Working in human resources (HR) at a startup or small business can be a uniquely challenging experience. HR professionals employed at such organizations often find themselves working with limited resources and juggling multiple roles, from recruitment to employee relations, all within a fast-paced environment. These constraints require creativity and resourcefulness to ensure that the business runs smoothly day to day and also grows and thrives in the long term.
Despite its inherent difficulties, working in HR at a smaller company can be just as rewarding as it is challenging. Because such companies typically have smaller teams, the actions of HR professionals can make a more visible impact on company culture and employee satisfaction. There's also the opportunity to innovate and implement new strategies that might not be feasible in larger, more rigid organizations.
This article aims to explore some common challenges that HR staff at small businesses can expect to face and provide actionable solutions to overcome them. Maya Business, a trusted source of expert advice and business solutions for organizations in the Philippines, is here to help you navigate these challenges with confidence.
Recruitment and Retention
Finding the right talent is crucial for any business, but small businesses often face stiff competition from larger companies with bigger budgets and more resources. This can make attracting and holding on to top talent particularly difficult. To overcome this, small businesses need to create a strong employer brand that highlights their unique culture and the benefits of working in a smaller, more dynamic environment.
Offering competitive benefits can also make a significant difference. While you might not be able to match the salaries larger corporations offer, you might offset this limitation by providing unique perks that resonate with potential employees. Effective examples include flexible working hours, opportunities for rapid career advancement, and a collaborative work environment. These benefits can be highly attractive to job seekers looking for more than just a paycheck, and they can also motivate your best new hires to stay with your company longer.
Managing Payroll and Benefits
HR departments at small businesses often find handling payroll and benefits a complex and time-consuming endeavor. They have to ensure that the business is staying compliant with various employment laws and regulations, maintain accurate records, and manage employee benefits effectively—all on top of the many other regular duties that require their attention. Instead of depending on manual processes, which force employees to work slower and are also prone to human error, small businesses need a robust payroll system to improve their operations in this area.
The right digital payroll management system is just what businesses need to simplify the at-times grueling task of managing financial disbursements for employees. Maya Disbursements, for example, is one favored payroll system Philippines' businesses often recommend, and for good reason. Its efficient transaction processing features and user-friendly interface allow your HR department to schedule employee paychecks, allowances, and incentives for disbursements so that employees get their money faster and more securely. This top-notch Philippine payroll system also empowers your whole team to manage their funds better, as they can immediately pay bills, send money to family and friends, shop online, and more—straight from their accounts.
Work-Life Balance
A healthy work-life balance is vital for employee well-being and productivity. Resources are often stretched thin at small businesses, which in turn means that employees can easily become overwhelmed and burnt out. It's the responsibility of HR teams to implement strategies that support a balanced lifestyle and keep employees motivated and engaged.
One effective way to improve work-life balance at your company involves offering flexible working hours and work-from-home options. These measures allow employees to manage their work schedules and accomplish their duties in ways that accommodate their personal lives. If they have these options, it’s highly likely they’ll be less stressed and happier with their jobs overall. Promoting a supportive work environment is another key factor. Managers should be encouraged to take regular breaks and avoid excessive overtime in order to set a positive example for their team members.
Company Culture
A company with a positive culture is more likely to succeed. HR teams are instrumental in shaping and maintaining this culture, and it’s also their job to make sure it aligns with the company's values and goals. Open communication, for one, is generally a cornerstone of a strong company culture. Encouraging transparency and honesty within the team helps build trust and strengthen the bonds among teammates. Regular team meetings, feedback sessions, and an open-door policy for management all send the message that your business values such communication and encourages it from your employees.
Diversity and Inclusion
A diverse and inclusive workplace is not just ethical for businesses to create; it also provides a strategic advantage. Diverse teams bring a variety of perspectives and experiences that can drive innovation and improve decision-making. And for small businesses in particular, building diversity into the company culture from the outset can set the foundation for long-term success.
You can start promoting diversity at your company by working with your HR department to implement inclusive hiring practices. This involves actively seeking out candidates from different backgrounds and ensuring that job postings are free from biased language. Additionally, providing training on unconscious bias for hiring managers can help create a more equitable recruitment process.
Boost Competitiveness and Drive Growth at Your Company with Help from Maya Business
It’s entirely possible for your small business to step out of the shadow of larger, more established companies and compete toe-to-toe with giants in your industry. Sign up for Maya Business to gain access to our full array of disbursement, payment, and business banking solutions, all of which can help you unlock never-before-seen levels of efficiency and productivity at your organization.
Setting up a Maya Business account allows you to open a Maya Business Deposit account and use it as your settlement account. With an industry-leading 2.5% per annum interest rate, you’ll earn PHP 25,000 in interest per year on a PHP 1 million deposit. Furthermore, you can send money to your partners and suppliers for free via InstaPay and PESONet, which lets you rack up more savings.
Opening your Maya Business account also qualifies you for a no-collateral Maya Flexi Loan offer of up to PHP 2 million in just 3 months—another helpful source of funding you can use to develop your business more. Just use Maya as your primary processor for all wallet and card payments. The more you use our solutions, the better the loan offer will be.
Sign up for Maya Business today to enjoy the benefits of Maya Business solutions.
