We exist to design and build a better work place for all.
HR Happens is a Burlington, Vermont-based HR consulting firm serving small businesses, nonprofits, and growing organizations.
We provide fractional HR management, compliance support, compensation benchmarking, employee relations, recruiting and organizational development services for organizations in Vermont and beyond.
What we do.
Whether you're building your HR foundation, developing your people, or navigating a complex workplace issue, we bring the expertise you need without a one-size-fits-all approach.
HR Strategy &
Diagnostics
Build the systems, processes, and people strategy your organization needs to grow.
Talent & Onboarding
Attract the right people and create an onboarding experience that sets them up for success.
People Experience & Growth
Develop stronger managers, engaged teams, and a workplace where people can do their best work.
Salary Benchmarking & Compensation
Make confident pay decisions with market-informed salary analysis, benchmarking, and compensation guidance.
Risk & Resolution
Navigate sensitive workplace issues, compliance requirements, and employee relations with confidence.
Fractional HR.
Get the HR expertise.
Skip the HR overhead.
Growing businesses need experienced HR support long before they’re ready to build a full in-house HR team.
HR Happens gives you access to experienced HR professionals when you need them - without the cost and commitment of adding multiple full-time positions.
THE COST OF IN-HOUSE HR
$54,241
HR Administrative Assistant
$81,451
HR Specialist / Generalist
$138,247
HR Manager / Director
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Vermont statewide median annual wage data (aged for September 2026).
Trusted by Manufacturers, Nonprofits, Professional Sevices Firms and Growing Businesses.
Client Results.
See how HR Happens helps growing organizations solve immediate people challenges while building stronger systems for what comes next.
01
SEPSAMEDHA
From an HR leadership gap to a stronger HR foundation.
They came to HR Happens after a sudden HR leadership vacancy created immediate operational needs - from payroll and benefits to onboarding and compliance. HR Happens stabilized day-to-day operations while helping rebuild the HR infrastructure for growth.
RESULT
2× employer benefits contribution
02
CHURCH HILL LANDSCAPES
Taking HR off the owners’ plates.
As the company grew, recruiting, performance management, compliance and employee - relations issues were consuming more of the owners' time. HR Happens took on recruiting and helped put more scalable people systems in place.
RESULT
More time focused on the business.
Meet the Founder.
Founder of HR Happens &
HR Consultant
MARK HEYMAN
Mark Heyman, founder of HR Happens, brings more than 25 years of experience in human resources, employment law compliance, and organizational development to the challenges growing organizations face.
HR Happens was built around a simple idea: organizations are stronger when their people are supported by thoughtful, practical HR. That means listening first, understanding the business, and finding solutions that work for both the organization and its people.