The podcast where we unravel the complexities of Human Resources in today's business landscape. Join Natalie and Faye from Rebox HR, your go-to outsourced HR professionals, as they bring their expertise and engaging conversational style to tackle the most pressing issues facing companies today.
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What are the workplace rules that nobody ever writes down? In this entertaining season finale of HR Unbox, Natalie, Fay and Chris explore the unwritten rules of office life – from Teams meeting etiquette and camera-on debates to email overload, leaving meetings early, probation period expectations and the dreaded phrase, "That's not my job." Drawing on real HR experience, the team discusses the workplace habits that can quietly damage professional relationships, productivity and company culture, while sharing plenty of humorous stories from the front line of HR. Whether you're an employer, man
In this episode of HR Unboxed with Natalie and Faye, brought to you by Breathe HR, we dive deep into the upcoming unfair dismissal shake-up and what it means for employers. With the removal of the traditional two-year qualifying period, businesses will need to rethink how they recruit, manage and review new starters. Natalie and Fay explain why probation periods are becoming more important than ever, why a “wait and see” approach could leave employers exposed, and how to create a fair, structured process that supports both employees and businesses. They discuss: Why probation can no longer be
Workplace relationships: should they be encouraged, managed, or avoided altogether? In this episode of HR Unbox, Natalie and Faye tackle one of the most talked-about and often misunderstood workplace topics – relationships at work. From office romances and friendships to family-run businesses and husband-and-wife directorships, they explore how personal relationships can influence professional environments and what employers need to do to manage the risks. The discussion covers workplace dating, power imbalances between managers and employees, the challenges of employing family members, favour
In this episode of HR Unboxed with Natalie and Fay, the team takes a deep dive into the real-world impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 — and the fallout businesses are now facing. From day-one rights and rising employment costs to recruitment slowdowns and the growing pressure on small businesses, this episode pulls no punches. Natalie and Fay share honest feedback from business owners navigating the changes, including concerns around affordability, flexibility, and the increasing risk of tribunal claims. The conversation explores how some employees are already testing the system, why str
Why does HR get such a bad reputation—and is it actually deserved? In this episode of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Faye are joined by Owen from Griffin Logistics (aka “The Pallet Network Bandit”) to unpack the truth behind HR in real-world businesses. From the fast-paced transport industry to small family-run companies, they explore why HR is often misunderstood as red tape—and why it’s actually essential for protecting your business, your people, and your future. You’ll hear honest insights on: • Why HR is more than just paperwork • The risks small businesses face without proper processes • Real-l
In this episode of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Faye join Chris in the studio to unpack a topic that many businesses avoid but absolutely cannot ignore — health and safety in the workplace. What might sound like a dry compliance subject quickly turns into a fascinating discussion about real-world risks, HR responsibilities, and why even the smallest organisations need to take safety seriously. The team explore how health and safety connects directly with HR processes, from recruitment and onboarding through to absence management, wellbeing and training. They also explain why many businesses underes
In this episode of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Faye tackle one of the most confusing areas of people management: employee leave. From annual leave clashes and sick days to emergency time off, parental leave, compassionate leave, and jury service, this episode breaks down what managers need to know to stay fair, compliant, and human. They explain the real-life challenges managers face when multiple staff want the same time off, what “reasonable” actually means in law, and how poor record-keeping can land businesses in serious trouble. You’ll hear practical advice on handling sickness absence proper
Natalie and Faye open the 2026 series with a packed episode exploring the major HR and business changes arriving this year. They break down the rise in the national living wage, what employers need to do to stay compliant, and why even small shifts can have a big impact on payroll and budgeting. There’s clear guidance on the new rules for statutory sick pay, including the move to day-one eligibility and what this means for absence management. They also cover upcoming paternity and parental leave reforms, the effect of frozen tax thresholds on employees’ take-home pay, and the growing concerns
