Petiole HR

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My forte is helping companies anticipate and overcome any obstacle. Individuals: I want to help you think through your decisions.

Schedule an appointment with me calendly.com/petiolehr

I am the human resource professional that is looking out for you and only you. To listen to you when you have no one to talk to. HR Professionals: I want to help you accomplish your goals. Implement new systems, update job descriptions, handbook, etc. Entrepreneurs: I want to help you concentrate on growing your business by helping put processes and policies in place.

10/09/2026

I never expected to hear an ageist remark at the grocery store.

I was in line when I made conversation with a woman who claimed she had tie-dyed her white underwear. When I asked her why, she laughed. “MY generation doesn’t wear white briefs,” she said, after giving me a very pointed look that told me that I could be one of the offenders.

I’m sure you can imagine the look I had on my face! I was just about ready to show her a glimpse of the waistband of my underwear to prove that I wasn’t one of them.

On Ageism Awareness Day (and every day), it’s important to recognize that even if they’re not said with malicious intent, these types of remarks sting — they’re just as harmful as “you look great for your age!”Whether in the grocery store or at the office, they can make us feel inadequate and suggest that our value is rooted in looking and acting younger than we are.

A woman doesn’t need to tear another woman down to feel good about herself. And regardless of gender, a compliment should never be wrapped in an insult! Kind, sincere words about someone without bringing age into the equation are welcome — emphasis on sincere.

Because sometimes, people give a compliment just to say something, but they really don’t mean it. Remember to genuinely find something about the person to compliment, whether it’s their nails, hair, clothes, a piece of jewelry, a presentation at work, how they handled a customer, or their idea(s).

Let this be a reminder: it’s easy to do better by not bringing up age.

05/05/2026

A federal judge denied the request for a new trial by Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in a racial discrimination and retaliation case, upholding the verdict to award $11.5 million in damages to the organization’s former employee.

The case centered around Rehab Mohamed, an Egyptian-Arab woman who alleged race discrimination and retaliation after speaking up against being treated unfairly compared to her White colleagues.

Mohamed stated that SHRM began drafting her termination paperwork the SAME DAY she filed a retaliation complaint.

The SHRM controversy is a perfect example of an unfortunate truth:

HR’s credibility depends on HR professionals actually upholding the values we promote, but often, that just doesn’t happen.

Contrary to what Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President and CEO of SHRM, has claimed, this case will not be a “blip” in SHRM’s history.

This is the result of a deeper issue: HR shifting its responsibilities onto managers who are overwhelmed and ill-trained.

HR needs to take the lead and start resolving these issues immediately. By speaking up for and representing every employee, HR specialists can challenge negative stereotypes about our field.

In the end, companies are made stronger for it.

04/29/2026

Often, the little things we do and say matter more than we think.

Zingerman’s is one of my all-time favorite delis in Ann Arbor, Michigan. CEO Ari Weinzweig and his business partner started the business as a single deli in 1982. They have other thriving businesses besides their fabulous deli which can be found on their website.

Weinzweig writes essays that I feel belong in every professional and personal to-read list. “Small Actions Matter in Much Bigger Ways Than We Might Imagine” considers the magic that can happen when small actions compound to create meaningful change.

The compliment you give a service worker. The quick recommendation you write for a former colleague. The post you like by someone encouraging us to take a stand against the attack on LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and the foundations of our democracy. All of our smallest actions carry meaning, even if the effects aren’t obvious. Just one little comment could be the turning point that inspires the we need to keep going, that helps those feeling the weight of our turbulent sociopolitical climate and economy the most.

It’s also a good reminder that, in business, we tend to focus on key performance indicators and profit. But major impacts often start with little ideas and taking that first small step.

As Weinzweig states: “Whether it’s about the state of our companies, the quality of the energy on a shift we’re working, or the state of the country around us, no one is coming to save us. It’s up to us. Take a chance. Lean in. Speak up. Big things might well come of it.”

To read the rest of Weinzweig’s amazing essay, visit the link in my bio.

01/19/2026

Dr. King showed us that justice and equality require constant effort and self-awareness.

Yet, in the past year, we’ve seen too many people in power fight to take us back to the old ways — to keep BIPOC and other minorities oppressed and scapegoated for their own agendas. They’ve leaned into their hatred and fanned the flames of division.

That’s why giving up is not an option.

