Everybody Hates HR

Your non-judgmental, humorous guide to thriving – not just surviving – in the workplace

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'This is the book I wish I'd had at the start of my career.' BOLA SOL

"For years, we tried to polish away the “personal” from the professional image and we know that this is the case for many of you reading this in order to make yourself more digestible for the masses. But your differences make your brand. The truth is that authenticity is the new currency of credibility...We haven’t looked back since showing up as women from South London who believe HR can be engaging, empowering, and even a little bit funny."

Everybody hates HR... until they need it.

Whether you're navigating office politics, surviving awkward meetings, recovering from a disastrous performance review, or wondering if you should finally quit that job, Everybody Hates HR is the witty, honest career companion you'll wish you'd had from day one.

Blending practical advice with laugh-out-loud humour, personal stories and the no-nonsense wisdom that has made podcasters Lola and Velisa trusted voices for thousands of listeners, this isn't another dry workplace manual. It's the straight-talking friend who'll help you decode the unwritten rules of work, advocate for yourself, and build a career (corporate, freelance or otherwise) on your own terms.

Drawing on real workplace dilemmas, hard-earned lessons and expert insight, Lola and Velisa tackle everything from difficult managers and salary conversations to confidence, career progression and knowing when it's time to move on. For young Black and brown professionals, they also offer candid guidance on navigating microaggressions, finding sponsors and allies, overcoming imposter syndrome, and building a personal brand without compromising who you are.

Packed with valuable tools, relatable stories and plenty of laughs, Everybody Hates HR is like having a mentor in your bag: ready to remind you that you're not imagining it, you're not alone, and you deserve more than simply surviving at work. It's time to stop playing the game by everyone else's rules and start building a career that works for you.

Reading Everybody Hates HR feels like getting career advice from friends who actually know what they're talking about. It's warm, clear and thorough, and it finally says out loud the unspoken rules none of us were ever trained for. The section on personal branding is a must: yes, putting yourself out there can feel cringe, but that's exactly what opens doors. And with such a sharp grasp of today's job market, this is the book I wish I'd had at the start of my career.
Bola Sol, financial educator and author of How To Save It and Your Money Life

About Lola Abitogun

Lola Abitogun is a senior HR professional and a co-host of the Everybody Hates HR Podcast. She is also an employment lawyer and the founder a HR consultancy specialising in supporting start-ups and scale-ups. Since establishing the consultancy in 2021, she and her team have worked with over twenty five early-stage companies, helping them design scalable HR infrastructure and build positive and inclusive workplace cultures. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Westminster. Everybody Hates HR is her first book.

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About Velisa Bowlay-Williams

Velisa Bowlay-Williams is an experienced senior HR professional and co-host of the Everybody Hates HR Podcast. She has spent the last eight years specialising in Employee Relations within large tech companies. Velisa is also the creator of the Haus of HR platform, where she breaks down employment law and tribunal cases into short, accessible videos to help employees better understand their rights at work. She is a mother and is passionate about flexible working and supporting parents and carers in the workplace.
Everybody Hates HR is her first book.

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