HR Companies & HR Consultants in North Little Rock, AR

Overview

Rock Region Consulting, Inc. is a human resources firm headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. It serves as an outside HR partner for small and mid-size employers in Central Arkansas and beyond. Its services are built for owners and leaders who need reliable HR expertise but are not ready to staff an internal department.

The firm frames its work around reducing employment-related risk, improving how people are hired and managed, and freeing leaders to concentrate on operations. Its clients range from nonprofits and higher education institutions to a state agency, professional associations and corporate employers.

Engagements usually start with a complimentary strategy call. During that call the consultants learn about the organization, its objectives and its current difficulties. The team then examines where the employer may be vulnerable and where stronger HR practices could support expansion. After that review, it puts in place support shaped around that particular business.

The firm says it avoids generic templates, since people issues tend to need individual answers. It also pairs each rollout with training so that clients can remain compliant over time.

Services

The firm offers a wide range of services that can be purchased individually or bundled into an outsourced arrangement:

• Recruitment and selection: hiring strategy audits, revised applications, job descriptions and offer paperwork, interviewer coaching, skills testing, onboarding and orientation
• Employee relations: guidance on hard conversations, managing problem employees, responding to staff concerns and running workplace investigations
• HR administration: drafting policies and procedures, staff surveys, remote work arrangements, personnel file audits, and handbook and job description writing or review
• Compensation and benefits: payroll, pay equity studies, salary benchmarking, benefits management coordinated with the client's broker, retirement plan guidance, HRIS implementation and total rewards design
• Partner-delivered support: HR software platforms, IT help, regulatory safety compliance, background checks and drug screening

The firm also operates an employee tip line. Workers at client companies can use it by phone or online to seek assistance or flag a concern.

Training and Development

Under the RRC Training brand, the company runs seminars face to face and online. It also offers self-paced eLearning through a web-based training portal. The catalog contains more than 100 titles that can be adapted to each client's priorities. Compliance subjects include ethics, civility, conflict resolution, cyber security, harassment, bullying, violence prevention and safety.

Courses for supervisors address change management, giving constructive criticism, conducting employee reviews and developing new leaders. The firm reports training over 500 employees. It also maintains a book store and accepts speaking engagements.

Team and Credentials

The firm is led by CEO and Principal Consultant Gina Smith, PHR. She holds a master's in HR management from Webster University and a business bachelor's degree with a management focus. Her background includes international HR leadership, and she facilitates DDI and Ken Blanchard leadership programs.

The team also includes Heather Phipps, PHR, Shey Anderson, SHRM-CP, PHR, and Felicia Nicholson, AINS, AAIC, and it cites 58 years of combined HR experience. Its specialties include employment law compliance, DEI initiatives, layoff planning, leave accommodation and performance reviews.

Clients named on the site include Philander Smith College, Arkansas State University, the state's labor and licensing department, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and First Community Bank. The firm also supports community groups such as Food Jobs Work and the Central Arkansas HR Association.