Meet Molly Schreck, a seasoned HR pro with 15 years of experience at Xenium! In this month’s Employee Spotlight, we’re diving into Molly’s journey, where she shares what it’s like to work in HR for a diverse set of clients, her favorite parts of the job, and how she keeps up with the ever-evolving world of Human Resources. Whether it’s managing complex employee relations or navigating the latest in HR tech, Molly’s insights shed light on why she’s such a valuable part of our team. Get ready to be inspired by her story and advice for HR newcomers!
What is your role at Xenium? And how long have you worked here?
I have worked at Xenium for 15 years this November primarily in onsite roles, although I have supported the Client Implementation team and the HR Generalist team with projects as needed.
Tell me about your career progression and what led you to work in at Xenium?
I worked in HR for several years and then took a break when my children were young.
When looking to return to a full-time role, I thought Xenium would be a great transition back into the HR industry. So much can change in just a few years with compliance/legal updates, so I was looking to have a supportive team with the most up to date resources, rather than working for a company in a siloed HR environment. As it turns out Xenium was a great fit for these reasons. I have an umbrella of knowledgeable co-workers behind me that I can reach out to when unique HR circumstances arise.
What is your favorite part of working for an outsourced HR and payroll firm?
I really appreciate the variety of clients, industries and people that I have worked with over the years. I have worked in many environments and company’s success always comes down to the people who work for them. In HR we learn first-hand the value of these people and the relationships.
What has changed over the years in your experience in this field?
For me, I believe the biggest change has been the transition to a hybrid workforce for many employers. Since I support multiple clients, I have always been accustomed to connecting through virtual teams’ meetings and phone calls since I am not onsite at each client daily. Clients are now more open and trusting of building positive relationships under remote circumstance and trust the work is completed by someone that is truly connected with their team, despite the remote working conditions. They have learned through their own experience the level of productivity and results that can be achieved.
What are the challenges facing our industry in the near and long term?
I think the AI component will be interesting to see how it evolves and plays a role in HR. I have seen AI incorporated in ways with impressive results and seen areas that raise concern. There are grey areas when it comes to employee relations and compliance and one size does not fit all and/or one solution does not fit all circumstances.
Can you tell me about a project or accomplishment of which you are particularly proud?
My ability to streamline processes and build efficiencies are the most rewarding aspect of my onsite role. I have often been hired to collaborate with clients that have not had dedicated HR or need help because they are overwhelmed with the HR responsibilities. Making an immediate impact by providing support, implementing processes and seeing results is gratifying.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in this field?
Human Resources requires someone that is adaptable. You must understand the HR concepts but also understand that they are always evolving. You must be flexible and open to each day looking different and often you face new challenges beyond your control. In many ways, this brings excitement to the role.
Can you tell us about your best memory working with a client?
There are so many great memories although I believe the best memories have come from working with clients who have overcome hardships by working together. One of my clients had to close their doors due to financial constraints. Working with each of their employees through a tough transition had such an impact on me and this experience was a valuable lesson I have taken with me throughout my HR career.
How do you see your role evolving in the future, and what are your goals?
Continue to support the needs of my clients and evolve with them as they grow. Recruiting and Retention are particularly challenging right now. My goal is to continue building my network of professionals that can help with recruiting efforts and improve on employee retention rates.
What do you wish more people knew about working in our industry?
There are multiple specialties within HR and not all positions require employee facing roles. Depending on the size of the company or if you work for an HR Services company there are a variety of positions available that are “behind the scenes” and are valuable HR Assets. Be open to exploring all the opportunities to find the right fit for you.