According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, small businesses aren't required to bring in HR help once they hit a specific number of employees, but it's a good idea to have a full-time human resources staffer once you grow to about ten employees. However, for some business owners, sooner might be better, especially if they find themselves struggling to handle HR tasks while trying to continue growing the business.
If you're not ready to hire a full-time employee for HR but still need to get some work off your plate, you can outsource those tasks to a professional employer organization (PEO) or an administrative services organization (ASO). Freelance HR consultants can also shoulder some of the load.
And if you'd rather not hire anyone at all, HR software for small businesses can help you streamline routine tasks and keep employee information organized for you. People Managing People recommends BambooHR, Homebase, and Deel.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
