In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with HR Consultant & DEI Specialist, Clea Arrieta.

Clea is a big sister, first-generation Canadian, and queer woman of colour. She’s had the deep privilege of working with incredible teams within the tech, non-profit, and civic organizing spaces that are focused on creating employee experiences that matter. By day, she is an HR Consultant at Bright + Early who works to partner with small to mid-size organizations to create thoughtful and intentional employee experiences. And by night, she sits on the board of QueerTech and Mabuhay House Society.

Watch on YouTube

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• Brightandearly.ca





• Clea Arrieta on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [00:16 ] HR myths stem from historical views but organizations, big or small, benefit from investing in HR early on.





• [02:32 ] HR should be customized based on the size, scale, and stage of the organization, focusing on collaboration and feedback.





• [05:36 ] Small businesses with 2-10 employees should prioritize values, culture, and employee experiences early on.





• [06:32 ] Small businesses can start with free resources, build values, diversify, ensure recruiting alignment with values, and document processes.





• [10:39 ] Failing to set HR foundations can lead to missed goals, stress, and operational challenges as a company grows.





• [14:19 ] Early-stage founders should focus on defining mission, vision, values, compliance, and hiring practices to set a strong foundation.





• [18:30 ] In mid-growth stages, onboarding, feedback surveys, and performance reviews become crucial for organizational stability and alignment.





• [22:23 ] Reviewing roles and responsibilities is crucial as teams grow to avoid confusion.





• [24:13 ] Data tracking and time blocking can help small teams prioritize hiring needs.





• [27:02 ] Bringing fun into HR can be done through weekly check-ins, shoutouts, and celebrating good work.





• [30:33 ] Remember to lean on your community for support and guidance in your HR journey.