Combating HR Burnout: A Guide to Supporting Our HR Professionals

Last Updated on August 14, 2024

Human Resources (HR) professionals are the backbone of any organization, managing everything from employee relations to compliance and administration. However, the increasing complexity of HR responsibilities, especially with remote work and multi-state operations, has created significant challenges. This post outlines the pressing need for support for HR professionals and explores effective strategies for success such as outsourcing administrative tasks and leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and avoid HR burnout. 

The Rising Stress of Compliance Issues 

One of the most significant challenges HR professionals face today is managing compliance across various jurisdictions. As companies expand and embrace remote work following the COVID-19 Pandemic and technological advancements, HR departments are tasked with navigating a labyrinth of state and federal regulations. Many states are becoming more aggressive in setting their own employment laws, from wage and hour requirements to leave policies.  This complexity increases the risk of non-compliance, which can lead to costly penalties and legal issues. 

For example, handling different state tax regulations, health insurance mandates, and labor laws can overwhelm HR teams. The need to stay updated on evolving regulations and ensure adherence across all locations adds a layer of stress and administrative burden that many HR departments find difficult to manage on their own. 

Emily Frederick, Senior HR Consultant at MyHRConcierge, stated that “…even as an HR leader in your own company, you have your company’s culture to worry about, (their) morale, strategic goals to advance the bottom line for the company to make the company profitable.” With this, “HR leaders and HR employees don’t want to spend their day focusing on every single compliance update that comes in, especially with some of these states that have multiple compliance updates that come in every year.”  

This is why so many companies find that supplementing their HR team with HR Compliance firms such as MyHRConcierge can lead to an increase in profits and compliance- companies can lean on these firms to keep them up to date on ever-changing federal and state regulations and address employee issues.  It can be a large economic benefit for companies to consider supplementing their HR teams for this aspect of HR. 

The Need for Outsourcing Administrative Tasks 

Given the extensive workload and specialized knowledge required, outsourcing administrative tasks has become a practical solution for many organizations. By delegating tasks such as payroll processing, benefits administration and compliance management to external experts, HR teams can focus on strategic initiatives and core functions that drive business growth and minimize HR burnout. 

Frederick stated that when companies do choose to utilize a company for help, such as MyHRConcierge, their HR team is typically happier and are able to focus on the parts of HR that excite them, as opposed to the tedious day-to-day tasks that may not be their main focus or priority. If employee satisfaction rises, “employees then feel more satisfied in all aspects of various functions (in work), not just in HR.” 

According to a 2024 Research Report done by Sage, “63% of c-suite leaders admit to still seeing HR’s role as administrative, and many business leaders don’t expect HR to play a leading role across key areas that would traditionally sit in their wheelhouse, such as workforce planning and company culture.”

Outsourcing not only alleviates the administrative burden, but also provides access to expertise and resources that might not be available in-house. This approach allows HR professionals to reduce errors, streamline processes and ensure compliance with complex regulations. Moreover, it can lead to cost savings by reducing the need for in-house administrative staff and minimizing the risks associated with non-compliance. 

Benefits of Outsourcing Administrative Tasks for Support of Alleviating HR Burnout

1. Enhanced Accuracy and Compliance: External providers specializing in HR services have the expertise to manage compliance with the latest regulations and reduce errors in administrative processes. 

2. Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing can be more cost-effective than maintaining a large in-house administrative team, especially when considering the costs associated with training and turnover. 

3. Scalability: As your organization grows or faces fluctuating demands, outsourced providers can adjust their services accordingly, offering flexibility and scalability. 

4. Focus on Core HR Functions: By offloading routine tasks, HR professionals can concentrate on strategic initiatives such as talent management, employee engagement and organizational development. 

Leveraging Technology for Administrative Efficiency 

Technology plays a crucial role in modernizing HR functions and improving administrative efficiency, which can help lessen the feeling of HR burnout. From cloud-based HR platforms to automated compliance tools and Artificial Intelligence, technology can streamline many aspects of HR management. 

1. Integrated HR Platforms: Cloud-based HR systems offer comprehensive solutions that integrate various HR functions, including payroll, benefits, and performance management. These platforms provide real-time data, reduce manual entry errors, and facilitate easier compliance tracking. 

2. Automated Compliance Tools: Technology can assist in managing compliance by automating updates and alerts related to regulatory changes. This ensures HR teams are always informed and can take timely action to maintain compliance. 

3. Self-Service Portals: Employee self-service portals empower staff to manage their own information, such as updating personal details and accessing pay stubs. This reduces the administrative load on HR professionals and improves employee satisfaction. 

In that same research report done by Sage, an anonymous HR leader responded to polling and said that “HR leaders must continue to evolve and leave old-school practices behind and adopt technological advancements in HR to improve the efficiency of how business operations are conducted.”

When asked by Sage in a poll, the HR Director of Simeio Solutions, Tashar Kad, mentioned there being “so many tools and technologies available for HR which takes away a lot of that transactional and or tactical burden” for HR leaders. There is a need to leverage HR technology in order to up the pace.

Help Avoid HR Burnout and Turn to MyHRConcierge 

Supporting HR professionals is not merely a matter of alleviating their workload but a strategic necessity for organizational success. By addressing the challenges of compliance, embracing outsourcing for administrative tasks and leveraging technology, businesses can enhance HR efficiency and effectiveness. In turn, this will alleviate the feeling of burnout from HR professionals. Investing in these areas not only supports HR teams but also contributes to overall operational excellence and compliance. 

Frederick noted that “services like (MyHRConcierge) are relatively inexpensive, especially when it comes down to keeping the HR professional happy and not making them feel completely burnt out, so they aren’t part of the 62% of people that are considering leaving HR.” 

For more information on how MyHRConcierge can help support your HR team and avoid employee burnout, contact MyHRConcierge at 855-538-6947 ext.108, ccooley@myhrconcierge.com. Or, schedule a convenient consultation below: