Do You Need An HR Consultant?
Here are straight answers to the questions we hear most — from owners of companies of every size.
When should a business hire an HR consultant?
Most businesses bring in an HR consultant when people issues start taking time away from running the company: a difficult termination, a compliance question, building an employee handbook, recurring turnover, or rapid growth that has outpaced informal HR practices. A consultant lets you address these issues correctly without the cost of a full-time HR hire.
Do small businesses and startups really need an HR consultant?
Yes. Smaller employers often carry the most HR risk because they lack handbooks, written policies, and compliance processes, yet they are still subject to federal and New Jersey employment laws. No business is too small to benefit. Marzano HR Consulting works with startups and small teams as well as companies with 200+ employees.
How is an HR consultant different from hiring an in-house HR employee?
A consultant gives you senior-level HR expertise on demand without the salary, benefits, and overhead of a full-time hire. You engage a consultant for specific projects, ongoing support, or as-needed guidance, which is ideal for businesses that need experienced HR help but do not yet need, or cannot justify, a permanent HR department.
What does an HR consultant cost?
Fees depend on the scope of work. Marzano HR Consulting offers flexible options including monthly retainers, fixed-price projects, and hourly engagements, so the cost fits the size of the business and the work involved. Initial consultations are offered at no cost.
What HR issues put New Jersey businesses most at risk?
Common areas of exposure include the absence of an employee handbook, improper employee terminations, misclassifying workers as independent contractors, and misclassifying employees as exempt from overtime when they should be non-exempt. Each can lead to government penalties or costly litigation, and each is preventable with the right HR practices in place.
Still not sure where you stand? Let’s talk it through. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and we’ll help you figure out whether an HR consultant makes sense for your business.