What’s the ideal HR-to-staff ratio?

I’m the HR director of a small manufacturer, supervising an HR specialist and an administrative assistant. We have recently reduced our workforce from about 300 employees down to 200. Now the CEO is arguing that since our staff has shrunk, we don’t need the HR specialist anymore. I think it’s unreasonable to expect me and my admin to take care of all the HR needs of a 200-person organization. I need ammunition to make my case. How many HR professionals should there be for every 100 employees?—Jackie, MD


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