FootBridge Employee Stories - FootBridge Company

Meet Alisia Ortiz, Payroll Coordinator

Today, we’re thrilled to spotlight Alisia Ortiz, our dedicated payroll coordinator who has been a vital part of FootBridge since 2015. Describing Alisia’s impact on managing payroll for hundreds of contractors nationwide barely scratches the surface of her contributions. Her daily tasks are a whirlwind of phone calls, resolving contractor inquiries, and upholding the high standards of our staffing services with every job placement. Beyond her professional duties, Alisia infuses the workplace with unparalleled positivity and joy. She is a staunch advocate for women and minorities in the workplace and an avid learner, currently pursuing her Master of Science in Accounting with a focus on Business Administration. Her role is not just about processing payroll but also about ensuring the satisfaction of our contract employees, a task she approaches with a customer-centric mindset. Continue reading to uncover more about Alisia’s exceptional payroll expertise and how she ensures the satisfaction of our contract employees.

Question: While you might operate behind the scenes at FootBridge, your role as a payroll coordinator is crucial in guaranteeing that contract employees receive timely payments. What does this process entail?

Alisia: Countless steps are implemented to ensure our payroll system operates seamlessly. While some tasks require manual intervention, the majority of our payroll process is automated to minimize errors – including a contractor log-in where contractors may record their hours worked. We also meticulously handle the onboarding process in collaboration with our administrative team, making sure that taxes, benefits, insurance, sick leave, PTO, and the correct state of employment are accurately entered into our database.

Regarding my approach, I adopt a careful stance, mindful that inconsistencies can surface without warning. Take, for example, a contractor who might inadvertently provide two distinct addresses on their documentation. It’s crucial for us to log their permanent address correctly, as this is where tax forms are dispatched. On the subject of taxes, when registering to operate in a new state (we are authorized to work in all 50 states), we are also obligated to remit quarterly tax payments, so once a contract employee works for us, we notify the state.

Question: Given that contract employees often operate across various locations, how important is open communication to the payroll process?

Alisia: Effective communication is crucial for ensuring that contractors receive their payments. This process involves setting up direct deposits, issuing pay stubs, and mailing manual checks. Accuracy is constantly verified, as human errors can occur, such as a contractor entering the wrong week. Given the frequent onboarding of new hires, it’s vital to explain the time entry system and reassure them that support is always available.

Additionally, managing taxes is a significant responsibility. For instance, if a contract employee works out of state and receives a per diem, I inform them that this amount is non-taxable for the first year as a government incentive for working away from home, but it becomes taxable after that. We also handle various notifications, such as those related to child support, wage garnishments, tax levies, and pay discrepancies. Sometimes, contractors need to be made aware of these issues, necessitating clear and prompt communication.

Question: As the primary point of contact for inquiries regarding contract employees’ payroll, you must handle a wide range of questions. Could you share some of the most common ones you encounter?

Alisia: Our engineers frequently find themselves working across multiple locations, conducting fieldwork at a plant before returning home to analyze data for an additional four weeks. Similarly, contractors might shift between sites while technically remaining on the same project. It is crucial to document these movements as they significantly affect tax considerations. For example, an individual might spend three months in New York and then relocate to New Jersey. Therefore, maintaining open communication between our sales and recruiting teams, along with the direct manager of the contract employees, is essential. Doing so ensures a smoother tax filing process in April for the contract employees, as having this information in advance prevents the need to open a case later.

Question: You’re on the verge of marking a decade with FootBridge! What aspects of your work bring you the greatest joy?

What I truly appreciate is the variety each day brings, accompanied by its unique challenges. Mondays are dedicated to preparing payroll and handling wage garnishments. When a new client comes on board, I guide them through entering hours and expenses. Tuesdays involve processing payroll, while Wednesdays are reserved for making journal entries. Additionally, I assist with closing the month’s financials. I am also grateful for the career growth opportunities at FootBridge and for having a manager who invests in my development rather than leaving me stagnant. It’s not always easy, but it’s always rewarding.

Question: Finally, given your enthusiasm for championing women and minorities in the workplace, what crucial insights do you wish to share with others?

