Running a Small Business Is Already Hard Enough Without Bad HR Advice
The internet is packed with tips that seem helpful — until you try them and realize they create more problems than they solve.
Let’s bust some common HR myths and share what actually works. Here are 20 of the worst pieces of HR advice we’ve seen, paired with real-world strategies to keep your business running smoothly and your employees happy — no corporate buzzwords required.
1. “Require a Doctor’s Note for Every Sick Day”
The Reality: Micromanaging sick days only makes employees resentful — and probably more contagious.
What Works: Trust your team. A reasonable sick leave policy with occasional check-ins beats chasing down notes like a hall monitor.
2. “Never Talk About Pay”
The Reality: Keeping pay secret invites frustration, rumors, and resignations.
What Works: Be transparent about how raises, bonuses, and promotions happen. People appreciate honesty — even if the budget is tight.
3. “Hire People Who ‘Fit the Culture’”
The Reality: “Culture fit” often means hiring people who are too similar, limiting creativity and diversity.
What Works: Hire for culture add — people who bring new skills, ideas, or even a fresh sense of humor to the team.
4. “HR Is Just for Fixing Problems”
The Reality: Waiting until something breaks to focus on HR is like waiting until your roof leaks to check for missing shingles.
What Works: Proactive HR prevents issues, keeps your business compliant, and makes life easier for everyone.
5. “Do Performance Reviews Once a Year”
The Reality: Yearly reviews often feel like a painful chore — for both sides.
What Works: Regular, informal feedback makes improvement easier and less awkward. Nobody likes a surprise “needs improvement” bomb.
6. “Employees Should Be Grateful They Have a Job”
The Reality: This attitude went out with floppy disks. Today’s employees expect respect, recognition, and growth opportunities.
What Works: Show appreciation through honest praise, small rewards, and regular check-ins. Employees stick around when they feel valued.
7. “Don’t Fire Anyone — Just Keep ‘Written Warnings’ Going Forever”
The Reality: Avoiding termination out of fear of lawsuits keeps bad employees around and kills team morale.
What Works: Follow a fair, documented process. If improvement doesn’t happen, be decisive (and legal).
8. “Use a Generic Employee Handbook from the Internet”
The Reality: A one-size-fits-all handbook doesn’t cover your business’s specific needs — or legal requirements.
What Works: Customize your handbook. State laws, company values, and unique processes all matter.
9. “Tell Employees to ‘Leave Personal Problems at the Door’”
The Reality: People aren’t robots. Life happens, and pretending it doesn’t only increases stress.
What Works: Be compassionate. Offer mental health support, flexible scheduling, or just a listening ear when possible.
10. “It’s OK to Skip Job Descriptions”
The Reality: Vague roles cause confusion, missed expectations, and a whole lot of frustration.
What Works: Write clear, specific job descriptions so everyone knows what’s expected — and what success looks like.
11. “Keep Complaints ‘Off the Record’”
The Reality: This can land you in hot water legally and create a toxic work environment.
What Works: Have a clear, documented process for handling complaints, even if they seem minor at first.
12. “Your Small Business Doesn’t Need HR Policies”
The Reality: No matter your size, policies keep things running smoothly and reduce misunderstandings.
What Works: Start with the basics: attendance, harassment, time off, and pay policies. Adjust as you grow.
13. “Just Promote the Best Worker to Manager”
The Reality: Being great at the job doesn’t mean someone can manage the job — or people.
What Works: Train future leaders on management skills before they step into the role. Leadership is a skill, not a reward.
14. “Ban All Social Media Use at Work”
The Reality: Good luck enforcing this without turning into Big Brother.
What Works: Have a reasonable social media policy that balances work focus with breaks. People will check their phones — manage it, don’t fight it.
15. “Post Job Openings on Every Job Board Possible”
The Reality: Casting too wide a net brings a flood of unqualified candidates, wasting time and energy.
What Works: Post strategically. Target job boards and networks where your ideal candidates actually look.
16. “Discipline Employees Publicly to ‘Set an Example’”
The Reality: Public shaming destroys morale and trust faster than a broken coffee machine.
What Works: Handle issues privately, respectfully, and with a plan for improvement.
17. “Never Let Employees See Their Personnel Files”
The Reality: This feels sneaky and creates mistrust.
What Works: Be transparent. Employees should have access to their files, especially for reviews or disputes.
18. “You Can’t Be Friends with Employees”
The Reality: Professional friendships aren’t bad — but blurred boundaries can be.
What Works: Be friendly but professional. It’s about balance, not banning all social interactions.
19. “Longer Hours Mean More Productivity”
The Reality: Overworked employees are less productive, less creative, and more likely to burn out.
What Works: Encourage breaks and reasonable work hours. Rested employees work smarter, not longer.
20. “Avoid Conflict at All Costs”
The Reality: Avoiding conflict means problems fester, causing bigger issues down the line.
What Works: Address conflict early with direct, honest communication. Respectful conversations prevent drama explosions.
The Bottom Line
Bad HR advice is everywhere, but your business deserves better. At Peopleish, we believe in practical, real-world HR solutions that make sense for your small business. No buzzwords. No red tape. Just smart strategies to keep your business running and your team happy.
Need help getting your HR on track? Reach out to us today. We promise — no required doctor’s notes.
