Case Study: Albany Academy

Background

Albany Academy is the first and only independent, preparatory, Pre-K through post-graduate school in New York’s Capital Region. Founded as Albany Academy in 1813 and Albany Academy for Girls in 1814, the two schools were realigned in 2007 as “The Albany Academies.” In 2024, the school undertook another campus realignment to enhance the educational experience and better serve its students, unifying its brand as “Albany Academy.” The organization has about 150 employees during the school year, and around 250 in the summer due to camp employment. When Chief Human Resources Officer David Lester announced his semi-retirement and move out of the area, he and CFO Vivian Benton needed to find a solution for their HR needs.

Finding a Solution

Albany Academy needed HR consulting services that could:

• Provide on-site HR assistance to employees
• Handle employee relations matters and benefits administration
• Assist with employee transitional services and coaching

A Better Way: HR Consulting from GTM Payroll & HR

GTM’s HR consulting services met Albany Academy’s needs and more.

GTM was initially hired to help with back-up payroll processing, but the school realized it would need more HR help once Lester announced his job role and location change.

The Solution

In 2022, GTM began providing on-site HR services, including employee relations, benefits administration, internal investigations, leave management and annual employee handbook and policy updates.

“GTM’s HR team is not just advisors; they helped implement policies and assisted through transitional periods,” says Lester.

An extraordinarily efficient experience

Outsourcing all or part of your HR functions to experts is an increasingly attractive and time-saving option as organizations, like Albany Academy, try to manage the complexities of an ever-changing legal compliance landscape, manage and retain talent, and implement HR best practices that align employees with business goals.

Smaller businesses may have little or no human resources infrastructure and may not be able to justify an HR member on staff. Mid-sized companies may need additional HR resources and assistance to free up time for their team without hiring another full-time HR professional.

By utilizing GTM’s HR consultants, employers can quickly effect changes through targeted human resources support solutions tailored to their needs. GTM’s HR clients improve infrastructure by implementing better payroll technology and best practices in HR processes, freeing up valuable time and resources.

“Our consultants have been amazing,” says Lester. “They brought a different perspective on policies and procedures and have become our go-to people.”

On-site HR services

GTM’s consultants regularly met with Albany Academy’s payroll and HR group, not just as advisors, but also to implement policies and engage with employees.

“GTM erased the line between consultant and staff member,” says Benton. “They made everyone feel comfortable and were integral to getting our employees the HR help they needed.”

HR compliance services

Albany Academy needed an employee handbook that was current and compliant with federal, state, and local laws, as well as keeping it updated when laws were amended or new regulations were added.

“With all the law changes, it’s hard to keep track of everything we need for compliance,” said Lester. “GTM helps us update our handbook every year to ensure we stay on track.”

Transitional support

During a period of downsizing, Albany Academy relied on GTM’s HR expertise to help their affected employees, including assistance with job searches and transitional services.

“When we had to let some employees go, GTM was there to provide support,” says Benton. “They offered coaching services and consulted with our head of school. They were extremely helpful during this time.”

Exceptional local service and support

With Lester moving out of the area, he was concerned about employees not having someone they could go to in person for HR needs. Having GTM there to provide those on-site services gave him peace of mind.

“The GTM consultants have a great approach,” says Benton. “You wouldn’t even know they were consultants and not part of our staff. That’s how essential they have been for our school.”

Conclusion

With GTM Payroll & HR, organizations like Albany Academy receive experienced, accomplished professionals who deliver expert HR solutions, including outsourced HR consulting and employee handbook services to clients across the country. By developing HR strategies that align with business goals by leveraging their experience, knowledge, and tools, GTM delivers value beyond expectations.

“GTM has done a fantastic job of engaging with our employees,” says Lester. “It’s been so helpful to have them involved in all aspects of running our school.”