The Bad Hire - The Art of Hiring Great People

Ken Monroe
  • 4.8 (6)
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The Bad Hire is a bold, human-first podcast about hires gone wrong. Hosted by Ken Monroe, CEO of Bchex, each episode unpacks the funniest, strangest, and most shocking bad hire stories from offices, job sites, and teams everywhere. From outrageous résumé lies to first-day meltdowns, these tales will make you laugh, cringe, and say, “there’s no way that’s true.” Not just for HR or recruiters, it’s for anyone who’s worked with that coworker or made a hire they’ll never forget, while revealing the lessons in the chaos.

  1. She Faked Her Brother’s Death for PTO

    3D AGO

    She Faked Her Brother’s Death for PTO

    What do you do when a brand-new hire claims her brother died… gets paid bereavement leave… and then you find out he’s very much alive?In Episode 20 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Morgan, and Emma are back on the couch reacting to some of the wildest listener-submitted stories yet — from ghost-haunted interviews to arson confessions and a benefits manager who disappeared after cashing her check.This episode is chaotic in the best way.You’ll hear:– A candidate who screamed about ghosts during a job interview– An identical twin “magician” trying to reapply in disguise– A felon trying to turn his life around at a job fair– A designer who admitted she burned her cheating boyfriend’s house down– A hire who quietly eroded team morale from the inside– And a benefits manager who faked a death in the family for paid time offThese aren’t just bizarre stories — they’re lessons about trust, accountability, culture fit, and the true cost of ignoring red flags.💸 Think you’ve heard worse? Submit your story at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000.Key Takeaways:• Early red flags rarely fix themselves.• Culture fit matters more than résumé polish.• Generosity in leadership can be exploited — but shouldn’t disappear.• Accountability beats overconfidence every time.• Not every bad hire is loud — some slowly unravel your team.⸻Connect with Us:🌐 Website: TheBadHire.com📧 Email: team@thebadhire.com📱 Instagram: @thebadhirepod📘 Facebook: facebook.com/thebadhirepod🎵 TikTok: @thebadhirepod💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thebadhire—Sponsored by BChex:Need better background checks? BChex makes hiring safer, faster, and simpler. From visitor management to employee monitoring—BChex has you covered.www.bchex.io—🎙️ Submit your own bad hire story for a chance to win $10,000 at TheBadHire.com

    28 min
  2. He Took the Company Card on a $15,000 Vacation

    FEB 11

    He Took the Company Card on a $15,000 Vacation

    Sometimes a “bad hire” is just a bad apple. In Episode 19 of The Bad Hire, Ken and Nathan are joined by special guest Steve Stewart, CEO and co-founder of SongHub, to talk through some of the wildest (and most expensive) hiring disasters he’s seen in both startups and the music industry. From a tour manager who went rogue with a company credit card, to a fake coder who couldn’t code, to a $360K CTO who secretly took a second job—this episode is packed with jaw-dropping stories and hard-won hiring wisdom. Whether you’re building your first team or managing a high-growth startup, this one’s a crash course in hiring red flags, corporate chaos, and the high cost of trusting the wrong person. You’ll hear: – The $15,000 Caribbean getaway that ended in a pink slip – How to spot a resume faker before it’s too late – What happens when a CTO “quiet quits”… for a different company – Why founders need to stop ignoring HR structure – How Steve’s hiring approach changed after losing big 💸 Think you’ve heard worse? Submit your bad hire story at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000. Key Takeaways: • Not all risks pay off—especially with hires. • Trust is earned, not assumed. • Your team’s integrity is more valuable than their résumé. • Systems don’t stop fraud, but they expose it faster. • When someone shows you who they are—believe them. ⸻ Connect with Us: 🌐 Website: TheBadHire.com 📧 Email: team@thebadhire.com 📱 Instagram: @thebadhirepod 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/thebadhirepod 🎵 TikTok: @thebadhirepod 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thebadhire — Sponsored by BChex: Need better background checks? BChex makes hiring safer, faster, and simpler. From visitor management to employee monitoring—BChex has you covered. www.bchex.io — 🎙️ Submit your own bad hire story for a chance to win $10,000 at TheBadHire.com

