Garber HR Consulting

01/02/2026

Stranger Things wrapped up this week, and it reminded me of something I see all the time.
Every workplace has an Upside Down.

▪️That’s where unclear policies live.

▪️That’s where “we’ve always done it this way” hides.

▪️That’s where small HR issues turn into big problems when no one’s paying attention.

Good HR doesn’t wait for the Demogorgon to show up. GarberHR helps you deal with issues before they cross over.

I’m still thinking about a few storylines that never really got wrapped up. What unresolved questions do you have?

12/31/2025

Happy New Year from GarberHR.

A new year means new goals, new challenges, and the same commitment to doing things the right way. Clear expectations. Practical advice. Fewer surprises.

Thanks to the clients, partners, and peers who trusted me this past year. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead and helping more organizations start 2026 on solid footing.

Here’s to steady progress, good decisions, and fewer HR fires. 🥂

— Brandon

#2026

12/24/2025

As the year wraps up, I’m honestly grateful for the relationships behind the work. The trust, the late conversations, the tough calls, and the moments that remind me why I do this in the first place. None of this happens alone, and I don’t forget that.

This time of year is a good pause to appreciate the people who support you, challenge you, and somehow still answer the phone when you say, “Quick question…”

I’ll be over here enjoying a quiet moment by the fire, pretending HR problems take the holidays off.

Merry Christmas from GarberHR 🎄

12/08/2025

GarberHR and the Garber Family are proud to sponsor today's LPIES staff snack of "build-your-own-snack-mix" during the 12 days of snacks.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from GarberHR 🦃

Today I’m thankful for the people who make this work possible—family, friends, clients, and everyone who trusted GarberHR in its first full year. It’s been a year of growth, partnership, and a lot of meaningful work.

I hope you get time today to slow down, enjoy good food, and be with the people who matter most.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

– Brandon

10/18/2025

07/04/2025

🇺🇸 July 4th Reflection

I haven’t been posting much lately—

Between family vacation, some personal priorities, and a much-needed guy’s trip with friends I’ve known for over 30 years… Life has been busy—but in the best ways.

Today, on the 4th of July, it’s a good reminder:

✅ Family time matters...
✅ Friendships matter...
✅ And we’re fortunate to live in a place where we can celebrate both—freely.

Here’s to good food, good people, fireworks, and freedom.

Happy Independence Day from GarberHR!

06/18/2025

Stop Calling It a “Soft Skill”

We’ve got to stop calling them “soft skills.”

There’s nothing soft about: – Dealing with workplace conflict:

– Leading a difficult conversation
– Navigating ambiguity
– Listening when it’s hard
– Staying calm when tensions rise

That’s not fluff. That’s leadership.

And let’s be real—most team meltdowns, performance issues, or terminations don’t come from someone lacking technical skill. They happen because someone couldn’t communicate, collaborate, or take feedback.

You can train almost anyone to run a register or fill out a form. It’s the people skills that make or break a team.

✔️ Don’t wait until something blows up.
✔️ Don’t assume people “should just know.”
✔️ Build communication, feedback, and problem-solving skills on purpose.

Because these aren’t “soft.” They’re essential.

📌 GarberHR helps organizations train for what really matters: leadership, communication, and clarity that keeps your team strong.

06/10/2025

☀️ Summer is here.

The kids are out of school.
The grill’s fired up.
And that PTO? It’s there for a reason.

You can’t pour from an empty cup.
You’re no good to your team, your clients, or your mission if you’re running on fumes.

✅ Take the long weekend.
✅ Plan the family trip.
✅ Use the PTO you’ve earned.

You’ve got people counting on you—so take care of yourself, too.

GarberHR helps organizations build policies that support rest, not just hustle.

06/04/2025

GarberHR Post – “If It’s Not Written Down, It Didn’t Happen.”

“If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen.”

It’s a phrase I use a lot. And if you’ve ever sat through a workplace investigation, unemployment appeal, or lawsuit you know exactly why.

📝 Documentation protects everyone: It clarifies expectations

– It captures conversations accurately

– It creates a timeline

– And it saves your organization when memories… change.

The best part? It doesn’t have to be complicated.

✅ Use a Memo for Record.

✅ Follow up a conversation with a short email.

✅ Take a quick note in your employee file.

Just. Write. It. Down.

Because when things go sideways, it’s the paper trail that proves you did the right thing.

Bonus Tip from GarberHR:

Start with the basics. A one-paragraph memo, time-stamped and factual, beats a perfect memory any day.

06/03/2025

Dress Code Season: Shorts, Sandals, and Summer Confusion

The sun’s out. Temps are rising.
And suddenly… your front desk staff is wearing flip-flops.

Welcome to Dress Code Season.

🌞
Whether you’re a nonprofit, small business, or something in between—summer attire confusion is real.

Here’s the deal:
If you don’t clearly define what’s “okay” and what’s “not,” people will make it up as they go.

So what should your dress code cover?

✔️ Seasonal guidelines (shorts, sleeveless tops, open-toe shoes)

✔️ Safety standards (especially in hands-on roles)

✔️ Customer-facing vs. back-office expectations

✔️ A little grace—because it’s 95° out and we’re all human

🧢 True story:
Years ago, I had to put out a 2–3 page memo (with pictures) to clarify what counted as acceptable footwear.
Yes, including what a flip-flop actually is.
We laugh now… but it worked.

👔 “Dress for Success” doesn’t have to mean a three-piece suit.
It means showing up in a way that’s appropriate, professional, and aligned with your organization’s vibe.

Don’t have a dress code policy?
Now’s the time.

GarberHR helps you write policies that make sense, prevent drama, and still let people breathe.

05/28/2025

“What Happens When the Person You Trusted… Isn’t Getting the Job Done?”

You hired someone you believed in. You gave them room to shine. And now… they’re floundering. Missed deadlines. Poor communication. Low follow-through. It happens more than people like to admit—and it’s hard to face.

But here’s the thing: Trust is earned, not just granted. Empowerment without accountability leads to frustration for everyone.

💡 Here’s what strong leaders do:

✔️ Check in—early and often

✔️ Set crystal-clear expectations

✔️ Document what’s not working

✔️ Provide support or training

✔️ And when needed—make the hard calls

You don’t have to manage through gut feelings. HR gives you the structure, policies, and tools to lead with clarity—even when things go sideways.

📌 At GarberHR, we help small businesses and nonprofits make confident people decisions—without the guesswork.