What the “F” is Fractional HR?

Written by Andrew Johnson, Founder and CEO MYHRSupport - Wed 4th Jun 2025

The term “Fractional HR services” has recently become the latest buzz phrase. The HR community are very good at creating new terms for things that no one understands. “When did induction become on boarding for Christ’s sake? “All Fractional means is “on a part-time basis”. Whilst I mock the term, the practice can be exceptionally effective at “super charging” the growth of an SME in a cost-effective way. It means a small business can bring in corporate level, seasoned HR expertise at a fraction of the cost to develop a highly effective HR strategy in support of the business plan and so accelerate a businesses growth and success.    

The Rise of Fractional HR Services

In recent years, the business world has seen a notable shift towards these fractional services, a trend not confined to the HR sector alone. Sectors ranging from Finance, IT and Marketing are increasingly adopting this model to offer to SMEs. This trend provides specialized skills and services that can be accessed on a part-time basis, without the commitment of a full-time role. This is particularly relevant when we are seeing the rising costs of employing salaried employees.

How does it Work?

If an SME wants part time senior level hr support, we normally start with a free consultation with the owner/operators to find out there growth plans for the business, discuss the quality and capability of their current teams, as well as the existing people processes and systems that exist to recruit, train, reward and measure their teams performance.

If we agree we can add value to the business, we will then do a more in-depth consultation over two or three days, meeting key employees at every level of the organisation to find out what is getting in the way of maximising the businesses performance, what is the culture like in the business and what works well for individuals and teams. This consultation will end with the production of an Executive Report which analyses the current position of the business regarding its people and HR processes, followed by a series of recommendations which are in the form of a milestone plan to address every aspect of developing the people plan for the business.

Once this has been signed off by the business owners, we will typically work in the business one day a week actioning the people plan. We work at a senior level, attending Board Meetings, supporting strategy and long-term business goals. We report against and are measured by the deliverables we have agreed in the people strategy.

 

What are the benefits to a SME?

Adopting a fractional HR model has many benefits that can significantly enhance a business’s performance. Some of the advantages include:

Cost-Efficiency

Opting for a fractional HR service can drastically reduce overhead costs associated with maintaining a full-time HR department. It costs about a third of the cost of recruiting a full tim e senior HR professional plus you don’t have to pay employers NI, Holiday Pay and Pension costs either. Furthermore, it provides the freedom to scale services up or down, facilitating financial prudence without compromising on the quality of HR services.

Expertise On-Demand

Fractional HR services gives businesses access to experts with specialized knowledge in different HR domains. This could be a learning and development specialist, executive coach, employee relations expert, mergers and acquisition experts and/or HR strategist. We can provide this level of specialism through our team. It is a resourceful way to handle intricate HR issues without needing a permanent, in-house expert.

Flexibility & Scalability

The dynamic nature of fractional HR allows you to turn on or turn off the tap whenever you need it. We can scale up the support when managing a complex project or transition or scale it right down during periods of stability. It ensures that the HR services are always in sync with the company’s objectives and moreover it provides the agility to modify HR strategies promptly, responding to market changes and business needs efficiently.

Risk Management

Finally, it helps mitigate potential HR pitfalls by offering expert guidance in risk management, ensuring that the company remains compliant with all legal requisites. This in turn maintains a positive company reputation.

Fractional HR services are a solution that addresses the needs of the SME that is established and now wants to accelerate the company’s growth. It allows you to hire seasoned HR professionals on a part-time basis, thereby providing the expertise needed without a hefty price tag.

MYHRSupport Can Help Your Business Leverage Fractional HR

Fractional HR services offer a strategic pathway for companies to access specialized HR expertise without the commitment of a full-time team. It facilitates a harmonious blend of flexibility, cost-efficiency, and expertise, catering to the unique needs and goals of a business. 

For those who are looking for a comprehensive solution to not just outsourced HR but also other aspects like fractional Finance, IT and Marketing we can offer a one-stop outsource service solution. Our services are designed to free up your time so you can focus on what you do best.

Contact us Today:

Andrew Johnson, founder of MYHRSupport has provided HR and Training support to the UK’s SMEs for over 20 years. Email enquiries@myhrsupport.co.uk or simply call +44 (0) 333 0150 600 for a conversation about your HR needs.