Your First Employee Is Not Your HR Strategy
By VICKY BROWN
Hiring your first employee is an exciting milestone. It’s the moment your business shifts from “just me” to “we.” But for too many entrepreneurs, that first hire leads to a dangerous misstep — assuming that person is now also responsible for HR.
They’re not. And that assumption? It’s one of the most expensive mistakes small business owners make.
Why “Figuring It Out” Isn’t a Strategy
In the early stages, everything feels manageable. Your new assistant seems capable, so when HR tasks start popping up — onboarding, PTO tracking, maybe a quick offer letter — you hand them off. And for a while, it works. They Google, they guess, they make it happen.
But here’s the truth: just because it hasn’t broken yet doesn’t mean it’s working.
HR isn’t a side hustle. It’s not something your most organized team member should have to “figure out.” Real HR involves legal compliance, policy development, employee relations, documentation — all areas that can turn into serious problems if mishandled.
Real Risks, Real Consequences
We’ve seen it firsthand. A founder calls in a panic because an employee requested their personnel file, and… there isn’t one. Or there’s a harassment complaint, but no policy. Or they made a verbal offer to someone, and now that person expects terms that were never put in writing.
These aren’t rare horror stories. They’re the natural result of not having a system.
And the fallout? It’s not just administrative. It can damage your finances, your reputation, and your ability to grow a stable, high-performing team.
This Is About Leadership
Delegating HR tasks isn’t the issue. But doing it without structure — that’s the problem. Because when you offload HR without a plan, you’re not leading. You’re reacting.
And leadership is about more than vision and drive. It’s about building an environment where your team can thrive — and that means clarity, consistency, and compliance.
Your company culture isn’t defined by motivational quotes in meetings. It’s shaped by your policies, how you give feedback, and how you handle issues when they arise.
“… don’t ask your first employee to carry the weight of something they were never trained to handle.”
You Don’t Need an HR Department — But You Do Need a Foundation
Most early-stage businesses don’t need a full-time HR professional. But every growing company needs a basic HR framework: compliant templates, onboarding checklists, documentation tools, and clear policies.
That’s where HR SimpleStart Premiere comes in.
It’s built for founders. Not for corporate HR teams. Not for 100-person companies. For you — the entrepreneur who’s hiring, growing, and doing it all without a dedicated HR team.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Compliant offer letter templates
- A customizable employee handbook
- Onboarding and offboarding checklists
- PTO tracking tools
- Monthly live expert sessions
But even more than that — you’ll gain confidence. Because when you stop guessing and start leading, your team notices. And your business becomes stronger, safer, and more scalable.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur jumping into a leadership role, a seasoned business pro with new HR responsibilities, or just starting your HR career – we’ve got the right path to guide you through your HR hurdles.
Check out the Leaders Journey Experience.
Not sure where to start – take the quiz!
Ready to Lead with Clarity?
Don’t leave HR to chance. And don’t ask your first employee to carry the weight of something they were never trained to handle.
Build your HR foundation now — while your team is still small — so you’re not scrambling later. Whether you choose HR SimpleStart Premiere or our more hands-on IDO On Call membership, we’ve got the tools and support to help you lead like a CEO, not a firefighter.
Because this isn’t just about compliance. It’s about building something that lasts.