In the fast-moving world of HR compliance, where evolving regulations and shifting workplace dynamics constantly reshape the corporate landscape, SHIFT HR Compliance Training stands tall as a beacon of innovation and impact. Recognized as one of the 10 Leading Companies to Watch in 2025, SHIFT isn’t just about ticking compliance boxes—it’s about fostering workplace cultures rooted in trust, respect, and inclusion.
A Vision Born from Experience and Empathy
The story of SHIFT HR Compliance Training is one of purpose and passion. It all began when co-founders, Katherin Nukk-Freeman and Suzanne Cerra, former law school roommates at Boston College and hiring partners at top law firms, witnessed a recurring challenge—talented professionals, especially women, struggling to balance demanding careers and family life, often choosing to leave their firms altogether.
Determined to build a workplace where people didn’t have to choose between career success and personal fulfillment, they co-founded Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C., a top-ranked employment law firm known for its strong workplace culture. But their mission didn’t stop there. They realized that while reactive legal solutions were essential, a proactive approach to workplace compliance could drive deeper change.
Recognizing the growing need for scalable, impactful training programs, they launched SHIFT HR Compliance Training. Their first course—Preventing Workplace Harassment and Discrimination—laid the foundation for a broader curriculum, eventually expanding into bias awareness, workplace civility, and inclusive leadership. Today, SHIFT is an industry leader with a remarkable 90%+ renewal rate, a testament to its effectiveness and the trust it has earned from clients nationwide.
Revolutionizing HR Compliance Training
One of the biggest hurdles organizations face today is recognizing unconscious bias and building a truly respectful workplace culture. Many leaders and employees remain unaware of how their biases affect everyday interactions, while traditional compliance training often feels detached and theoretical—failing to inspire real behavioral change.
Katherin Nukk-Freeman, Co-Founder, President & Chief Culture Officer, said “SHIFT’s training is designed to be transformational, moving beyond simply meeting compliance requirements to building a culture of civility, respect, and accountability that drives lasting organizational change.”
SHIFT’s approach is rooted in reality-based scenarios that mirror day-to-day workplace situations. Employees don’t just absorb abstract concepts, they see themselves in relatable scenarios, allowing for honest self-reflection without fear of blame.
By fostering a psychologically safe learning environment, SHIFT encourages open dialogue, helping participants recognize biases, embrace accountability, and build healthier workplace relationships. This approach not only cultivates a more inclusive culture but also drives a more effective and productive workforce, ultimately contributing to an improved bottom line.
A Thoughtful Course Development Process
Every SHIFT course undergoes a rigorous, multi-step development process designed to ensure both compliance and real-world relevance.
- Needs Assessment & Research: SHIFT starts by identifying key compliance challenges, analyzing legal requirements, and gathering client insights. This allows them to pinpoint real-world workplace issues and needs.
- Course Design & Development: Their team of instructional designers collaborates with employment law attorneys, social psychologists, and subject matter experts to craft a curriculum blending legal mandates with practical strategies. Interactive elements such as video simulations, knowledge checks, and real-life case studies are integrated to keep learners engaged.
- Testing & Feedback: Before rolling out a course, SHIFT pilots it with select users to gather feedback on clarity, usability, and effectiveness. This iterative process ensures the content resonates with diverse learners.
- Implementation & Integration: Courses are deployed through SHIFT’s user-friendly e-learning platform, compatible with any Learning Management System (LMS) for seamless access, tracking, and reporting.
- Ongoing Updates & Compliance Reviews: Recognizing that workplace regulations are ever-evolving, SHIFT continually monitors industry changes and refreshes their training content to keep it relevant, current, and impactful for organizations and employees. This helps them keep their clients ahead of the curve.
Real Impact: A Story of Collaboration and Change
SHIFT’s work with Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) is a shining example of their real-world impact. HUMC recently became the first hospital in the U.S. to earn a Health Care Equity Certification from The Joint Commission, a recognition of their dedication to healthcare equity.
SHIFT partnered with Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) to develop custom unconscious bias training, tailored with healthcare-specific scenarios. This collaboration went beyond traditional training and it empowered HMH to meet cultural competence standards and create a more inclusive healthcare environment.
For SHIFT HR Compliance Training, success is more than course completion rates; it’s about helping partners achieve audacious goals.
Tailoring Training to Every Industry
What sets SHIFT apart is their ability to adapt training to the unique compliance needs of various industries.
- Finance: Courses emphasize SEC compliance and ethical decision-making.
- Healthcare: Training addresses HIPAA regulations and patient confidentiality.
- Technology: Programs focus on inclusivity in fast-paced, dynamic work environments.
Real-world scenarios and customizable content ensure the training resonates, helping organizations build compliant, ethical workplaces where employees not only follow the rules but also understand the “why” behind them.
Embracing Technology for the Modern Learner
SHIFT HR Compliance Training recognizes that today’s workforce consumes content differently than they did even five years ago.
