Let me tell you about Sarah, a small business owner I worked with last month. She started her marketing agency with just five employees, handling HR tasks herself between client meetings. But when her team grew to 15 people, she found herself drowning in payroll errors, benefits questions, and an employee conflict that nearly escalated to a lawsuit.
That’s when she called me in a panic: “I didn’t start a business to become an HR expert!”
Sarah’s story isn’t unique. In my 12 years helping businesses navigate HR challenges, I’ve seen countless owners burn out trying to manage HR alone. That’s why today, I want to walk you through HR support services – not as some dry corporate concept, but as the practical solution that could save your sanity.
What HR Support Really Looks Like in the Real World?
When my cousin launched his restaurant chain, he thought HR just meant cutting paychecks. Then he got hit with:
- A wage claim from a server who wasn’t properly classified.
- An EEOC complaint about his hiring practices.
- Constant turnover because his onboarding consisted of “Here’s your apron, good luck”.
After $28,000 in legal fees, he finally brought in HR support. Within months:
- Payroll errors dropped to zero.
- Employee retention improved by 40%.
- He actually slept through the night.
This is what quality HR support delivers – not just compliance, but peace of mind.
The Hidden Costs of DIY HR
Most business owners underestimate how much time they waste on HR tasks:
- Payroll: 5-8 hours monthly (more if you make mistakes).
- Benefits administration: 3-5 hours monthly.
- Employee issues: 2-10 hours per incident.
Add it up, and you’re losing weeks per year on work that doesn’t grow your business.
Worse, the legal risks are real. Just last week, a client nearly paid $15,000 in penalties because they didn’t realize their state’s paid sick leave laws had changed.
How to Choose Your HR Support? (Without Getting Ripped Off)
After helping 200+ businesses set up HR support, here’s my insider advice:
- For companies under 50 employees:
- PEOs (like Justworks or TriNet) often make the most sense.
- Expect to pay $50-$150 per employee monthly.
- Watch for hidden fees – some charge extra for basic services.
- For project-based needs:
- Local HR consultants charge $100-$300/hour.
- Pro tip: Many offer flat-rate packages for handbook creation or compliance audits.
- When considering software:
- Don’t just look at price – evaluate the quality of their support team.
- Ask: “When I call with a problem, will I talk to an HR expert or just a script-reader?”
The Moment You Know You Need Help
You’ll usually realize you need HR support after one of these “oh crap” moments:
- An employee threatens legal action.
- You mess up tax filings (again).
- You spend your weekend fixing payroll instead of with your family.
But here’s the secret: The best time to get HR support is before you hit crisis mode.
Final Thoughts From Someone Who’s Been There
I’ll never forget the business owner who told me, “I wish I’d hired HR support years ago – it would have saved my marriage.” He wasn’t joking. The constant stress of HR fires had bled into his personal life.
If you’re:
- Losing sleep over HR worries
- Spending more time on paperwork than strategy
- One compliance mistake away from disaster
Then HR support isn’t an expense – it’s an investment in your business’s future (and your sanity).
Need help figuring out your next steps? Here’s what I tell my clients:
- List your top 3 HR pain points.
- Calculate how much time they’re costing you.
- Set up consultations with 2-3 providers.
Most quality HR support firms offer free initial consultations – take advantage of them. Because in business, some risks are worth taking… but HR disasters shouldn’t be one of them.
What’s your biggest HR headache right now? I read every comment and would love to help troubleshoot.
