When HR Meets Mike Baxter: Agreeing (Secretly) on Political Correctness

Mike Baxter from Last Man Standing is known for his no-nonsense, “call it like it is” take on political correctness—sometimes to the horror of his family and coworkers. And believe it or not, there are HR professionals out there who quietly nod along.

Yes, HR is often the face of inclusivity, sensitivity training, and navigating the minefield of language. But deep down, some of us totally get Mike’s frustration with how political correctness can sometimes feel like walking through a verbal obstacle course—where one wrong word sends everyone into full-on panic mode.

Why do some HR pros secretly agree with Mike? Because:

• We believe in authentic communication—not just scripted phrases.

• Sometimes, the endless “rules” around language make honest conversations harder, not easier.

• It’s exhausting policing every word while still trying to keep things respectful.

• We wish people would focus more on intent and less on every possible offense.

That said, HR’s job isn’t to throw political correctness out the window—it’s to strike a balance. To create workplaces where people feel safe, heard, and respected, while also keeping things real and human.

So maybe HR and Mike Baxter aren’t as far apart as you think. We both want honest, clear, and respectful dialogue—just sometimes we have different ways of getting there.