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5 Common HR Challenges for Small Businesses and How to Solve Them

Writer's picture: Sam BearmanSam Bearman

Running a small business in Kent is probably the furthest thing from being a walk in the park. Well, running a business in general is. Just think about it; one minute, you’re working on growing sales; the next, you’re chasing invoices, and somewhere in between, you’ve got to keep your team happy, motivated, and productive. 


You’re juggling a lot, and once you throw HR problems into the mix, well, things start to feel fairly impossible. While some HR problems might sound like they’re impossible to solve, that’s thankfully not the case. So, let’s go ahead and break down the five common HR issues and how you can tackle them without tearing your hair out.


Recruitment


Hiring for a small business is tough. You’re not just looking for someone who can do the job; you need someone who gets your vision, gels with your team, and will hit the ground running. It can be surprisingly hard to find the right person, and sometimes, recruitment feels like a full-time job within itself.


What’s the solution? Well, you need to take your time. If you’re rushing to fill a role often leads to hiring the wrong person, which only creates more work down the line. It usually takes a good job description, thorough interviews, and sometimes (if you’re short on time), then you could even consider outsourced HR in Kent Fin out more about our Recruitment services in kent



Employee Disputes


Every workplace has its moments, someone doesn’t pull their weight, deadlines are missed, or personalities clash. But when small issues snowball into bigger conflicts, it can create a tense atmosphere that drags the whole team down. Needless to say, no one wants to deal with that.


But what’s the solution here? As generic as it might sound, you’ll need to encourage open communication so employees feel safe voicing concerns early on, and tackle conflicts directly but fairly. Don’t let things fester. If it feels too awkward or you’re unsure how to mediate, small business HR support can step in to smooth things over. Usually, a neutral third party makes all the difference.


Training Costs


As unfortunate as it is, small businesses just don’t always have massive training budgets. But if your team doesn’t have the tools or knowledge to do their jobs well, it’s going to show in your business performance. 


The solution? You just need to focus on practical training that delivers real results. Ideally, you should look into affordable online courses or local workshops that are tailored to your industry. 




Compliance


Employment law isn’t exactly light reading, and keeping up with the ever-changing rules can feel impossible. As scary as it all sounds, all it takes is just one missed update, and you could find yourself facing fines, or worse.


Is there a solution to this? Well, there is, and for starters, you really shouldn’t go about this alone. Ideally, you should look into outsourced HR in Kent to help you out. If you have HR professionals stepping in, then you can basically ensure that contracts, policies, and practices are all up to date. You can feel rest assured that you’re on the right side of the law.


Retention Rates


When a key employee leaves, it can be fairly expensive, right? Just think about it; finding and training their replacement can be a long, draining process. And if you’re losing people regularly, it could be a sign that something’s not quite right.


The solution here is about creating retention within the work culture itself. You need to start celebrating wins, recognise that your team is always hard at work, and make sure there are plenty of opportunities for growth. People want to feel valued, and if they’re not, well, they’ll leave. 


HR Doesn’t Have to Be That Hard


HR challenges are part of running a business, but they don’t have to take over your life. So, if you’re feeling the pressure, then Bearman HR offers outsourced HR support in Kent that’s tailored to small businesses. Just let us handle the tough stuff so you can focus on growing your business! Get in touch with us today for more advice

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