Notable Women in Human Resources: Candy Underwood

Senior HR manager, QPS Employment Group

It’s safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has put more pressure on human resources leaders. The situation at Brookfield-based QPS Employment Group situation is no different.

Candy Underwood has been a rock for QPS, a larger regional staffing firm spanning seven states and with nearly 7,000 employees working at many different client sites, according to her colleagues.

Underwood has overseen the company’s COVID response team. She, along with the HR team, has fielded thousands of calls and questions since March from both employees and client contacts who had questions, as well as those who tested positive at the company’s internal offices as well as client companies.

Underwood is also in charge of coordinating the tracing of and communication with coworkers of those who may have been exposed to COVID.

She worked with other departments to oversee the distribution of signage, masks and sanitation supplies to branch offices. She also has dealt with different state mandates and rules in each of the seven states in which QPS operates.

Underwood’s 26 years of HR experience helped prepare her for these uncertain times when employees rely on her to give guidance.

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