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 ā¢ Duration 25:31
I don't know about you, but AGE is one aspect of DEI that I hardly ever hear anything about. And, yet the impact of ageist policies on older workers is profound.
Are you thinking something like "but it's time for those boomers to get out the way so I have a chance!"? Well, I asked Laura Tamblyn Watts, the CEO of CanAge about that. CanAge is Canada's Seniors Advocacy organization and, she says while a few older workers have a ton of privilege, many are shockingly disadvantaged. With 25 years of experience, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge about ageism and its impact in the workplace and to aging people. We discussed:
šµ The shocking statistics on ageism and why it's the most prevalent form of discrimination globally.
š How ageism manifests in the workplace - from overt policies to hidden biases.
š The benefits of multi-generational workforces - from increased productivity to reduced churn.
š Practical steps to make your workplace more age-inclusive starting with your DEI policy. And
āļøThe risks of doing nothing.
This episode was eye-opening and will broaden your understanding of ageism and equip you with practical tools to foster a more inclusive work environment. Links are in the comments!
Find Laura at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-tamblyn-watts-a8ab61/
CanAge https://www.canage.ca/
Living, Learning and Earning Longer:
https://www.aarpinternational.org/initiatives/future-of-work/living-learning-and-earning-longer/living-learning-and-earning-longer
Find Andrea for consulting in Western Canada andrea@thehrhub.ca
Difference Between Training And Development In HRM
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 ā¢ Duration 20:37
We say 'training and development' all the time. Or learning and development.
But we rarely stop to understand the difference between them and the impact those differences have on strategy. I never did anyhow except at a surface level.
I spoke with James Aird about this. James is an L&D consultant with a Master of Education from Harvard. Interestingly, he learned the trade in conflict areas like Iraq and the DR Congo.
James took us on a journey through the distinct aspects of training/learning vs development in an organization, and how they cater to different organizational needs. For example:
š Learning, and training are, more or less, the same thing and directly meet organization requirements.
š«ļø Development if fuzzier - with a ton of strategic implications related to skills gaps, recruitment and retention.
š Gen Z has a lot of hopes and expectations for great development. A strength IMO.
š» An Learning Management System (LMS) will help you deliver and track it. James recommends one for any organization with 20-30 employees or more.
This episode is has a lot of information for HR professionals who want to improve their understanding of L&D and how L&D can impact so many modern organizational problems. It's not just about upskilling - it's about creating a culture of learning.
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