Are HR tasks taking over your weekends?
It’s not about how many employees you have.
There’s no magic number that tells you when it’s time to bring in an external HR partner.
Sometimes the real sign is much simpler.
- You’re spending your Friday afternoons writing employment contracts.
- Your weekend is taken up with HR questions, policies and employee issues.
- You’re putting off important business priorities because HR keeps landing on your desk.
That’s often the point where having an external HR partner can make a real difference.
It’s about getting your time back, having someone to turn to when things get complicated, and knowing you don’t have to work it all out yourself.
HR shouldn’t become your weekend job.
It’s not about headcount…
Many business owners assume they need to reach a certain number of employees before getting professional HR support. The need for HR support can depend on your business, your people and what is happening within your workplace.
A business with 5 employees can have complex HR needs, while a larger business may already have established systems and processes in place.
As your Perth business grows, you may find yourself spending more time dealing with recruitment, employment contracts, performance conversations, leave questions, workplace policies and employee concerns.
The question is not necessarily how many people you employ- it is whether HR is taking time away from the work you need to be doing to run and grow your business.
When HR starts taking over your time
HR can start as a small part of your role. You might write the occasional employment contract, help with recruitment or answer an employee question.
Then gradually, more tasks appear.
You need to update policies. Someone needs a performance conversation. A new employee needs onboarding documents. You have questions about leave. An employee raises a workplace concern. You need to understand your obligations before making an important decision.
Suddenly, HR is taking up hours of your week.
For business owners across Perth, this can mean important strategic work gets pushed aside because immediate people matter’s keep taking priority.
Your time is valuable, and spending your evenings or weekends catching up on HR may not be the best use of it.
Your weekend shouldn’t be for employment contracts
Friday afternoon can be a familiar time for business owners to think, “I’ll just get this done over the weekend.”
But employment contracts, policies and people issues are not always tasks you can quickly tick off a list. They can require careful consideration and an understanding of your responsibilities as an employer.
Taking HR work home can also make it difficult to properly switch off from your business.
Your weekend should give you an opportunity to step away, recharge and spend time on the things that matter outside work. If HR tasks are regularly following you home, it may be time to consider whether you need additional HR support.
When things start getting complicated
Having HR support can be particularly valuable when a straightforward people matter becomes more complex.
This might include managing performance concerns, navigating difficult workplace conversations, developing appropriate policies, responding to employee issues or understanding what needs to be considered before making an employment decision.
Trying to navigate these situations alone can be stressful and time consuming.
An experienced HR consultant can provide practical guidance; helping you understand your options and support you through the process.
For Perth businesses, having access to an experienced and local HR consultant means you can get advice when you need it, without necessarily employing a full time internal HR team.
What an external HR partner can take off your plate
External HR support can look different depending on the needs of your business.
At Your People Expert, we provide a variety of HR services including ongoing monthly retainer options for businesses of all sizes across Perth and Western Australia.
This can include support with:
• Employment contracts and documentation
• HR policies and procedures
• Recruitment and onboarding
• Performance management
• Employee relations
• Workplace issues and difficult conversations
• HR compliance and processes
• HR advice for business owners and managers
• Developing practical HR systems as your business grows
The benefit of working with an external HR partner is flexibility. You can access experienced HR advice and support when you need it, whether that is for one specific issue or ongoing support across your business.
This can be particularly valuable for small and medium businesses that need experienced HR support but do not require a full time internal HR team.
It also means you have someone to turn to when an HR question comes up, rather than spending your Saturday night searching for answers yourself.
Happy Friday, let’s enjoy the weekend
If you have found yourself spending another Friday afternoon catching up on HR tasks, it might be time to take a step back and look at how HR is being managed within your business.
You don’t have to wait until your business reaches a certain size or until a major workplace issue occurs.
The right HR support can help you put practical processes in place, navigate people challenges and give you back valuable time to focus on your business.
So, happy Friday. Let’s keep the HR work out of your weekend.
Your People Expert provides practical HR support for businesses of all sizes across Perth and WA. Whether you need help with one HR issue or ongoing support, we can work with you to find the right approach for your business.
Ready to get your weekends back?
For more information on our services or to contact Your People Expert today to discuss how we can support your business with practical HR services follow the links below.