The Bad Hire Podcast

Ken Monroe
  • 4.9 (7)
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The best stories about the worst employees. Hosted by Ken Monroe, CEO of Bchex, The Bad Hire Podcast unpacks the funniest, strangest, and most shocking hiring 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.

  1. The Employee Who Disappeared Without a Trace

    1d ago

    The Employee Who Disappeared Without a Trace

    A receptionist starts calling clients “Sparkles Chompers.” A salesman disappears without a trace. And a remote engineer gets caught using a fake video feed during Zoom meetings. In Episode 35 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Nathan, and Morgan react to some of the most bizarre hiring stories yet — including workplace boundary disasters, employees who completely disappear, and remote work scams that sound too ridiculous to be real. This episode proves that sometimes the craziest stories aren’t about bad performance — they’re about behavior nobody could have predicted. You’ll hear: – A receptionist whose over-the-top friendliness got her fired – The employee who disappeared and left his wife to discover the truth – A remote engineer secretly outsourcing his entire job – A six-figure employee working two full-time jobs at once – The Zoom call that exposed a fake webcam scam Some of these stories are hilarious. Some are shocking. And some make you wonder how people thought they’d ever get away with it. 💸 Think you’ve heard worse? Submit your story at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000. Key Takeaways: • Professional boundaries matter. • Remote work requires trust—but verification matters too. • Character issues eventually reveal themselves. • Being honest late is not the same as being honest. • Sometimes the biggest red flags don’t appear until after hiring. ⸻ 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

    24 min
  2. The Most Unqualified Hire We’ve Ever Seen

    May 27

    The Most Unqualified Hire We’ve Ever Seen

    A new employee accuses her manager of poisoning her with heroin.Another worker gets fired for scratching lottery tickets behind the register.And one admin casually announces on her FIRST DAY that she stops working at 2PM. In Episode 34 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Morgan, and Corey react to some absolutely unhinged hiring stories — from fake medical excuses and bizarre paranoia to fake references and employees who self-destruct within hours. This episode is chaos from start to finish. You’ll hear:– A worker convinced managers are spiritual entities trying to poison him– A Vegas “medical procedure” excuse that completely falls apart– A project manager googling what PMO means… after getting hired to lead one– A gas station employee scratching unsold lottery tickets on camera– An admin who decided her workday ended at 2PM despite being hired for 9–5 Some of these stories are hilarious.Some are frustrating.And some make you wonder how HR professionals survive at all. 💸 Think you’ve heard worse? Submit your story at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000. Key Takeaways:• First impressions matter more than people think.• Fake references and résumé fraud always catch up eventually.• HR professionals deal with way more than most people realize.• Clear expectations don’t matter if people ignore them.• Sometimes the “bad hire” reveals themselves immediately.⸻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

    23 min
  3. She Lied About EVERY Degree on Her Résumé

    May 20

    She Lied About EVERY Degree on Her Résumé

    A bank manager physically grabs an employee by the arm. A new hire brags at lunch that his résumé is completely fake. And an MIT admissions dean spends 28 YEARS building a career on degrees she never earned. In Episode 33 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Emma, and Kyrie react to some of the wildest stories yet — from workplace power trips and résumé fraud to theft, manipulation, and employees completely exposing themselves within hours of being hired. This episode proves one thing: People eventually tell on themselves. You’ll hear: – A toxic bank manager obsessed with female customers – A clerk arrested for stealing customer payment info – A finance employee overheard admitting his résumé was fake – A real-life MIT admissions scandal involving fake degrees – Stories about integrity, background checks, and hiring instincts gone wrong Some stories are funny. Some are uncomfortable. And some are genuinely unbelievable. 💸 Think you’ve heard worse? Submit your story at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000. Key Takeaways: • Toxic leadership destroys teams quickly. • Résumé lies almost always surface eventually. • Small integrity issues become massive risks over time. • Background checks matter more than ever. • Character problems reveal themselves early. ⸻ 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
  4. He Got Fired After Delivering ONE Pizza

    May 13

    He Got Fired After Delivering ONE Pizza

    A pizza delivery driver lasted exactly one delivery before getting fired.A firefighter showed up drunk on his first day.And a candidate with violent felonies asked why the company couldn’t “focus on her personality instead.”In Episode 32 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Nathan, and Emma react to some of the most unbelievable first-day flameouts and hiring disasters yet — from misogynistic pizza drivers to résumé lies, drug deals during kitchen shifts, and background checks that exposed terrifying truths.  This episode is packed with stories that prove one thing:People will absolutely tell on themselves if you give them enough time.You’ll hear:– A pizza delivery driver fired after ONE delivery– A candidate lying about education and degrees– A firefighter who got a DUI before his first shift ended– A culinary school grad asking to leave work for a drug deal– A warehouse hire bragging about stealing from past employers– A shocking background check involving a youth organizationThese stories are hilarious, awkward, and sometimes genuinely disturbing — but they also reveal deeper lessons about integrity, hiring instincts, and why background checks matter more than ever.💸 Think you’ve heard worse? Submit your story at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000.Key Takeaways:• First impressions usually tell you everything.• People who lie on résumés almost always get caught.• Overconfidence can destroy opportunities fast.• One sentence can instantly end a career.• Background checks protect more than companies — they protect people.⸻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