Alisia: I wish for women across all cultures to understand that if they harbor a dream and possess the determination to pursue it, everything becomes possible. Equally crucial is the act of voicing one’s aspirations, as you never know what kind of opportunities might be waiting just around the corner. For example, I felt the need to enhance my tax and accounting expertise. Therefore, following numerous discussions with our CFO, Emily Ingersoll, and conversations with friends and family, I decided to enroll in Merrimack College’s online Fall 2024 curriculum to earn my Master of Science in Accounting with a focus on Business Administration.

As a minority, I also believe it is essential to make one’s voice heard. My ambition is to grow alongside FootBridge and remain a valuable asset to the team, but I couldn’t have done so if I never spoke up. Concurrently, I am committed to raising awareness about the importance of women and minorities in the workplace. I hope my journey can inspire others to achieve similar success, whether through internships at FootBridge or by engaging with underserved communities to host job fairs, skill-building workshops, and more.

On a personal note, when I confided in my daughter about my contemplation of pursuing a master’s degree, which had been on my mind for several years, she encouraged me with a heartfelt, “You can do it!” Her words have been a tremendous source of motivation, reminding me that everyone benefits from having a cheerleader in their corner. For instance, Emily and I often discuss the value I contribute to the company, and as I continue to grow personally and professionally, I anticipate numerous opportunities opening up for me at FootBridge. Achieving a managerial role would be a dream come true, and I am genuinely excited about the future that awaits.

Are you interested in a career at FootBridge? We’d love to hear from you! Contact Joe Squires at: jsquires@footbridgecompany.com.

Office Manager and HR Administrator Diane Longtin Celebrates 22 Years at the FootBridge Company

This week The FootBridge Company congratulates our beloved office manager and HR administrator Diane Longtin, as she celebrates 22 years of working with us! To say we are amazed by her talents, generosity, and good-natured disposition is an understatement as there’s not much “Di” wouldn’t do for us or anyone for that matter, and we certainly appreciate all her efforts. She and her team touch upon almost every aspect of FootBridge, and we think she deserves a big thank you! From sending out start packets to onboarding and following client guidelines about their specific paperwork requirements, background screenings, and drug testing, no day is the same. Yet, throughout it all, Di remains steadfast in her work and is one of the most cheerful people we know.

About Diane Longtin: Many may not realize that before coming to FootBridge, Di worked in the manufacturing industry for a hefty 17 years performing assembly and machine shop work on circuit boards, transistors, and capacitors, so she can truly relate to the candidates we place in this rugged industry.

She also worked as a union steward, which she describes as a combination of a makeshift lawyer and psychologist. “It was interesting work in that I got to lobby for employee rights, and I continue to draw on the experience in my interactions with candidates. Whether they have insurance or timesheet questions, I know if they’re asking, it’s just as critical that I get back to them promptly. The last thing I want is to leave someone wondering if they’ll ever hear back from me.”

From enduring layoffs to working night shifts and changing roles in the manufacturing industry, Di’s done it all. What’s more, her caring nature and willingness to understand candidate questions are evident in everything she does. We know for sure a typical day for Diane is busy from the get-go as she attends to urgent issues such as start and end dates and insurance plan questions ranging from coverage to adding family members. While most of her work centers around contractors, she manages all office equipment and sets up and maintains company accounts.

“It’s a crazy schedule jumping from one topic to the next, but every day is very hands-on, and I love being pulled in multiple directions – it keeps my day interesting,” Di advises anyone looking to work as an administrator in the staffing industry to keep learning and maintain an open mind, as there’s always something new to discover, from technology to industry news or staffing industry topics.

This brings us back to how much Di means to the FootBridge team as she prioritizes and adapts to ever-changing circumstances. In addition to her workload, she’s willingly grown our support team from one administrator to an additional full-time person and two part-time individuals. “I value my team as much as the candidates for who we provide support. They go above and beyond what I ask of them, and I couldn’t ask for more hardworking, reliable, and genuinely kind individuals who are always there for one another.”

What else can we say? Ultimately, Di cares about who we put on a job and how they do after the placement. She’s been with us throughout varying times, including inflation and job market ebbs and flows, including 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout it, she’s stepped up to help keep business running per usual, to which we are beyond appreciative. Cheers to another year celebrating with our office extraordinaire!

Contractor Highlight – The Benefits of Being a Contractor in the Energy Sector

In 2007 mechanical engineer Rich Puckett was hired by FootBridge to perform contract work for a civil engineering firm. A position that, at first, he didn’t think he was interested in. “I thought being a contractor in the energy industry meant no benefits,” a belief Puckett points out, turned out not to be the case.

