HR Director outlines staffing challenges amid growing departmental needs

Syracuse's Office of Personnel & Labor Relations is facing significant staffing challenges, as highlighted during the budget hearing for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 held on April 21, 2025. The Human Resources department is currently operating at a staffing level of 0.59 employees per 100 workers, far below the recommended ratio of one HR staff member per 100 employees. This shortfall is impacting the department's ability to effectively manage the increasing workload from various city departments.

During the meeting, the Director of Human Resources expressed concerns about being understaffed, particularly as other departments expand. With 32 departments under the city's umbrella, only the Syracuse Police Department has dedicated HR personnel, leaving the majority reliant on a single HR team. This has led to a dilution of services, as the HR department struggles to meet the demands of managers and employees alike.

The Director noted that the current staffing levels hinder timely responses to claims and other HR needs, which could potentially lead to greater financial savings in areas like workers' compensation if adequately addressed. The department is currently managing 95 job postings with just one recruiter, a workload deemed unreasonable and unsustainable.

Despite these challenges, the HR team is committed to maintaining operations and providing support where possible. However, the ongoing staffing issues raise questions about the department's capacity to effectively serve the growing needs of the city. As the budget discussions continue, the need for increased HR resources will be critical to ensure that the city can adequately support its workforce and maintain efficient operations moving forward.