    53 min
  3. He Faked a $1M Offer Letter to Get a Raise

    FEB 6

    He Faked a $1M Offer Letter to Get a Raise

    How far would someone go to get a raise? In Episode 18 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Nathan, and Emma react to one of the wildest stories yet—about a guy who edited his $60K offer letter… and turned it into $1 million. Plus: a top-secret “government project” excuse, gambling theft, and a hiring manager who refuses to work with anyone wearing the color orange (seriously). You’ll hear: – Why people lie their way into roles they can’t handle – What to do when an employee confesses to a crime – The psychological chaos of firing a “friend” – What a True Colors personality test has to do with oranges – And the worst fake excuse for skipping work—maybe ever 💸 Want to win $10,000? Submit your bad hire story now at TheBadHire.com Key Takeaways: • People don’t always lie for the job—they lie to keep it. • HR isn’t just about rules—it’s about reading people. • Don’t ignore red flags just because they’re “nice.” • If your hiring manager won’t work with someone over a color… fix that. ⸻ Connect with Us: 🌐 Website: TheBadHire.com 📧 Email: team@thebadhire.com 📱 Instagram: @thebadhirepod 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/thebadhirepod 🎵 TikTok: @thebadhirepod 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thebadhire — Sponsored by BChex: Need better background checks? BChex makes hiring safer, faster, and simpler. From visitor management to employee monitoring—BChex has you covered. www.bchex.io — 🎙️ Submit your own bad hire story for a chance to win $10,000 at TheBadHire.com

    26 min
  4. She Came to Tutor Kids… Drunk

    JAN 28

    She Came to Tutor Kids… Drunk

    What happens when a seemingly perfect candidate walks in on day one… and immediately proves she’s not the same person you hired?In Episode 17 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Nathan, and Emma are back to break down some of the wildest real hiring stories submitted by listeners—including a literacy tutor who showed up drunk, a boyfriend who caused total chaos in the lobby, and a moonlighting CTO making $360K… while working full-time for Goldman Sachs.You’ll hear:– A sweet volunteer who brought tea… that wasn’t tea– A boyfriend who peed in the hedges during her interview– A candidate who completely changed personas after getting hired– A CTO hired by investor demand… who never showed up again– And a candidate who tried to get the recruiter fired—for a calendar error💸 Want to win $10,000? Submit your bad hire story now at TheBadHire.comKey Takeaways:• Sometimes the first day is all the red flag you need• Good interview ≠ good employee• External behavior reflects internal dysfunction• Startups need boundaries—especially with investors• “Bad hire” stories are therapy for hiring managers⸻Connect with Us:🌐 Website: TheBadHire.com📧 Email: team@thebadhire.com📱 Instagram: @thebadhirepod📘 Facebook: facebook.com/thebadhirepod🎵 TikTok: @thebadhirepod💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thebadhire—Sponsored by BChex:Need better background checks? BChex makes hiring safer, faster, and simpler. From visitor management to employee monitoring—BChex has you covered.www.bchex.io—🎙️ Submit your own bad hire story for a chance to win $10,000 at TheBadHire.com

    34 min
  5. Hiring Is a Skill - Interview With Laura Mazzulo of East Side Staffing and Ken Monroe, CEO of Bchex

    JAN 21

    Hiring Is a Skill - Interview With Laura Mazzulo of East Side Staffing and Ken Monroe, CEO of Bchex

    Follow Laura at www.EastSideStaffing.com and ⁨‪@learnwithlaurahr‬ on all platforms!In Episode 16 of The Bad Hire, Ken (CEO of ‪@bchexscreens‬ ) and Nathan are joined by guest Laura Mazzullo (‪@learnwithlaurahr‬ founder of East Side Staffing) for a raw, funny, and practical breakdown of how hiring actually works—and why most teams get it so wrong. From passive-aggressive HR execs to the emotional toll of bad hires, this episode unpacks real lessons from two decades of experience in the hiring world. It’s not just for HR professionals—anyone building a team or running a company needs to hear this. You’ll hear:– Why hiring is a skill that most people never learn– What HR pros get wrong (and how CEOs often make it worse)– The #1 trait every successful hire has in common– How internal recruiters are often set up to fail– The difference between being strategic and being compliant– Why curiosity and humility beat culture fit every time💸 Want to win $10,000? Submit your bad hire story now at TheBadHire.comKey Takeaways:• Hiring isn’t common sense—it’s a developed skill.• You can teach skill. You can’t fake character.• Internal recruiters need more support—not more pressure.• A bad process creates bad hires, not bad people.• Hiring is the front line of culture—and the first place companies fail.⸻Connect with Us:🌐 Website: TheBadHire.com📧 Email: team@thebadhire.com📱 Instagram: @thebadhirepod📘 Facebook: facebook.com/thebadhirepod🎵 TikTok: @thebadhirepod💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thebadhire—Sponsored by BChex:Need better background checks? BChex makes hiring safer, faster, and simpler. From visitor management to employee monitoring—BChex has you covered.www.bchex.io—🎙️ Submit your own bad hire story for a chance to win $10,000 at TheBadHire.com

