Send us a text

In this special solo episode, Kyle pulls back the curtain on the chaos of HR process management — the constant firefighting, last-minute audits, and onboarding headaches that every HR practitioner, founder, and small business leader knows all too well. Drawing on 20 years as a HR Practicioner and CHRO and over 250 conversations on the Rebel HR Podcast, Kyle shares why systemizing HR is no longer optional and how building repeatable, flexible processes can save hours of wasted time and stress.

Kyle introduces the HR Strategy Toolkit, a Notion-based system packed with proven templates for compliance, onboarding, employee experience, and strategy — all built from real-world best practices. Available as individual modules or a discounted bundle, this toolkit is designed to help HR leaders and small business owners run HR with the confidence and clarity of a Fortune 500 company.

👉 Explore the toolkit and launch pricing here: hrtoolkits.kyleroed.com

Audio Intro

Support the show

Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

https://twitter.com/rebelhrguy
https://www.facebook.com/rebelhrpodcast
http://www.kyleroed.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roed/

Send us a text

Episode Summary:
In this episode, we break down how to write and implement workplace policies that are fair, clear, and actually useful—no fluff, no meaningless jargon. Whether you’re an HR pro, a manager, or running your own business, we’ll walk you through the principles of good policy design, common pitfalls to avoid, and tools you can use to make your policies work for real people.

What You’ll Learn

• The difference between good policies and “because we said so” policies
• How to write policy language that’s clear, enforceable, and fair
• Common mistakes that make policies useless or even harmful
• How to roll out policies so employees understand and respect them
• Checking for bias, avoiding legal issues, and aligning with company culture

Key Takeaways

1. Clarity Above All – Simple, plain language beats fancy HR speak every time.
2. Consistency + Flexibility – You need a baseline of rules, but also allowance for reasonable judgment.
3. Transparency – Let people see why policies exist and how they apply; it builds trust.
4. Feedback Loops Matter – Policies should evolve. Solicit input and update them when needed.
5. Don’t Be Overly Punitive – Discipline should be fair and predictable; punishments that seem arbitrary or extreme erode morale.

Piece to Check Out

If you want a ready-to-use guide to writing good policies, check this out:

Policies that aren’t stupid
– a resource for creating HR policies that make sense.

Who This Episode Is For

• HR professionals looking to refresh or build policy frameworks
• Managers who are enforcing policies and want them to feel fair
• Small business owners who need to write policies from scratch
• Anyone interested in workplace culture, fairness, and good leadership

Quotes / Highlights (Optional)

Next Steps & Resources

• Review your current policies. Identify anything that’s vague, punitive, or doesn’t relate directly to business needs.
• Ask for feedback from employees about how policies are perceived or enforced.
• Use the “Policies that aren’t stupid” guide to audit your policies or draft new ones.
• Stay up-to-date with legal requirements in your state or country so your policies stay compliant.

Audio Intro

Support the show

Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

https://twitter.com/rebelhrguy
https://www.facebook.com/rebelhrpodcast
http://www.kyleroed.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roed/

Send us a text

📌 Podcast Notes

In this episode of the Rebel HR Podcast, host Kyle Roed sits down with Iowa SHRM Conference Co-Directors Millie Fiebelkorn and Lucas Sperfslage to talk about the upcoming Iowa SHRM State Conference – HR Full Throttle (October 8–10).

From the motivation behind volunteering as conference leaders to the trends shaping the future of HR, this candid conversation highlights both the hard work and the excitement that goes into creating a high-impact event for HR professionals.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why leading a SHRM state conference is a labor of love—and a two-year commitment
• How HR leaders are rethinking engagement in a rapidly changing workforce
• The technologies, like real-time language translation, that could transform workplace culture
• Why the future of HR is about being employee forward while still driving organizational success
• How to connect with the Iowa SHRM community and get the most out of the upcoming conference

👥 Connect with the Guests:

• Millie Fiebelkorn → LinkedIn
  | Iowa SHRM Website
• Lucas Sperfslage → LinkedIn
  | Eastern Iowa SHRM

📅 Event Details:

• Iowa SHRM State Conference
• Theme: HR Full Throttle
• Dates: October 8–10
• Location: Iowa (see agenda & registration on the Iowa SHRM website
  )

🎧 Whether you’re attending the conference or just looking for inspiration on where HR needs to keep “rebelling,” this episode will give you energy, insights, and a front-row seat to the future of the profession.

Audio Intro

Support the show

Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work. Please connect to continue the conversation!

https://twitter.com/rebelhrguy
https://www.facebook.com/rebelhrpodcast
http://www.kyleroed.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roed/