Unfortunately, an HR Department of One Can’t Do It All

The Reality of Being an HR Department of One

I recall when I was 21 and worked in an office within an insurance agency. At that job, I did many different things. You could say I wore a lot of hats. I did customer service, some work in underwriting, helped with marketing, did bookkeeping, and—no surprise here—also helped with HR.

I even had to fire an employee for the first time while I was there. The woman I fired was upset and could not believe someone so young would be the person to fire her. At first, I was nervous about it. Then, after she was rude to me, I started to feel better about doing what I had to do.

I still asked myself why they chose me for that task. I want to say the owners were nervous, but that is not true. The truth is, I was picked because I was capable. They just felt that I should handle anything that was slightly administrative. Since I am the type of person who will do whatever is asked, I did all the tasks they gave me without question. Did I mention I was only 21? But I learned.

That is what this article covers. It talks about doing all the work and why that can be bad at times. This is a common trait among HR professionals. A lot of us are good at handling things and working with others, so it feels right to say yes to new tasks. Then, the days go by and, before you know it, you feel like you have too much to do.

How many departments are you responsible for? If you work in a small business (let’s say fewer than 75 people), you might be running HR, Accounting, and IT. Or, maybe it’s HR, IT, Risk Management, and Marketing. You can mix and match the roles in this combo, and add fries to the mix if you feel like it.

Being an HR Department of One Can Be Detrimental

Many companies have an HR department of one. But there are a lot of reasons why this can be bad for that person, the team, and the company. Let me explain it below:

People Make Mistakes

There will be mistakes. There will be times when things are missed and nobody will be there to catch them. Then, someone will have to spend time to fix what was done wrong if or when it is found. Then there is the moral and ethical dilemma of doing the right thing — owning up to the mistake and dealing with the consequences. Have you ever had to do a write-up on yourself? If so, you are probably a one-person show.

Having Trouble Prioritizing?

Trouble knowing how to prioritize tasks so everything gets done on time? You may wonder if you should run the payroll or pay the vendors first. Both jobs need to be done by 9:00 am.

If payroll is late, that can lead to compliance issues. If you pay vendors late, you may have issues getting what you need on time. So, what should you do? These types of situations come up a lot. They can lead to stress, mistakes, and longer workdays.

The “Jack of All Trades, Master of None” Trap

You may be good at finishing many things, but not focusing on one thing at a time can stop you from reaching greatness in some areas. Taking on tasks that you are interested in, but might not be good at, can hurt you and the company.

The Constant Rush

You may feel like you always need to rush. That everything has to get done fast. There are many deadlines in work and life. You move from one task to another like a robot. This can be detrimental to your health and happiness at work and at home. Also, see issues above.

What can you do?

How To Succeed at Being an HR Department of One

In the real world, you will find HR professionals like this everywhere, especially in smaller businesses. Some of us find this variety a key appeal – we thrive on the challenge of diverse responsibilities and the opportunity to make a broad impact. But others may not feel the same and may feel overwhelmed by “doing it all.”

If you feel like you’re constantly stretched thin and struggling to keep up, here are some tips to help you with that:

Leverage Reliable HR Resources

It is good to have a helpful resource, like NAE. In the world of HR, not knowing something can be risky and costly. You should not waste time searching online or waiting for someone from your payroll service to get back to you. Just call the NAE Hotline and talk with one of our HR or legal professionals. NAE can help you navigate complex compliance questions, reducing the risk of costly errors.

Stick to Your Schedule

Have a plan for your time and try to follow it, even if something comes up at the last minute. Do not let something urgent crowd out something important. Take a class in time management to learn about the Eisenhower Matrix, Pomodoro Technique, and time blocking; figure out what works best for you. Get a calendar to keep track of important tasks and meetings. Write things down (and read them later). This will help you take good care of your work and feel less stressed.

Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help or Delegate

Ask for help when you need it. If you feel you must, you can even demand it. The people you work with know you are doing a lot. No one is under the impression that you aren’t doing 1,478 different things at once. They will be happy to help you, wait for your plate to clear, or give work to someone else.

You might need to outsource. You can hire a part-time person or even get an intern who wants to learn more about the areas where you need the most help. Work with someone who can help make sure things are done right. Someone who can provide some checks and balances, like another manager or the head of the company.

Prioritize Self-Care and Prevent Burnout

Take your breaks and your lunch. Not only is it the law, but it’s important for both your body and your mind. If the company falls apart just because you ate a sandwich, you may need to think about what is going on.

Conclusion

No doubt, doing everything in one day can feel both rewarding and very tiring. The key to navigating such demanding days isn’t necessarily to do less, but to do smarter. To make things easier for yourself, use the right tools. Some helpful ones are NAE, a good calendar program, and DoorDash. You may be surprised at how a few small changes can make a big difference in your life. You’re not just surviving your busiest days – you’re optimizing them, creating space for both productivity and personal well-being.

By: Amy Matthews, SPHR

Don’t let the challenges of being a solo HR professional overwhelm you. Explore the benefits of NAE membership and discover the support you need to thrive.

NAE offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to help Nevada businesses navigate complex HR and employment challenges. This includes access to a legal hotline for time-sensitive issues, essential resources like labor law posters and employee handbook reviews, and a range of training programs for leadership and supervision.

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