Hire the Best Employee Relations Specialists in Texas

With over 10 years of experience in human resources, I am a strategic, collaborative, and results-oriented Human Resources Consultant who is passionate about supporting organizations and employees to achieve their full potential. From an educational attainment standpoint, I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and several HR certifications which include the Society for Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Human Resources Change Management (HRCM), Strategic Human Resources Business Partner (sHRBP), and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB). Throughout the course of my career, I have worked across several industries: Oil & Gas, Healthcare, and Higher Education. As an HR Consultant, I am skilled in employee relations matters, compensation, performance management, succession planning, and recruiting.

HR Consultant | Compliance & Policy Expert | Payroll & Benefits | People Operations Support Hi there! I’m Lauren — a seasoned HR professional with 10+ years of experience helping businesses navigate the ever-changing world of human resources. I specialize in practical, people-focused HR solutions that ensure compliance, streamline processes, and support your team’s success. Whether you're a startup building your HR foundation, a nonprofit needing help with compliance, or a small business trying to stay ahead of payroll and benefits, I’m here to help. 💼 My Core Services: Payroll Management: Timely and accurate payroll processing, tax setup, and multi-state compliance Benefits Administration: Handling enrollments, broker coordination, audits, and employee support HR Compliance & Audits: Full HR audits with detailed checklists and compliance recommendations Policy & Employee Handbook Creation: Tailored HR policies and procedures aligned with your business goals Employee Relations: Conflict resolution, coaching managers, and improving morale and retention Recruiting & Onboarding: Support with hiring, onboarding, and building structured hiring workflows ⚡️ Quick-Hire Packages Available: Sometimes you just need a one-time fix or fast support — I’ve got you covered! I bring a consultative, hands-on approach and understand the unique challenges small businesses and growing teams face. Let’s connect — whether you need quick support or ongoing HR partnership, I’m here to make your life easier and your business stronger. 📍 Based in Texas | Supporting clients across the U.S. 🕐 Available for short-term and long-term projects, retainers, and fractional HR support

FULL CYCLE HR CONSULTANT, who has billed over $350,000 in UpWork services, specializes in working with US clients who are starting or scaling up their business. With 17+ years of corporate HR leadership experience and 10+ years as an HR Consultant, my significant business acumen sets me apart from most HR professionals, with ability to be a good strategic & tactical business partner to leadership teams & management teams. Extensive experience in: -Culture creation and establishment -Handbook and policy development -System creations (performance appraisal, performance management, attendance tracking) -Payroll administration and HRIS system integration -Organizational development -Strong multi-state employment law background/compliance Organizational planning HR technology, analytics & data planning Employee retention programs For previous 2 years+, I have been working with a FinOps client who has a fractional HR service as an Independent contractor, direct bill and not on UpWork platform which explains my lack of recent UpWork contracts. In this position, I have helped small business clients configure their Gusto payroll, and have created HR policies, processes, etc. to ensure state/federal compliance and just as important, helped the client to concentrate on building his business vs. worrying about the HR function. AND I have an amazing work ethic! You won't have to micromanage me- I'm a self starter, I know what needs to be done and work very hard to allow my clients to focus on building a successful business without fretting over Human Resources.