In this festive edition of *HR Unboxed*, Natalie, Faye and Chris unwrap the lighter (and sometimes messier) side of workplace life with their “12 Days of HR Christmas.” From out-of-office escapades and Secret Santa disasters to tipsy colleagues, offensive jumpers, and mistletoe mishaps, no seasonal HR scenario is off-limits. With wit and warmth, the trio tackle everything from managing absences and awkward parties to online shopping at work, inappropriate decorations, and the annual battle for Christmas leave. They share real-life stories, expert insights and plenty of laughs, reminding listen
Welcome to another lively episode of HR Unboxed with Natalie, Fay and Chris! This week, things get a little personal – and occasionally hilarious – as the team are joined by special guest Adam from Breathe HR for a deep dive into how digital HR systems can transform your workplace. From sticky notes and lost holiday forms to #Smellgate and the infamous toilet door holiday planner, this episode explores the real-world chaos of paper-based HR and how Breathe’s smart, secure and simple software brings order to the madness. Expect plenty of laughter, a few cringe-worthy office confessions, and hon
Join Natalie and Fay on HR Unboxed for a candid discussion on "The Truth About Imposter Syndrome at Work". This highly requested episode delves into that common, nervous feeling that you're not as brilliant as others perceive, fearing you'll be "found out" as a fraud, or questioning, "Am I good enough?". Natalie and Fay share personal experiences, highlighting that imposter syndrome affects everyone from HR directors to business owners, aspiring professionals, and seasoned experts at any career stage. Discover the symptoms, including self-doubt even amidst success, a fear of exposure, attribut
Season 2 of HR Unboxed opens with a fearless deep-dive into “Watched While Working” — the realities, risks and right ways to handle workplace surveillance. Natalie and Fay unpack what employers actually monitor (CCTV, keystroke logging, activity logs) and the rise of “mouse jigglers” in the work-from-home era. They explore remote-work distractions (including the notorious 49-minute washing-machine cycle), childcare cameos on Zoom, and why trust and output matter more than minute-by-minute monitoring. Real-world stories bring the stakes to life: the Amazon France fine for excessive tracking and
In this unmissable episode, we’re tackling the hot topic chosen by our listeners: workplace clashes. From the everyday tension of denied holiday requests to boardroom bust-ups and “that was my idea!” moments, Natalie and Faye take you behind the scenes of HR disasters with their trademark humour, honesty and a hefty dose of reality. They dive into scenarios including time-off tantrums, religious leave conflicts, age and experience power struggles, and the emotional minefield of being overlooked or undermined at work. Plus, they explore how workplace WhatsApp groups can spiral into chaos, and w
In Episode 11 of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Fay dive deep into the world of employment tribunals — the stressful, fascinating side of HR that every business owner and manager needs to understand. From real-life cases of explosive hotel bust-ups to sleeping security guards and the surprising cost of excluding someone from the office tea round, discover how small actions can lead to huge payouts. Learn why process, evidence, and proper support matter so much — and how to keep your business out of court. #HRUnboxed #EmploymentTribunal #HRPodcast #HRAdvice #UKBusiness #WorkplaceWellbeing #HRComplianc
It’s episode 10 and Natalie and Faye are celebrating with awards, gongs, and... dismissals?! This special episode dives into the murky world of firing staff—from heat-of-the-moment outbursts to airtight legal processes. Discover how one badly worded email can cost a business thousands, why redundancy isn’t just a scary word, and what the ABCs of dismissal really stand for. With real-life HR horror stories, laughs, and a whole lot of lessons, this one’s essential listening for anyone who manages people. Also: why “little warnings” don’t exist! #HRUnboxed #WorkplaceDismissals #HRPodcast #Employm
In this jam-packed episode of HR Unboxed, Chris Gregg joins Natalie and Fay to unpack the big topics shaking up the workplace. From jaw-dropping stats on how many Gen Z employees would choose to be "severed" like in the hit series Severance, to the real-life risks of staff taking confidential data with them when they leave. There’s drama, insight, and plenty of laughs as the trio chat data breaches, grievance trends, influencer burnout, and why employers must prepare for upcoming employment law changes. Grab a cuppa — this one’s a rollercoaster. #HRUnboxed #SeveranceSeries #GenZWorkforce #Data