Since he worked a minimum of 35 hours a week, Puckett qualified as a FootBridge W-2 employee, receiving the same allowances as full-time workers (dental, vision, life, disability, 401 K contributions, and even supplemental insurances). He also knew that FootBridge had his back every step of the way. As it would turn out, Puckett was so happy being a contractor that 15 years and many mechanical engineering and assessment projects later, all with FootBridge, he is just now set to retire.

Reminiscing, Puckett says, “Working as a FootBridge contractor was almost like having a union rep on my side because if I had a problem, Joe Squires, FootBridge Operations Manager, would always step in and handle it.”

Being a contractor versus a permanent employee in the energy industry takes on new meaning

Where he was once against working as a contractor, Puckett explains how he was soon all-in. “Take hotel costs, for example. Sometimes I’d get a position with a company, and normally they wouldn’t cover the expense. But working with FootBridge meant they’d set it up for me, and any reimbursements, if needed, were readily available.”

“Since FootBridge is a smaller energy staffing firm than some of the giants, we can swiftly respond to any issues should they arise,” says Squires. “For instance, in Puckett’s case, there was an accounting glitch, and his check didn’t make it out on time. We remedied the problem, and I overnighted the payment, so Puckett had it in his hands without any additional delay.”

“It’s just one example of how responsive the FootBridge team was in general,” says Puckett, whose relationship with Squires and his team soon became one of friendship because, as he points out, “Everything was easy and personable. Plus, Joe always strived to work out a resolution to any problem that came along.”

“I could not have found a better company to work for or a boss that was as much a friend, boss, and guide as Joe Squires.

“After 15 years of working as a contractor with FootBridge and now entering retirement, “I can only say how very much I appreciate Joe’s support and the high standards and level of integrity for which FootBridge brought to every job,” says Puckett.

As for contract work, Puckett wouldn’t have had it any other way. And, in case he ever wants to perform project work again, working as a contractor can be the ultimate form of retirement. As a reminder to potential candidates, in addition to the benefits mentioned above, 401 K earnings are also portable, meaning an employee can take them wherever they go.

At FootBridge, our experienced recruiters specialize in helping you connect with the best job openings in oil and gas, energy services, process industries, manufacturing, and power and utilities. Contact us today to learn more about our employment opportunities.

Recruiting as a Career: Three Must-Have Tips That Can Lead to Success

As the General Manager at FootBridge, Joe Squires leads the recruiting, sales, and development teams while also providing strategic direction towards the staffing firm’s overall growth. One moment he may be working on pivotal initiatives to attract new clients, while the next, he’s evaluating tools and procedures to improve processes, and he’s worked hard to get where he’s at.

Squires started as a recruiter almost 20 years ago and since then worked his way up to a technical recruiter, lead recruiter, and recruiting manager to where he’s now at in his current role. To say he knows recruiting is an understatement and if you’re considering a career in energy recruiting, here are just a few tips to keep in mind. Meanwhile, if you’re interested in applying for a recruiting position at the FootBridge Company, please reach out to: JSquires@FootBridgeCompany.com.

**Tip #1 Work Hard and Smart**

Squires says it’s essential to work hard but doing so without being strategic also won’t cut it. “You have to work hard AND smart as doing one without the other will not result in success.”

All the hard work in the world won’t get you anywhere if you’re talking to the wrong contacts. “They are two separate things. If you’re calling a hundred people a day, but they’re not the right people, it’s wasted effort. You are essentially spinning your wheels. So, you have to have a combination of smart work ethics and effort. That’s the only two ways you can improve.” We spend time teaching our new recruiters not just about recruiting but also about the industries we serve and the clients they will help during their careers. Recruiting practices can change from industry to industry and understanding this helps our teams work smarter.

Joe Squires General Manager of FootBridge Shares Working Smarter Not Harder

Tip # 2 Be Open to Change

Recruiting and staffing has evolved significantly in the past ten years. “Some of it is the tools and knowing what the most effective communications are,” says Squires. For instance, nowadays, he’s finding in addition to leaving voicemails for candidates texting is also an effective tool.

Many candidates are responsive to text messages, and recruiters get faster responses about a candidate’s availability to follow up with a phone call by doing so. As evidence, 90 percent of people are said to open a text message within three minutes of its receipt.

