Advertise on podcast: WTF is Business Casual

Send us a text  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

Send us a text 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 humanThe real reason open offices exist and why nobody can focus in themWhy people are using dating apps to find jobs nowHow LinkedIn lost the plotWhat “ghost promotions,” “career shrekking,” “midlife collision,” and “culture rot” actually meanWhy some countries are making after-hours work illegalThe uncomfortable conversation about unions and power at workWhy “just set boundaries” sounds great and works terribly in real lifeJenny 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

Send us a text 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

Send us a text 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 reviewsWhy tying development to compensation creates false expectationsWhat Individual Development Plans are supposed to do versus what they usually becomeWhy training is the smallest piece of real developmentHow on-the-job learning actually builds skills leaders care aboutThe problem with leaders deciding career paths without asking employees what they wantWhy succession planning often ignores human realityHow lateral moves develop people without inflating titlesWhy growth doesn’t look the same in every season of lifeWhat 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

Send us a text 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 themThe four pieces of performance management that companies mix up constantlyWhat continuous feedback actually looks like when it’s not performative nonsenseWhy managers need to stop blending praise, coaching, and conflict into one chaotic meetingThe problem with leaders who want to fire someone but never documented a thingWhen corrective action is appropriate — and why clarity matters more than comfortThe real difference between doing your job and “going above and beyond”Why market adjustments, merit, promotions, and bonuses should never be lumped togetherHow generational shifts and therapy language have changed workplace conversationsWhat managers owe employees, what employees owe themselves, and what HR is tired of explainingJenny 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

Send us a text 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 eventA client who tried to finish a Zoom call while actively throwing upKids who refuse to drink water and are confused when their throat hurtsAdults claiming “winter allergies” while running a feverJenny’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 dedicationThe badge-of-honor culture that keeps people working when they should be in bedThe germ gauntlet of parenting small childrenPeople with paid sick leave who refuse to take itA reminder that potluck food handled by children should be illegalJenny 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

Send us a text 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

Send us a text 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 boundaryHow pandemic schooling and parenting styles rewired workplace expectationsReal talk on feedback, flexibility, and why managers need to grow up tooThe 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 peopleBecause 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

Send us a text 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 promotionsHow unconscious HR bias still favors visibility and “green dot” culture over resultsReal stories of burnout, PTO guilt, and leaders who say “set boundaries” but expect 24/7 availabilityThe generational clash over hustle culture, career growth, and work-life expectationsWhat France’s “Right to Disconnect” law shows us about protecting employee wellbeingHow commitment bias skews performance reviews and promotability decisionsJenny 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

Send us a text Jenny and Sarah rip into the black hole of modern work life: meetings. Endless updates, back-to-back Zooms, and “quick syncs” that somehow eat your entire day. It’s no wonder productivity is tanking. They break down: Why update meetings are the real productivity killersThe hidden cost of meetings when you factor in salaries (spoiler: it’s a lot)How stripping recurring meetings off the calendar could actually fix workplace cultureWith plenty of side-eye for the corporate “I’ll give you three minutes back” lie, Jenny and Sarah also share horror stories of leaders who confused talking with working. If your team’s working nights and weekends because their days are filled with meetings, you’re not leading, you’re clogging the damn pipes. And if your meeting could’ve been an email, it probably should’ve been. Highlights: [01:57] The one-hour meeting that inspired this rant [04:39] What if meetings had a running cost ticker? [09:45] Dropbox’s 3D model for meetings (debate, discuss, decide—or don’t meet) [13:49] The “no update meetings” rule every workplace needs [17:27] A company that wiped all meetings—and only brought back what mattered [23:34] Why recurring meetings are the productivity death spiral [30:36] Your end-of-year challenge: cancel everything and start fresh 🎧 Hit play, because your workplace culture isn’t broken, it’s just buried under bad meetings. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual

