HR Under Trump 2.0 and What’s Next for Employers With Becky Barton

Becky Barton

Becky Barton is the CEO of People415, a human resources consulting firm that helps growing businesses grow faster with streamlined workflow policies, talent management, and HR compliance. With over 20 years of experience in HR strategy and operations, she specializes in aligning workforce planning with business goals. She has worked with companies across various industries, advising on hiring practices, employee classification, compensation, and compliance. Becky also speaks on HR trends and workplace regulations, providing guidance to business owners and leaders.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[05:09] Becky Barton shares insights on building and managing a fully remote team
[07:23] Key lessons Becky learned from leading a remote-first HR consulting firm
[09:04] An overview of People415 and the HR solutions they provide
[10:55] Common HR challenges faced by companies with around 50 employees
[20:10] HR changes and trends to expect under the Trump administration
[26:01] Worker classification challenges and the risks of misclassifying employees
[27:27] Immigration enforcement and what employers need to prepare for
[30:20] The role of AI and technology in HR and potential regulatory changes
[33:12] Top priorities business owners should focus on to stay compliant and competitive
[34:51] Key HR opportunities to enhance workplace culture, hiring, and retention

In this episode…

The landscape of HR is shifting once again with the second Trump administration, which will impact companies in different ways. Naturally, employers are left wondering: how will this administration impact my business, and what should we be doing? How can business owners and HR professionals stay ahead and ensure they’re making the right moves?

According to Becky Barton, a leading HR expert and thought leader, in the short term, employers should prepare for a pro-business shift in federal labor policies, with many regulations likely being rolled back. She highlights how this could reduce compliance burdens at the national level but increase complexity for multistate employers as states like California continue to enforce stricter employment laws. With expected changes in wage laws, worker classification, workplace safety, and immigration enforcement, businesses must be proactive in auditing their HR policies to mitigate risk and adapt to new realities. In the longer term, continue to focus on best practices, building your corporate culture, and building a strong, committed, and motivated workforce.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar sits down with Becky Barton, CEO of People415, to discuss what the Trump 2.0 presidency means for HR and business owners. They explore the likely rollback of federal labor regulations, key compliance risks for employers, and strategies to prepare for shifting workplace policies. Becky also shares actionable insights on worker classification, AI’s role in HR, and best practices for building a resilient workforce.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments

"Being really upfront and communicating expectations ensures it doesn't matter where people are."
"Focus on results, and let employees perform to meet those standards."
"Nature is energizing and gives me good, positive energy to do that nature bath every day."
"Empowering your workforce allows the visionary person to stay in that visionary role."
"The more transparent you are with your workforce, it just gets that buy-in."

Action Steps

Understand worker classification rules: Misclassifying workers can lead to significant legal and financial repercussions.
Enhance pay transparency: Doing so fosters trust and motivation among employees and increases employee engagement.
Create a safety plan: Implement and communicate comprehensive workplace safety protocols to provide a secure work environment.
Leverage values in hiring: This action helps attract and retain talent that aligns with the company culture, which helps to address hiring challenges.
Prepare for potential immigration audits: Conduct regular internal audits of I-9 forms and establish protocols for handling immigration enforcement.

Sponsor for this episode

This episode is brought to you by Pillar6. Pillar6 is a wealth advisory firm for successful individuals and families with active lifestyles.

Our clients appreciate having clarity and control over their finances and the peace of mind in knowing that their financial decisions are aligned with their core values, goals, and priorities. We provide financial planning services and wealth management services.

Schedule your complimentary discovery call to talk to us.

To learn more, go to www.pillar6.com or you can email us at hello@pillar6.com.