PEO Insider Issue

When you start your own company, you make your own rules. In the case of InTandem HR, Monica Denler made sure that giving back to the Centennial State was one of those rules.  

Denler, InTANDEM HR’s president and CEO, began the Denver-based PEO in 2010. She founded the firm as one that would be entrenched in the community - both in the PEO services it provides as well as its volunteering efforts.  

So in 2017, she established the InTANDEM HR Foundation, a three-fold effort that advocates for women, children, and healthcare organizations to strengthen and support the greater Denver community. Denler and her business partners give annually to the foundation, and that money is then distributed to area nonprofits that combat social, medical, and economic issues including homelessness and safety. 

A core tenet of InTANDEM HR’s mission is that employees can volunteer without having to use vacation time. InTANDEM HR employees are given two paid service days per year to volunteer with any nonprofit that speaks to their passions and interests. In addition, InTANDEM HR works with nonprofit clients at greatly reduced services.  

“Whether they go to a children’s school and volunteer, help out at a homeless shelter, or spend their time at a food kitchen,” Denler says. “Anything they want to participate in, we absolutely support it.” 

Over the years, InTANDEM HR — which touts itself as the “HR team down the street”—  has logged hundreds of community volunteering hours down the street, both through individual employee efforts and through team outings.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm was on the frontlines to help SafeHouse Denver, a women and children’s domestic violence shelter whose board Denler has served on.  

As cases rose and in-person fundraising opportunities became harder to come by, InTANDEM HR brought in clients and other business contacts to bridge that gap for SafeHouse Denver - the same organization that in 2015 awarded Denler the Susan Noble Community Impact award, an honor bestowed on a community member who has made a notable impact in combating domestic violence. She says that was a “huge place” to be able to donate during such an unprecedented time.   

One of InTANDEM’s business partners is a chair at Englewood’s Craig Hospital, so the team has rallied to help with their diversity and inclusion initiatives targeting women, an effort that Denler says has been well-received.  

InTANDEM HR employees have also devoted time to A Precious Child, a Colorado nonprofit that provides educational and career assistance to neglected or abused Denver area schoolchildren. Denler and her team help stuff backpacks for the underprivileged youth who do not have the financial means for school supplies. They also help sort donated clothing that goes to these underprivileged students.  

Efforts truly run the gamut — some employees dedicate time to help a local church, some serve meals at local soup kitchens, and others focus their efforts toward those affected by substance abuse issues. 

“It’s so important to be involved in the community because you can see the impact you’re providing,” Denler said.  

VALUES INSTILLED 

Originally from Portland, Oregon, Denler moved to Colorado in 1994. In the nearly three decades since, she’s become ingrained in the Mile High community.  

She says her propensity for community service began as a child. 

“I was raised to give back,” Denler says.“My parents instilled in all of us to give back and never lose sight of that.”  

She’s taken that mantra to heart.  

In previous jobs, she has volunteered to causes near and dear to her. She ran several large fundraisers, including those on Saturday nights that took substantial set-up time the day before. As a result, she and colleagues had to use vacation time for those preceding Fridays.  

“I was happy to do it but at the same time, I didn’t feel that was right,” Denler says. “I want people to give back and not feel like they’re having to use vacation.” 

As the idea to start her own PEO materialized, so did the principle to bake in dedicated paid time off —without using vacation time— for employees to pursue volunteering opportunities. It’s a practice that is still quite uncommon among companies across all sectors.  

As a result of Denler’s pioneering, InTANDEM HR has had a tangible impact in the community while going above and beyond the standard PEO purpose of saving clients money and time on their HR needs. Sometimes the two are melded.  

Stacy Jensen, InTANDEM’s Human Resources Director, helps local high schoolers develop resumes and learn how to answer interview questions.  

Jensen, a ten-year veteran of the firm, remembers one volunteering instance vividly. InTANDEM HR was putting on a mock interview day at a local vocational high school, one she says was as “official as the real thing.” 

“I ran through several real-life behavioral interview questions,” Jensen said. “And they were perhaps more prepared than I have observed with actual job candidates.” 

“To witness the enthusiasm of the youth, as well as the hard work their teachers had put in to set them up for success, was heartwarming and inspiring.”  

EVAN FALLORDirector of CommunicationsNAPEOAlexandria, VA