Honoring Dr. King means acting, not just reflecting. We need to protect those oppressed and peacefully attempt to bridge our differences with others. Consider:

🤝 Volunteering in your community and/or with your coworkers
🛍️ Supporting Black-owned businesses
🎤 Attending events or virtual discussions on furthering social justice
🏛️ Exploring museums or documentaries on civil rights
📕 Reading books on white supremacy to grasp what led to them follow this way of life

How do you plan to make a difference not just on MLK Day, but year-round?

01/16/2026

A job saying “No thank you” today can open doors tomorrow — depending on how you respond.
�While that may seem impossible, it’s true. After all, we know that today’s highly competitive job market is filled with bogus listings, AI-driven interviews, and unacceptable behavior from both applicants and companies.

It’s no wonder that being professional, genuine, and approachable is more important for both job seekers and recruiters than ever before. In the face of fewer opportunities, every interaction matters.

Speaking as an HR consultant, I know that both job hunting and filling roles are far from easy right now...

But staying composed in the face of rejection or candidate pushback can help set you apart.

For support on your job search, email [email protected] or DM to set up a free 15-minute consultation.

12/29/2025

It’s almost time to step into 2026 with joy in mind.

Inspired by the outstanding article “54 Little Ways to Jump-Start 2026” by Melissa Matthews and Monica Garwood, I’ve put together five steps to finding happiness in the new year.

From trying new activities purely for fun to revisiting old interests that spark delight, small lifestyle shifts can make a major impact. Research shows that developing a more joyful outlook could even help you navigate personal challenges and your more effectively.

How are you planning to start the new year off on the right foot? Tell me which strategies you want to try in the comments.

12/12/2025

Think the holidays halt hiring? That’s a myth.

Many companies are still recruiting in December, but most job seekers slow down their applications as the festivities pick up and motivation declines.

To gain ground, be intentional with the jobs you target. From an HR perspective, employers often pass on applicants who only partially match the job description.

Your resume's objective needs to highlight your most relevant skills, responsibilities, and results according to the job description, along with keywords to pass the ATS. Employment gaps of 6+ months need to be explained, too.

If you need help kicking off the new year with a new role, email me at [email protected] to set up a free 15-minute consultation.

11/24/2025

Food banks are under historic strain.

Millions of Americans rely on federal programs like to fill their plates — about 1 in 8, in fact.

Although the government shutdown may be over, many food banks and food pantries are distributing far more than they’re receiving, especially essential staples, and workers are struggling to keep up.

SNAP rollbacks are only one part of the problem. Earlier this year, emergency food aid (TEFAP) and the program helping food banks buy from local farms (LFPA) lost a combined $1B in federal support…

And under Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” the US Department of Agriculture is preparing to make even more budget cuts.

I think we can all agree: hunger isn’t beautiful.

While the elderly, disabled, and families in low-income neighborhoods will be hit hardest, these devastating events are a reminder that anyone can face food insecurity.

That's why this holiday season, and year-round, I encourage you to follow these tips to help your community and donate to Feeding America. Food should never be a source of fear.

04/24/2025

In the wake of the Signal leak, the denial, cover-ups, and lack of accountability continue — and leaders everywhere still have a lot to learn.

In March, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz admitted to accidentally adding The Atlantic's Editor-in-Chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, to a Signal chat containing classified information about a Yemen military strike — but not without calling Mr. Goldberg "vile" during his appearance on "The Ingraham Angle."

Just days ago, the news broke that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth leaked the same military intel in a group chat that included his wife, personal lawyer, and brother. Now, he's claiming that reporters like Mr. Goldberg are conspiring with fired Pentagon officials to set up the Trump administration.

Let's be honest: Mr. Goldberg remains the only person involved to show even a shred of integrity.

He did what any ethical journalist would have done by exiting the Signal chat swiftly, yet he has been ridiculed by the very people who are at fault.

This goes beyond politics. It’s a key reminder that all organizations, big or small, need:

✔️ Accountability
✔️ Transparency
✔️ Structure

Why? Because ethical, functional, and morally sound organizations admit their errors and terminate those who breach trust. Toxic ones gaslight, deflect, shift the blame to anyone else, and/or make things up.

In Mr. Goldberg's own words on the issue: "The story is the story." Leaders must learn that honoring it matters — and that taking accountability and holding those accountable is the only way to make sure that it does not happen again.

Mr. Goldberg: Thank you again for speaking up.

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