About Central Coast HR
VP-level HR expertise, now available to California businesses of every size.
Erin Coleman, SHRM-CP
HR Consultant & VP of Human Resources
After years leading HR at the executive level, Erin Coleman founded Central Coast HR to bring senior-level expertise directly to California businesses that need it most.
Erin's career in human resources spans more than 15 years across a range of industries, including a VP of Human Resources role overseeing all aspects of HR strategy, employee relations, legal compliance, and workplace culture. She holds the SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) credential from the Society for Human Resource Management — the national gold standard for HR practitioners — and has developed deep expertise in California employment law, one of the most complex regulatory environments in the country.
Having relocated to Paso Robles, Erin is now channeling that executive experience into independent consulting — giving businesses on the Central Coast and throughout California access to the kind of thoughtful, litigation-aware HR guidance that was once reserved for larger organizations.
Whether you need a thorough workplace investigation, a compliance audit, a custom employee handbook, or strategic advice before a dispute escalates, Erin brings the depth, discretion, and practical judgment that comes from years in the field.
Deep Expertise Across Every
Corner of California HR
Executive HR Leadership
VP of Human Resources with full accountability for HR strategy, employee relations, talent management, compliance, and culture across the enterprise. SHRM-CP certified.
Workplace Investigations
Conducted hundreds of workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, and policy violations — with findings that hold up to legal scrutiny.
California Compliance
Deep working knowledge of California's FEHA, Labor Code, CFRA, FMLA, AB5, PAGA, and the full spectrum of state-specific employment requirements.
Wage & Hour Mastery
Specialized experience auditing and correcting classification issues, overtime practices, meal and rest period compliance, and pay statement requirements under California law.
Pre-Litigation Strategy
Experience partnering with employment counsel to build defensible records, respond to DFEH/EEOC charges, and position employers strategically before litigation materializes.
Policy & Documentation
Authored dozens of employee handbooks, policy manuals, job descriptions, and performance management frameworks — all built with California's requirements and litigation risk in mind.
Practical. Thorough. Trustworthy.
Listen First
Every engagement begins with a thorough understanding of your business, your people, and the specific challenge you're facing. There are no cookie-cutter solutions here.
Apply Executive Judgment
Erin brings the kind of seasoned judgment that only comes from years in HR leadership — balancing legal defensibility with practical business needs and human considerations.
Deliver Litigation-Ready Work
Everything we produce — from investigation reports to employee handbooks — is built to withstand scrutiny. If a document ever ends up in front of an attorney or a judge, it will hold up.
Stay a Trusted Partner
Many clients return again and again as their HR needs evolve. Building long-term relationships with the businesses we serve is the goal — not just one-off engagements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SHRM-CP certification? +
SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management — Certified Professional) is one of the two leading HR certifications in the United States. It requires passing a rigorous exam covering HR competencies, employment law, and strategic HR knowledge, and is widely recognized as the gold standard for working HR practitioners.
What does VP-level HR experience mean in practical terms? +
It means full executive accountability for HR strategy across an organization — including employee relations, compliance, talent management, workplace culture, investigations, and partnering with legal counsel. Erin brings that same level of judgment and capability to every Central Coast HR engagement, regardless of company size.
What geographic area does Central Coast HR serve? +
Central Coast HR is based in Paso Robles and serves businesses throughout California — including the Central Coast (San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Monterey County), the Bay Area, and Southern California. Most work can be conducted remotely; on-site engagements are available throughout the state.
Is Central Coast HR a good fit for small businesses? +
Yes. Many of Central Coast HR's clients are small to mid-sized California employers that don't need (or can't justify) a full-time HR executive but still need senior-level expertise for investigations, compliance audits, handbook development, or strategic HR guidance.
Does Erin practice law or provide legal advice? +
No. Erin is an experienced HR consultant, not a licensed attorney. For matters requiring legal advice or representation, we recommend engaging employment counsel. Central Coast HR regularly partners with attorneys to provide complementary HR expertise alongside legal strategy.