What is Pay Transparency Anyway with Sally Loftis

Listen to the episode here. Access the full transcript. Here is a summary of our conversation:

Chapter 1: Introduction to Sally Loftis and HR Consulting (Timestamp: 00:25-02:33)

·                 Sally Loftis, the managing director at Loftis Partners, is introduced.

·                 Loftis Partners is a women-owned HR consulting firm specializing in strategy, people facilitation, and pay justice.

·                 Sally completed her master's thesis on pay equity in nonprofits.

·                 Marie Lynn Germain, the host of the show, introduces the topic of HR consulting and starting an HR consulting practice.

Chapter 2: What Does an HR Consultant Do? (Timestamp: 01:11-02:00)

·                 Sally explains that she is an external HR consultant and distinguishes it from an internal HR consultant or HR business partner.

·                 HR consulting is a broad field that can focus on multiple areas at once.

·                 Sally decided to become an HR consultant after working in HR for 25 years and wanting to focus on pay equity.

Chapter 3: Upsides and Downsides of HR Consulting (Timestamp: 02:04-04:07)

·                 Sally discusses the upsides of HR consulting, including autonomy, flexible schedules, personal accountability, variety, and working with different clients.

·                 She also mentions the downsides, such as financial risk, personal accountability, and the challenge of building a client pipeline.

Chapter 4: Consulting for For-Profit vs. Nonprofit Organizations (Timestamp: 04:14-07:52)

·                 Sally talks about her experience working with both for-profit and nonprofit clients.

·                 For-profit clients focus more on deliverables and improving profitability and performance.

·                 Nonprofit clients have fewer resources and may prioritize different aspects of consulting.

Chapter 5: Reducing Salary Disparities and Ensuring Pay Equity (Timestamp: 08:00-11:49)

·                 Sally explains the importance of pay equity, especially with the rise of pay transparency laws.

·                 Pay equity involves examining how people are paid across the organization and addressing systemic inequities.

·                 Sally describes the process of conducting a pay equity assessment and using data to identify disparities and have conversations with organizations.

Chapter 6: Advice for Starting an HR Consulting Firm (Timestamp: 11:49-15:51)

·                 Sally shares advice for HR professionals considering starting their own consulting firms.

·                 She suggests starting small and gaining experience through volunteer consulting or internships.

·                 Networking and connecting with other consultants in the industry is essential.

·                 Reflecting on one's career and identifying areas of passion and expertise is crucial for success.

Chapter 7: Professional Organizations and Resources (Timestamp: 15:51-17:25)

·                 Sally mentions volunteering through organizations like Catchafire and Taproot to gain experience and receive feedback.

·                 She emphasizes the importance of staying connected with alumni networks and professional organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management.