Client Story

Company headquarters relocation requires delicate HR transition

Pioneer Sand is the leading retailer and distributor of decorative rock, sand, and flagstone in the western United States. With almost 50 years of business changing the landscape, Pioneer has grown to service over 30 states through its extensive network of quarries, retail yards, and distribution centers.



As Pioneer continued to grow, it recognized a need to centralize its back office operations to a single location. Multiple employees would be released as a result of this transition. Pioneer was adamant that these dedicated employees be treated with the highest respect and sensitivity.  This created a very delicate HR situation. Without Pioneer having a strong HR discipline or dedicated HR personnel on staff, Pioneer turned to Investment HR to oversee the transition. Independent legal counsel was naturally consulted before making any decisions to ensure that all laws were honored before and during the transition. Investment HR was tasked with not the legal aspects, but rather the personal impacts on the employees.

The impacted Pioneer Sand employees were notified in June of the transition that would result in their last day of employment being September 30th. Heidi Johnson, Founder of Investment HR and HR Services Team Leader, served in place of an in-house HR discipline for Pioneer Sand. Heidi helped with the planning phases of the reduction in force, participated in one-on-one meetings, and aided in the transition.

Heidi Johnson’s influence through Pioneer Sand’s headquarters transition fostered a trustworthy connection with outgoing employees. The opportunity to answer questions, provide job transition support, and supply the outgoing employees with next-step resources and options led to an excellent resolution.

Pioneer Sand elected to secure the services of a third-party employee support firm to connect with and support outgoing employees. Their response to Pioneer Sand care throughout the process was summed up as, “Most companies don’t show this much care in helping people transition away from a company.” Investment HR’s expertise helped Pioneer navigate a potentially volatile transition process and equally honored the lives and futures of the outgoing employees looking to start a new season of employment.

I would indeed recommend Investment HR to companies seeking HR expertise and stewardship through a difficult transition. How you treat your employees is everything. Investment HR served as a critical partner to ensure we did right by our current and departing colleagues.

Rob CarlsonCFO

 

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