The Bad Hire - The Art of Hiring Great People

Seven DUIs.Cocaine use.And somehow… still applying for the job.In Episode 22 of The Bad Hire, Ken Monroe is joined by Nathan and special guest William Capps, an HR Manager from Charlotte, North Carolina, to break down some of the wildest hiring stories yet.From shocking background checks to employees who disappear after a week, this episode dives deep into the reality of hiring — where red flags are often hiding in plain sight.But it’s not all horror stories. The conversation also explores redemption arcs, second chances, and the tough decisions HR leaders have to make when someone just isn’t the right fit.You’ll hear stories about:• A candidate with seven DUIs on his record• Drug use showing up during the hiring process• Employees who ghost the job after less than a week• Background checks that reveal far more than expected• Why honesty during hiring matters more than ever• The lessons HR professionals learn the hard wayThese stories aren’t just outrageous — they’re cautionary tales for anyone responsible for hiring.💰 Think you’ve got a crazier story?Submit it at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000.

He missed his first day of work.Then missed the next.Got terminated for attendance.And called back 15 minutes later asking if they were hiring.In Episode 20 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Emma, and Morgan react to an entire episode of listener-submitted chaos — and these stories absolutely deliver.From a forklift driver with sudden “amnesia” to a vertigo excuse that unraveled at trivia night, to offshore hiring gone sideways and a $150K “benchwarmer” during COVID, this episode proves reality is stranger than fiction.You’ll hear:– The forklift driver who couldn’t find work… three days after orientation– The employee who claimed vertigo but was spotted out at trivia night– A group Zoom interview with ten candidates sharing one screen– Offshore supervision that turned into a net negative– A $150K hire who wasn’t given a single task for two years– The boldest “are you hiring?” phone call ever recordedThese aren’t just bad hires — they’re lessons in red flags, process failures, and the cost of cutting corners.💸 Think you’ve got worse? Submit your story at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000.Key Takeaways:• Early red flags rarely improve with time.• Hiring shortcuts create long-term headaches.• Remote work without accountability can spiral fast.• Treat every candidate with equal standards — no matter where they’re located.• Some bad hires fire themselves.⸻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

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

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

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.comKey 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

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

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

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

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

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

What happens when a “perfect hire” walks out for a smoke break… and is later found drunk in the street insisting they didn’t even work that day? Or when a rookie news anchor forgets the one rule of live television—and says the quiet part out loud to an entire state?In Episode 12 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Morgan, and Emma unpack a mix of heartbreaking, shocking, and downright unbelievable workplace stories that prove how fast things can spiral when the wrong hire—or the wrong decision—slips through the cracks.You’ll hear:– A promising employee who vanished mid-shift and unraveled completely– A live TV debut ruined by a hot mic heard across North Dakota– An airport security supervisor fired after emailing the wrong attachment– An HR department ignored until everything went sideways– A compulsive liar claiming CIA immunity and Playboy Mansion weekends– A workplace confrontation so intense it led to lockdowns and legal actionSome of these stories are outrageous. Others are sobering. All of them are cautionary tales for leaders, managers, and anyone responsible for building a team.💸 Want to win $10,000? Submit your bad hire story now at TheBadHire.comKey Takeaways:• Early red flags matter—pay attention when behavior changes.• Email attachments and live microphones are never as private as you think.• Ignoring HR processes doesn’t save time—it creates bigger problems.• Compassion and accountability must exist together.• Once something goes public, there’s no undo button.⸻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

What do you do when a new hire claims he got into MIT… two years in advance? Or when military police walk into your office to arrest your newest employee?In Episode 11 of The Bad Hire, Ken Monroe and returning guest Emma Morgan dive into real stories of outrageous lies, awkward bathroom moments, and one guy who tried to earn sympathy (and pizza) with a totally fake acceptance letter.You’ll hear:– An employee who lied about MIT and got busted with Google– A guy arrested mid-shift by military police– A compulsive liar who left toothbrushes on his desk to fake all-nighters– A 50-year-old feud involving headlights and petty parking wars– A woman who relieved herself next to her car… and claimed it wasn’t her– A receptionist fired on day one for yelling at the CEO over a staplerThese stories aren’t just shocking—they’re reminders that the red flags don’t disappear after the interview.💸 Want to win $10,000? Submit your bad hire story now at TheBadHire.comKey Takeaways:• If they say “I got into MIT… in two years” — check the calendar.• Red flags don’t vanish with a uniform and a smile.• Never underestimate petty workplace wars (or parking lot poop).• Trust your gut—and your background checks.

