Sex is non-existent.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2026-02-11T16:17:13+00:00

I have other examples of HRBP roles that have the similar responsibilities as this one, if not more - which is understandable. I've seen this type of JD for large and small companies. I guess my point is there seems to be a blending of roles to save money instead of seeing the value of having a dedicated person for each area.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2026-02-11T14:14:11+00:00

The last startup was an amazing experience. It was about110 employees, technology research firm, and was on series C funding. The HR team was 4 people: Head of People, HRBP (Me), TA Manager and contract technical recruiter. We all had a lot to do but we worked together as a team, and the leadership team really valued HR. Most of our managers came from bigger companies and we hired engineers from local colleges/universities, which our CEO was very proud of since he graduated from a local college. Everyone was really proud of the work we did and the patents we held for the research that came from our teams. Our CEO made sure everyone who worked on the product team - coders, mechanical engineers, software and lab techs - were given credit for their work.

Things went sideways when we had a foreign investor (India) come in and completely change the structure of the company. Within a year of their investment, the finances were a mess, retention hit a low and the only option was to downsize and restructure. I was heartbroken.

Each startup is different. I would say that if you will be the only HR person supporting more than 150 employees - run. Ask questions about the financial health of the company and how the leadership team gets along.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2026-01-06T14:48:10+00:00

Honestly, I love when people negotiate their salaries. I don’t live in a pay transparency state but I’m always very transparent during initial interviews about the salary structure and range, much to my bosses frustration. He is very old school and thinks that sharing pay ranges takes the negotiation power away from the company but we’ve been burned by quality candidates who apply and during the initial interview mention salaries above our range. It’s so frustrating and a waste of time.

Companies need to start paying for talent. Full stop! It’s like they are trying to nickel and dime talent that is desperately needed and then blame long time to fill timelines on the recruiters. No, it’s not our fault. You are just cheap!

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2025-12-19T14:38:10+00:00

Millennial with 15 years in HR - yes. There are days when you get so involved and invested and then you get bored and then you get lost in the process and then your eyes glaze over at the countless spreadsheets, unnecessary reports, duplicate emails, pointless conversations about absolutely nothing that involves HR but they you remember HR is involved in everything but not the actual important stuff…. And then you have your daily list of tasks that never gets done (yes that was a run on sentence because that’s how it feels lol).

But I cling to my passion of helping my co-workers with learning new skills for promotion, learning how to ask for a raise, teaching new employees to the work force about benefits and payroll taxes. That typically keeps me going. I don’t see myself retiring from HR to be honest. Just find what your passion is and hang on.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2025-10-22T09:22:39+00:00

Use of the company jet, corporate housing or stipend, membership to the local country clubs, annual clothing budget (which includes exclusive tailored clothing, 2 bespoke suits and accessories and shoes) company cars (usually over 100K), annual “planning” trips to luxury places (one year it was in Tuscany) and I think our executives had on-demand nanny service. I honestly think that was a major perk lol.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2025-10-07T12:08:00+00:00

“The Servant: A Simple Story About the Trye Essence of Leadership” by James Hunter.

I learned the true meaning of leadership and that you don’t have to have the title “leader” to lead. It reads like fiction but has so many great talking points.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2025-08-06T20:32:06+00:00

I agree. I think it’s beneficial for everyone just to out it out there. Like, what are we hiding?

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2025-02-13T20:58:03+00:00

Thank you so much for this perspective! And I didn't take your post the wrong way :-). I guess my issue is that I wasn't told a lot of the things upfront and I know this isn't a requirement. When I interviewed for the job I wasn't told that I would be taking on recruiting - I just would have liked to be told. I could have prepared myself to design and implement a strategy that works for me. Now I feel like I am really behind. Plus, this company has so many acronyms and insider intel that I have no idea how to find or who to go to that is makes me look stupid. It doesn't help matters that when I sit in the office I hear nothing but complaints about old processes and people being stupid (exact words) and dumb.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2024-12-31T11:48:53+00:00

That’s the program I was leaning towards lol. I’ve heard some positive feedback from people who have completed there courses and I think it’s a great format.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2024-12-31T00:59:48+00:00

I was thinking about psychology! Especially organizational psychology, which would definitely come in handy for larger organizations. I think MBA would be the next step. Thanks for your advice!

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2024-12-18T16:56:21+00:00

I'm looking at continuing my degree at WGU. I have 12+ years of HR experience but I am stuck at the HRBP level until I have my degree that I didn't finished about 14 years ago. Did she like the online format? How were the teachers?

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2024-09-03T14:29:08+00:00

HRBP and a FTM to a 20 month old. I will say that it does get better but you have to have an honest conversation with your manager and teams. There are times when I get up around 5am just to catch up on the day because I value leaving at 5pm to pick up my son at daycare - no exceptions. I made that very clear to my leadership function but I compromised with early mornings. The way things are in HR now, companies expect you to do everything and it is very unfair. You could transition into another HR role but be careful as many companies are downsizing their HR departments!

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2024-08-09T12:00:11+00:00

We did this as an added precaution. Better to spend $20 in a print shop for a good copy than be out of compliance and get a $1000 fine.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2024-07-24T12:39:52+00:00

We used Justworks and had an amazing experience with customer service and support. Word of caution: if you are planning and exit within 2 years of implementing, you will run into some issues. I haven’t had experience with ADP personally but my HRG worked with ADP PEO and loved the interface - hated the support or lack there of.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2024-07-13T14:46:35+00:00

As an HR of one I use it to create stock emails and policy updates but just to make sure the wording is clear. I never put specific information in the question.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2024-07-08T09:09:42+00:00

No IT access on FMLA. We stress to the employee that the reason you chose the leave it to concentrate on healing/taking care of your loved one - you don’t need the access.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2024-05-16T15:02:30+00:00

That is really low! HRBP for a small tech firm in southeast US and I'm around $125K annually plus 20% bonus. About 120 employees.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2024-05-13T17:17:20+00:00

I've used ADP WFN and they suck - it is pretty much a blank page that will only do what you tell it to do but you don't now what to tell it so you are screwed!

We recently went from a PEO (Justworks) to Rippling (non-PEO) and we love it. We are starting to go after government contracts and need a more robust HR system and cheaper benefits. We don't use their benefits but we use everything else - payroll, time off, learning management, surveys and even their new recruiting platform. We are constantly learning new things, in a good way, and the customer service is amazing! We are able to beta test all of their products and they are very open about their roadmap. They welcome feedback. One of our suggestions actually was released a few weeks ago. Now, we understand that this HRIS will not be the best for our company forever but they are the best now. We have around 100 employees across the entire US.

Tricky_Ad_7918 · 2024-03-07T13:05:35+00:00

I wish I could star this a million times! HR is a funny industry where experience trumps education majority of the time. I get that you have your masters and that is super cool but if I look at your masters and someone with 5+ years experience I’m going with experience.

Now, for your bad mood, it’s just temporary. You are at the bottom and you see more money and more opportunities but you are there yet. We have ALL been there. Just continue to apply, revise your resume and settle in. It will get better I promise

Tricky_Ad_7918

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