296 - Why Contractors Shouldn't DIY Their HR with Tena Jolley

<p>In this episode, Martin sits down with Tena Jolley, founder of Apela Strategic Solutions and a 30-year HR veteran, to break down everything small business owners get wrong about human resources. </p><p><br></p><p>Timestamps</p><ul><li>00:50 - Episode &amp; Guest Intro</li><li>03:44 - Why You Shouldn&#39;t DIY HR</li><li>04:56 - At Will Misconceptions</li><li>08:49 - Cost and Fractional HR</li><li>11:26 - What HR Really Covers</li><li>15:48 - When Hair Is On Fire</li><li>19:17 - Unemployment Claims Explained</li><li>22:31 - Progressive Discipline Steps</li><li>26:55 - Handling Attitude Issues</li><li>30:19 - Reviews That Look Forward</li><li>31:03 - No More Annual Ambushes</li><li>32:27 - Who Should Evaluate</li><li>33:47 - Work Family Boundaries</li><li>36:29 - Can People Really Change</li><li>39:25 - Legacy Employees Costly Lesson</li><li>42:50 - No Surprises Review Rhythm</li><li>44:01 - 360 Feedback Done Right</li><li>47:53 - Bonuses That Drive Results</li><li>51:10 - Alignment And HR Compliance</li><li>53:16 - Start Small With HR Help</li><li>54:40 - Wrap Up And Sign Off</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></p><ol><li>HR covers far more than hiring and firing; it includes handbooks, job descriptions, compensation strategy, employee training, organizational design, and compliance with federal and state laws.</li><li>Progressive discipline has four steps: verbal warning, first written reprimand, second write-up, and separation. Each step should be documented and focused on helping the employee succeed.</li><li>Employee evaluations should happen at least quarterly, not just annually, and should focus on a roadmap forward rather than a year&#39;s worth of saved-up grievances.</li><li>Subjective issues like attitude can be addressed objectively by including conduct expectations in your employee code of conduct and discussing them during the interview process.</li><li>Keeping underperforming or toxic employees because you&#39;re afraid of unemployment claims or confrontation can cost you your best people, your culture, and significant money when you sell the business.</li><li>Bonus structures should reward measurable outcomes like accuracy, response time, and process improvements rather than flat annual gifts that create entitlement.</li><li>Fractional HR professionals can work with your budget on a retainer or project basis, starting as small as a single job description, and scale with you over time.</li></ol><p><br></p><p><strong>Resources</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=first+break+all+the+rules&adgrpid=186844428856&hvadid=779541830289&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9029265&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=8010361252521375987--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8010361252521375987&hvtargid=kwd-492240273832&hydadcr=24407_13859748_2335965&mcid=1b2aa48b550c3578a2392ecc800f2c56&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_61pmrehu7b_e" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠First Break All The Rules</a> by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman</li></ul><ul><li><a href="https://offer.growth-kits.com/implementing-ai-workshop-sign-up-page" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Implementing AI in Your Business Workshop Sign-Up ⁠⁠⁠</a></li></ul><ul><li>⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://offer.growth-kits.com/24-things-book-a-roadblock-call?hs_preview=ormlyTeJ-182223989023" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">24 Things</a>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Construction Business Owners Need to Successfully Hire &amp; Train an Executive Assistant</li></ul><ul><li><a href="https://growthkits.com/schedule-a-call" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule</a>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ a 15-Minute Roadblock Call</li></ul><ul><li>Build a Business that Runs without you. Explore our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ <a href="https://growthkits.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">GrowthKits⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ </a></li></ul><ul><li>Need Marketing Help? We Recommend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ <a href="https://www.benali.com" target="_blank" rel="u