    53 min
  6. He Fumbled a $500,000 Deal… and Still Didn’t Get Fired

    JAN 14

    He Fumbled a $500,000 Deal… and Still Didn’t Get Fired

    What happens when you blow a $500,000 client shoot… and your boss still takes you to dinner? In Episode 15 of The Bad Hire, Ken and Nathan sit down with guest Hudson, founder of Unify Visual Marketing, to unpack what excellence looks like, even when things fall apart.They talk:– The pressure of hiring in small creative teams– When friends make bad hires– The difference between talent and trust– Why every leader should know their “bad hire” momentAnd yes—Hudson tells the story of how he nearly ruined a half-million dollar client shoot… and came out the other side better for it.💸 Submit your own bad hire story to win $10,000: TheBadHire.comKey Takeaways:• Hiring friends? Always get proof of concept.• Being a great hang doesn’t make someone a great hire.• When things go south, how leaders respond makes all the difference.• Culture fit can matter more than technical skill.⸻Connect with Us:🌐 Website: TheBadHire.com📧 Email: team@thebadhire.com📱 Instagram: @thebadhirepod📘 Facebook: facebook.com/thebadhirepod🎵 TikTok: @thebadhirepod💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thebadhire—Sponsored by BChex:Need better background checks? BChex makes hiring safer, faster, and simpler. From visitor management to employee monitoring—BChex has you covered.www.bchex.io—🎙️ Submit your own bad hire story for a chance to win $10,000 at TheBadHire.com

    40 min
  7. Lawyer Found Passed Out in Office Bathroom | EP 14

    JAN 7

    Lawyer Found Passed Out in Office Bathroom | EP 14

    What do you do when your brand-new attorney is found high in a bathroom stall—just four days into the job? Or when a retail worker starts running a full-blown refund scam out of the store’s register?In Episode 14 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Morgan, and Emma unpack the most chaotic employee stories yet. From double-dipping tech bros and weapon-hoarding receptionists to a Zoom meeting disaster that’ll make you rethink remote work policies—this one has it all.You’ll hear:– A lawyer who celebrated passing the bar a little too hard– A refund scheme that flew under the radar for weeks– An employee who stockpiled scissors and staplers like it was The Purge– A guy secretly working two full-time jobs—until his cover was blown– A shirtless Zoom caller cuddling a cat from bed💸 Want to win $10,000? Submit your bad hire story now at TheBadHire.comKey Takeaways:• Being qualified on paper doesn’t mean they’re stable in person.• Theft doesn’t always look like stolen merchandise—sometimes it’s refunds.• Always read the room (and dress appropriately) before a Zoom call.• The person you interview may not be the person you hire.• Red flags don’t wait for performance reviews—they show up on day one.⸻Connect with Us:🌐 Website: TheBadHire.com📧 Email: team@thebadhire.com📱 Instagram: @thebadhirepod📘 Facebook: facebook.com/thebadhirepod🎵 TikTok: @thebadhirepod💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thebadhire—Sponsored by BChex:Need better background checks? BChex makes hiring safer, faster, and simpler. From visitor management to employee monitoring—BChex has you covered.www.bchex.io—🎙️ Submit your own bad hire story for a chance to win $10,000 at TheBadHire.com

    20 min
  8. The Marketing Director Used PTO for Jail Time | EP 13

    12/31/2025

    The Marketing Director Used PTO for Jail Time | EP 13

    What happens when your marketing director gets arrested for a DUI… in the company car… then uses his PTO to cover the week he was in jail?In Episode 13 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Emma, and Morgan break down the most jaw-dropping HR horror stories yet. From stolen credit cards and faked IDs to addiction-fueled meltdowns and escort-fueled disasters, this episode proves that some hires bring chaos in ways you just can’t make up.You’ll hear:– A candidate who photoshopped his license… and a fake government receipt– A marketing director who treated jail time like paid vacation– An employee who had a brand-new illness every time she got caught– A night-shift gas station worker who lost it all to Clash of Clans– A receptionist with a stapler territory issue– And a five-star gala gone wrong involving escorts and a stolen TV💸 Want to win $10,000? Submit your bad hire story now at TheBadHire.comKey Takeaways:• Just because someone can Photoshop doesn’t mean they should.• Some people treat employment like a con artist pipeline.• Addiction can derail good employees if left unchecked.• PTO is not meant to cover jail time.• Always double-check conference conduct—some reps go rogue.⸻Connect with Us:🌐 Website: TheBadHire.com📧 Email: team@thebadhire.com📱 Instagram: @thebadhirepod📘 Facebook: facebook.com/thebadhirepod🎵 TikTok: @thebadhirepod💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thebadhire—Sponsored by BChex:Need better background checks? BChex makes hiring safer, faster, and simpler. From visitor management to employee monitoring—BChex has you covered.www.bchex.io—🎙️ Submit your own bad hire story for a chance to win $10,000 at TheBadHire.com

    20 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Bad Hire is a bold, human-first podcast about hires gone wrong. Hosted by Ken Monroe, CEO of Bchex, each episode unpacks the funniest, strangest, and most shocking bad hire stories from offices, job sites, and teams everywhere. From outrageous résumé lies to first-day meltdowns, these tales will make you laugh, cringe, and say, “there’s no way that’s true.” Not just for HR or recruiters, it’s for anyone who’s worked with that coworker or made a hire they’ll never forget, while revealing the lessons in the chaos.

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