Human Resources is tricky for small businesses because, like so many different aspects of owning a small business, it probably isn’t the owner’s forte. So many small business owners neglect HR until an HR problem arises, then they are forced to scramble to cover the problem and become compliant, which is not fun.
The statistics on small business HR woes are not great. Most small businesses have an ad hoc employee who has the tag “HR manager” slapped on top of the rest of their workload. Needless to say, this isn’t an ideal situation when a real HR problem arises. So what can you do to protect your company when HR issues aren’t your forte? Give us a call at 971-220-6416!
Here at TenKey, we specialize in HR as a contracted resource for small businesses and belong to SHRM -did we mention we have over 25 years or HR experience? Whether you choose to hire us or delegate the duties to an employee, here are some tips for delegating HR in your small business.
Choose the Right Person for the Job
Business owners often choose an internal candidate to fill the HR role based on their current role, not their ability sets.
The real goal should be to find someone who can:
Keep things confidential and professional
Keep things organized
Someone who has good listening skills
Someone who is naturally empathetic
This person can deal with being the bearer of bad news and someone who is generally good with people.
Delegating HR Means Providing Training
Picking the right person is where to start, and getting them the training they need to perform the role is the next step. Training doesn’t mean dropping a few “HR For Dummies” books on their desk and walking away.
Ideally, the person you delegate HR responsibilities to will have some previous experience or training in the field. If they don’t, it would be a good idea to pay for some classes for them to attend. Some states offer courses and technical assistance in this realm, and most of these programs are pretty helpful.
Being patient with this process is crucial; you are asking a lot of these employees, and they will likely need some time to get used to the new responsibilities and everything that comes with it.
Prepare for Growth
You aren’t finished once you’ve delegated a person to HR duties. As your organization grows, prepare for HR to grow with it. If you add new locations, have a plan in place for how HR will grow to accommodate the needs of those who may be physically remote from your original location.
Support HR
Probably the most crucial role that you can play once you’ve delegated HR responsibilities to an employee is that of an understanding supporter. Just like with any employee, HR will need to feel supported and empowered by you in order to reach their potential.
If you need help with HR issues and are not ready to delegate the responsibilities to an employee, just give us a call at 971-220-6416. We have been doing this a long time and can help you either remotely or in person.
