HR is an essential business structure. Regardless of their size, companies must adhere to HR regulations—but depending on their size, that can be quite challenging. From compliance with evolving employment laws to employee engagement and payroll management, the challenges are endless, especially for smaller businesses.
However, they don’t need to undergo these processes alone. With HR outsourcing, like with PEOs, companies can find a comprehensive solution to significantly reduce HR risk.
In this post, we’ll discuss the hidden value of PEOs and how they are a crucial resource for business owners overwhelmed by their HR needs.
Reducing HR Risks with PEOs
While many business owners first encounter PEOs as a time-saving solution for their companies, the financial and compliance benefits they provide are just as – if not more – critical. PEOs are HR experts dedicated to staying up-to-date with changing regulations and guiding your company through necessary adjustments, allowing you to concentrate solely on the daily tasks of running your business. Their expertise streamlines operations, stabilizes costs, and frees up resources to implement strategic changes.
When company leadership can focus on what truly matters to them without worrying about HR regulations, they can more clearly focus on growing their business. Staying in compliance also helps transform HR so that it increases profits instead of draining costs.
How PEOs Ensure HR Compliance
Here are some of the critical ways PEOs ensure HR compliance and reduce the risk of costly legal issues:
Compliance with Employment Laws
Navigating the complex web of local, state, and federal employment laws can be daunting. PEOs can learn about new regulations and guide your company to ensure compliance and avoid legal pitfalls.
HR Policy Development and Implementation
PEOs assist in crafting comprehensive HR policies that comply with best practices and legal requirements, ensuring your business foundation is solid and risk-averse. By overseeing or guiding processes that develop policy or create handbooks, they can help entrench compliance into your company culture. That way, your staff will behave in a way that upholds compliance, and having it as an official policy can act as a defense if an issue arises.
Employee Onboarding and Training
A streamlined onboarding process and relevant training programs help employees start off with a great impression of your company while training them to align with the company. The PEO can handle onboarding practices and standardize recruitment so that it’s less of a strain on your staff, but they still have the capacity to give new hires the support and attention they need. Employees can often handle many onboarding tasks online before starting, so they can focus better on learning the company when they start and have better experiences at your company.
Performance Management Systems
Developing and implementing effective performance management strategies are essential for employee engagement and productivity. PEOs can offer advice on expanding these to give management a better idea of how they determine what employees need to understand better and where they can provide this support.
Payroll Tax Payments
Ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing and tax payments can be a complex process that drains your staff’s time and resources. When a PEO handles it – you don’t need to think about it anymore.
Benefits Administration
Attracting and retaining talent is easier with competitive and compliant benefits packages, which can make your company more attractive to candidates and encourage existing staff to stay longer. Great benefits packages are particularly helpful when trying to compete better on salary, as people often consider benefits just as important. The PEO can provide cost-effective access to high-quality benefits, meaning you can give your staff more with less strain on company finances.
Workplace Safety Programs
Developing and enforcing OSHA-compliant safety programs minimizes workplace accidents and makes safety a more significant part of your culture. An HR partner can inform you of any immediate changes you need to make and help set up recurring safety procedures to prevent injuries.
Conflict Resolution and Mediation Services
As HR experts, PEOs can offer advice on resolving conflict or effectively setting up mediation services. They can also counsel you on specific situations so that your company will have the support it needs to create a suitable situation for your staff.
Termination and Layoff Assistance
Navigating the complexities of employee termination or layoffs requires careful implementation to minimize legal and reputational risks. In the same way that your PEO can handle your onboarding, you can oversee termination to ensure employees have the resources they need when leaving your company.
Workforce Restructuring
PEOs assist with planning and restructuring efforts to adapt to changing business needs while mitigating HR risks. As your business grows, your structures must change with it. PEOs make adding employees easier, as you can add staff by simply letting the team know – meaning your team can focus on the new strategy and let the PEO handle your workforce needs.
Partner with a PEO for Your Compliance Needs
Partnering with a PEO means gaining a partner dedicated to your company's growth and adaptability. A PEO can help bolster your HR team’s functions and provide them with support in implementing client services. As your business evolves, a PEO can scale its services to meet your expanding needs, ensuring that HR risks are continually managed and mitigated.
For business owners feeling overwhelmed by HR responsibilities, the value of a PEO cannot be overstated. By ensuring compliance, streamlining operations, and stabilizing costs, PEOs allow you to focus on what you do best—growing your business.
