Archive | HR Kate: Founder HR Partner

First-Time Founders

Background Check Laws: What You Can Actually Check in Colorado, California, New York, Texas, and Florida

Background check laws vary wildly by state. California bans criminal questions until conditional offer. Florida doesn't. Know your state's rules.

BYKate York

Apr 8, 2026

Compensation & Benefits

What Benefits Do We Legally Have to Offer From Day One? The State-by-State Breakdown Founders Actually Need

Mandatory benefits vary wildly by state. Colorado requires paid leave from day one. Texas doesn't. Here's what you legally owe your first hire.

BYKate York

Apr 7, 2026

First-Time Founders

How to Spot Flight Risks Without Asking Illegal Questions: Assessing Commitment in Startup Hiring

You can't predict forever. Focus on 12-24 month fit. Ask about learning goals and past patterns, not family plans. Here's what predicts retention.

BYKate York

Apr 6, 2026

Company Culture

Culture Add vs. Culture Fit: Why Your Next Hire Should Challenge Your Team, Not Clone It

Culture add hires share values but bring new perspectives. Culture fit hires confirm biases. Diverse teams outperform by 60%. Here's how to hire.

BYKate York

Apr 3, 2026

Company Culture

"Culture Fit" Rejections: When They're Legal and When They're Discrimination Lawsuits Waiting to Happen

"Culture fit" rejections risk discrimination claims. Define culture as specific behaviors, document job-related reasons, involve diverse panels.

BYKate York

Apr 2, 2026

Scaling

How to Spot Candidates Who Actually Want to Work at a Startup (Not Just Need a Paycheck)

Ask about past behavior in ambiguity, not hypotheticals. Be brutally honest about chaos. Let candidates self-select. Here's how to spot fit.

BYKate York

Apr 1, 2026

Compensation & Benefits

Work Samples and Take-Home Projects: When You Have to Pay Candidates (And When You Don't)

Work samples are legal until they provide economic benefit to your company. Then you must pay minimum wage. IP belongs to candidates. Here's how.

BYKate York

Mar 31, 2026

Company Culture

Remote vs. In-Person Interviews: What Founders Need to Know Before You Schedule That Zoom Call

Remote interviews expand talent pools but require platform accessibility. In-person improves assessment but limits geography. Here's when to use each.

BYKate York

Mar 30, 2026

Compensation & Benefits

Equity Compensation for Lower Cash Salaries

Offer more equity for lower cash with full transparency. CO/CA/NY require salary ranges but not equity in postings. Here's what to disclose.

BYKate York

Mar 27, 2026

Scaling

Resume Workflow: Blind Review, Auto-Rejection, and Retention Rules

Blind resume review reduces bias. Auto-rejecting based on degrees risks discrimination claims. You must keep all resumes 1+ years. Here's your resume workflow.

BYKate York

Mar 26, 2026

Scaling

Pay Transparency in Job Postings: What You Must Disclose (And What You Should)

CO/CA/NY require salary ranges in job posts. Remote hiring triggers compliance regardless of your location. Here's what to disclose in each state.

BYKate York

Mar 25, 2026

Scaling

How to Write Honest Job Descriptions That Attract Ambitious People (When You Can't Pay FAANG Salaries)

Stop overselling. Ambitious people want honest job descriptions that respect their intelligence with real challenges, real learning, and real trade-offs.

BYKate York

Mar 24, 2026

Background Check Laws: What You Can Actually Check in Colorado, California, New York, Texas, and Florida

What Benefits Do We Legally Have to Offer From Day One? The State-by-State Breakdown Founders Actually Need

How to Spot Flight Risks Without Asking Illegal Questions: Assessing Commitment in Startup Hiring

Culture Add vs. Culture Fit: Why Your Next Hire Should Challenge Your Team, Not Clone It

"Culture Fit" Rejections: When They're Legal and When They're Discrimination Lawsuits Waiting to Happen

How to Spot Candidates Who Actually Want to Work at a Startup (Not Just Need a Paycheck)

Work Samples and Take-Home Projects: When You Have to Pay Candidates (And When You Don't)

Remote vs. In-Person Interviews: What Founders Need to Know Before You Schedule That Zoom Call

Equity Compensation for Lower Cash Salaries

Resume Workflow: Blind Review, Auto-Rejection, and Retention Rules

Pay Transparency in Job Postings: What You Must Disclose (And What You Should)

How to Write Honest Job Descriptions That Attract Ambitious People (When You Can't Pay FAANG Salaries)

Subscribe to HR Kate