Think You're Too Small For HR Support?
You need HR support - whether you employ 1 person or 100.
A lot of small business owners believe HR is something you “grow into.”
“We’re only little - we don’t need all that yet.”
“I’ll deal with that stuff once we’ve got a few more people.”
But here’s the thing:
If you’ve got even one employee, you already have HR responsibilities.
And without the right foundations in place, a small issue can snowball into a big, expensive problem.
Let me show you why.
A Costly Lesson for One Business Owner
We were recently asked to help a business owner who was knee-deep in a grievance.
It had escalated fast - from a small complaint to formal action, solicitors, and serious stress.
She only had 3 employees.
She never thought she’d need HR support.
But now she was spending money and time she couldn’t afford - and all of it could’ve been avoided if she’d had the right guidance earlier.
This isn’t unusual.
In fact, it’s one of the most common patterns we see.
HR Isn't Just for Big Companies
Even if you only employ one person, you have legal obligations.
Here’s what every employer - no matter the size - is responsible for:
Issuing legally compliant contracts
Providing a statement of terms on day one
Having key policies in place
Conducting right-to-work checks
Keeping employee records secure and up to date
And that’s just the basics.
Why Small Businesses Still Face Big Risks
We’ve worked with businesses of all sizes, and the problems are often the same - but the impact on smaller teams can be far greater.
Here are some real-life examples we’ve come across:
A garden centre owner agreed to flexible working hours informally - it ended in a costly legal dispute.
A tech startup issued a verbal warning with no documentation - it spiralled into an unfair dismissal claim.
A local café skipped a right-to-work check - and ended up with penalties from the Home Office.
In each case, the business didn’t mean to get it wrong.
But they didn’t have the right HR support in place. And that left them exposed.
HR Helps You Grow (Without the Headaches)
Getting HR support isn’t just about avoiding problems.
It’s about helping your business run smoothly as you grow.
One of our clients - a digital agency - started with a team of 3.
Within 18 months, they’d grown to 15 people.
Because we set up HR foundations from the start, they could:
Onboard new staff consistently
Keep processes clear and professional
Avoid rework, conflict, and confusion
They didn’t have to pause and “fix” things when they grew, because they were already in good shape.
What Does HR Support Look Like?
You don’t need an in-house HR team to get this right.
Working with an independent HR consultant gives you flexible, tailored support - without paying for more than you need.
Here’s what that might include:
Legally compliant contracts and handbooks
Advice on employment law and HR best practice
Support with onboarding and documentation
Help navigating tricky employee issues - before they escalate
An HR audit to highlight gaps and risks in your current setup
It’s support that grows with you and protects you every step of the way.
Final Thought: Don’t Wait Until You’re in Trouble
If you’ve hired someone - even just one person - you already need HR support.
Because once an issue lands on your desk, it’s often too late to fix it cheaply or quickly.
Sorting your HR now will save you time, money, and stress later.
And more importantly, it’ll help you run your business with confidence.
Need help getting your HR sorted?
We work with small businesses to get their HR foundations in place - clearly, practically and without the jargon.
👉 Book a free chat and let’s talk about what you need.
