Is Outsourcing HR Ideal for a Small Business?
Human resources are fundamental for the growth of any business in the long-run. They play a key role in the development and reinforcement of organizational culture. HR personnel also handle training and development, recruitment, pay, performance management, as well as other crucial tasks. However, most entrepreneurs and small business owners believe that spending money, time, and effort on human resources is unnecessary. They may feel compelled to invest these resources in other business-related aspects that will directly and instantly benefit their organization. To get the best of both worlds, outsourcing HR may be exactly what your small business needs. Here’s all you need to know about outsourcing your HR tasks to a third-party.
What Is HR Outsourcing?
HR outsourcing refers to the process of assigning HR tasks and responsibilities to a third-party organization. Outsourcing HR is much easier than it sounds; nowadays, there are numerous services specializing just in that. There are many software programs that are specifically designed to handle your HR needs. By using such programs or hiring an HR specialist, you will be able to focus on the
bigger picture and let a well-organized, easily accessible platform manage your business workflow. With these services, all information concerning you employees, payroll, time tracking, recruiting, staffing, and employee benefits are just a click away.
How to Know If You Need to Outsource HR?
Every business has different needs, even when it comes to human resources. There is no playbook that you can follow when you are trying to identify your business’ strengths and weaknesses. However, there are some key points that you can examine to find out whether you should start to consider outsourcing your HR tasks. Keep an eye out for your staff turnover rate. If your turnover rate is high, this signifies a huge HR problem. Staff retention and satisfaction are also necessary for the growth of your business. You should also check if your staff records are organized correctly and are up to date, and make sure you properly handle these files, as they contain important and confidential information.
You should also make sure that your employees have a handbook that is easily accessible to them all. If your staff doesn’t have uniform values and goals and follow a known set of rules, your business will not run smoothly nor effectively. Consider your staff’s efficiency, productivity, and recruitment fluidity. You should also ensure that periodic performance reviews and evaluations are being carried out in a timely manner. Many countries, like Australia, have strict employment rules; if a business fails to comply with them, it may face serious legal consequences. Many HR software programs are designed to make sure that your business complies with Australian HR requirements and employment laws, allowing you to avoid potential lawsuits. If you have discovered upon examination that your business lacks any of these resources, or you believe that they are not up to standard, you may need to start outsourcing your HR responsibilities to make sure that your business is managed efficiently.
Should You Hire an HR Manager or Outsource HR?
You may think that hiring an in-house HR manager is a great option. Undeniably, this traditional approach does have many benefits. However, as a small business owner, you may want to focus on other areas of your business to ensure its growth and expansion. Hiring an HR manager requires a lot of work. It will take a lot of time to attract potential applicants and make sure that they are right for the job. You will need to ensure that they understand your business needs, are aligned with its values and are neither over-or underqualified. Besides, you will need to personally monitor them, at least for the first few months, which will be extremely time-consuming. In addition, the expected annual salary of an HR manager may be over ten times what fully outsourced HR management will cost you.
Outsourcing HR Costs
The cost of outsourcing HR tasks heavily depends on the size of the business, its needs, and the chosen third-party platform. You will also need to consider the number of hours needed on-site, calls, and emails per month. Outsourcing is also a highly flexible option; different platforms come with various payment plans ranging from fixed fees, monthly retainers, or daily rates. Moreover, outsourcing HR is much more cost-effective than hiring an HR manager. Aside from the reduced costs, outsourcing guarantees proper performance when it comes to managing workplace health and safety, and payroll.
Human resources ensure that a business runs smoothly, efficiently, and effectively. However, hiring an HR manager is a very tedious and costly process, especially for small business owners. Third-party HR services are designed to make sure that your HR needs are handled efficiently and in a timely manner. With this detailed guide, you should now be able to decide whether outsourcing HR is the right solution for your business.
