Author name: Focus HR

If you’ve ever struggled to balance empathy with productivity when a pregnant employee is frequently absent or needs special accommodations, you’re not alone. And thanks to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)—which went into effect on June 27, 2023—it’s more important than ever to understand your legal responsibilities. In 2025, more PWFA-related cases are surfacing […]

Running a small business is tough. And let’s face it—HR isn’t always top of mind when you’re juggling sales, customers, and the day-to-day grind. But ignoring common HR pitfalls can lead to costly penalties, high turnover, and serious headaches down the road. From misclassified employees to poor onboarding, here are the most frequent and expensive

Raises. Titles. Benefits. Perks. Purpose. It’s the standard playbook for keeping top talent—and according to a recent Wall Street Journal article, it’s not working. In “The Secret to Retaining the Best Employees,” authors Ethan Bernstein and Michael B. Horn share insights from 15 years of research and over 1,000 job changes. Their takeaway? Employees don’t

As a small business leader, you might have heard about the latest employee benefit trends—mental health programs, virtual care, even gut health support—and think, “Sounds great, but not in my budget.”  We get it. But here’s the reality: your benefit offerings may be more important than you think. According to recent surveys: In a tight

Attracting and retaining top talent has never been more challenging—or more critical—for nonprofit organizations. In a recent two-part webinar hosted by Raise the Bar Consulting’s Jennifer Tersigni, Clint Parry of Focus HR offered practical, research-backed guidance on how nonprofits can overcome these challenges and build thriving workplaces. Whether you joined the live sessions or are

On May 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced it will no longer enforce the Biden administration’s 2024 independent contractor rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). For small businesses, this marks another change in a confusing, fast-evolving area of compliance. Let’s unpack what this means, what guidance is in effect now,

The game has changed for attracting and keeping top talent. Korn Ferry’s Workforce 2025 report, surveying over 15,000 professionals, paints a clear picture: small businesses face unprecedented pressures from evolving employee expectations, the rise of AI, and widening generational divides. Ignoring these shifts is no longer an option.  Here are six key areas where small

Gen Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—are no longer just interns or junior hires. They’ve officially overtaken Baby Boomers in the workforce, and a new wave of graduates is arriving this spring.  If you’re a small business owner or manager struggling to “click” with younger employees, it’s not because they’re lazy, entitled, or disengaged. It’s

In today’s competitive business environment, talent is your biggest asset—and your biggest risk. In a recent Small Business Boot Camp session hosted by the Arizona Commerce Authority, Clint Parry, Focus HR’s Business Development Manager, delivered a timely and insightful presentation: “Optimize HR: Your Key to Secure Top Talent & Growth.” The session unpacked the most

Imagine a workplace where energy is high, collaboration flows effortlessly, and challenges are met with united strength.  Now, contrast that with the all-too-common scenario: a team trudging through tasks, morale dipping with every demanding email, and talent quietly slipping out the door.  The difference between these two realities isn’t just strategy or systems—it’s the human