Get to know Toni Reynolds, a Senior HR Business Partner at Xenium HR who has been making a difference for four years. In this spotlight, Toni shares her journey, favorite parts of the job, and advice for those starting in HR.
What is your role at Xenium HR, and how long have you worked here?
I’m a Senior HR Business Partner, and I’ve been here for four years.
Why did you get into human resources?
My brother was a recruiter, and HR and recruiting often go hand in hand. With my sociology degree and desire to work with people, HR seemed like a natural fit. I wanted to help people and work closely with them, which led me to this career path. I love it!
Can you describe your career progression and how you came to work at Xenium HR?
I started at a startup right out of college as an HR coordinator, doing a bit of everything. That experience taught me a lot quickly. After leaving the startup world and taking a few other roles, I was contacted by a Xenium HR recruiter in 2019. Though the timing wasn’t right then, but I stayed in touch. In 2020, after being laid off, I reached out again. Xenium HR made room for me despite having no open roles, and I’ve been here ever since. The relationships I built were key to joining Xenium HR.
What’s your favorite part about working for an outsourced HR and payroll firm?
I love working with a diverse group of HR and payroll professionals, learning from them, and sharing knowledge. Another highlight is how much our clients value us. They often share more with us than they might with in-house HR, allowing us to provide better, holistic support.
What has changed in the HR field over the years?
COVID-19 brought significant changes, particularly in mental health and ADA conversations. These topics have become more prevalent, especially in small businesses, requiring us to navigate complex situations with legal and employee relations teams involved.
What is an accomplishment at Xenium HR that you are particularly proud of?
I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built with clients over the past four years. Some of these clients may not have been a company that I would have thought to do HR for if I was not working at Xenium, but I’ve grown to appreciate their dedication to their employees and enjoy working with them regularly.
What advice would you give to someone just starting in HR?
Ask to do more. Volunteer to shadow, take on additional tasks, and get involved in different aspects of HR. You can’t grow by staying in your lane; you need to push yourself to learn and do more.
What’s your best memory of working with a client?
One standout memory involves a challenging situation that required collaboration with employment attorneys and our employee relations team. It was a complex issue that we couldn’t have handled alone, but multiple people came together to support the client, and it was a rewarding experience.
What’s your best memory as an employee at Xenium HR?
I love our yearly summer party where we recognize employees’ hard work. It’s a special event where we vote on awards and celebrate our achievements together. It’s a tradition I hope continues because it shows how much we care about each other.
How would you describe working at Xenium HR?
It’s fun and supportive. Everyone has a good sense of humor and positive intent. The people here are the best part, and they genuinely care about each other. Real relationships are built, not just as coworkers but as friends.
How do you see your role evolving in the future?
I see AI playing a significant role in HR. Embracing AI will allow us to support more clients efficiently and focus on high-value tasks. While the exact implementation is still unfolding, integrating AI is crucial for our future.
What do you wish more people knew about working in HR?
HR isn’t just about firing people or pushing papers. We handle a variety of tasks, from counseling and compliance to mediation. Our job can be emotionally draining and complex. I wish people understood that HR professionals care deeply about both the business and the people.