Lee Forrest, M.S. Employee Relations

Area Human Resource Manager

Tolland, Connecticut, United States

About

Proven human resource (HR) professional with 20 years of experience achieving organizational goals through analysis, employee engagement, process improvement, relationship management, and serving as a business partner to leadership. Influential advisor to decision makers looking to drive success through performance management, training, development, and improved employee satisfaction Skills: Employee Relations • Employment Law • Employee Training & Development • Benefits Administration • Strategic Planning & Analysis • Risk Management • Talent Acquisition & Management • HRIS Technologies • Onboarding / Off-boarding • Employee Orientation • Retention • Policies and Procedures

Experience

  • Paychex (Rochester, New York, United States)
    • Area Human Resources Manager
      Feb 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 5 mos

      As an Area Human Resources Manager with Paychex HR Services, I lead and develop a high-performing team of 12 HR Business Partners who deliver strategic HR guidance to more than 1,500 enterprise-level clients nationwide. My focus is on driving client success through proactive employee relations, compliance expertise, and partnership that helps organizations thrive. I collaborate cross-functionally with client success, payroll, and technology teams to enhance service delivery, elevate engagement, and ensure clients see measurable value in their HR partnership with Paychex. Through data-driven insights and coaching, I empower my team to strengthen client retention, streamline processes, and solve complex HR challenges across multiple industries. Passionate about leadership and continuous improvement, I take pride in cultivating a culture of accountability, development, and excellence—ensuring our HR Business Partners have the tools, training, and support to make a meaningful impact for every client they serve.

    • Human Resources Business Partner III
      Jun 2022 - Mar 2023 · 10 mos

      • Supported complex clients by providing tailored strategic HR guidance aligned with their specific needs. • Collaborated with executive-level management to develop and execute comprehensive HR strategies. • Focused on human capital management while integrating industry-leading technologies to enhance HR initiatives.

  • Paychex (Full-time · 6 yrs 2 mos)
    • HR Business Partner II
      Apr 2020 - Sep 2021 · 1 yr 6 mos

      • Provide strategic Human Resources analysis, assessment and recommendations, based upon the employee life cycle, to 160 companies with over 3,200 employees around the country. • Lead Human Resource managers through change by creating and implementing internal HR practices, policies and procedures, while understanding their impact on employees. • Conduct yearly assessments to develop action plans based upon company’s goals, legal compliance and potential liability exposure. • Deliver leadership training to companies, both virtually and onsite, on various human resources topics including performance management, anti-harassment, effective discipline, terminations, interviewing / hiring, FMLA and discrimination. • Train and develop talent acquisition programs for companies ensuring strong candidate flow based upon job analysis. • Conduct needs analysis for companies to develop and implement wellness and benefit programs to drive employee engagement and retention. • Help companies create employee policies that support compliance and consistency across the organization and multiple business units. • Teach managers how to create and implement a performance management system based upon metrics and competencies. • Consult with companies to investigate and resolve employee relations issues, harassment and discrimination claims. • Instruct HR managers on proper off-boarding procedures to limit company liability.

    • HR Business Partner I
      Jun 2017 - Apr 2020 · 2 yrs 11 mos

    • HR Generalist
      Aug 2015 - Jun 2017 · 1 yr 11 mos

  • Full-time parenting at Career Break
    Jul 2014 - Aug 2015 · 1 yr 2 mos

  • General Manager at Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
    May 2010 - Jul 2014 · 4 yrs 3 mos

    · Human Resource Manager for 75 salaried and non-salaried employees. · Piloted the Employee Opinion Survey’s in 2013 and 2014. · Lead training in Risk Management, Sexual Harassment and OSHA Regulations. · Promoted and trained multiple associates to leadership positions. · Interviewed, on-boarded and mentored three senior field leadership members. · Created peak business training for newly hired field leadership for the Northeast Region. · Conducted quarterly Risk Management Audits. · Managed sales and operations for a 3 million dollar location. · Tracked and monitored compliance with state and federal employment law. · Ensured strict adherence to corporate policies and procedures including mentor and training programs to communicate a clear understanding to employees at all levels.

  • Gap Inc. (Full-time · 11 yrs 5 mos)
    • General Manager
      Jan 2007 - May 2010 · 3 yrs 5 mos

      · Human Resource Manager for 50 salaried and non-salaried employees. · Trained and promoted 2 managers and 2 supervisors to leadership positions throughout the district. · Piloted new store management structure for the company for 8 months while providing feedback to upper field leaders on successes and opportunities. · Certified in Situational Leadership II by The Ken Blanchard Company.

    • Acting General Manager
      Sep 2006 - Jan 2007 · 5 mos

      · Human Resource Manager for 45 salaried and non-salaried employees. · Made sales budget 3 out 4 months. · Had the largest gain in comparable sales in the district for the Thanksgiving weekend. · Promoted and trained sales associate to a supervisor position. · Successfully launched a new product initiative for the company.

    • Associate Manager
      Jan 2005 - Sep 2006 · 1 yr 9 mos

      · Piloted new store environment, new management/ associate roles and responsibilities and sales/ leadership training for the company. Provided weekly feedback to upper field management. · Recruited new store leadership and sales team. · Attended weekly district leadership training for 6 months. · Lead guided store visit for CEO of Gap Inc. · Acted as district lead for operational training.