HR for Small Business [PA]
I work for a company of about 65 employees, and 6 departments (w/ 6 managers), I have been there 12+ years. For the first 6 years I was there, there was no HR, and I worked solely as the designer/creative. The woman who runs finances, Lisa, also runs payroll, benefits, workers comp, etc.
Around 2019 the staff were begging for HR, they literally said "We need a Toby" [from The Office]. By this time I had a solid relationship with the employees, and they would come to me already to navigate the boss, since I had been there a while. We also could not afford to hire an outside person. And so I volunteered to be "HR" - I specifically gave myself the title of Employee Relations.
Over the years however I have navigated ADA, FMLA, written policies, created a fair pay structure, coached the managers, handled interpersonal conflict, I handle all staff communications, I even hold the boss accountable, I fire managers, I conduct interviews for managers, and many other small things. All just through experience and googling. In addition to being the designer, marketer, and some operations coordination.
Needless to say, the work is emotionally draining. And so my boss and I are looking at alternatives to save my sanity, and better accommodate the staff.
The managers are saying they want HR to do all of their admin paperwork (for their like 5-10 employees), the staff want someone who they view as "impartial" to navigate conflicts. I sit on the executive team, which is myself, Lisa, and the boss, but I am not personally friends with either of them. We aren't sure how much of a silo the staff expect this HR person to be in, to consider them "impartial."
What do small businesses do for HR? Is their part-time HR workers? What is the pay like for such a position? Are there designated hours? Is there such a thing as 'on call' HR? I can find firms that will navigate the admin, and the legal, but how do you hire for Employee Relations?