- 17
- Episodes
- 2
- Ratings
- 2025
- First episode
About Bad Boss Files: Lessons From The Worst
Everyone has a bad boss story — and we’re here to talk about them. Hosted by HR consultant Sheri Bender and co-host Kate Bray, Bad Boss Files digs into real-life workplace disasters, toxic leadership moments, and cringeworthy management missteps. Each episode dissects what went wrong, what could’ve been done differently, and whether the behavior was coachable, trainable… or just a straight-up red flag. You’ll hear anonymous stories, HR insights, and conversations that blend humor, reflection, and practical advice. Submit your story: pulsehrsolutions.com/badboss
- Publisher
- badbossfiles
- Category
- business
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 1 Aug 2025
- Latest episode
- 30 Jun 2026
Latest episodes
17 episodes in the feed.
30 Jun 2026
Side-eye Supervisor
In this episode, The Side Eye Supervisor, we hear a story from a front desk employee in a busy healthcare office where micromanagement went way too far. From being constantly watched to having bathroom breaks tracked and empathy discouraged, this “hall monitor” leadership style created a high-stress, low-trust environment. When a moment of compassion toward a struggling patient was criticized as “slowing the line,” it became clear this wasn’t about good service—it was about control and optics. The result? Burnout, loss of confidence, high turnover, and employees who stopped caring. This episode is a powerful reminder that metrics don’t replace humanity and poor leadership doesn’t just impact employees, it impacts patients, culture, and the bottom line #BadBossFiles #LessonsFromTheWorst #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions #ToxicLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeExperience #HRInsights #HealthcareWorkplace
16 Jun 2026
Whiplash Feedback
In this listener story, a People Ops leader at a startup is told to be more “aggressive” but when she applies that feedback, she’s publicly shut down and later dismissed by her manager. With unclear expectations, mixed messages, and a toxic, male-dominated leadership dynamic, her confidence takes a hit and she ultimately leaves after six months. This episode highlights how poor leadership, vague feedback, and lack of support drive great employees away and what both leaders and employees can do differently. #BadBossFiles #LessonsFromTheWorst #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions #LeadershipMatters #WorkplaceCulture #ToxicLeadership #WomenInLeadership
2 Jun 2026
IC vs W2
In this episode, we unpack a real-world story that highlights a growing issue in today’s workplace: employee misclassification. What happens when someone is labeled as an independent contractor but treated like an employee? We walk through the experience of a worker who initially loved their role, only to discover over time that they were responsible for their own taxes, received no benefits, had limited flexibility, and were still being micromanaged like a traditional employee. The result? Financial strain, confusion, and a growing sense of being taken advantage of. This conversation breaks down the key differences between employees and independent contractors, why proper classification matters, and the real risks for both workers and employers when it’s done incorrectly. We also touch on non-competes, legal exposure, and what both employees and business owners should do if something doesn’t feel right. Whether you’re a leader, business owner, or employee, this episode is a powerful reminder that compliance isn’t just about checking a box it directly impacts people’s livelihoods, trust, and workplace culture. #HRCompliance #IndependentContractor #EmployeeRights #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipMatters #BadBossFiles #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions
19 May 2026
The Bully Boss
In this episode, we share a real story about a department manager dealing with a toxic, bullying boss in a retail environment. Over time, the manager faced constant criticism, public humiliation, and unfair treatment especially around serious health issues that required ongoing medical care. Instead of support, the boss used intimidation, made inappropriate comments, and even shared private information with others. The situation escalated to the point where the employee stopped attending important medical appointments just to avoid conflict at work. Despite strong performance and dedication, their ideas were dismissed while others received credit. Even after the boss was promoted, the behavior continued. We unpack the impact this kind of leadership has not just on performance, but on mental health, workplace culture, and retention. We also discuss what should have happened, including HR involvement, legal protections like ADA and FMLA, and the importance of respectful, compliant leadership. This episode is a powerful reminder: one bad manager can break trust, damage culture, and ultimately drive good employees away. #BadBossFiles #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions #ToxicWorkplace #WorkplaceCulture #HRTruths #EmployeeExperience #BadLeadership
4 May 2026
Episode 11: Hair Today, HR Tomorrow
