In this episode of Beyond Compliance, co-host Luke Hladek is joined by AlignHR Senior HR Advisors Diana Harto and Lucas Mally to discuss one of the toughest responsibilities any leader faces: letting an employee go.

Firing or laying off an employee is never easy, but when handled properly, it can protect your organization, preserve culture, and even help the individual move forward in a healthier direction. The AlignHR team walks through how to handle terminations ethically, legally, and compassionately — avoiding costly mistakes while maintaining integrity.

Topics Covered:

• The difference between firing, laying off, and furloughing

• How to prepare before making a termination decision

• Legal and compliance considerations to avoid risk

• Why documentation and consistency are critical

• The importance of communication, privacy, and professionalism

• How to handle layoffs, protected classes, and at-will employment correctly

• Real-world examples of how not to fire someone (including a memorable “rowboat” story)

Whether you’re a small business owner, manager, or HR professional, this episode offers valuable insights on how to manage the most difficult part of leadership with fairness and respect.

Links & Credits:

• Visit: https://www.alignhr.com

• Take the Free HR Assessment: https://www.alignhr.com/surveys/hr-checkup/10

• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alignhr/

• Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alignhrllc

• Produced by Strong Minded Agency: https://www.strongmindedagency.com

In this episode of Beyond Compliance, Zach Abraham - Principal and CEO of AlignHR - is joined by co-host Luke Hladek and AlignHR team members Lucas Mally, and Diana Harto. Together, they host a roundtable discussion on one of the toughest challenges facing every business today: keeping great employees.

They explore what real employee retention looks like beyond pay raises and perks, and how communication, leadership, and culture all play a role in creating an environment where people want to stay. From defining “positive turnover” to developing your team’s potential, the AlignHR experts share practical insights and real-world examples any business can apply.

Topics Covered:

• What employee retention really means and how to measure it

• The difference between turnover and positive turnover

• How communication impacts engagement and performance

• The role of supervisors and training in retention success

• Creative ways to retain talent through flexibility and culture

• How to calculate the true cost of losing a great employee

Whether you’re leading a small business, managing a growing team, or shaping your company culture, this episode offers actionable advice to help you retain your best people for the long haul.

Links & Credits:

• Visit: https://www.alignhr.com

• Take the Free HR Assessment: https://www.alignhr.com/surveys/hr-checkup/10

• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alignhr/

• Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alignhrllc

• Produced by Strong Minded Agency: https://www.strongmindedagency.com

In this episode of Beyond Compliance, Zach Abraham - Principal and CEO of AlignHR - explains the critical difference between growth and scaling, and why understanding both can protect your bottom line while improving efficiency. Zach shares real-world examples from mergers, acquisitions, and client success stories, showing how the right approach can help businesses expand without unnecessary cost or chaos.

Co-host Luke Hladek joins the discussion to explore the pitfalls of scaling too quickly, the importance of having the right structures in place, and how to balance operational efficiency with a people-first mindset.

Topics Covered:

• The difference between growth and scaling in business strategy

• When to grow your team versus streamline operations

• How scaling impacts HR needs and people costs

• The dangers of scaling too quickly or without proper systems

• Real-world examples of successful and unsuccessful scaling moves

• Why mission, vision, and values are essential before scaling

Whether you are expanding through new hires, acquisitions, or process improvements, this episode will help you plan for sustainable growth while keeping your people and culture intact.

Links & Credits:

• Visit: https://www.alignhr.com

• Take the Free HR Assessment: https://www.alignhr.com/surveys/hr-checkup/10

• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alignhr/

• Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alignhrllc

• Produced by Strong Minded Agency: https://www.strongmindedagency.com

In this episode of Beyond Compliance, Zach Abraham - Principal and CEO of AlignHR - breaks down what company culture really means and why it is more than just perks or buzzwords. He shares how mission, values, and intentional leadership shape workplace culture, and why ignoring culture can lead to costly problems.

