Foundational HR Setup for Small Businesses

Get compliant, organized, and ready to scale with systems that support your people and protect your business.

A strong HR foundation is the key to sustainable business growth and a healthy team. From your first hire, you need structure, documentation, and the right systems in place to stay compliant, protect your business, and create a workplace people want to be part of.

At The Hazel Group, we specialize in helping small business owners implement the essential HR systems and practices that support long-term success. Whether you're hiring your first employee or untangling years of informal processes, we help you build what you need now with the tools to grow.

When HR Basics Are Missing, So Is Clarity for Your People

Many small businesses start out focused on growth, wearing multiple hats and managing people informally. But as your team grows, that approach can lead to challenges with unclear policies, inconsistent onboarding, and communication gaps around performance or expectations. Over time, these small issues can impact compliance, retention, and team morale. We help you put the right foundational HR systems in place like HRIS platforms, job documentation, performance tools, and internal communication frameworks tailored to your current stage and built to grow with you. Because when your team has structure and support, they stay longer, perform better, and deliver stronger customer experiences.

FOUNDATIONAL HR Services

Build structure before you scale.

Our foundational HR setup services are designed for small business owners who need scalable, compliant infrastructure without unnecessary complexity. Whether you need one policy or a full suite of systems, we offer a la carte support tailored to your current priorities. We’ll help you make smart, sustainable decisions now that support retention, communication, and operational clarity as you grow.

  • We build or refine essential HR processes for small business owners who need structure without bureaucracy. That includes step-by-step workflows for time-off requests, HR file storage and retention, disciplinary actions, onboarding and offboarding, and internal communication flows. We help you document these processes clearly and implement systems so they’re easy for your team to follow.

  • We create compliant, state-specific employee handbooks tailored to your business, not a generic template. Each handbook we deliver aligns with your policies, values, and workplace culture while meeting federal and state requirements for small businesses. Whether you're building from scratch or revising an outdated version, we ensure your policies are clear, consistent, and actionable covering everything from at-will employment to PTO, leave, remote work, and code of conduct.

  • We write or refine job descriptions that clarify responsibilities, align with business goals, and support compliant hiring and performance conversations. Our team advises on proper classification (exempt vs. non-exempt), job title leveling, and compensation benchmarking to reduce risk and support fair pay practices. Whether you’re hiring your first employee or updating roles across your org, we help you set a foundation for growth and transparency.

  • We help you establish a clear, sustainable internal communication framework including who shares what, with whom, how often, and through which channels. Whether you're formalizing communication expectations for the first time or standardizing how managers and teams connect, we build systems that support transparency and alignment from day one. This foundation is essential for growing teams, especially in remote or multi-location environments.

  • We help small businesses choose and implement the right Human Resource Information System (HRIS) based on team size, complexity, and growth plans. Whether you need time-off tracking, digital onboarding, performance review workflows, or employee self-service portals, we identify affordable, scalable solutions and then configure the platform, migrate employee data, set up system permissions, and train your team.

Why Small Business Owners Choose Us

  • SHRM-CP certified & Advanced degree in Human Resource Development

    SHRM-CP certified & Advanced degree in Human Resource Development

  • Leadership Experience

    40+ years of combined leadership experience

  • Tailored services for growth-stage small business

    Tailored services designed for growth-stage businesses

  • Flexible plans that scale with your small business

    Flexible, project-based or monthly HR partnerships

  • Experience with diverse industries and team structures, both remote and on-site

    Experience with diverse industries & team structures, both remote & on-site

FAQs

We already have some policies. Can you just review and update them?

Definitely. We offer policy audits for compliance and clarity and handbook refreshes to bring existing materials up to date

Can this help improve employee satisfaction?

Absolutely. Clear expectations, documented policies, and strong communication are key drivers of retention and employee happiness.

How much do services cost?

Pricing is based on the scope of work, business size, and complexity. We’ll provide a fixed quote after your consultation.

how do I get Started?

Book a free 30-minute consultation. We’ll discuss your business, evaluate your needs, and create a tailored proposal.

Do I need an HRIS if I only have a few employees?

You may, we can discuss your needs. Many lightweight systems are affordable and save time. We’ll help you choose and set up a solution that fits your current size and future plans.

What’s the benefit of having an employee communication structure?

Consistent communication reduces confusion and boosts morale. We help you define who shares what, when, and how using tools you already use or recommend new ones.

What if I’m not sure what I need?

That’s exactly why we’re here. We’ll listen to your challenges and make thoughtful recommendations that fit your goals and stage of growth.

Do you provide legal advice?

We’re not a law firm, but we provide HR-compliant solutions and partner with employment attorneys when necessary.

Project-Based or Ongoing HR Support… Your Choice

Whether you need a one-time setup or ongoing guidance as your team grows, we’ll tailor our services to fit your structure, goals, and internal capacity. Foundational HR Setup is available as a standalone project or as part of a monthly retainer that evolves with your business. We meet you where you are—and help you get where you’re going.