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4 signs you need HR supportYou know the scenario all too well. You and one or two partners spot a niche in the market and decide to start a business. A year down the line, the business has exceeded even your expectations and suddenly you find yourself employing 50 people. But you still don't have any HR support in the business. Everyone's doing what they're supposed to and they seem happy, so that's fine, right? ![]() © stokkete – 123RF.com Well, it is until it isn’t. When you’re dealing with people, it’s almost impossible to anticipate or control what will happen. Everyone has their personal stuff that may or may not affect their work; conflicts erupt in the office; people simply don’t pitch up for work or they arrive intoxicated; theft occurs - these are just a handful of examples of issues that keep you from focusing on your core business. So when is the right time to get HR support? I don’t believe there is a magic number in terms of size, but here are four signs you need HR support and what to consider when making this decision:
Do I employ or outsource?Okay, so now you’ve established that you definitely could do with some HR support, but can you afford it? And what is the correct HR support? Often, if you’re still a growing business, it may not be practical to permanently employ someone with the correct level of experience. A common mistake is hiring a junior HR officer who is capable of managing the day-to-day administration, but lacks the experience and ability to address difficult issues or to implement any real change. It may be worth considering engaging an HR consultant, either on a retainer basis, or to work on specific projects at an hourly rate. This would certainly be more cost effective, and ensure that you are getting the best level of support for your business. For some reason, HR often gets pushed to the back-burner because the operational stuff is more pressing. But it’s the operational stuff that suffers when your people are not dealt with effectively. The bottom line is don’t leave it until it’s too late. About the authorCeleste Dickinson is an independent HR consultant and CEO of 'What You Are' Consulting. |