When questioned about enhancing the effectiveness of the training programs, Nukk-Freeman said, “How people absorb content today is quite different from even five years ago. There is no end to the availability of video content on just about any subject. We fully embrace this reality, leading us to build our courses using short, realistic video scenarios. Customers also demand customized content when needed, and we offer a wide range of customization services. Employees are often mobile and on the go, so SHIFT offers mobile-ready e-learning as well.”
Measuring Success Beyond Numbers
At SHIFT, training effectiveness isn’t just about completion rates; it’s about client satisfaction and long-term impact.
They consistently gather client feedback through testimonials and customer service reviews. It’s truly impressive that nine out of ten clients opt to renew, speaking volumes about the value they deliver.
Clients don’t just buy a course; they invest in a lasting partnership focused on continuous improvement.
Latest Course Launch
Regarding their recent course launch, Nukk-Freeman said, “Our new course, “Fostering Trust Through Civility and Respect,” was developed in response to the growing need for organizations to cultivate a workplace culture rooted in trust, respect, and professionalism. Incivility and miscommunication can create significant risks in today’s workplace, from decreased employee engagement to potential legal and compliance challenges.
Our course helps organizations go beyond compliance checklists by fostering meaningful behavior change. Participants will learn to navigate workplace interactions with greater awareness, engage in respectful communication, and build a culture where employees feel valued and heard—leading to higher employee retention and increased productivity.“
Innovating for the Future: AI and Beyond
Looking ahead, SHIFT HR Compliance Training is committed to staying at the forefront of HR compliance innovation.
With AI reshaping workplace learning, SHIFT plans to integrate AI-driven tools into their courses—personalizing training experiences and reinforcing key concepts in real-time. The goal is to make learning more adaptive, engaging, and effective.
They also plan to expand their course library, scaling their signature real-life approach to reach even more organizations. Their ultimate mission is to drive positive, lasting behavioral change by creating safe, inclusive workplaces where every employee can thrive.
A Well-Deserved Recognition
Being named one of the 10 Leading Companies to Watch in 2025 is a powerful acknowledgment of SHIFT HR Compliance Training’s unwavering commitment to workplace transformation. It highlights their forward-thinking approach, where compliance isn’t just about avoiding risks but fostering a culture of integrity and respect.
For companies striving for better compliance management and a more ethical workplace, SHIFT offers some simple advice.
- Compliance isn’t just about avoiding risk—it’s about fostering a culture of integrity.
- Invest in proactive, engaging training that resonates with employees and provides practical applications.
- Leverage technology to make learning accessible and trackable.
- Stay ahead of regulatory changes and ensure policies are not just written but actively understood and embraced by your workforce.
- Most importantly, lead by example—a culture of ethics and respect starts at the top. When compliance is integrated into daily operations and company values, it transforms from an obligation into a competitive advantage.
As SHIFT continues to push boundaries, one thing is clear—their impact reaches far beyond compliance. Through their training courses, SHIFT HR Compliance Training is shaping the future of workplace culture—where people don’t just work, they flourish.
About SHIFT HR Compliance Training
SHIFT HR Compliance Training is a leading provider of innovative, real-world experience based workplace training designed to foster cultures of trust, respect, and inclusion. With a focus on unconscious bias, civility, and compliance, SHIFT helps organizations go beyond legal requirements—empowering employees to create safer, more ethical workplaces.
Company Details
- Company Name: SHIFT HR Compliance Training
- Founding Year: 2014
- Office Locations: Chatham, NJ
- Official Website: shiftelt.com
- Industry/ Sector: Compliance Training and Development
Leader’s Profile
- Name of the Featured Leader: Katherin Nukk-Freeman
- Designation: Co-Founder, President & Chief Culture Officer
- Brief Background & Experience:
As a practicing employment law attorney for over 30 years, Katherin has grown her highly successful Employment Law firm, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C., by focusing her practice on working with clients to proactively address and effectively manage workplace issues, including harassment and discrimination complaints and unconscious bias awareness. Katherin strives to avoid costly litigation and create more inclusive teams through high-quality training that helps employees be more mindful of their actions and decisions in the workplace.
In 2014, leveraging her years of experience as a trusted advisor to corporate leaders and organizations, Katherin co-founded SHIFT to provide innovative, engaging, and impactful online training services for employers of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.
Company Highlights
- Key Services/Offerings:
SHIFT HR Compliance Training is a leading provider of innovative compliance and workplace culture training designed to foster respectful, legally compliant workplaces. Founded by employment law experts Katherin Nukk-Freeman and Suzanne Cerra, SHIFT delivers engaging, interactive training that blends legal expertise with real-world application. SHIFT’s courses have helped organizations nationwide create more inclusive and compliant work environments.
- Major Achievements or Recognitions:
- Workplace Culture Online Training Company of the Year 2025 – Manage HR Magazine
- Top Leading Companies to Watch 2024 – Biz Tech Outlook Magazine
- Innovation Excellence Award 2024 – The CEO Views
- Top HR Compliance Services Provider 2024 – HR Tech Outlook Magazine
- Innovation Excellence Award 2025 – CIO Bulletin
- Approved Provider – HRCI
- Recertification Provider – SHRM