HR4U

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a sexual health clinic in downtown Toronto; we are a small, busy operation and don't have a designated HR person or department. Over the years, we realized that it would be valuable - both for our employees and for the organization - to partner with an HR firm that we could call on for guidance and expertise relating to HR issues..

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire HR4U?

To provide ongoing consult and direction on HR issues arising; to review and amend existing contracts, policies and procedures to be aligned with all applicable labour laws and standards and to provide HR-related training to our Management Team.

SOLUTION

How did you select this firm and what were the deciding factors?

In early 2021, We found HR4U through Alignable and reached out to inquire about their services and cost. Darryl met with us virtually to discuss their firm's offerings and he was very personable, professional and knowledgeable about challenges faced by small agencies like ours, especially through the pandemic. We immediately felt at ease with him and the services being offered were in-line with what we were looking for. The cost of monthly consulting was reasonable and accessible and their online client portal of customizable HR documents, as well as our comfort level with Darryl were important deciding factors in engaging HR4U.

Describe the project in detail and walk through their service package.

HR4U provides ongoing consult, guidance and occasionally training to our organization. We have found them to be incredibly responsive, thorough and reliable; they have provided their HR expertise in supporting us to:

• effectively and confidently deal with HR issues arising in our organization
• consider alternative solutions for managing personnel
• update and align all contracts, agreements, policy and procedure documents with the Employment Standards Act
• review and update outdated policies and procedures
• add policies and procedures we were not aware we were missing
• update our internal trainings to be aligned with current Employment Standards Act guidelines
• increase our Management Team's understanding of HR functions
• create a shared knowledge base of HR terminology and strategies for our Management Team
• improve and support employee experience
• hone managerial competency in day-to-day operations

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Daryl - Managing Partner and Lisa- Partner

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the engagement that demonstrate progress or success?

• Increased Management Team confidence in dealing with HR issues
• Alignment and understanding of key HR concepts for Management Team members
• Streamlined, updated and accessible documentation for contracts, policies and procedures
• Ease and improvement in shared working environment and employee experience
• Swifter and equitable resolution of internal challenges

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Materials were easily transferable and accessible; Lisa, with whom we have worked extensively, is prompt, responsive, flexible, dependable, a smart and caring collaborator and a joy to work with.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They talk the talk and walk the walk. HR4U is genuinely invested in our success and in creating equitable and functional work environments - they do so with care, compassion and HR expertise.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

We are very satisfied with their performance and grateful to have found them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director at KCI-World Publishing, a publishing company with offices in Canada, India, Germany, the Netherlands, and China. I'm also a part of the board of the company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with HR4U?

Since we're a smaller company, we don't have the time to review every new regulation that is implemented. So, we hired HR4U. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

HR4U's team provides guidance for everything from the onboarding process to the dismissal process. HR4U keeps me up-to-date on the newest regulations and what we must do to comply with them. Also, if anyone decides to leave our company, I consult with Lisa (Partner) to determine why that employee might have gone, explicitly focusing on employees' salaries. 

What is the team composition?

I've only ever directly worked with Lisa. 

How did you come to work with HR4U?

I found HR4U through another company that was part of their partner group. I also knew Darryl (VP of Sales Marketing), who recommended their services to us. 

What is the status of this engagement?

I've been working with HR4U since their company started. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

I don't have any specific metrics that speak to HR4U's work because a lot of that information is confidential. However, HR4U can always find clever solutions to resolve any issues we have. 

How did HR4U perform from a project management standpoint?

Since HR4U is a solution provider, I only contact them when I need issues resolved. I don't have any day-to-day communication with HR4U. When necessary, we communicate through email and phone calls. The teammate we're working with from HR4U is dedicated to our team and is always available — they make us feel special and treat us with respect.   

What did you find most impressive about them?

I've never experienced a service like HR4U's before. They provide very unique solutions to my problems. I don't think they have any real competition because there is no other company like HR4U. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would appreciate it if HR4U would develop courses to educate my staff on HR matters. However, I haven't explicitly asked for that service, so I really only have positive feedback for HR4U. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I don't have any specific advice, but I can tell customers that I hired HR4U for peace of mind — they're the security I need as our business develops. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the founder of Learnedly - we an an online education company for financial services professionals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire HR4U?

As a small start-up, we needed a scalable HR resource without having to hire someone full time.

SOLUTION

How did you select this firm and what were the deciding factors?

HR4U had the perfect scalable solution for us and at a low-cost. We spoke with them a few times prior to selecting them, and it was clear that they had extensive expertise in HR issues, they were responsive, and diligent.

Describe the project in detail and walk through their service package.

Our engagement with HR4U is an ongoing subscription service. They provide a host of related services for anything from supporting new hires, ensuring workplace safety elements have been considered, guidance on employment regulations and how to transition outgoing employees.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked two their top two directors in the firm.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the engagement that demonstrate progress or success?

HR4U helped us to navigate setting up a standard hiring process and getting our employment documents in order; and they have helped us navigate key considerations for managing departing employees.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Extremely effective. They have a great website of resources to draw from, when needed, and an effective communication channel to speak with subject matter experts for more complicated issues.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their cost-effective business model enables growing start-ups to get access to good HR advice and resources.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

We've been really happy so far. I truly can't think of any gaps or improvement areas.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Head of Product & Content of Off2Class

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We provide a toolkit for English-as-Second-Language teachers and their students.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire HR4U to accomplish?

• Performance Management
• Coaching of Management

SOLUTION

How did you find HR4U?

• Online Search

Why did you select HR4U over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit

How many teammates from HR4U were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The primary task is to manage and implement a performance management process for all team members. The secondary task is to provide coaching for management

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The project is currently still underway. A performance management project that reduces the time required by the co-founders will be a measurement of success. We have not yet determined how to measure the effectiveness of coaching sessions.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

On the whole, items are being delivered. We have expressed some concerns about time management. As the project remains underway, I cannot yet provide further feedback on these questions.

What was your primary form of communication with HR4U?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They are knowledgable in their domain and understand the rights and obligations of employers and employees in Ontario, Canada.

Are there any areas for improvement or something HR4U could have done differently?

As the project is underway, I don't wish to comment further here.