Middle managers—caught between the top brass and the frontline staff, they deal with everything from unmotivated employees to unexpected absences. In this episode, Natalie and Faye dive into the challenges faced by middle management and why they’re the backbone of any organisation. 💼 Balancing work-life expectations vs. performance demands 📉 Managing absenteeism and the classic "bank holiday sickness" ⚖️ The fine line between discipline and motivation 👔 Dress codes: What’s appropriate, what’s awkward, and why your mankini won’t cut it Whether you’re a seasoned manager or new to the role, th
Grievances – we all know them, but when should they be taken seriously, and when are they just workplace gripes? In this episode, Natalie and Chris break down the fine line between a minor complaint and a full-blown HR issue. From unfair pay to passive-aggressive Post-it notes, we tackle real-life workplace dilemmas with insight, humour, and some wild stories. 👀 Are managers playing favourites? 🤔 Is your colleague the self-appointed Fridge Police? 💼 When does a broken promise turn into a real grievance? Find out why consistency is key, how to handle complaints fairly, and why HR horror stor
In this juicy episode of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Faye dive into the world of HR confessions! From awkward workplace crushes to faked sick notes and auto-correct mishaps, this episode is filled with shocking, hilarious, and thought-provoking stories from employees that HR would rather keep under wraps. Here’s what’s in store: 😳 A secret workplace crush that’s about to boil over 😬 A bold holiday stunt with a forged sick note 🤔 A tenured employee stuck between comfort and career change 😂 An embarrassing text that turned "PA" into "predictive trouble" Natalie and Faye unpack each confession, o
In this festive episode of HR Unboxed, Natalie and Faye bring the holiday spirit with practical advice for managing Christmas work events. From secret Santa blunders to tackling inappropriate behavior at the office party, they’ve got everything covered to help employers navigate the season without a hitch. This episode explores: 🎄 Conducting a risk assessment for work events 🎄 Managing alcohol, food, and travel arrangements responsibly 🎄 What to do if an incident occurs at the Christmas party 🎄 Fair holiday booking procedures and planning for annual leave 🎄 Supporting employee mental heal
In this episode of HR Unboxed, hosts Natalie and Faye from Rebox HR dive into a practical, step-by-step guide to help small business owners hire their very first employee with confidence. From defining the role to making the final offer, they cover all the essential HR steps you need to know—while sharing real-life stories of potential pitfalls and best practice tips to avoid common hiring headaches. Whether you're unsure where to start or worried about missing key legal requirements, Natalie and Faye's First Employee Starter Kit has everything you need in one handy package, including: ✅ Offer
In Episode 3 of the HR Unboxed Podcast, Natalie and Faye from Rebox HR dive deep into the "nitty-gritty" of HR, exploring some of the trickiest challenges businesses face today. From managing employee absences and mental health issues to navigating difficult performance conversations, this episode is packed with real-life HR dilemmas. Learn how to approach sensitive topics like patterned absences, return-to-work interviews, and the importance of having open, ongoing communication with your team. If you're a manager or business owner looking for practical HR advice, this episode is for you! 🔗
Welcome to Episode 2 of HR Unboxed with Natalie and Faye! 🎙️ In this episode, we kick things off by sharing our incredible experience climbing Mount Snowdon for charity! 🏔️ Together, we raised £650 for French Bulldog Rescue, and we’re diving into how teamwork was the key to making it to the top. Join us as we discuss why working together is essential in any challenge, whether it's scaling a mountain or tackling a tough project at work. Next, we’re unpacking the 60 upcoming changes to employment law following the change in Government. With so many adjustments on the horizon, it’s crucial for
Welcome to the very first episode of HR Unboxed, the podcast where Natalie and Faye break down the complexities of human resources for small businesses! 🎉 In this inaugural episode, we dive into the critical role HR plays in the success of small businesses. From understanding what HR really is to exploring how it can drive productivity, employee satisfaction, and legal compliance, we cover the essentials every small business owner needs to know. We also tackle some of the most common HR challenges faced by small businesses, including: Recruitment and Retention: Why is it so hard to find and k
