Honest and Real: An Essential Guidebook for Drama-Free Human Resources

HR isn’t rocket science, but it can be confusing and frustrating. It can also be rewarding and fulfilling. The secret is knowing how to avoid or mitigate the drama.

Born from her previous book (Stop Knocking on My Door: Drama-Free HR to Help Grow Your Business), Karen A. Young’s refreshingly candid and relevant new book, Honest and Real: An Essential Guide for Drama-Free Human Resources, reimagines HR fundamentals in a post-pandemic world while offering advice on effective HR practices that will reduce the daily drama that business leaders experience. The result? Employees who are happy and productive.

The Secret to Avoiding Drama While Focusing on What Matters Most

With 30+ years of HR management experience, Karen delivers engaging content in an informative, lighthearted way, while ensuring that business leaders have the knowledge and insights to care for their employees and businesses efficiently and effectively. With solid policies and procedures in place, you’ll find a reduction in the time spent on incidents, disruptions, and turnover, which creates the time to focus on what you need to do to grow your business.

Released in 2022, two years after we all learned (the hard way) how disruptions — like a pandemic — can upend a workplace, Honest and Real offers actionable advice on how to think about HR basics in a disruption-aware way that reduces stress and improves outcomes. Each topical chapter of the book includes tips and considerations for times of crisis, high stress, or disruptions in your business operations.

Practical Guidance, Common-Sense Solutions

People are your most valuable resource — especially in small businesses where every decision and activity can have a big impact. Having the best “people department” comes from making and conveying a thoughtful and forward-looking plan. Karen can help you build it.

In this essential desktop HR reference book, readers will find a detailed case study, plus timely content and vital information on how to handle legislative changes to make well-informed business decisions that directly impact your employees. Having solid and effective HR practices will not only improve your ROI but will create a positive culture in the workplace.

Honest and Real is must-read whether you’re the CEO, CFO, managing director or controller (of a business of any size!), or the manager of an established HR department. This book is for anyone who finds themselves placed into the role of HR professional -- accidentally or purposefully.

Business Success That Begins with Hello

Drama-free HR requires that leaders be honest and real — up front, vulnerable, candid, and focused on providing thoughtful decision-making amidst individualized situations and employees with unique talents and needs. Drama-free HR also requires that every aspect of people management be connected, and that policies, practices, and day-to-day activities stem from smart job descriptions -- the hub of the proverbial wheel that keeps your business on the road and rolling along smoothly. Learn Karen’s proven method for keeping your company out of the ditch by arriving at the very best decisions you can make regarding:

• Development and training
• Staffing
• Evaluations and expectations
• Recruiting
• Orientations and onboarding
• Handbooks
• Coaching and mentoring
• Discipline
• Promotions and transfers
• Workers’ compensation
• Return-to-work programs
• And more

Let your company thrive — learn to love HR! With clear expectations and clear protocols, you’ll improve morale, retention, and results. Honest and Real will show you what quality HR management can do for your company — and your peace of mind!