✯✯✯ EXPERT-VETTED FREELANCER ✯✯✯ With over 20 years of professional experience, I help businesses, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and law firms navigate Human Resources compliance, contract matters, and litigation support with practical, business-focused solutions. I am an Expert-Vetted freelancer with a 100% Job Success Score, 130+ successfully completed projects, and more than $80,000 earned on Upwork. My unique combination of Human Resources and legal experience allows me to provide practical, compliant, and business-focused solutions that help clients save time, reduce risk, and focus on growing their organizations. SERVICES I PROVIDE HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTING • Employee Handbook Development • HR Compliance Audits • Multi-State Employment Compliance • Recruiting and Talent Acquisition • Job Descriptions • Onboarding and Offboarding • Employee Relations • Performance Management • Workplace Investigations • Manager and Employee Training • Policy Development • Full-Service Payroll Support PARALEGAL SERVICES • Federal and State Court Litigation Support • Federal and State Court E-Filing • ADA Title III Litigation Support • Legal Research • Legal Writing • Discovery Drafting and Responses • Motions and Pleadings • Case Management • Trial Preparation • Probate Support • Business Litigation Support CONTRACT DRAFTING AND REVIEW • Independent Contractor Agreements • Employment Agreements • Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) • Service Agreements • Vendor Agreements • Consulting Agreements • Business Contracts • Contract Review and Redlining • Contract Negotiation Support WHAT SETS ME APART Unlike most HR consultants, I understand the legal risks that businesses face. Unlike most paralegals, I understand the practical HR and operational challenges businesses encounter every day. This combination allows me to provide solutions that are not only effective but also legally compliant, helping clients avoid costly mistakes and make informed decisions. PUBLISHED AUTHOR I am the author of: • HR REMOTELY: How to Motivate A Remote Workforce • Top HR Practices for Startups My work has been featured through major retailers and professional platforms, including Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Walmart, and LinkedIn. WHY CLIENTS HIRE ME • 20+ Years of Professional Experience • Expert-Vetted Upwork Freelancer • 100% Job Success Score • Responsive Communication • Detail-Oriented and Reliable • Business-Focused Solutions • Practical, Compliance-Driven Advice Whether you need an experienced HR consultant, a skilled contract specialist, or a dependable senior paralegal, I am ready to help. Let's discuss your project.

A US-based HR and Compliance Professional and former Peace Corps Volunteer with 15 years of related experience, including HR and Compliance Project Management: I have provided expert consulting services, written original content and completed high-level projects in the following areas:  Global and Multi-State HR  Benefit Plan Design  Employment Law and Best Practice Training, Development and Leadership Coaching  SOPs/Policies/Procedures  Compensation Research  Payroll Practices  HIPAA and Healthcare HR Compliance  GDPR Compliance Support  OSHA and Manufacturing HR Compliance  PCI Policies and Compliance Assessment Support  SOC Assessment Support (HR Documentation)  FinCEN Beneficial Owner Interest (BOI) Reporting Certifications held:  Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR)  Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Systems Implementations: Global:  BambooHR Gusto  Rippling  GoCo  Absorb LMS  Trainual  Deputy US  Paylocity  Paycom  UKG  ADP Run and Workforce Now UK:  PeopleHR  Atlas As a former Peace Corps Volunteer, I understand how to work with different cultures, and I also have experience supporting global teams with all aspects of Human Resources.

Multifaceted professional with over 10 years of cross-domain experience in ERP systems, Information Technology, Human Resources, Finance, and client services. Proven track record as a Business Analyst, HR Project Manager, Techno-Functional HRIS Analyst, PL/SQL Developer, and QA Tester, offering a rare blend of strategic oversight and technical execution. In the role of HR Project Manager, led the planning, execution, and delivery of HRIS implementations, system upgrades, and HR process automation initiatives. Oversaw cross-functional teams and third-party vendors, managed project timelines, budgets, and risks, and ensured alignment with organizational goals. Partnered with HR leadership and IT to streamline onboarding, benefits administration, performance management, and compliance reporting. Applied Workday, ATS platforms, and Salesforce to drive workflow efficiency, enhance user experience, and meet HR operational needs. Served as a liaison across business, IT, and QA teams throughout the SDLC, facilitating agile ceremonies, sprint planning, backlog grooming, and UAT execution. Created functional specifications, training materials, and test plans, while maintaining real-time task tracking via Jira. Strong experience in SQL/PLSQL for data validation, reporting, and integration support across HR and finance platforms. Currently active as a freelancer in client services, providing support in roles such as enrollment advisor, legal/medical interpreter, and language translator. These roles reinforce a strong foundation in interpersonal communication, cultural fluency, and direct service delivery—critical in both client-facing and internal business environments.