5 Common Myths That Could Be Holding Your Business Back
If you're running a small business, you're probably juggling a lot, operations, sales, customer service, finances, maybe even making the tea! So it's no surprise that HR can slip down the list, especially when you feel like you're just not "big enough" to need it.
But here’s something we hear all the time:
1. “We’re too small for HR.”
And here’s our honest reply:
Once you have even one employee, you have responsibilities, and having the right HR foundations in place will only help you.
In fact, not having these basics sorted can lead to unnecessary stress, miscommunication, and even costly mistakes. Let’s take a look at the five most common myths we hear from small business owners, and the reality behind each one:
2. “We don’t need policies.”
It might seem like overkill to write down a policy when there are only a few of you in the business, but policies aren’t just about rules, they’re about clarity.
Clear, simple policies help everyone know what’s expected. They set boundaries, promote fairness and provide a helpful reference point when challenges come up. Think of them as your team’s guidebook – the clearer the guidance, the smoother the journey.
3. “It’s all verbal – we trust each other.”
Trust is brilliant – it’s the foundation of any great team. But when everything is done verbally, things can get muddled over time, especially when people change roles, take time off, or just remember things differently.
Written contracts and documented processes protect both you and your team. They don’t take away from the trust – they strengthen it by showing everyone that you’re organised, fair, and have their back if things get tricky.
4. “We can’t afford HR.”
We understand that budgets are tight in small businesses. But here’s the thing – you can’t afford not to have HR.
Having the right HR support helps you avoid costly mistakes, legal risks, and time-consuming issues that often come from not having the right documents or advice in place. Even a few hours of support from someone who knows what they’re doing can make a huge difference, and free you up to focus on running the business.
5. “We’re like a family – we don’t need formal processes.”
We love it when teams feel like family, it’s a great sign of a strong culture. But even families benefit from boundaries, roles, and routines.
Formal processes don’t take away the friendly atmosphere; they help protect it. They support fairness, reduce friction, and ensure that when the business grows or situations change, everyone still knows where they stand.
6. “We’ll sort HR later – it’s not urgent.”
It might not feel urgent now, but when something goes wrong, whether that’s a grievance, an absence issue, or someone leaving suddenly, not having the basics in place can turn a small issue into a big one.
Putting the essentials in place early saves time, reduces stress and gives you peace of mind. It also sends a message to your team that you’re committed to doing things properly, and that helps build trust and loyalty.
So, What Do You Really Need?
You don’t need a full HR department. You don’t need pages of policies or a complicated system.
But you do need a few essentials:
Clear employment contracts
Simple, practical policies
A way to keep records tidy and accessible
Trusted advice for when things feel tricky
And that’s where we come in.
At Humber HR People, we’re here to make HR feel easy, supportive and human.
We love helping small businesses put the right things in place, no fuss, no jargon, just good advice that works for you.
If you’re not sure what you need, or you’re wondering whether what you’ve got is enough, get in touch.
We’re always happy to have a friendly, no-obligation chat.
Let’s make HR one less thing to worry about.
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