What do you do when an employee vanishes with your money, another claims to be Alexander Hamilton reincarnated, and a fired worker’s sister calls your office to threaten you?In Episode 10 of The Bad Hire, returning guest and CEO Dallan Wortham joins Ken and Nathan to unpack a new round of shocking hiring fails—real stories from real employers that are so unbelievable, they almost sound scripted.You’ll hear:– An employee who got fired… then her sister called to threaten the manager– A guy who ghosted the company after spending their money on another woman– A résumé that somehow listed Harvard and McDonald’s at the same time– A candidate who thought he was Alexander Hamilton reborn—and challenged coworkers to a duel– And a cautionary tale about hiring missionaries fresh off the fieldThese aren’t just red flags. They’re full-blown sirens for hiring managers everywhere.💸 Want to win $10,000? Submit your bad hire story now at TheBadHire.com.Key Takeaways:• When someone shows you who they are—believe them the first time.• Background checks are more than a formality.• Great résumés don’t mean great people.• Never underestimate how weird a hiring story can get.⸻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

What do you do when a job applicant legally changes his name to Batman… and actually gets hired? Or when a fired employee pulls out two bottles of wine and downs them on the spot?In Episode 9 of The Bad Hire, Ken, Dallan, and Nathan break down real hiring horror stories that will have you laughing, cringing, and reconsidering your next job offer.You’ll hear:– A twin brother cover-up for a cookie shop meltdown– An intern who thought “That’s not my job” was a good answer– A guy who legally tried to become Batman… for work– A receptionist who faked her husband’s death for vacation time– And a former employee who just wouldn’t go away (thanks, DoorDash)These stories aren’t just funny—they’re full of caution signs for hiring managers everywhere.💸 Want to win $10,000? Submit your bad hire story now at TheBadHire.com.Key Takeaways:• You can’t train away delusion.• Interns need professionalism, not entitlement.• A quirky hire is fine. A fake-dead-husband hire? Not so much.• Sometimes the red flags aren’t even red—they’re wine-soaked.

A guy gets caught driving on a suspended license… and uses the company card to pay for bail. A sandwich shop employee mixes bleach and ammonia — twice. A delivery driver chugs eight beers on break, gets stuck in a storm drain, and somehow keeps his job… for another hour.In this episode of The Bad Hire, Ken, Emma, and Lindsey unpack another round of jaw-dropping stories — from chemical safety fails and vanishing VPs to fake medical excuses and the world’s worst IT guy.You’ll hear:– A cardigan-wearing chaos magnet who asked his boss to lie to the court– A woman who brought a gun in her purse to her shift at a bookstore– A guy who bragged about playing poker at work… and making pizzas during lunch– The story of Kathy Sue Weaver, a tragic real-life case that proves why screening mattersThese aren’t just cautionary tales — some are full-on criminal case files.💸 Got your own horror story? Submit it at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000.Key Takeaways• Mixing bleach and ammonia is never “efficiency.”• Bad hires don’t just damage culture — sometimes, they destroy lives.• Red flags often appear early… if you’re paying attention.• HR is in the prevention business — even if no one sees it.• Background checks are more than just paperwork — they can save lives.

A new hire gets fired on the spot… and just shows up again the next day like nothing happened. A manager takes his team to a strip club to “boost morale.” One guy pedals 18 miles to the hospital with his severed thumb in his pocket. And another? He paid his bail bond using the company credit card.In this episode of The Bad Hire, Ken, Linsey, and Emma share real stories of criminal hires, clueless candidates, and chaotic workplace moments that’ll make you want to redo your entire onboarding process.You’ll hear:– A job candidate who shows off his ankle monitor mid-interview– A manager who “forgot” the sexual harassment training… immediately– The VP who tried to avoid being fired by disappearing to the bathroom– A poker-playing analyst who juggled three jobs (and lost them all)These are more than just bad hires — they’re HR disasters with a punchline.💸 Think you’ve seen worse? Submit your bad hire story at TheBadHire.com for a chance to win $10,000.Key Takeaways• Don’t skip federal-level background checks — or you’ll miss the ankle monitor.• Just because someone brags about “multitasking” doesn’t mean it’s legal.• If your VP disappears before the termination meeting… they know.• Strip clubs are not an appropriate team bonding activity. Ever.• A polite delivery driver can still crash cars, flee, and get arrested mid-shift.

