Personnel Spotlight: Meet Lea Lai
If there’s one person who knows the ins and outs of payroll, it’s Lea Lai. Lea is the Payroll Manager of our simplicityHR by ALTRES team and has been with the company for over 15 years. She has extensive industry experience and brings a high level of expertise to her leadership role.
Tell us a little about yourself.
First and foremost, I am a proud mother of two—one girl and one boy. My husband and I met in California, where I grew up, and made the move to Hawaii in 2003. Before coming to ALTRES, I worked in Silicon Valley as a Material Specialist for radiofrequency and microwave devices. I was one of the first in a handful of people to ever try a Bluetooth headset.
How did you find your way into the HR and Payroll industry?
After moving to Hawaii, I was hired by ALTRES as a File Clerk for a 30-day position. Before my last day, I was hired on as a Packager and two years later transitioned into a Payroll Processor role. I had a knack for the industry so I kept with it. And here I am, 15 years later, still working with the same talented group of HR professionals. As the Payroll Manager at simplicityHR by ALTRES, my primary duty is to ensure that our clients’ payroll is processed timely and accurately. I am always looking for ways to streamline processes and motivate our staff to be efficient and at the top of their game.
What makes working for ALTRES different from working at other companies?
As an employee of ALTRES, I know that I am taken care of. Our company culture and employee benefits program is designed to meet the needs of our employees. With perks like medical insurance, retirement, wellness programs, and team-building activities, who wouldn’t want to work for a company that knows the value of investing in their employees? That investment translates directly into the hard work that our team puts forth every single day. When you have happy, healthy employees who love what they do, you’ll see the difference as a client.
What are the advantages of outsourcing your company’s human resources administration?
By outsourcing your HR administration, companies don’t have to worry about tedious legal responsibilities like payroll, workers’ compensation, risk and safety training, benefits, human resources, and employer taxes. Nobody ever starts a company to spend their days filling out paperwork to keep up with compliance. Outsourcing allows our clients to enjoy what they’re most passionate about—their business.
What do you like to do when you are not handling payroll duties in the office?
I like giving back to those in need. During my time off, I’ll purchase everyday necessities, like toothpaste, soap, and shampoo, and then drive around to distribute those items to the homeless in our community. It’s important that I do this while my kids are young so they grow up knowing the value of giving back. After all, they are my legacy. I also enjoy hiking, driving, sightseeing, and spending time with my family.
