How SkySpecs Achieved Compliance by Adding Addenda to Their Handbook

The challenge

The complexity of varying state laws

Modern HR and legal teams are at a crossroads: you either find a way to simplify multi-state compliance or risk drowning in endless updates and manual processes.

SkySpecs, a leader in renewable energy technology, knows this better than most. With 266 employees scattered across dozens of states, compliance wasn’t just a challenge—it was becoming a time-consuming and costly burden. 

SkySpecs has a collaborative process between their HR and Legal teams to create and distribute employee handbooks. HR led the process, while Legal provided reviews and feedback to ensure compliance. However, without a dedicated tool to manage updates and address the complexities of state-specific laws, their handbook only covered the basics—leaving gaps in compliance and clarity.

We needed a solution that could provide a broad U.S. handbook with detailed state-specific addenda to help employees understand how state laws impact them. SixFifty delivered exactly that.” – Hannah Pianko, Chief Legal Officer at SkySpecs

The solution

Using SixFifty to automate handbook creation and ongoing updates

SkySpecs needed a platform that could simplify compliance and help them work smarter, not harder. Here’s how SkySpecs transformed their process using SixFifty:

• Navigate multi-state requirements: Used SixFify’s state assessment to evaluate which federal and state policies are required and optional based on the states they have employees working.
• Create Compliant Handbooks: Build a core U.S. handbook with state-specific addenda tailored to their workforce.
• Streamline Updates: Easily generate new versions of their handbook with redlines showing what has changed.

Rolling out a new handbook with state-specific addenda was seamless with SixFifty,” shared Pianko. “When we issued our annual updates, we could generate a new version, see the redlines of what changed, and identify updates requiring employee communication. It made staying compliant efficient and straightforward.”

The results

“Managing employment laws on a state-by-state level would be expensive, time-consuming, and prone to gaps if we tried to do it ourselves. SixFifty brings everything together in one platform, which is super helpful and ensures nothing gets missed.”

Since implementing SixFifty, SkySpecs has:

• Saved Time and Resources: Reduced reliance on outside counsel, and freed up capacity for their team.
• Improved Compliance: Their handbook stays up-to-date with changing laws, ensuring they’re always in the clear.
• Streamlined Updates: Updates are faster and error-free, thanks to SixFifty’s automation. 

“SixFifty is a trusted resource backed by the reputable firm Wilson Sonsini, which gives us peace of mind. It’s user-friendly, keeps us compliant with constantly changing state laws, and saves us a lot of time,” says Pianko.