A guy who brought ninja weapons to work. A military vet who leapt from a 5th floor window to win an argument. A lactose-intolerant candidate who broke into a federal building after too many cheese sticks. Oh—and an interviewee who proudly said her coworker with cancer “got what she deserved.”In this episode of The Bad Hire, Ken, Emma, and Morgan break down another round of shocking stories from the wild world of work. From unhinged Zoom interviews to horrifying background check fails, this one goes from funny to flat-out disturbing.You’ll hear:– A recruiter who couldn’t look past the bong and Cheez-Its in the background– The job candidate who tanked the offer by yelling at HR– A Jeopardy champ whose real résumé hid a dark secret– A true story of how skipping a background check led to a massive school scandalThese stories aren’t just wild — they’re warnings.💸 Want to win $10,000? Submit your bad hire story now at TheBadHire.com.Key Takeaways• Zoom backgrounds matter more than you think.• Even charming hires can carry dangerous secrets.• There are no awards for prevention — but HR heroes deserve them.• Skipping background checks isn’t cutting corners — it’s gambling.Follow, rate, and share The Bad Hire — your first line of defense against disaster.

A librarian who did absolutely nothing for 90 days. A bank robber who forgot to remove her work ID before committing the crime. A coder who lied about knowing code… then refused to let women review it.In this episode of The Bad Hire, Ken, Emma, and Morgan dive into the most jaw-dropping hiring horror stories yet. From boxcutter threats to Reddit confessions, workplace meltdowns to police chases, each story will leave you stunned—and maybe even a little nervous about your next hire.You’ll hear:– A full breakdown of the most unbelievable Reddit submissions– A real-life intern horror story that ended in HR-fueled chaos– Why a bar called “Minnie’s” became the scene of a tased ex-employeeThese stories are more than wild—they’re cautionary tales every hiring manager needs to hear.💸 Want to win $10,000? Submit your bad hire story now at TheBadHire.com.Key Takeaways• Interviews are not background checks.• Social media screenings can reveal red flags no résumé will.• Sometimes the biggest risk to your business is the person you just hired.Follow, rate, and share The Bad Hire — your first line of defense against disaster.

Did you know some hires don’t even make it to lunch on their first day? One threatened a coworker with a box cutter on a smoke break. Another proudly claimed the “Employee of the Month” parking spot, only to end up in a fistfight. And then there was Tom, the retail worker who built a secret “cubby cave” with stolen merchandise and was caught napping instead of stocking shelves.In this episode of The Bad Hire, Ken, Emma, Nathan, and Morgan unpack some of the wildest, weirdest, and downright unbelievable hiring fails yet. You’ll hear about a librarian who spent 90 days doing absolutely nothing, a security guard who quit because he was afraid of the dark, and a bank robber who signed his real name before pulling the job. And just when you think it couldn’t get worse, we meet a line cook whose collapse on the grill led to one of the most surprising redemption stories ever shared on the podcast.These stories will make you laugh, cringe, and wonder how some people even made it past the interview. More than anything, they’re proof that background checks, culture fit, and gut instinct can save you from your next bad hire.And don’t forget: submitting your own bad hire story could win you $10,000 in The Bad Hire contest.Key TakeawaysBackground checks that take six months are basically useless.Sometimes coworkers notice the “bad hire” long before management does.Red flags can be obvious like clipping nails with scissors at your desk.Even the worst bad hire stories can have a redemption arc.Share your bad hire story for a chance to win $10,000.In This Episode[00:00] Introduction[01:15] Reddit stories & call for submissions[03:52] First day disaster: special needs job[05:29] The 90-day do-nothing librarian[07:54] Parking lot fistfight: interview gone wrong[09:49] Manager fired for job hunting on LinkedIn[11:22] Apartment complex employee punches resident[12:08] Temp employee clips nails with scissors[14:55] Security guard afraid of the dark[15:50] Tom and the secret cubby[18:08] Line cook’s drug use and redemption[22:19] Six-month background check delay[24:34] Employee adds urine to ramen[26:11] Interviewing for a girlfriend[28:43] Podcast wrap-up and sponsor messageNotable Quotes[02:05] "Think about the teammate you hired that looked perfect on paper but turned out to be a walking disaster." – Ken Monroe[07:47] "I had a candidate running late for an interview, parked in the employee of the month parking space. As the employee was returning to lunch, she ended up in a fist fight in the parking lot." – Ken Monroe[08:51] "I watched someone get hired for back room, come to orientation, go outside on a smoke break, and immediately threaten someone with their new box cutter." – Ken Monroe[14:59] "I had an employee quit because he was afraid of the dark. But what's funny is that his job was… He was a security guard on the night shift." – Emma[24:39] "A current employee added urine to their ramen in the break room at lunch." – MorganOur HostKen Monroe is the founder of The Bad Hire, a show built from the trenches of business leadership and team building. After making a disastrous hire that cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars, Ken shifted his focus to helping businesses avoid similar mistakes. Today, he runs companies that have screened over 40 million candidates, helping organizations make smarter, safer hiring decisions.Resources and LinksSubmit your story – thebadhire.comWebsite – thebadhire.comEmail – ken@thebadhire.comLinkedIn – Ken MonroePodcast Platforms – Available on Apple, Spotify, and all major podcast apps