Send us a text Jenny and Sarah lay down the leadership boundaries that keep their teams sane, their workdays functional, and their patience intact. From bosses who brag about “open door” policies but vanish when the tough stuff hits, to leaders who think skipping lunch is a sign of commitment (spoiler: it’s not), they’re calling out the habits that quietly wreck morale, and the ones that actually build trust. You’ll get: Boundaries that protect your time and your credibilityHow follow-through turns you from “just a manager” into a trusted leaderHR horror stories about leaders who couldn’t manage a coffee order, let alone a teamRespecting your boundaries is the first step to getting anyone else to respect them too. Highlights: [00:02] “Non-negotiables” without the corporate handbook jargon [08:15] When “availability” turns into a 24/7 leash [19:45] The follow-up that shifted team trust overnight [34:20] Why skipping lunch is a terrible leadership flex [47:10] Red flags that scream “don’t follow this person” What’s your leadership non-negotiable? DM us @‌WTFisBusinessCasual or send a voice note, we might share it in a future episode.  Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual

Send us a text Jenny and Sarah get real (and a little vulnerable) about what it actually looks like to build something together when your brains couldn’t be wired more differently. From inner monologues that never shut up to brains that see zero pictures when they read (yes, it’s a thing), they unpack how wildly different mental wiring shows up at work, in friendships, and in every tense “are you mad at me?” conversation they’ve ever had. They talk through: Why friction between “big‑picture idea people” and “process‑first planners” isn’t a flaw, it’s the secret sauceHow knowing each other’s operating systems changed the way they brainstorm, decide, and stay (mostly) saneWhy psychological safety isn’t just a buzzword, and why your team won’t share their best ideas without itAnd yes, there’s laughter, a few cold‑plunge confessions, and plenty of “holy crap, you see it THAT way?” moments. Great teams aren’t made of clones. They’re built on trust, tension, and a lot of honest conversations. Highlights: [00:02] Inner dialogue, color‑coded days, and the shock of finding out not everyone pictures an apple in their head [25:10] Why Jenny blurts ideas like fireworks and Sarah needs two hours (and a spreadsheet) to process them [39:45] That time Sarah felt squashed and Jenny felt shut down and why naming it mattered [52:00] Quick starts vs. deep thinkers and why teams need both [1:04:20] What Clifton Strengths taught them about each other (and why “restorative” isn’t just being negative) [1:15:00] Cold plunges, last‑minute chaos, and how showing up late can still get the job done Tell us: Are you the big‑idea quick‑start or the thoughtful process‑first type? DM us! We love seeing how real teams actually work. Hit play! Because it turns out, opposites don’t just attract… they build some pretty badass businesses too. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual

Send us a text Jenny and Sarah get real about how the pressure to always exceed expectations at work is quietly fueling burnout, quiet quitting, and toxic workplace culture. They swap HR stories (some hilarious, some horrifying) about leaders who demand 24/7 peak performance, and the human cost that follows. It’s messy, honest, and painfully relatable for anyone who’s ever felt PTO guilt or caught themselves trying to be “on” all the damn time. Inside, they break down: A reality check on why “exceeds expectations” has replaced “meets” as the new normal, and why that’s a problemWhat marathon training can teach us about peak performance, recovery, and sustainable success at workTips for actually taking PTO without guilt (and why your boss emailing on vacation screws everyone)This one’s for you if: You’re burned out from always overperformingYou feel guilty about using your PTO (stop that)You lead a team and secretly worry they’re about to ghost youBecause guess what? Showing up, doing your job, and then going home? That’s actually enough. Highlights: [00:02] School drop-offs, chaotic mornings, and why women’s mornings hit different [12:30] The corporate hamster wheel: no valleys, only endless peaks [25:10] Marathon training as a metaphor for work (and why it matters) [39:45] Why “meets expectations” should actually be the goal [52:00] Leaders, boundaries, and taking real time off (yes, actually unplugging) [1:04:20] Why people quit without another job lined up and why that should scare companies [1:15:00] Sarah’s surprise party, Diet Coke bets, and husbands who think sweaty gym clothes are dinner-ready Tell us your story _We know we’re not the only ones. Tell us your own ‘meets expectations’ moment or the time you realized exceeding expectations was slowly killing your soul. __DM us on Instagram. _We might share it (names changed, obviously). Do this one thing Before you jump back into your inbox, do a quick gut check: Where could you pull back to ‘meets expectations’ this week and still be a damn good employee, friend, or parent? Start there. Small shifts matter. Take the conversation further If this episode hit home, share it with a coworker who’s stuck on the hamster wheel. Or better yet, play it at your next team meeting (we dare you!)and see what comes up.Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual

Send us a text Jenny and Sarah get into the HR trenches to talk about every people leader’s favorite nightmare: managing performance issues without a single documented conversation, aka zero receipts! From the leader who drops a “we’ve got to let them go” bomb via text, to the one with a novel-length complaint file (and zero follow-up), they break down the real reason performance management so often goes sideways and how to stop making it harder than it needs to be. This isn’t about paperwork for paperwork’s sake. It’s about protecting your team, your company, and your own reputation. Inside the episode: The three manager types that derail performance conversations (Avoider, Documenter, Talker)The low-lift documentation system to track conversations without creating more workHow to actually say the hard thing with clarity and kindnessTips for using AI as your HR sidekick, not a crutchA spicy reminder that facts > feelings (especially in court)Documentation doesn’t have to be scary. But skipping it? That’s what gets you sued. Highlights: [00:02] Oversleeping, storms, Post Malone, and bad kid karma [18:15] “I need to fire her yesterday!”... but no one’s talked to her yet [24:40] Documenters, Avoiders, and Talkers—pick your manager archetype [37:18] The “SBI” method: Situation. Behavior. Impact. (Facts, not feelings.) [45:22] Using AI (yep!) to clarify your language, remove bias, and stay human [58:10] What HR wishes every leader knew and why feedback is a love language [1:05:30] “I hope every time you hear Bon Jovi, you think of performance management.” You're welcome. Pro Tip: If your performance conversations live in your head and not on paper, you’re not leading, you’re guessing. Need help having the hard conversation? Slide into our DMs with your workplace dilemma, we just might unpack it on the show. Resources: SBI Method (Situation – Behavior – Impact): Use this as a framework for informal documentation and feedback conversations.CPR Framework for crucial conversations: Content → Pattern → Relationship – useful for evaluating when a situation moves from a one-off to a larger issue.Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual

Send us a text In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah go full rogue with a chaotic, hilarious deep dive into the strange world of workplace shenanigans. The pranks that made the office fun… until they didn’t. This episode is a tribute to the coworker chaos that somehow made your 9-to-5 bearable. You’ll hear: 💻 Why “lock your computer” is more than just IT’s favorite slogan🧀 The cheese prank that cleared a whole office🌶️ A popcorn machine saga featuring jalapeño drama and The Corn Stars™🤮 The fake vomit prank so real it almost got Jenny fired (by herself)💬 The signs that say “please stop talking to me,” and why some of us need them dailyBecause in HR, it’s all fun and games… until it’s an incident report. Highlights [00:01] Jenny and Sarah introduce “shenanigans” [05:12] Coffee plug? Yes! But also, lock your damn screens, people. [13:40] IT threats, fake emails, and one panicked new hire [20:55] Pranks that aged poorly (but still kinda funny) [31:22] Jalapeño popcorn: the crime, the all-caps email, the apology from The Corn Stars™ [42:03] Vomit phobia + Oscar-worthy performance = prank perfection [57:44] Spray bottles, whipped cream, and a workplace almost-wet-t-shirt-contest [1:08:30] Sticky notes, ceiling cheese, and the great Babybel Cheese War [1:16:10] Submit your own shenanigans for a future episode! We want your prank stories! DM us on Instagram @‌WTFisBusinessCasual with your favorite office pranks (the wins and the ones that went too far). Bonus points for photos, trauma, or HR investigations. Get yourself some freshly roasted coffee - I finally tried it, and it’s amazing! (tell them we sent you!) Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual