Know Your People: Fractional HR, Culture, & Avoiding Costly Mistakes – Karen Young – Steel City Growth – Episode #29

About this episode

Karen A. Young discusses the importance of honest communication in HR and how small mistakes can lead to significant financial consequences for businesses.

Know Your People: Fractional HR, Culture, & Avoiding Costly Mistakes Today’s guest is Karen A. Young, SPHR, SHRM-SCP , Founder & President of HR Resolutions , bestselling author, and nationally respected expert in fractional HR, workplace culture, and small-business compliance. With 20+ years in the field—and over 100 clients served annually—Karen helps business owners prevent six-figure HR mistakes, build healthier workplaces, and lead with clarity instead of fear. From her accidental entry into HR to launching a successful firm, Karen shares the realities leaders often overlook: why honest conversations matter, how small errors can cost big money, and what every employer needs to know before they scale their team. Takeaways: Honesty Is Your Best Protection Most HR crises come from avoiding uncomfortable conversations—not from malice. Clear expectations prevent lawsuits. Little Mistakes Can Cost Big Money A single error on an I-9 form can cost up to $1,200 —and the average EEOC claim runs over $200,000 . Details matter. Culture Starts with Consistency Great workplace culture isn’t ping-pong tables—it’s leaders who listen, show grace, and adapt expectations to each…

People in this episode

Guest: Karen A. Young

Topics covered

• Fractional HR
• Workplace Culture
• Small-Business Compliance
• HR Mistakes

Keywords

• HR
• business owners
• workplace health
• leadership

Mentioned in this episode

Products: HR Resolutions

Books & works: Know Your People

Places: Pittsburgh

More episodes of Steel City Growth

• Why This Kid Walked 30 Minutes to School (And Was STILL Early) · February 26, 2026 · 39 min
• What It Takes to Scale a Real Estate Business the Right Way · January 29, 2026 · 24 min
• Could Your Employees Own Your Business? · January 15, 2026 · 36 min
• A New Season of Steel City Growth · January 9, 2026 · 1 min
• From Loss to Legacy: Estate Planning, Exit Strategy, & Protecting Business Owners – Sunny Erdman – Steel City Growth – Episode #30 · December 11, 2025 · 23 min
• Leadership, Legacy, and Adversity: From Humble Beginnings to High Performance – Jeff Hancher – Steel City Growth – Episode #28 · November 6, 2025 · 42 min