Scary Stuff That’s Not About Halloween
By Patty e. – Your HR Guru
It’s that spooky time of year, when fake cobwebs drape across office walls, candy dishes overflow, and someone inevitably shows up in a costume that’s a little too realistic. 🎃
But while most people are talking about ghosts, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night, there’s another kind of haunting that deserves our attention — one that creeps into our workplaces when we’re not looking.
I call them the Workplace Haunts: those quiet, creeping issues that appear when communication fades, safety slips, and culture loses its spark.
These are the monsters that can turn even the brightest team into a scene from a spooky movie. Let’s shine a flashlight on them — and talk about how to turn those chills into treats for a thriving, healthy workplace.
👻 The Ghost of Missed Tag-Ups
Every office has one — the forgotten check-in, the canceled one-on-one, the “we’ll touch base later” that somehow never happens.
When employees start feeling unseen, motivation drifts away like mist in the night. The result? People disengage, misunderstand expectations, or start believing their work doesn’t matter.
🪄 The Treat:
Reignite your connection. Make space in your calendar for weekly “Highlight Huddles” where your team shares one small win. It’s quick, fun, and keeps spirits high — literally and figuratively.
🧟♀️ The Zombie Virus of Disengagement
I’ve seen it many times — the zombie shuffle through the break room. You know the signs: employees trudging through their day, drained and disconnected.
The infection spreads quietly, usually starting with a leader who’s “too busy” to listen. Before long, an entire team catches the same low-energy virus.
🪄 The Treat:
Communication is the cure. Take five minutes to listen, not just manage. Ask, “How’s your workload? What’s been energizing or draining you lately?” Empathy is the antidote that brings people back to life.
🧛♀️ The Vampire of Unsafe Habits
Safety hazards are the vampires of the workplace — they drain energy and morale faster than anything else. Whether it’s cluttered walkways, untrained staff, or ignored warnings, these little vampires thrive in the dark.
🪄 The Treat:
Turn safety into part of your company’s DNA. Celebrate prevention, not just correction. Recognize team members who “caught it before it bit.” A small thank-you can turn compliance into culture.
💨 The Distrust Monster
Gossip, whispers, and half-truths — the Distrust Monster feeds on miscommunication. It’s that swirling energy that turns collaboration into competition and connection into confusion.
The worst part? It often starts small — a rumor unaddressed, a concern brushed aside, or feedback deferred one too many times.
🪄 The Treat:
Transparency is your silver bullet. Be proactive about communication. Create safe spaces for feedback, and when you don’t have an answer, say so. Trust grows when honesty outpaces hearsay.
🕯️ The Sweet Treat of Awareness
By now, you can probably see the pattern:
Every “haunt” starts when something small gets ignored.
The good news? You don’t need a magic spell to fix it. Just consistency, care, and courage.
Celebrate wins. Listen actively. Keep your workplace safe — not just physically, but emotionally.
Healthy habits, not horror stories, are the real magic of HR.
💼 The HR Guru’s Closing Campfire Thought
Whether you lead a faith-based nonprofit, a fast-paced start-up, or a small business with big heart, remember: your culture isn’t shaped by your mission statement — it’s shaped by your everyday moments.
And sometimes, the smallest things — a thank-you, a check-in, a brave conversation — are the light that chases away the shadows.
So, this spooky season, enjoy the pumpkins and the candy…
but also, take a moment to look around your workplace.
If you see a ghost, a zombie, or a Distrust Monster lurking — you know what to do. 😉
🕯️ Don’t let the haunts take over your workplace.
Book an HR Wellness Check with Your HR Guru today — because even the healthiest teams need a little light to chase away the shadows.
Safety Starts with Leadership
Safety Starts with Leadership
Workplace injuries aren't just accidents—they're communication breakdowns.
Too often, safety gets lost in the shuffle. Between turnover, hybrid teams, and shifting priorities, one thing stays true: clear leadership = safer workplaces.
That’s why we’re reframing the conversation.
We created a visual tool—featuring our animated Patty E., Your HR Guru—to help leaders deliver safety messages that stick. No lectures. Just 5 clear action steps:
✔️ Wear proper PPE
✔️ Report hazards
✔️ Follow handbook/manuals
✔️ Inspect tools/equipment
✔️ Keep your space organized
🔸 Whether you're on the floor or behind a desk, this approach simplifies safety and turns it into a habit.