To be sure, text messaging isn’t replacing an eventual conversation. It does, however, facilitate a smart discussion, according to Squires. “We’re finding we reach more of the right people and engage in more targeted conversations if we can touch base with them through a quick text message in advance of speaking with them.”

Joe Squires General Manager of FootBridge Shares About New Recruitment Technologies

Tip # 3 Recognize Recruiting Strategies are Always Evolving

In addition to simple communication tools like text messaging, another key area Squires has seen change is traditional job boards. Many candidates are using LinkedIn since it’s a platform where everyone can post a resume without it being obvious, they are open to a new job. Squires is seeing more and better qualified passive candidates as a result.

Another change has to do with the candidates themselves. Specific industries such as nuclear have a workforce reaching retirement age. Therefore, more and more clients who traditionally wanted years of direct nuclear experience must be more open to looking for people early or mid-career.

Want more must-have recruiting as career tips? Stay tuned for our ongoing series of must-have tips from Joe Squires. Here’s part 1!

Are you looking for your next challenge? The FootBridge Company believes in creating an energetic, fast-paced atmosphere with uncapped earning potential. We offer:

A flexible work schedule
Unlimited PTO
Tremendous opportunities for growth

Call or email us if you or someone you know is interested at (877) 807-8400 or jsquires@footbridgecompany.com

The Art of Energy Recruitment

Joe Squires, The FootBridge Company General Manager, has come a long way from not knowing that recruiting was even a career possibility. Throughout his career in energy recruitment, he’s been involved in over a thousand contract placements of highly qualified and specialized candidates into positions ranging from nuclear power professionals to commercial construction management positions and beyond.

“I had been laid off from a co-op job after graduation,” Squires says about how he came to find about a recruiter opening at the FootBridge Company in early 2003. “Back then, the office was in an old bank in Andover, and I was sitting in a conference room waiting for my interview while watching someone on a sales call tossing a football in the air. Someone else had their feet propped up on their desk. Everyone was smiling and laughing. Knowing I could meet my financial goals AND have fun was a game-changer.”

Joe Squires Quote about working at FootBridge in Energy Staffing

In Energy Recruitment: Perseverance Pays

Squires self-admittedly wasn’t even qualified to recruit at the time and, hence, didn’t get the job. However, a couple of weeks later, he e-mailed the FootBridge Company executive team, stating he still wanted an opportunity and was willing to put in the work. He emailed asking for a chance and the team which included Todd Springer, the FootBridge Company’s now managing partner, brought him back in and ultimately hired him for an entry-level recruiting position.

Twenty years later, Squires’ experience has since become a model for all FootBridge recruiters, and everyone must agree on the candidate. If someone has a doubt, such as their ability to communicate, which is number one on their list of must-haves, they discuss their concerns and make a unanimous decision whether the candidate would make a good team member.

The Best Recruiters Have Something that Drives Them Toward Meeting Their Goals

Squires spent two years as a manufacturing recruiter before helping to start the energy group. Subsequently, he went from a technical recruiter to a lead recruiter to a recruiting manager within five years before entering his role as the FootBridge Company General Manager in 2019.

Squires points out that recruiting is an excellent career opportunity because even in a highly technical field like energy, you don’t need specialized training. Nor a formal education or degree. What you do need is good communication skills. Plus, the willingness to put yourself out there and build a network with other professionals. It also helps to be self-driven and motivated.

“Just knowing I want a successful year and want to build upon that goal is appealing to me,” says Squires.

Recruitment as a Lucrative Career

Squires recently hired a recruiter who, like him when he started, didn’t know recruiting was a career possibility until a friend introduced him to the FootBridge Company. He’d been working in furniture sales, and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, business slowed, but he did what he had to, to keep a job. Which at the time was driving the delivery truck and unloading furniture.

“That’s the kind of grit and ambition we look for in our recruiters,” says Squires, whose advice for anyone looking to get into technical recruiting is to not only work hard but smart. “Call volume is extremely important, but you reach a limit at some point. You have to learn to spend time on the phone with the right candidates and minimize interactions with people who will ultimately waste your time and effort.”

Want to get in touch with the FootBridge Company or Joe Squires? Contact us or e-mail Jsquires@FootbridgeCompany.com directly!