Episode Details

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In episode 227, Coffey talks with Christy Close about how organizations can expand their talent pool by hiring and supporting neurodiverse employees.

They discuss the growing number of neurodivergent individuals entering the job market; the importance of revising job descriptions and interviews to reduce bias and increase accessibility; how leaders can make reasonable accommodations to help neurodiverse employees thrive; why flexibility, clear communication, and awareness benefit all employees, not just those with atypical information processing; and the mindset shift required to recognize neurodiversity as a competitive advantage rather than a challenge.

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About our Guest:

Christy Close owns and operates HR Solid Foundation, as a Business & Human Resource consultant. Christy is also a facilitator of Human Resources classes for UT- Austin, UT- Arlington, Univ of Houston, and tech facilities to include working with those exiting the military and entering the workforce.

She is sought out as to facilitate the HR Certification Prep test class- as of May this year, her pass rate is at a 97% pass rate for first timers.

Her claim to fame is her involvement with the EEOC having completed over 1244 cases with only 5 going to court, and 1 loss.

She received her Masters in International HR Mgmt with an emphasis in Global Org, a Paralegal degree, as well as HR certifications.

She is the author of Employee Relations 101, a book for new managers.

After 8 years in the military, and 30+ years in the HR & Employee Relations arena, she has found her passion working with employers and employees finding a great balance and a very conducive work environment.

Her clients range from military, aviation, hospitality, manufacturing, and retail ranging from Houston, TX to Tulsa, OK to Seattle, Atlanta, and Miami.

Her motto hasn't changed since day 1: How may I serve you?

She is currently co-authoring a book for hiring nuerodivergents, which is expected to be released in spring 2026.

As the CEO of HR Solid Foundation, she believes many of today's employment discrepancies could be avoided with proper training or structural strategic alignment within the organization's goals.

Christy Close can be reached at

https://www.hrsolidfoundation.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christygcloseer101/

https://www.facebook.com/HRSolidFoundation

https://www.instagram.com/hrsf.info/?next=%2F

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher. In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Care