At the heart of the Smart HR model is the belief that outsourced HR should work well for everybody.
- It should work well for our clients by providing the kind of vital resources and support that creates a great workplace for every employee.
- It should work well for Smart HR by allowing us to do what we do best (deliver top notch HR services)
- It should work well for Smart HR’s consultants who work directly with our clients to be accessible, informative and a functional part of the human resource fabric of their company.
With this idea in mind, we’re starting a new feature on our blog called the Smart HR Consultant Spotlight. Each month we’ll feature one of our consultants and highlight their story to give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life at Smart HR. As always, if you’re looking for a flexible HR career that’s adaptable to wherever you are in your professional life, contact us today. Without further ado, please meet this month’s spotlight consultant, the very talented Susan Oswald.
Name: Susan Oswald
Years with Smart HR: 2 years 2 months
Professional background in one sentence:
Human Resources Professional with 20 years of Generalist HR Experience. Masters in Human Resources Management, PHR certified.
Why did you make the move to Smart HR?
I worked as the Human Resources Manager for a large law firm in Washington DC for almost 13 years. While working there I had three children. When the kids were young and in daycare, it was easy to continue working. As they got older and had homework and after school activities, it became harder and harder each year. My husband is a Litigation Attorney and his work is not very flexible. I needed to leave work when the kids were sick, to attend teacher meetings, to go on field trips, etc. I felt as though I was not doing anything well in my life- I was not being a good employee or mom. I was doing everything half way. Something needed to change.
Five years ago, did you think you’d be doing what you’re doing now?
I hoped to be doing something part-time so that I could be more involved in my children’s lives. I knew that as they got older they would need me more. I did not want to stop working completely and had researched part-time work. Unfortunately my employer at the time was not amenable to me working part-time.
What’s a typical day like for you?
I work at a client site two days per week from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. I am able to get my kids off to school and also be there to pick them up at the end of the day and take them to their after school activities. On days that I am not in the office, I am available to my clients by email and address issues as they come up.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
As a consultant for small businesses, I am the HR contact for their employees. I like to interact with the employees and help them find solutions to their HR issues/problems. I am also staying in touch with my profession and learning new things every day.
What about the Smart HR model really appeals to you?
I like that I have the ability to manage my work and work flexible hours. I am still involved in the HR profession at a high level.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to yourself in college?
I would tell myself to pick a profession where there is flexibility in the work hours and the ability to telecommute. My mother was a stay at home mom and I took that for granted. I never realized how hard it would be to juggle parenting and full-time work.