What do you do when a new hire orders room service for a week, then vanishes back to their old job? Or when a candidate casually admits to making date-rape drugs “as a hobby” during an interview? In this episode of The Bad Hire, Ken Monroe, Emma, and Nathan return with another round of jaw-dropping stories that show just how unpredictable hiring can get.From bizarre excuses like a “squirrel attack,” to a head of IT who got fired before finishing his first morning, to a dental office manager whose past on escort sites came to light within days, these tales prove that bad hires don’t just waste money, they become office legends.Some stories will make you laugh, others will make you cringe, but all of them highlight why cultural fit, background checks, and gut instincts matter more than ever.And remember: sharing your own story could win you $10,000 in The Bad Hire contest.Key TakeawaysA candidate who seems perfect can still be the wrong hire.Background checks exist for a reason, don’t skip them.Red flags in interviews are often more obvious than we admit.Culture fit matters as much as technical skills.Submitting your bad hire story could win you $10,000.In This Episode[00:00] Introduction & podcast overview[00:44] Co-host introductions & contest announcement[02:02] First story: The hotel moocher[03:07] Second story: Date rape drug confession[04:07] Third story: Beer and cigarette interview[05:04] Fourth story: Court-ordered monitoring[05:58] Discussion: Lying on resumes & Reddit thread[06:49] Fifth story: The toxic developer[08:45] Sixth story: The barista with a warrant[09:42] Seventh story: Catcalling the head of R&D[10:13] Eighth story: The car thief sales rep[10:56] Ninth story: The squirrel attack excuse[13:13] Tenth story: Misreading the employee manual[14:37] Eleventh story: The anesthetic thief[16:08] Twelfth story: The 911 caller EMT[17:18] Thirteenth story: The escort office manager[21:55] Fourteenth story: The bar fight confession[23:27] Wrap-up & call for submissionsNotable Quotes[03:08] "Back in 2012, I had a client ask my candidate, 'Tell them something interesting about themselves that's not work related.' Oh, my gosh. To which the candidate replied, 'I like to make date rape drugs in my bathtub on the weekends..” – Ken Monroe[09:44] "Our new head of IT catcalled a woman in the parking lot on his way into his first day of work. And that woman turned out to be the head of research and development. He was fired before lunch." – Nathan[11:32] “He walked in covered in scratches and said a squirrel attacked him in bed. What do you even do with that?” – Emma[17:55] “We found her phone number on two escort sites. By day four, she was gone.” – MorganOur HostKen Monroe is the founder of The Bad Hire, a show built from the trenches of business leadership and team building. After making a disastrous hire that cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars, Ken shifted his focus to helping businesses avoid similar mistakes. Today, he runs companies that have screened over 40 million candidates, helping organizations make smarter, safer hiring decisions.Submit your story – thebadhire.comWebsite – thebadhire.comEmail – ken@thebadhire.comLinkedIn – Ken MonroePodcast Platforms – Available on Apple, Spotify, and all major podcast apps