If you’re reading this, chances are you’re at a crossroads.
Maybe your HR person is going on leave. Maybe they just left. Maybe you’ve never had someone in that seat but things are getting too complex to keep handling on your own. Or maybe you do have HR support, but something feels off: policies are outdated, employee issues are bubbling up, or you’re not sure your current setup is built to grow with you.
We’ve worked with dozens of organizations in this exact moment: leaders facing turnover, leaves of absence, growth, or performance gaps. Many find Fractional HR support to be the right next step.
We’re going to walk you through what that means and how you choose the right partner. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Fractional HR?
Fractional HR is a flexible way to get both strategic and hands-on HR support without a permanent hire. Whether you need help for a few hours a week or a few days a month, a fractional HR consultant can:
- Serve as a go-to person for employee relations (answering employee questions, resolving conflicts, supporting day-to-day people needs)
- Handle policy updates and compliance
- Evaluate your current HR structure (who’s doing what today)
- Help you decide what your HR function should look like going forward (whether that’s a permanent hire, a part-time person, or something else)
In short: fractional HR gives you what you need right now, while setting your organization up for a more sustainable HR function in the future.
When to Start Looking for Fractional HR
We’ve noticed a few common moments when business leaders realize it’s time to bring in outside HR help:
- A key HR person is going on leave or just left
- You’ve grown fast and HR hasn’t caught up
- You have someone in the HR seat, but they’re focused more on admin than strategy
- You’ve been relying on payroll platforms or software tools, and they’re not cutting it anymore
- You’re facing compliance, cultural, or employee issues, and need someone to help right the ship
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. You’ve likely just outgrown your current HR structure (or lack thereof). Or, quite frankly, something may have just gone wrong.
What to Look for in a Fractional HR Partner
Here are the top questions business leaders ask when evaluating their options, and what we think you should listen for in the answers.
1. Do they offer both tactical and strategic support?
It’s common to need both: someone who can step in today to manage policies, questions, and employee relations, and someone who can help you figure out what HR should look like for your company long-term. Make sure they can do both.
2. Will they assess what’s working and what’s not?
A great fractional partner doesn’t just “fill a seat.” At ERC, we have a proven process from our work with other organizations:
- We start by taking a close look at how your HR function is currently working
- We identify gaps or issues like outdated policies, unclear roles, or risky practices
- We work with you to build a clear roadmap for what to fix, in what order, and with what support.
This might include an updated HR role, a restructured team, or resources to fill the gaps.
3. Are they experienced in organizations like yours?
Ask about the types of companies they’ve supported, especially your size, stage, or industry. You want someone with experience that can speak your language.
4. How do they work with existing HR staff (if any)?
If you have someone in an HR role already, even if it’s not their full-time job, your fractional partner should support and complement, not necessarily replace or disrupt. That might mean providing guidance, strategy, or simply freeing up your internal team to focus on what they do best.
5. What happens when the engagement ends?
You want to be better off, not back where you started. The best partners leave you with updated policies, new processes, and clarity about your next step. Bonus points if they offer ongoing support or a way to stay connected (like ERC membership).
How ERC Approaches Fractional HR
At ERC, our Fractional HR consultants are local, seasoned HR professionals who’ve supported organizations across Northeast Ohio for decades. We’ve helped clients:
- Step in during HR leaves or vacancies
- Evaluate and rebuild underperforming HR functions
- Implement new policies and compliance processes
- Establish the HR structure needed to scale or grow
Plus, our consultants are also the same experts behind our HR Help Desk and our member resources. So even if you don’t need us forever, you’ll still have access to tools and people who’ve got your back.
Next Steps
You don’t have to know exactly what you need before reaching out, that’s what we’re here for. Whether you’re facing an HR gap, growing fast, or just feeling unclear about how things are running, we’ll help you sort through it and build a plan that fits your organization.
Let’s talk about what the right HR support looks like for you.
