Josh Dewhurst

People Operations and HR Specialist

Josh Dewhurst

I am passionate about creating inclusive and equitable workplaces where everyone can thrive. With a deep commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), I enjoy reworking policies, using people analytics for equity analysis, and driving organizational change. I am enthusiastic about learning and development, compensation and benefits consulting, and fostering strong employee relations.

My journey began in the legal field, where I gained valuable experience in employment law and compliance. This background has given me a unique perspective on employee relations and risk management. Transitioning to People Operations, I have worked as an HR Business Partner, leveraging my legal expertise to enhance retention, manage employee relations, and promote DEI initiatives. My experience includes designing and implementing comprehensive onboarding processes, developing compensation philosophies, and leading equity analysis projects.

Technical Skills

HR Software

  • ADP
  • Oracle
  • Workday

Data Analysis

  • Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables)
  • Power BI
  • Tableau
  • Python

Project Management

  • Asana
  • Trello
  • Jira

Compliance and Legal

  • OSHA
  • EEOC
  • FMLA
  • ADA
  • Workers Comp
  • Wrongful Termination

Learning and Development

  • Instructional Design
  • SAP Litmos
  • Workday Learning

Notable Projects

Workplace Violence Prevention Plan

Achieved full compliance with Senate Bill 553 by developing and implementing a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan. Built a specialized incident reporting platform and created training using HTML and CSS.

Python Machine Learning - Employee Churn

Developed a predictive model using various machine learning techniques to identify employees at risk of churning. Implemented strategies based on model findings, resulting in an 8% reduction in churn.

People Analytics - Equity

Led an equity analysis project to evaluate company demographics and identify significant concerns in leadership diversity. Generated custom reports using Microsoft Suite and presented findings to the board to drive diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Compensation Philosophy

Developed a comprehensive Compensation Philosophy emphasizing thriving wages, balance, financial sustainability, transparency, equity, and performance-based rewards. This initiative ensures fair and competitive compensation, promotes employee well-being, and supports DEI goals.

Policy Development

Expert in policy development, having written comprehensive employee handbooks, volunteer handbooks, and standalone policies for various business needs. Examples include compliance policies, risk mitigation strategies, and process optimization guidelines. Due to confidentiality, I cannot post most of these policies but am happy to discuss more in depth. Please reach out to me for a detailed discussion.

Policy Development

Through my professional experience, I have built out policy pipelines for policy development, collaboration, and integration. I have successfully created comprehensive policies, including but not limited to:

Comprehensive Employee Handbook

Including policies on at-will employment, equal employment opportunity, harassment prevention, whistleblower protection, and more. This handbook ensures legal compliance and provides clear guidelines for employees.

Volunteer Handbook

A comprehensive guide for volunteers, detailing roles, responsibilities, and organizational policies to ensure a consistent and supportive volunteer experience.

HIPAA Policy

Ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations to protect patient privacy and secure sensitive health information.

Document Retention Policy

Establishes guidelines for retaining and disposing of company documents, ensuring legal compliance and efficient record management.

Response to Traumatic Events

Provides protocols for supporting employees during and after traumatic events, promoting a compassionate and responsive workplace environment.

Internal Job Transfer and Promotion

Outlines the process for internal job transfers and promotions, ensuring transparency and equity in career advancement opportunities.

Referral Bonus

Defines the criteria and process for employee referral bonuses, incentivizing staff to refer qualified candidates.

Coworking Space Policies

Guidelines for using coworking spaces and hotel desking, fostering a flexible and efficient work environment.

Updated PTO/Sick Leave Policies

Comprehensive policies for paid time off and sick leave, supporting employee well-being and ensuring legal compliance.

Employee Accessing Company Services Policy

Guidelines for employees accessing company services, maintaining confidentiality and integrity in service delivery.

Undesignated Leave of Absence

Defines the process for requesting and approving undesignated leave, ensuring consistency and fairness.

Disaster Preparedness and Response

Protocols for disaster preparedness and response, ensuring employee safety and business continuity.

Use of External Recruitment Firms

Guidelines for engaging external recruitment firms, ensuring effective and compliant recruitment processes.

AI and Data Security Policy

Policies for the use of AI and data security, protecting sensitive information and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.

Due to confidentiality, I cannot post most of these policies but am happy to discuss them more in depth. Please reach out to me for a detailed discussion.

Worked At

San Francisco AIDS Foundation Logo
K and G Renewables Logo
Tobener Ravenscroft LLP Logo
Ghitterman Ghitterman and Feld Logo
California Association of Directors of Activity Logo

Contact Me

Please contact me if you wish to connect professionally or personally. I am open to opportunities and connections within the tech field and beyond.