Patrick Proctor

About the Author

Patrick Proctor

Patrick Proctor, SHRM-SCP, is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and has consulted and operated at the C-suite and executive levels for more than 15 years. He actively maintains expertise within the worlds of human resources, organizational development, operations management, and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Patrick is a contributor to Fit Small Business and writes about HR and business management topics impacting leaders today.

How to Lead With Clarity and Resilience During Disruptive Times

By Patrick Proctor on June 29, 2020 | How To, Human Resources, People Management | Comments (0)

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented leadership. Without a doubt, society-at-large has very recently provided ample opportunity for, albeit important, disruption within today’s workplace. Some of these disruptions are global health in nature (COVID-19), others involve socio-economic and equality related unrest (with the understandable worldwide response to the taking of George Floyd’s life) and multiple economic…

How to Deal With Racism in the Workplace

By Patrick Proctor on June 25, 2020 | How To, Human Resources | Comments (0)

As society attempts to grapple with George Floyd’s death, racism in the workplace continues to be an issue companies work to eradicate. What we know to a certainty is that racism in our workplaces will not go away “on its own.” And, often leaders within organizations don’t know how to approach the topic in an…

Your Ultimate Guide to Employment Laws When Interviewing and Hiring

By Patrick Proctor on June 22, 2020 | Human Resources, Ultimate Guide | Comments (2)

When interviewing and eventually hiring candidates, it is important to know what employment laws govern the process. Knowing what not to do and ask during interviews can save you time and money. With thoughtful foresight, hiring managers can make the most of employment interviews and obtain the information they need without asking illegal questions. Although…

7 Best HRIS/HRMS Software for Small Business 2020

By Patrick Proctor on June 10, 2020 | Buyer's Guide, HR Operations, Human Resources | Comments (0)

An HR Information/Management System (HRIS/HRMS) is software that manages people data across the employee lifecycle—from recruitment to termination. The best HR software for small business isn’t an expensive ERP system designed for large corporations. Instead, it’s affordable cloud-based software that easily integrates with your businesses other apps. Best 7 HRIS Software and HRMS Tools How…

Employee Onboarding Practices & Why They’re Important

By Patrick Proctor on June 1, 2020 | How To, Human Resources | Comments (0)

The terminology behind “onboarding new employees” means something different to everyone. Practically speaking, new employee onboarding is the process of integrating a new team member with a company and its culture, ethos, policies, and most importantly, people. Additionally, the goal is to provide the new hire with the tools and information needed to become a…

8 Best Employee Scheduling Software for Small Businesses

By Patrick Proctor on May 29, 2020 | Buyer's Guide, HR Operations, Human Resources | Comments (31)

Employee scheduling software automates work schedules by providing an online calendar that outlines employee schedules and availability. We considered the best employee scheduling software that gives your team mobile apps for schedules, messages, leave requests, and shift-swaps. Most cost just a few dollars per month, per employee, with some being entirely free for a single…

10 Best Tips for Managing Remote Employees

By Patrick Proctor on May 29, 2020 | How To, HR Operations, Human Resources | Comments (0)

Hiring remote employees means giving your business access to more talent but it also requires major adjustments to your company culture in order for it to have a positive effect on your team and bottom line. Frequent communication, solid organizational support, and helping remote employees stay balanced are the keys to sustained success. Knowing how…

How to Layoff Employees During a Crisis (+ a Sample Employee Separation/Layoff Letter)

By Patrick Proctor on May 28, 2020 | How To, Human Resources |

It is now safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has infiltrated just about every part of life. Employers have also felt this related pain as businesses have shuttered, industries have eroded, and overall economic uncertainty grows. Thus, layoffs have become a common, necessary evil for many companies, and knowing how to engage in this…

4 Best Free Employee Scheduling Software

By Patrick Proctor on May 11, 2020 | Buyer's Guide, HR Operations, Human Resources | Comments (0)

Free employee scheduling software offers web-based and mobile options you can use to build and publish work schedules for your staff so you no longer have to maintain and print spreadsheets. Most offer time tracking, leave management, and communication tools with features like schedule confirmations, shift swapping, and the option for team members to access…

How to Advertise for Job Openings

By Patrick Proctor on May 7, 2020 | How To, Human Resources | Comments (0)

Advertising for open positions and finding the perfect candidates to fill your jobs is a critical task for any organization. In some cases, smaller, industry-specific job boards are best, while in others a posting on the largest, most far-reaching job boards is what is needed. Planning your recruitment strategies ahead of time will result in…

What Is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & How Does It Work?

By Patrick Proctor on April 27, 2020 | HR Operations, Human Resources, What is | Comments (0)

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential workplace service that employers pay for and is free to employees. An EAP is commonly the most overlooked, yet valuable, benefits offered by organizations large and small. Counseling services provided by an EAP help employees manage life-stressors of all kinds. An EAP can help employees stay focused…