Co-host Luke Hladek joins the discussion to explore how to hire for cultural fit, balance diverse personalities, and keep teams aligned in both in-person and remote work settings. They also cover practical ways leaders can build trust, improve morale, and strengthen collaboration across departments.

Topics Covered:

• Defining company culture beyond trends and cliches

• The role of mission and values in shaping daily behaviors

• Addressing toxic elements before they spread

• Hiring for cultural fit without losing skill diversity

• Building trust in hybrid and remote teams

• Practical steps to improve morale and teamwork

Whether you lead a team of five or fifty, this episode shows how to proactively shape a culture that drives performance, loyalty, and growth.

Links & Credits:

• Visit: https://www.alignhr.com

• Take the Free HR Assessment: https://www.alignhr.com/surveys/hr-checkup/10

• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alignhr/

• Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alignhrllc

• Produced by Strong Minded Agency: https://www.strongmindedagency.com

In this episode of Beyond Compliance, ⁠Zach Abraham⁠ – Principal and CEO of AlignHR – explains why the employee handbook is one of the most overlooked but essential tools for small business success. More than a stack of policies, a well-crafted handbook can clarify expectations, protect your business, and reflect your company’s culture and values.

Co-host ⁠Luke Hladek⁠ joins the conversation to unpack the difference between a generic handbook and one that’s truly useful. They explore when a business should create its first handbook, how often to update it, and why it should be viewed as a living, strategic document—not just legal filler.

Topics Covered:

• The true purpose of a well-written employee handbook

• Why outdated or generic handbooks can actually create risk

• When small businesses should develop their first handbook

• How to balance legal compliance with human-centered policies

• AlignHR’s process for building and rolling out a meaningful handbook

Whether you're creating your first handbook or revisiting one from a decade ago, this episode helps you understand how to turn a static document into a powerful tool for consistency, culture, and compliance.

• Visit ⁠AlignHR⁠

• ⁠Take the Free HR Assessment⁠

• Learn more about co-host ⁠Luke Hladek⁠

• Produced by ⁠Strong Minded Agency

In this episode of Beyond Compliance, ⁠Zach Abraham⁠ - Principal and CEO of AlignHR - shares why small business owners face unique challenges when trying to manage hiring on their own. Drawing from over 27 years of experience, Zach discusses how small teams can avoid common hiring mistakes, the difference between recruiting and true talent acquisition, and why building a "virtual bench" can give businesses a major advantage.

Co-host ⁠Luke Hladek⁠ joins the conversation to explore the pitfalls of DIY hiring, the importance of aligning new employees with company values, and how small businesses can develop smarter, more sustainable hiring practices.

Topics Covered:

• The key differences between recruiting and talent acquisition

• Why hiring based only on resumes often leads to turnover

• How to create a “virtual bench” of future candidates

• Balancing skill, attitude, and cultural fit when hiring

• Practical ways to build trust from day one

Whether you’re a growing business owner, team leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers actionable advice to help you hire the right people for long-term success.

In this inaugural episode of Beyond Compliance, Zach Abraham - Principal and CEO of AlignHR - shares why small businesses can’t afford to overlook human resources. Drawing from over 27 years of experience, Zach explains the real value of HR beyond compliance and how strategic HR practices can support growth, reduce risk, and strengthen culture.

Co-host Luke Hladek joins the conversation to explore the challenges that startups and small teams face when navigating employee relations, workplace policies, and leadership expectations.

Topics Covered:

• What HR really means for small businesses

• How proactive HR supports growth and minimizes risk

• Real-world scenarios that show the cost of inaction

• Building trust, culture, and consistency in the workplace

• Why AlignHR focuses on relationships, not just checklists

Whether you’re a small business owner, team leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode lays the foundation for smarter, more people-focused HR.

• AlignHR

• Take the Free HR Assessment

• Connect on LinkedIn

• Follow on Facebook