Compare your options
Restaurant HR consultant or HR administration service
Written by Back of House Ops, which is one of the options compared. Checked on October 1, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice.
What is the difference between an HR consultant and an HR administration service?
An HR consultant advises: they answer hard questions, write policies and help with a specific problem, usually by the hour or project. An HR administration service does the recurring work: onboarding files, personnel records and payroll preparation every cycle. Restaurants with an advice problem need the first. Restaurants where the paperwork is not getting done need the second.
What an HR consultant does
- Reviews or writes an employee handbook and specific policies.
- Advises on a difficult termination, complaint or investigation.
- Audits your files and practices and tells you what to fix.
- Trains managers on hiring, documentation and harassment prevention.
A consultant leaves you with advice and documents. Carrying them out week after week is still your job.
What an HR administration service does
- Opens a complete file for every new hire and tracks what is missing.
- Prepares payroll inputs each cycle and flags exceptions before you approve.
- Keeps the handbook and required notices current and records who received them.
- Handles the paperwork for separations so final pay and notices go out on time.
A service leaves you with the work done. It does not replace an attorney or make decisions for you. BOHO's service scope sets out the line.
Which problem do you have?
| If this sounds like you | You probably need |
|---|---|
| "I don't know what the rule is, or what to do about this employee." | A consultant or an employment attorney |
| "We know what to do. It just doesn't get done every week." | An administration service |
| "Our handbook is five years old." | Either: a one-off project, or ongoing handbook upkeep |
| "We got a letter from the Attorney General." | An employment attorney, now |
| "I want someone else to be the employer." | A PEO |
Using both
Many restaurants use an administration service for the routine and call an attorney or consultant a few times a year for judgment calls. The service makes those calls cheaper, because the file the adviser asks for already exists.
For firms that offer each model in Massachusetts, see our lists of restaurant HR support services and HR outsourcing options for independent restaurants.
Massachusetts rules
The rules any option has to handle
Does a restaurant need a written sexual harassment policy?
Yes, with six or more employees. Every employee gets an individual written copy each year, and new hires get one when they start.
Full answer and official sourceCan a current or former employee see their personnel file?
Yes. Within five business days of a written request, the employer must let the employee review their personnel record, and provide a copy on request, up to twice a year. You must also tell an employee within 10 days when you add negative information, such as a write-up, to their file.
Full answer and official sourceCan a restaurant discipline or fire someone for complaining about pay?
No. Penalizing, firing or discriminating against an employee because they complained to the Attorney General or anyone else, or helped an investigation, violates the Wage Act, and the employee can sue for triple damages.
Full answer and official source
Rules checked against official sources on . General information, not legal or tax advice.
Common questions
What does a restaurant HR consultant do?
A restaurant HR consultant advises owners and managers on employment practices: handbooks and policies, hiring and termination decisions, complaints, manager training and audits of HR files. They are usually paid by the hour, by the project or on a retainer.
Is BOHO an HR consultant?
BOHO is an HR administration and payroll coordination service. It does the recurring paperwork and payroll preparation and includes HR advisory support, but it is not a law firm and does not make employment decisions for you.
See whether BOHO fits your restaurant
Your restaurant remains the employer of record and approves payroll and employment decisions. BOHO is not a PEO, a staffing agency, or legal counsel.