In this episode, we talk about how workplace behavior is learned by watching others, especially leaders, and how quickly culture can be shaped by what managers say and do. When a manager makes inappropriate comments or crosses personal boundaries, it doesn’t just affect one person: it impacts trust, safety, and the entire team. We also explore what happens when an employee shows up, works hard, and dedicates themselves to a company expecting to be treated with respect but instead experiences behavior that makes them question their value. This episode is a reminder that leadership behavior matters. The way managers treat people can either build a strong, respectful culture or break it down. #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipMatters #RespectAtWork #EmployeeExperience #BadBossFiles #LessonsFromTheWorst #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions
13 Apr 2026
Episode 10: I'm Just a Little Tipsy
In this episode of Bad Boss Files, we dive into a workplace where communication is one-sided, leadership is checked out, and accountability is nowhere to be found. What starts with a boss casually showing up to meetings “a little tipsy” quickly unravels into a pattern of behavior that erodes trust across the team. It shows how leadership sets the standard for culture and leaves once-happy employees wondering how they can navigate a toxic culture and it often feels safer to keep your head down than speak up. From blurred boundaries to outright misrepresentation, this story highlights how poor leadership doesn’t just impact one moment it shapes the entire workplace. It’s a candid look at what happens when integrity is missing, and why good employees ultimately choose to walk away rather than tolerate it.
13 Apr 2026
We Don't Have Time For That
In this episode of Bad Boss Files, we dive into a workplace where communication is one-sided, favoritism runs deep, and retaliation is real. When a sales team is asked to share the good, bad, and ugly, a woman is cut off mid-sentence while her male coworker gets triple the time and the boss’s full attention. What follows is two months of silent treatment, ignored emails, and a growing list of red flags. Even the owners know there’s a problem… but no one wants to rock the boat. This is a story of gender bias, power games, and a culture that rewards the wrong behavior.
21 Nov 2025
Live & Unfiltered Let's Talk About Harassment
In this powerful live episode, we welcome our first-ever guest who bravely shares what it was like to work for a boss who regularly made inappropriate comments about her clothing and appearance. The lines kept getting crossed and she often found herself embarrassed, uncomfortable, and unsure how to respond. Sheri and Kate open up about their own experiences with workplace harassment and the ways silence can add another layer of harm. Together, they break down what should have happened, how organizations can respond better, and what real accountability and safety look like. This episode is real, raw, and unfiltered and a reminder that creating safe workplaces isn’t optional. It’s a responsibility. #BadBossFiles #LessonsFromTheWorst #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions #Harassment
31 Oct 2025
Practice Turnaround
In this episode, we explore the complicated transition of power when a long-time owner steps away and a senior leader, whose only leadership example is the outgoing boss, steps in. Communication gaps, top-down decisions, and a legacy of poor leadership create a shaky start. But when employees bravely speak up, the new owner begins to listen. We dig into what it takes to break the cycle, build trust, and whether this kind of growth can truly reshape a leadership style.
17 Oct 2025
Career Capped By Control
After a long career in government service, one employee finally landed a temporary role they loved thanks to a supervisor who unknowingly bypassed a gatekeeping process. They excelled, earned praise, and was invited to extend. When the regular supervisor was asked for approval, the answer was a firm 'no'. And the next time around, the employee wasn’t even permitted to apply for a position they had enjoyed and excelled in. Nearing retirement, they suspected they were being boxed in and pushed out, just for thriving in a different role. An EEO claim followed, but even that process felt like a dead end. In this episode, we dig into how great performance can become a threat and what it costs when leaders fear letting people grow.#BadBossFiles #LessonsFromTheWorst #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions #LowMorale
3 Oct 2025
The Bottleneck Boss
This episode spotlights a boss who brought in a highly-qualified new manager only to undermine her at every turn. Despite her competence and the team's steady progress, he inserted himself into projects unnecessarily, caused delays, and ultimately claimed credit for work she and her team completed. We break down the insecurity-fueled sabotage, the leadership damage it caused, and ask: Was this coachable… or just plain toxic? #BadBossFiles #LessonsFromTheWorst #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions #PoorLeadership
19 Sept 2025
Schedule? What Schedule?
