Our Chicago based HR Consulting Services include expertise in all phases of the employment relationship. We can be on-site and serve as your outsourced HR Department or we can support and advise your existing HR personnel.

Regulatory and Legal Compliance

• Research and communicate issues relating to changing labor laws
• Coach and counsel on legal compliance issues—-defensible terminations, sexual harassment, etc.
• Address vulnerable risk areas—-wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment, wage and hour, etc.
• Create Employment Agreements such as non-competes, confidentiality, non-disclosure, severance agreements.

Employee Handbooks

• Create a customized guidebook and/or evaluate existing guidebook for best HR practices and legal compliance, including adherence to ADA, FMLA, FLSA, and COBRA regulations
• Update handbook periodically as needed or due to changing laws
• Typical guidebooks provide information on the following areas:

• Establish, maintain, and update personnel/payroll/I-9 verification files for all employees
• Track sick, holiday and vacation pay via standard process, or custom tracking process
• Conduct and provide employee exit interviews, as requested
• Provide employment verifications (mortgage, auto, etc.)

Recruiting

• Develop, design and place employment ads, as requested
• Coach, counsel and advise client on recruitment process
• Assist in the hiring process with applicant screening, resume triage, interviewing, etc.
• Web access to EmPowerHR resume library

Orientation, Coaching, Training & Development

• Conduct new employee orientations
• Coach and counsel management and supervisors on all HR matters on an ongoing basis including progressive discipline, terminations, employee relations issues, etc.
• Access to Forms Library—-sample applications, new employment forms, corrective action, etc.
• Provide customized training, i.e. sexual harassment, performance management, etc.

Pre-employment Services

•  Conduct Criminal Background Checks, Motor Vehicle Records, Credit, and Reference Checks
•  Coordinate drug screening and results notification

Unemployment Administration

• Administer and manage unemployment claims
• Initiate appeals when appropriate
• Participate in hearings

Workers’ Compensation and Risk Management

• Provide deposits related to annual premiums
• Administer and manage claims
• Provide assistance with provisions of Workers’ Compensation compliance

Employment Practices Liability Insurance

• Insurance protection coverage for vulnerable risk areas, such as:
  • Wrongful Termination; Discrimination; Sexual Harassment; Age, Race, and Gender
• Legal fees and settlement expenses are covered
• Up to $1MM for any one occurrence / $3MM aggregate / $50,000 deductible