Frequently Asked Questions

What is HR compliance for a small business in Kansas?

HR compliance means following federal and state labor laws that cover hiring, payroll, workplace safety, and employee rights. In Kansas, this includes understanding at-will employment rules, wage and hour laws, and workers' compensation requirements.

Kansas follows an at-will employment doctrine, but exceptions exist, including those based on written contracts or public policy protections. Learn more from the Kansas Department of Labor - Employers.

Groundwork Partners helps Wichita-area businesses stay compliant by auditing your current practices, building compliant employee handbooks, and setting up systems that reduce legal risk as you grow.

When should a business move from contractors to W-2 employees?

You should consider switching when someone works set hours, uses your equipment, takes direction from you daily, or performs core functions of your business. Misclassifying workers creates tax penalties and legal exposure.

Employers can request IRS guidance using Form SS-8, and review Kansas-specific misclassification information on the KDOL site.

Groundwork Partners reviews your current contractor relationships, helps you reclassify workers correctly, and sets up compliant onboarding and payroll systems for your new W-2 team.

How do I create an employee handbook that actually works?

Start with clear policies on hours, time off, conduct, and termination. Your handbook should reflect how your business actually operates and comply with Kansas employment laws.

Groundwork Partners writes handbooks that match your culture and meet legal requirements. We include practical language your team can understand and policies you can enforce consistently.

What happens if we don't document our HR processes?

You risk inconsistent decisions, compliance violations, and disputes with employees or the Department of Labor. Without documentation, it's harder to defend your actions or train managers on correct procedures.

Groundwork Partners documents your hiring, discipline, and termination processes so every decision is fair, defensible, and repeatable across your organization.

How do I handle payroll for my first employees?

Choose a payroll provider, register for federal and state tax IDs, verify work eligibility with I-9 forms, and classify employees correctly. You'll also need to set up withholding, pay schedules, and workers' compensation insurance.

Kansas follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, and overtime rules follow the Fair Labor Standards Act. Kansas employers must register with both the Kansas Department of Revenue for withholding tax and the KDOL - Unemployment Tax Division for state unemployment insurance.

Groundwork Partners sets up your payroll system from scratch, ensures tax compliance, and trains you on running payroll accurately and on time.

What should a small business include in an onboarding process?

A solid onboarding process covers paperwork, training, introductions, and clear expectations for the first 90 days. New hires should know their role, who to ask for help, and how success is measured.

Groundwork Partners builds onboarding checklists and training plans that help new employees contribute faster and feel confident in their roles.

How do I write a job description that attracts the right people?

Focus on the actual work, required skills, and what success looks like in the role. Avoid jargon and include details about your team, culture, and growth opportunities.

Groundwork Partners writes job descriptions that are clear, compliant, and tailored to attract qualified candidates in the Wichita market.

When should a growing business hire an HR person?

Most businesses need dedicated HR support when they reach 15 to 25 employees or when the owner spends more than 10 hours a week on HR tasks. Earlier is better if you're hiring quickly or facing compliance risk.

Groundwork Partners offers fractional HR support so you get expert help without the cost of a full-time hire. We handle compliance, policies, and employee issues while you focus on growth.

What is the biggest hiring mistake small businesses make?

Hiring without a clear role definition or rushing to fill a seat because you're busy. This leads to turnover, frustration, and wasted time retraining.

Groundwork Partners helps you define roles clearly, build interview guides, and make hiring decisions based on actual business needs and candidate fit.

What is a fractional COO?

A fractional COO is an experienced operations leader who works with your business part-time. You get strategic guidance, process improvement, and execution support without the cost of a full-time executive.

Groundwork Partners provides fractional COO support for Kansas small businesses ready to scale. We focus on systems, team structure, and operational clarity so you can grow without chaos.

When should a business hire a fractional COO?

Consider fractional COO support when you're growing fast, your team lacks clear roles, decisions are slow, or you're stuck in daily operations instead of leading the business. It's common around 10 to 30 employees.

Groundwork Partners steps in to build the operational foundation you need. We clarify decision rights, document workflows, and coach your leadership team so growth feels manageable.

How is a fractional COO different from a consultant?

A consultant gives advice and leaves. A fractional COO works with you regularly, executes projects, holds your team accountable, and adjusts as your business changes. You get hands-on leadership, not just recommendations.

Groundwork Partners acts as part of your leadership team. We show up, do the work, and stay until systems are running smoothly and your team is trained.

How does Groundwork Partners help Wichita small businesses?

We provide fractional operations and HR support for businesses that need systems, clarity, and leadership but aren't ready for full-time executives. Our focus is practical execution, not theory.

Groundwork Partners builds the operational foundation you need to grow with confidence. We work alongside your team to document processes, improve workflows, and solve the problems slowing you down.

What should I bring to a first conversation with Groundwork Partners?

Bring your biggest operational headache and a willingness to be honest about what's not working. We'll ask about your team, growth goals, and where you feel stuck.

Groundwork Partners starts with a practical conversation about your business. We'll identify quick wins, map a path forward, and show you exactly how we'd help. Foundations for growth start with clarity.

How long does it take to see results from operations work?

You'll see quick wins in the first 30 days, such as documented processes, clearer roles, or solved bottlenecks. Deeper transformation, like full team alignment or operational excellence, takes three to six months.

Groundwork Partners balances speed and sustainability. We prioritize high-impact work first so you see progress fast, then build the systems that support long-term growth.

Why choose Groundwork Partners over hiring someone full-time?

You get senior-level expertise at a fraction of the cost. We bring experience from multiple industries, start immediately, and scale our support up or down as your needs change.

Groundwork Partners gives you flexibility and results. We handle the hard operational work while you stay focused on customers, sales, and strategic growth.