    29 min
  5. One Tweet Ended Her Career Overnight

    May 6

    One Tweet Ended Her Career Overnight

    What happens when a single tweet destroys your career before your flight even lands?In Episode 31 of The Bad Hire, Ken is joined by Randall Wilson and Jamie Franco for an episode entirely focused on social media disasters, online reputation, and the hiring mistakes companies never see coming.  From racist tweets resurfacing years later to servers getting fired over Facebook posts, this episode dives deep into how social media can instantly become a company’s biggest HR nightmare.You’ll hear:– A PR executive fired mid-flight after a tweet went viral worldwide– A Teen Vogue editor who resigned before Day One over resurfaced tweets– The Outback Steakhouse server fired after venting about tips online– The dangers of ignoring social media screenings– How one bad post can destroy company culture overnight– And why “public posts” are never really in the pastThis episode is less about bad hires… and more about bad judgment living forever online.💸 Think you’ve heard worse? Submit your story at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000.Key Takeaways:• Social media posts can follow you for decades• Public posts are permanent receipts• Companies must verify more than résumés• Reputation crises happen faster than ever online• One employee can instantly become a brand liability⸻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

    38 min
  6. She STOLE Half the Store… Then Fell Asleep on the Job

    Apr 29

    She STOLE Half the Store… Then Fell Asleep on the Job

    What do you do when your brand-new hire steals inventory… and then falls asleep an hour into their shift?In Episode 30 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Nathan, and Emma react to more unbelievable hiring disasters — from fake transcripts and stolen office supplies to employees who couldn’t actually do the job they were hired for.  This one is packed with chaos, confusion, and a few painful lessons along the way.You’ll hear:– A new hire who stole inventory and passed out behind the kiosk– A candidate who faked transcripts… and even created a fake university contact– An employee who took “free coffee” a little too literally– A cook who couldn’t make scrambled eggs– A lab hire working a second job during work hours– And a classic “great interview, terrible performance” situationThese stories aren’t just ridiculous — they expose the real risks of skipping verification, overlooking red flags, and hiring based on vibes instead of proof.💸 Think you’ve heard worse? Submit your story at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000.Key Takeaways:• Always verify credentials — even when everything “looks right”• Great interviews don’t guarantee real skills• Small red flags often point to bigger problems• Accountability matters more than potential• The wrong hire can drain time, energy, and trust fast⸻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

    23 min
  7. He Got ARRESTED Before His First Day… Then Still Asked for the Job

    Apr 21

    He Got ARRESTED Before His First Day… Then Still Asked for the Job

    What do you do when your brand-new hire texts you… asking to push their start date back… because they got arrested? In Episode 29 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Morgan, and Emma are back reacting to some of the most chaotic hiring stories yet — including a guy who spent his first week of work in jail, an employee stealing during onboarding, and someone literally hiding under their desk to vape. This episode is pure chaos from start to finish. You’ll hear: – A new hire who got arrested before Day One… and still came back – Someone stealing a wallet during onboarding paperwork – An employee hiding under their desk just to vape – A candidate who lied about a degree… and asked for “flexibility” – And a guy fired on Day One for thinking he knew more than the entire company These stories are wild — but they reveal deeper truths about hiring, character, and the cost of skipping due diligence. 💸 Think you’ve heard worse? Submit your story at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000. Key Takeaways: • Skipping background checks can backfire instantly • Character issues show up fast — sometimes on Day One • Confidence without humility is a major red flag • Bad hires don’t just fail — they disrupt everything • Sometimes the craziest stories start before the job even begins ⸻ 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

    22 min
  8. He Tried to Hide Alcohol in a Coffee Cup

    Apr 15

    He Tried to Hide Alcohol in a Coffee Cup

    What do you do when a new hire shows up to orientation… drunk… at a substance abuse treatment center?In Episode 28 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Morgan, and Emma react to some of the most ridiculous and unbelievable hiring stories yet — including a contractor who couldn’t make it through day one sober, a candidate who brought his mom to the interview (for a very specific reason), and a bookkeeper who secretly paid himself double for an entire year.This episode is chaotic, hilarious, and a little bit painful.You’ll hear:– A contractor who showed up drunk to orientation… and kept drinking during it– A candidate whose mom interrupted the interview to ask for money for her teeth– A toxic high performer who crushed culture from the inside– A company leader unknowingly creating a negative workplace– A bookkeeper who paid himself TWO checks every week for a yearThese stories aren’t just wild — they’re reminders of how easily trust can be broken and how important it is to hire with both skill and character in mind.💸 Think you’ve heard worse? Submit your story at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000.⸻Key Takeaways:• Just because something “should be obvious” doesn’t mean it is.• High performance doesn’t excuse toxic behavior.• Leadership attitude directly shapes company culture.• Trust without verification can be extremely costly.• The wrong hire can hurt more than just productivity.⸻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

    19 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The best stories about the worst employees. Hosted by Ken Monroe, CEO of Bchex, The Bad Hire Podcast unpacks the funniest, strangest, and most shocking hiring 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.

Information

  • Creator
    Ken Monroe
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ken Monroe
  • Show Website
    The Bad Hire Podcast

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