Guest post written by Amy Collett (bizwell.org). Links in the article are examples of those capabilities only — there is no commercial relationship with any of the sources cited.
Whether your business is large or small, old or brand new, if you have employees, it’s worth considering hiring an HR consultant to help you coordinate and oversee the many administrative aspects of your company. Having an HR consultant can benefit leadership, employees, and the overall health and success of the organization.
What HR Consultants Can Do
Consultants can perform many of the same duties as an HR manager, though usually in a less hands-on way. They can make a significant difference in how your company functions as they:
- Recruit, interview, and hire employees
- Oversee the company’s benefits program
- Organize and modernize your payroll setup and employee time tracking to ensure all payments to employees are timely, accurate, and compliant with IRS guidelines
- Modernize and streamline systems
- Advise leadership on HR issues like sexual harassment, diversity and inclusion, and ADA compliance
- Provide strategic oversight
Hiring an HR consultant to handle these tasks can benefit your business in four major ways.
1. Savings
If you do not have an in-house HR department, one of the greatest advantages to hiring a consultant is your out-of-pocket cost, especially if your company is on the smaller side and not structurally complex. The flexibility and savings of only hiring for the services you need when you need them makes working with a consultant an attractive option for many organizations.
2. Objectivity
Because HR consultants come from outside the organization, they can provide more objective feedback and offer a birds-eye perspective about the health of your business and the satisfaction and effectiveness of your personnel. They can make recommendations for improvements solely based on data, research, and assessments, without any conflict of interest.
3. Neutrality
Consultants can serve as excellent arbiters during disputes, liaisons between leadership and staff, and advisers to executive-level management on hiring top talent. Their lack of bias as “outsiders” and expertise in their field makes them invaluable for handling these roles.
4. Efficiency
HR consultants can save you time and energy. By taking on key tasks dealing with employees, they free you and your managers up to focus on the areas that need attention and require your specific skills and knowledge.
Types of HR Consultants Out There
While many consultants provide generalized HR services, some specialize in areas you may find useful if you only require a particular type of consulting. These include but are not limited to:
- Coaching
- Hiring
- Development and training
- Benefits management
- Performance evaluation
- Payroll management
Whether you hire a generalist or specialist is a matter of preference. You may find that certain specialists are more in-demand (and therefore more expensive) than those who provide more basic services.
Where To Find an HR Consultant
Word-of-mouth is one way to find a consultant that fits well with your company. Often, HR specialists make a name for themselves in their respective niches and can be located based on recommendations. Business networking groups are also excellent places to receive referrals for professionals in this field. If you cannot find the right person through these channels, there are reputable online databases that can help you find freelance consultants and HR consulting firms to fit your need.
While hiring may be an added expense, the value your business receives from an HR consultant’s professional expertise is likely to far outweigh the cost.