In this episode, we unpack the story of a manager who constantly changed the work schedule without informing staff, then had the audacity to blame his team for being “undependable.” As frustration grew, it became clear he played favorites—giving select employees insider info while leaving others scrambling. We dig into the impact of poor communication, inconsistent expectations, and favoritism on team morale, and ask the big questions: Is this behavior coachable? Trainable? And would you stay or walk away? #BadBossFiles #LessonsFromTheWorst #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions
5 Sept 2025
She Spoke Up, He Shut Her Down
In this episode, we unpack the story of an employee at a small business who was eager to grow, stepping up to take on new responsibilities after a teammate left. But when she sent one marketing email, her boss responded with yelling, profanity, and an ego-fueled lecture. Despite her dedication, she consistently felt singled out—and as a minority, she finally asked the question that had been weighing on her: Was this about her race? The answer came not in words, but in retaliation. We dive into what happened, why speaking up shouldn’t cost someone their job, and whether any part of this is actually coachable. #BadBossFiles #LessonsFromTheWorst #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions #Bias
22 Aug 2025
Lost Forms and Brain Fog
In this episode, we explore the story of an employee who was encouraged to pursue education and career advancement—until she actually tried. When she submitted her tuition reimbursement form, it mysteriously vanished, her manager deflected blame to HR, and the HR contact conveniently left. What followed was a textbook case of passive resistance, lost trust, and silent sabotage. She ended up investing in herself, without support from the very people who had once suggested it. We break down the red flags, accountability gaps, and ask the big questions: Was this coachable? Or just a classic case of lip service leadership? #BadBossFiles#LessonsFromTheWorst #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions #RedFlags
8 Aug 2025
Order Whatever You Want
In this episode of Bad Boss Files, a long-time high-performer finds herself micromanaged, blocked from leadership, and slowly erased after a new manager takes over. Delegated to, ignored, and devalued, she finally gives notice — only to have her boss finally ask what salary might have kept her. At her farewell lunch, the micromanaging doesn't stop. The kicker? “Order whatever you want — but you HAVE to get the guacamole!" Micromanager until the end. Even at the farewell party. #BadBossFiles #LessonsFromTheWorst #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions #HRPodcast #Micromanager
2 Aug 2025
Episode 0 How We Got Here
Before the stories roll in, we’re pulling back the curtain on how Bad Boss Files came to be. In this kickoff episode, Sheri and Kate share the inspiration behind Bad Boss Files, why this podcast matters, and what you can expect in future episodes. Whether you’ve survived a bad boss, been one, or want to avoid becoming one — you’re in the right place. #BadBossFiles #LessonsFromTheWorst #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions #ToxicWorkplace
1 Aug 2025
What Is The Bad Boss Files?
In this kickoff episode, Sheri and Kate introduce The Bad Boss Files the podcast where workplace horror stories meet coaching wisdom and real talk. They share why the show exists, what you can expect in each episode, and how your stories (yes, yours!) can help others lead better. From HR confessions to laugh-out-loud leadership fails, this podcast digs into whether bad behavior is coachable, trainable… or just plain walk-away worthy. #BadBossFiles#LessonsFromTheWorst #BadBossFilesPodcast #PulseHRSolutions#LeadershipLessons Learn more about this episode at Podchaser: Sf6dSWYImUQZluTFmOhY
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- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 2 ratings
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