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Navigating HR compliance can be daunting for small businesses. At GUARDRAIL COMPLIANCE, we simplify the process with expert solutions tailored to your unique needs. Explore our FAQs to understand common challenges and how we can help you stay compliant.
Frequently asked questions
We understand you have questions about HR compliance. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from small business owners. We aim to provide clear, concise answers to help you understand your obligations and how GUARDRAIL COMPLIANCE can assist you.
What are the top 3 questions your customers usually ask about hr compliance?
Question 1: How do i know if my employee files are compliant?
Answer: Most small business owners do not know they have compliance problems until it is too late. Common issues include missing signatures on I-9 forms, expired documents, incomplete employee files, and outdated handbooks. The easiest way to find out is to book a free 15-minute Risk Assessment with us. We will ask you 5 quick questions and tell you exactly where your risks are.
Question 2: What happens if i get audited and my paperwork is wrong?
Answer: The fines are serious. A single I-9 form with errors can cost you $252 to $2,507 per form. If you have 20 employees with bad paperwork, that could be $50,000 or more in fines. Beyond fines, you could face lawsuits, back pay claims, or even criminal penalties in extreme cases. The good news is that most errors can be corrected before an audit happens. That is exactly what we do.
Question 3: How much does hr compliance help cost?
Answer: Big HR firms charge $150 to $300 per hour. GuardRail Compliance offers the same expertise at 30% less. Our I-9 audits start at $525, employee handbooks start at $700, and monthly retainers start at $1,050 per month. We also offer bundled packages that save you even more. No long-term contracts required.
What makes your hr compliance solutions different from others?
30% LOWER PRICING: Big HR firms charge $150 to $300 per hour because they have fancy offices and corporate overhead. We do not. You get the same expertise without the inflated price tag. We pass those savings directly to you.
FULLY BILINGUAL (ENGLISH AND SPANISH): Most HR consultants only speak English. If you have a Spanish-speaking crew, they cannot help you. We speak both languages fluently. We translate documents, conduct onsite meetings, and communicate directly with your workers so nothing gets lost in translation.
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE (NOT JUST TEXTBOOKS): Our founder has 12+ years of hands-on management experience. He has hired employees. He has fired employees. He has dealt with complaints, audits, and workplace drama. This is not theory. We have done the work you are struggling with.
FLOOR-TO-CEILING PERSPECTIVE: Most HR consultants have only worked in an office. Our founder has worked in corporate management AND on the warehouse floor. We understand the paperwork side and the frontline worker side. We speak the language of the office and the job site.
LOCAL TO SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN: We are not a call center in another state. We are based in Racine and serve Kenosha, Milwaukee, and the surrounding areas. We show up in person when you need us. We understand local businesses because we are part of the community.
NO LONG-TERM CONTRACTS: You are not locked in. Use us when you need us. Our monthly retainer clients can cancel anytime with 30-day notice. No tricks. No fine print.
MBA-LEVEL EXPERTISE: Our founder holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. You get professional-grade consulting at a small-business price.
WE SPECIALIZE IN BLUE-COLLAR BUSINESSES: We work with construction crews, landscapers, roofers, restaurants, and warehouses. We do not talk down to you or use confusing corporate jargon. We understand your world because we have lived it.
FAST RESPONSE TIMES: When you call or email, you get a real person who responds within 24 hours. No waiting on hold. No runaround. No ticket numbers.
FREE RISK ASSESSMENT: Most consultants charge for the first meeting. We do not. Book a free 15-minute call and we will tell you exactly where your compliance risks are. No cost. No pressure. No obligation.
What's the biggest challenge small businesses face with hr compliance?
CHALLENGE 1: THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DO NOT KNOW. Most small business owners have no idea their employee files are a mess until they get audited or sued. They do not know that a missing signature on an I-9 can cost $2,507. They do not know that firing someone without documentation can lead to a lawsuit. They are busy running their business and assume everything is fine until it is not.
CHALLENGE 2: THEY CANNOT AFFORD A FULL-TIME HR PERSON. A full-time HR manager costs $50,000 to $70,000 per year plus benefits. Most small businesses with 10 to 50 employees cannot justify that expense. So the owner or office manager tries to handle HR on top of everything else. Paperwork gets lost. Forms are incomplete. Mistakes happen.
CHALLENGE 3: THE RULES ARE CONFUSING AND ALWAYS CHANGING. Federal and state employment laws are complicated. I-9 requirements. OSHA regulations. Wage and hour rules. Anti-discrimination policies. The rules change constantly and small business owners do not have time to keep up. One outdated form or policy can expose them to fines and lawsuits.
CHALLENGE 4: LANGUAGE BARRIERS WITH EMPLOYEES. Many small businesses in construction, landscaping, and warehousing have Spanish-speaking crews. If the owner only speaks English, communication breaks down. Employees do not understand the safety rules. Policies get lost in translation. Discipline meetings turn into misunderstandings. This creates liability and frustration on both sides.
CHALLENGE 5: THEY HATE PAPERWORK. Let us be honest. Most business owners got into their trade because they love building things, fixing things, or running a job site. They did not get into business to fill out government forms. Paperwork feels like a waste of time. So it piles up, gets ignored, and becomes a ticking time bomb.
CHALLENGE 6: THEY WAIT UNTIL THERE IS A CRISIS. Most small businesses do not think about HR compliance until something goes wrong. They get an audit notice. An employee files a complaint. A termination turns into a lawsuit. By then, the damage is done and it costs 10 times more to fix than it would have cost to prevent.
HOW GUARDRAIL COMPLIANCE SOLVES THESE CHALLENGES
Challenge Our Solution They do not know what they do not know Free 15-minute Risk Assessment to identify problems before they cost money Cannot afford full-time HR Monthly retainer gives you a part-time HR department for $1,050 per month Rules are confusing We stay updated on federal and state requirements so you do not have to Language barriers Fully bilingual in English and Spanish They hate paperwork We handle it for you They wait until crisis We help you prevent problems before they happen
Compliance made easy
Ready to simplify your HR compliance? Contact GUARDRAIL COMPLIANCE today for a free risk assessment and discover how we can protect your business. We are here to help you navigate the complexities of HR with ease.