Introduction
Running a business is exciting, but let’s be honest—HR can feel like a minefield. Hiring, payroll, compliance, workplace culture… one wrong step, and you could find yourself in a legal mess, losing thousands, or even facing criminal charges (yes, really).
On this episode of the Second Chance Podcast, we sat down with Brenda Neckvatal, a top HR expert who has spent decades cleaning up workplace disasters. From toxic employees to cancel culture attacks, Brenda has seen it all. More importantly, she knows exactly how to fix these problems before they destroy your business.
The Hiring Mistake That Can Put You in Legal Trouble
One of Brenda’s biggest HR horror stories? A business owner hired an employee as a W-2, then tried to convert them to a 1099 contractor when cash flow got tight—without a contract. Fast forward a few months, and the employee hadn’t been paid in six weeks. Guess what? That’s a huge violation of labor laws, and the business owner could have been sued into the ground.
Lesson:
👉 Hire smart—make sure you understand the legal differences between W-2 employees and 1099 contractors.
👉 If you can’t afford to pay someone, don’t hire them until you have a financial plan.
👉 Consult a professional (before it’s too late).
HR Isn’t Just About Policies—It’s About Culture
Brenda didn’t hold back: Leaders set the tone for company culture. If employees aren’t engaged, if turnover is high, or if drama is taking over the workplace, it’s not an “employee problem”—it’s a leadership problem.
A Few Hard Truths:
✅ Your best employees will leave first if you let toxicity fester.
✅ Having policies isn’t enough—leaders need to enforce them.
✅ Employees don’t quit jobs, they quit bad leadership.
Cancel Culture and HR Nightmares
In today’s world, one angry employee can take to social media and launch a viral attack on your business. It happened to one of Brenda’s clients, and it nearly destroyed their brand. But instead of backing down, they fought back—took the employee to court, won the case, and rebuilt stronger than ever.
How to Protect Your Business:
🔹 Make sure your employment agreements and policies are ironclad.
🔹 Address employee issues quickly—small problems can become major PR disasters.
🔹 Stay true to your company values—cancel culture is real, but strong businesses survive it.
How to Have Tough Conversations With Employees
Brenda’s go-to phrase? “Help me understand.”
When faced with a difficult employee or situation, instead of jumping to conclusions or getting defensive, ask questions:
👉 Help me understand why this situation happened.
👉 Help me understand what you need to be successful.
👉 Help me understand why this process isn’t working for you.
By leading with curiosity instead of confrontation, you cut through drama and get to the real issue.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let HR Mistakes Kill Your Business
HR isn’t just about hiring and firing—it’s about protecting your business, your culture, and your future. Brenda’s stories prove that most business nightmares are preventable—if you take action early.
Want to improve your HR game? Brenda is giving away her free Impact Scripts Course! Get it here: HeyBrenda.com
Connect with Brenda:
🔹 LinkedIn: Brenda Neckvatal
🔹 Instagram: Expansive Sound Experiments
🔹 Website: HR University
🚀 If you found this episode valuable, don’t forget to share it! And be sure to subscribe to the Second Chance Podcast for more expert insights.