Want to bring this into your workplace? Need help launching a safety culture that actually lasts?
Wonderful leaders remember: Proverbs 11:14: "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety".
Let’s collaborate.
👉 www.yourhrguru.com
Guided by Faith. Grounded in Purpose.
☕ National Coffee Day: More Than Just a Cup
Today is National Coffee Day, and while many of us are lining up for our favorite brew, let’s pause and think about what coffee represents in the workplace.
For leaders, it’s easy to get wrapped up in ROI, KPIs, and bottom lines. But here’s the catch—when the focus is only on numbers, we risk overlooking the simple, human interactions that drive motivation and engagement.
Coffee, at its best, isn’t about caffeine. It’s about connection.
--That quick “How are you?” at the coffee machine.
--The shared laugh before the meeting starts.
--The five minutes of humanity that remind employees they’re more than just productivity units.
When culture starts to slip, it’s rarely announced in a meeting. Employees who feel held at arm’s length won’t be the ones to tell you what’s broken. They’ll stay quiet, disengage, and eventually, drift away.
So what can you do? Start small.
Invite someone for coffee. Hand them a cup of joe. Show that you see them—not just their output.
Because leadership isn’t always about grand gestures. It’s the micro movements—the consistent, thoughtful actions—that compound into trust, engagement, and culture. And over time, those small sips lead to big leaps.
So today, let’s celebrate National Coffee Day not just with caffeine, but with connection.
☕ Cheers to culture, connection, and the kind of leadership that starts with a cup.
✨ Working on a Saturday?
It’s not a bad thing when we choose it. Sometimes we’re inspired, catching up, or simply love what we do.
But when the choice disappears — when long hours and weekend work become the expectation instead of the exception — that’s when it becomes oppressive. That’s when leadership matters most.
Because real leadership isn’t about squeezing more hours out of people. It’s about:
✅ Setting clear expectations
✅ Delegating effectively
✅ Managing time & attendance fairly
✅ Coaching instead of criticizing
✅ Resolving conflict before it escalates
✅ Staying compliant & protecting your team
When leaders get these essentials right, they build teams that thrive, not just survive. And yes — they even give themselves back the freedom of choice.
💡 Leadership is the difference between burnout and balance.
👉 Ready to reclaim your Saturdays — by choice?
Let’s connect.
www.yourhrguru.com
🌤️ Happy Friday! 🌤️
It all begins with an idea.
In our country, we are blessed to wake up with so many different seasons. Today, I found joy in rising to a cloudy sky—it brought me relief after months of heat. And it made me reflect: why does Friday feel like such a good day?
For me, Friday isn’t about the weekend rushing in. It’s about taking things one day at a time and remembering to embrace the why.
Embrace the Why
Here’s the truth: you are not the most important aspect of your employee’s life. They have real, meaningful motivations outside of work. That’s why Friday should never feel like the moment you can’t get out of the room—or turn off the computer—fast enough. Instead, it should be a natural pause, a chance to reflect on the week, and the perfect opportunity to show gratitude for your team’s dedication and sacrifices.
Show Value in Their Lives
Is it valuable to show gratitude? Always. Gratitude is fuel. If your team works on-site, consider small, unexpected gestures—an impromptu Friday lunch, a surprise painting class, a book discussion, or even empowering a few employees to lead a fun session. The question isn’t “Why should we do this?” but “Why haven’t we done this yet?”
And for virtual offices? Equally important. I used to thrive in the “No Meeting Friday” rule—until I realized, nobody cared about me fact. That’s when I shifted my perspective. A Friday Alive Meeting can be a wonderful 30-minute hello round up to celebrate the week, hear your teammates laugh, and see each other (yes, turn on those cameras!). Team spirit doesn’t depend on location—it can flourish whether you’re onsite or online.
Take Care to Say Goodbye
As the week ends, don’t let Friday be the day your team feels invisible. Instead, let it be the day you recognize, uplift, and send them into the weekend knowing their contributions mattered.
Because Friday isn’t just about closing the door—it’s about opening space for gratitude, connection, and team spirit. The answer to your culture is YOU as the leader, and your team as the humans who will carry forward your vision.
Happy Friday, from Your HR Guru. 🌾
Guided by Faith. Grounded in Purpose.