The people infrastructure a small team needs can be effectively managed through fractional HR for small business, offering essential support without the cost of a full-time hire. This includes interim HR coverage for immediate needs, guidance on how to build an employee handbook, and opportunities for leadership development through Working Genius workshops.
Most small organizations, startups, or nonprofit leaders didn’t start their organization to manage HR. However, with no budget for a full-time HR director, it inevitably falls on them to handle tasks such as offer letters, difficult conversations, and compliance questions that nobody has time to research. This includes creating benefits, developing an employee handbook, and organizing training. These areas are critical, as a small mistake can quickly become costly. A termination that wasn’t documented, a rule that went unnoticed, or a good employee leaving due to unaddressed performance issues can all arise from infrastructure gaps rather than people problems. Fortunately, these challenges are fixable and can be addressed with solutions like fractional HR for small businesses, interim HR coverage, and leadership development initiatives, including Working Genius workshops.
I serve as the outsourced HR department for organizations that need experienced HR expertise without the commitment of a full-time hire. Some businesses require only a few hours of support each month, while others seek comprehensive help to build their entire HR function from the ground up. Sometimes, they need interim HR coverage during a leave of absence or an unexpected gap. It often begins with one gap, and I am here to help you fill it and support you as your business grows.
Fractional HR for small organizations, startups, or nonprofit provides access to senior HR leadership for a set number of hours each month, ensuring you receive the expertise needed without the burden of hiring full-time.
For new and growing organizations, senior HR search often requires two to three months, during which employee questions pile up, deadlines are missed, and managers face challenges they shouldn't handle alone. As your interim HR, I hold the seat until the right person starts, allowing your organization to continue functioning smoothly.
Regarding policy and compliance, employment law is constantly evolving. States adjust their minimum wage yearly, and various rules concerning paid sick time and final paycheck timing carry real requirements. A policy that was relevant five years ago may now expose you to risks. I review your existing policies, identify what’s missing or outdated, and provide you with a clear, prioritized list to ensure compliance.
For leadership development, I utilize tools like Working Genius workshops and Hogan assessments to help you understand where your team’s energy is thriving and where it may be running low. Most teams find significant value in starting with a Working Genius session, which fosters better collaboration and productivity.
In the realm of recruiting and organizational health support, hiring is one of the most significant decisions a small organization can make. The wrong hire can set you back months, and in a small team, it often affects how everyone else operates. Sometimes, the issue isn't just one bad hire; turnover may be climbing, morale may be slipping, or the structure that worked with 15 people may not function effectively at 50. I help you identify the driving factors and recommend changes to enhance your organizational health.
Patricia Bramer is the founder of People Pro HR, a Phoenix-based firm specializing in fractional HR for small businesses. She acts as the outsourced HR department for teams that need senior-level HR expertise without the expense of a full-time employee.
With over 25 years of HR experience, Patricia often observed a recurring issue: organizations focused on crucial work while compliance, hiring, and difficult conversations fell to leaders who were unprepared to handle them. This insight led her to establish People Pro HR to bridge that gap.
Today, she collaborates with leaders to provide fractional HR leadership, develop HR functions from scratch, assist with how to build an employee handbook, and foster leadership development. Patricia holds an MBA and is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) trained through iPEC. She is also a certified Working Genius facilitator and Hogan-certified, which allows her to bring extensive HR knowledge and valuable executive coaching skills to the teams she partners with. Utilizing tools such as the Six Types of Working Genius and Hogan assessments, she helps teams identify the right people for the right tasks and uncover hidden drains on their energy.
Her approach is straightforward and human-centered: begin with the gap that’s costing the most, address it effectively, and build from there, including providing interim HR coverage when needed.
Most organizations didn’t start their organization to manage HR.
However, with no budget for a full-time HR director, it inevitably falls on them to handle tasks such as offer letters, difficult conversations, and compliance questions that nobody has time to research. This includes creating benefits, developing an employee handbook, and organizing training. These areas are critical, as a small mistake can quickly become costly. A termination that wasn’t documented, a rule that went unnoticed, or a good employee leaving due to unaddressed performance issues can all arise from infrastructure gaps rather than people problems. Fortunately, these challenges are fixable and can be addressed with solutions like fractional HR for small businesses, interim HR coverage, and leadership development initiatives, including Working Genius workshops.