Is an HR function really necessary for small and midsized companies? Sure, the typical executives or owners will say, we need somebody to handle transactional processes like processing hiring paperwork, background checking and payroll and help with the company party-In smaller companies the office manager or accounting manager might end up with the job with little or no training and limited professional interest in the practice of human resources, which perpetuate the belief that HR is just a cost center handling administrative functions. Well too bad for those companies because the HR function can have a real impact on the bottom line. 
More and more research is surfacing to help dismiss the notion that HR doesn’t contribute to the strategic direction of a company. Results from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s recent three-year study suggest that human resources practices have a positive effect on organizational success, particularly when it comes to influencing employee commitment and performance. Engaged employees are productive employees, productive employees increase sales and revenue.
What else can HR do to improve overall performance of the company beyond “pushing paper”?
1) Make sure that managers hire well. The cost of a bad hire results in poor morale, harassment and conflict issues, questionable worker’s compensation claims, excessive use of sick time, unnecessary costs to health insurance plans and low productivity. Never mind the time and attention management wastes on dealing with a bad hire. It’s estimated that the actual cost of a bad hire is 1.5-3 x the annual salary. Find and deploy the right tools, software and programs to stop bad hires.
2. Really understand employment laws and recent legislation and court rulings and appropriately implement policies and procedures that comply with those laws. Ignorance is not an accepted defense in a court of law. The cost of non compliance can literally be in the millions in litigation, settlement and fines. There are countless HR software and content vendors, internet resources (http://www.dol.gov/ is a great place to start) and free or paid webinars available to keep the person responsible for HR updated.
3. HR can be a key resource in monitoring employee satisfaction. Poor morale results in poor productivity and high turnover. These two factors directly increase tangible and intangible costs. Poor employee morale is a consequence of poor and/or unfair management practices. Use performance appraisals, pay plans, job descriptions and make sure all your managers have training on how to manage for optimal results- good management is a skill that can be taught (unlike leadership).
Join the conversation: Is HR an administrative or strategic function in your company?
For those employers required to complete an annual EEO-1 report the deadline is fast approaching and September 30th will be here before you know it. Any employer with 100 or more employees or those employers who are federal contractors or subcontractors must file the report. Gathering the required information can take some time if you are not using HR software with EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) reporting functionality, so don’t delay in getting started. 