If you are a business owner or executive in Kansas City, you have probably asked yourself: “Am I handling HR correctly? Could I be saving money on benefits? Am I up to date with employment law and compliance?” If so, you may need to ask yourself one more question: “Does my business need an HR Consultant?”
As a business owner, employee concerns can keep you up at night. You are right to be concerned, as these are not small questions! Getting the answers wrong can mean costly fines, frustrated employees, or losing top talent to your competitors. We work with over 200 local companies, some large, some very small. On countless occasions, we’ve seen how business owners can be stretched thin handling growing business, making payroll, while also keeping their business in compliance. We watch businesses with amazing cultures lose out on top talent because they are not marketing themselves correctly or because their hiring process is too clunky. We watch companies get burned out during open enrollment or HRIS conversions even though they have a dedicated HR professional or team.
Employee management does not have to be daunting. You need to know when it is time to tap in for help and know the best partners to keep your business thriving. Ask yourself the questions below to figure out if your team needs an HR consultant.
Did I just hit a milestone for employee size?
If you have recently hit any of the numbers below, the answer is yes:
- 1
- 5
- 10
- 15
- 20
- 25
- 50
- 100
You hit a milestone for employee size. What does that mean? Employee laws change at each of these headcounts. Many businesses know there are changes at 50 or 100 and avoid those headcounts. The moment you hire your first employee you are subject to certain laws! When you hire your first employee you must comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) which includes minimum wage, overtime, and record keeping. OSHA even applies to just one employee (YES even in an office environment for an admin). At just 15 employees you are already covered under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. At 20 employees the Age Discrimination Act kicks in. Did you know when you hit 20 employees you are now subject to federal Cobra? You must not only provide notices, but you also must give them options to keep the group health insurance coverage at their own cost. You should never fear growth if you have the right resources in place. Be aware that these laws can also change. It is particularly important to stay up to date with the federal, state, and local laws where your employees work. Ongoing partnership is key.
Do I have a recruitment and HR strategy?
Your HR strategy should align your HR policies with your business goals. It should include your talent recruitment process, employee training & development, compensation, benefits, employee relations, and conflict resolution. The tools you use should also be a part of your HR strategy. This includes your HRIS (Human Resources Information System), ATS (Applicant Tracking System), Payroll, and Benefits systems. While all of this sounds like more money, there are keyways that HR can save your company money! Not only in lower turnover, but also in getting strategic with your benefits and leveraging technology to decrease man hours.
Does my marketing and branding match my recruitment process?
Some companies do not see that recruitment, marketing, and branding are closely tied together. The current job market is more competitive than ever. Candidates have more connections and faster accessibility to information. They want to work for companies that have a strong culture – one where they feel valued and they make an impact. They have a yearning to understand how their role contributes to the team dynamic. It’s important that you highlight your culture in your branding and recruitment strategies. When you are having a fun team outing, post the photos. When you have several who are volunteering during business hours- show it off. Encourage your team to celebrate each other on LinkedIn. As much as you can get away from stock photos and use real photos of your team in action. People are craving authenticity.
Am I out of HR compliance?
Am I out of HR compliance?It is a true challenge to keep up on all the changes. This year alone, we saw in the state of Missouri mandatory sick leave come – and now we are seeing it go. Last year, we saw non-compete agreements get banned and revoked. Now they’re under discussion again. If you’re not sure your I9s have been done correctly, those fines are as much as $2,861 per violation. Knowingly employing unauthorized workers can be up to $5,724 per first offense violation. OSHA violations can run up to $16,131. You can learn more at https://www.ice.gov/factsheets/i9-inspection and https://www.osha.gov/penalties.
Do I have a plan to keep my team engaged and grow my workforce?
Gone are the days of HR only being the principal’s office. It’s also about keeping your team engaged, and planning for growth! HR Consultants can assess your current and future workforce needs. With your current team they serve a neutral third party for conflict resolution. They can help to define company values, culture, and create engagement strategies. HR Consultants can be experts in organizational design. They can also provide clarity for positions and help in succession planning.
Having employees doesn’t have to keep you up at night. Whether you are navigating elaborate compliance laws, improving your hiring strategy, or building a culture that keeps great talent, the right HR partner can simplify the process and protect your business.
What Local Kansas City Employers Should Know:
At Chief of Staff, we partner with Kansas City businesses to provide HR recruiting and consulting services. Whether you need some extra support or are interested in hiring your first HR Manager, our team is ready to help. If you want quarterly check-ins or need help with a project, we’re here for you. For a free one-hour consultation call us today!
“We practice what we preach and as a growing company, we are using one of our HR consultants. Our consultant is taking the heavy lifting off my shoulders and giving me peace of mind. I don’t have to stress about HR; I can focus on taking care of my team and my clients.”
– Lisa Acree, Vice President at Chief of Staff KC
Written by Lisa Acree
Vice President at Chief of Staff KC
Currently hiring and need a helping hand? Haven’t had a smooth job search?
Reach out to Chief of Staff KC with any questions you may have, and we’ll pair you with a dedicated recruiter that is motivated to find the right fit for you. Let’s get started.
