Taylor is one of our Onsite HR Generalists, embedded with Wunderland to support their team day to day. What I appreciate most about working with her is how thoughtfully she shows up for people who are often new to the workforce, the kind of attention that shapes someone’s whole experience of work. In this spotlight, she shares the shift she’s seen in early-career hiring, a moment with an employee that stuck with her, and the hobby that surprises just about everyone.
Tell us about your role and the path that led you here.
I’m an Onsite HR Generalist for Wunderland, where I support employees through the full life cycle of employment. I also manage the safety program for Wunderland. I love what I do, especially when I’m able to dive deep and correct a pain point for Wunderland’s management or their employees.
What shift in HR has surprised or shaped you most?
The most significant shift I’ve observed has been the evolving dynamic between management and employees. At Wunderland, we frequently hire individuals who are entering the workforce or have recently graduated from high school. This has required a change in our approach to onboarding and training, where the training has become more individualized and supportive of new hires. It has changed the way I view HR’s role in fostering a successful early-career experience, one they can carry with them while working at Wunderland and beyond.
What trends or challenges should clients keep an eye on?
It’s important for clients to think about how to retain and relate to the generations just now entering the workforce. That may call for a change in approach to their hiring, onboarding, and retention practices.
What’s a milestone you’re especially proud of?
I’m especially proud of my initiative to enhance Wunderland’s hiring practices. Through partnership with the Wunderland managers, we’re able to hire and retain employees better by standardizing the attendant interview process. This has led to fewer involuntary terminations.
What advice would you give someone joining this industry today?
Communication is the key to success. You don’t need to have all the answers, but it’s important to acknowledge when you don’t know something. When possible, partner with the people most impacted by a decision to gather their input.
Can you share a moment that’s stuck with you or reaffirmed your purpose?
There was an instance where an employee was facing significant challenges in their personal life that were affecting them at work. It was impacting their attendance and ability to perform the job. I sat them down and found out they might be eligible for a leave of absence. The employee was new to the workforce and didn’t know that leave of absence programs existed or that paid leave options were available. They were able to take a leave of absence and focus on what they were dealing with personally, and they returned to work with improved attendance and performance.
What are you most excited about as you look ahead?
I’m hoping to earn my SHRM-SCP certification in the future to further expand my knowledge in the field of HR.
What’s something your coworkers would be surprised to learn about you?
I’m an avid reader and frequently read more than 70 books a year. One of my favorite books is Homer’s Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson. I’m very excited for the Odyssey movie coming out this year.
Describe your work style in three words.
Empathetic, communicative, and innovative.