Recruitment agencies have a vital role to play in helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) keep up with HR issues, according to global recruiter Adecco.

Adecco UK managing director Richard MacMillan says HR matters distract entrepreneurial directors from core business goals.

Agencies with expertise in anti-discrimination laws and specialist sectors have a key role in helping small businesses comply with legal requirements and perform in a competitive marketplace, he said.

They can also offer bespoke services that save small businesses paying a full recruitment fee.

“There is still not an awareness of the services agencies can offer,” said MacMillan. “You don’t have to pay the traditional recruitment fee.

For example, agencies can charge lower amounts for an online resourcing package.

“It is very important that [SMEs] find the right staff, and they must get value out of the recruitment process – if they are not experienced in this field it makes sense to outsource it.”

Adecco is to launch an online HR advice portal for SMEs, which will provide information such as standardised grievance procedures and health and safety procedures.

Adecco research reveals many small businesses resort to a kind of DIY HR to keep pace with changes in employment law, where managing directors without formal training attempt to resolve personnel issues.

SMEs will pay a nominal fee for access to the website and advice line.

Just over half of businesses have HR roles in-house, and managing directors spend up to a day a week on the subject.

Richard Wilson, head of business policy at the Institute of Directors, believes that the European Agency Workers Directive would add even more to the burden on small employers.

“They should get the draft and throw it in the bin with the European Constitution,” he said.