As organisations grow, the need for effective HR support becomes increasingly crucial. In this article, we explore the evolving need for HR support at different stages of growth, highlighting the benefits of efficient processes, legal compliance, and strategic HR management. 

We're frequently asked, “How many people should we employ before establishing an in-house HR team?” The answer isn’t straightforward, as every organisation is different.  However, the need for HR management arises as soon as you hire your first employee.  

Managing HR requires a certain degree of HR knowledge, and without it, the task often falls to senior management, diverting their attention from other important strategic matters. This is where Buzzacott’s HR Consultancy team can help. We take on this responsibility, alleviating the pressure and allowing you to focus on other crucial areas of your organisation.

Organisations in their infancy

While the need for HR support might be clear in larger organisations, smaller businesses, and start-ups often struggle with the timing and extent of HR involvement. Many smaller organisations, typically those with fewer than 50 employees, outsource their entire HR function to specialist consultants, such as ourselves, who work closely with their management team to provide crucial HR support.  

As they grow, an internal HR person may be employed, acting as a link between the outsourced team and their organisational leaders. Having a foundation of knowledge in-house, with close-by HR support for when more complex matters arise or when internal resources may be limited, has proven invaluable to many of our clients.  

Established and growing organisations 

Strategically, you will be thinking about the future and growing your organisation. As 50 employees become 75 or more, new HR requirements will arise. This is typically when a full HR function should be considered. Employing additional internal HR staff to deal with the day-to-day people issues is a no-brainer, but while they will have invaluable on-hand knowledge about the organisation’s culture, you may find external HR experts are still best placed to handle issues that require an independent viewpoint or hours of lengthy reading. Some commonly outsourced issues for established organisations include:

• Disciplinary advice or conflict resolution – Your HR team are human, and emotion can blind decisions, so why risk an unfavourable outcome? Use an independent and impartial mediator in conflicts or workplace disputes.

• Recruitment – From sifting through numerous CVs to issuing contracts to your new employee, hiring new individuals is a labour-intensive and time-consuming process. Let an external expert do the legwork and find the best candidates for you to interview. 

• Employment law advice – employment legalisation is regularly updated and amended, and staying on top of this is a full-time job. Utilise specialists when needed to guide you through changes and ensure your policies and procedures remain compliant.

What are the benefits of outsourcing HR?

Apart from reduced cost and increased efficiency, there are many other potential benefits of outsourcing HR, including:  

• Access to the very best tools, helping you to streamline and optimise processes. 

• Breadth and depth of HR understanding and cross-sector best practices, meaning you will not only benefit from experience from your own sector but a cross-pollination of ideas with proven results. 

• Increased flexibility and speed of response.

• Reduced risk, safeguarding your organisation from potential litigation and penalties. 

Putting your people at the heart of what you do 

Regardless of the HR support required, it is crucial to always consider your people. They underpin your organisation, and without good HR support, the people issues you encounter may not be resolved effectively and efficiently. If you’re unsure whether to hire a full HR team or outsource issues as they arise, speak to our HR Consultancy team today, who can advise you on a solution best suited to your organisation. 

At Buzzacott, we’re HR experts with sound knowledge of human resources and employment law, as well as hands-on experience. We combine this knowledge with the ability to translate legal requirements into practical, client-specific solutions. By listening to our clients and gaining a thorough understanding of their specific needs, we build partnerships based on trust and compounded by results.  

If you think your organisation could benefit from our support, simply complete the form below and one of our experts will be in touch.