Choosing the right PEO service provider for your business requires understanding your organization’s needs. Whether you’re looking to streamline administrative tasks or mitigate compliance risks, finding the right partner will take time and effort.
Assessing your shortlisted options’ financial stability, technology capabilities, and customer service can help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
Reputation
The reputation of a PEO service provider is one of the most critical factors to consider. You want a company with an established track record of working with businesses like yours. In addition, look for a company with a strong presence in your region. This will ensure they understand your industry’s trends, requirements, and compliance issues.
You also want to find a PEO that offers excellent customer service. A good way to evaluate this is to speak with the PEO’s sales team and ask for references from other clients. You also want to ensure that the PEO provides you with a direct point person from their dedicated HR, payroll, and safety teams so that you can quickly contact them for any concerns or questions.
Flexibility
When searching for PEO service providers, you want to find a company that offers flexible packages and services. This will help you meet the specific needs of your business and ensure that you get the most value from your investment.
An excellent way to assess flexibility is to ask about the pricing structure of the PEO. Generally, most PEOs will have either a flat fee rate per employee or a percentage of payroll. The latter is usually more cost-effective but may take work to budget.
Also, consider whether the PEO offers services that your employees will find attractive and valuable. The right PEO will offer access to big-company benefits, which can help you attract and retain top talent. You should also look at their HR technology offerings and other support services. A centralized platform, for example, can save you time and money while providing a consistent experience for your employees. Additionally, a PEO with a dedicated team of client success representatives can help you monitor the performance of their services and mitigate any issues early on.
Technology
When selecting a PEO, choosing one with the technology you need to keep up with changing employment laws and compliance is essential. The PEO should provide a cloud-based software platform that’s simple to use from any device. This is especially critical since many employees work remotely or have a mix of working from home (WFH) and office-based jobs.
The best PEOs will also offer access to big-company benefits that help you attract and retain top talent. Look for PEOs that offer flexible healthcare plans, retirement savings accounts, life insurance and disability coverage, and commuter benefits.
Ensure the PEO you select offers 24/7 support, particularly if you’re a startup. Ask potential providers about their average response times to questions, how easily they can accommodate your business needs, and whether or not they have a dedicated account manager for startups. You’ll also want to determine if they have online transparent pricing and contract information. This will allow you to compare PEOs easily without involvement in their sales process. Also, ask if the PEO’s technology and software are user-friendly and compatible with your business’s existing systems.
Pricing
In addition to evaluating PEO companies based on your business needs, ensure you understand how they charge for their services. Most PEOs either charge a flat rate per employee or a percentage of payroll, and you’ll want to be sure you know exactly what you will be paying for so there are no surprises down the road.
Also, if you have employees in different states, it’s essential to determine if the PEO you choose works with local insurance providers in each state. Not all PEOs offer insurance coverage in every state, which can make or break your business’s ability to provide affordable health insurance to your workforce.
Customer Service
A PEO company must provide top-notch customer service. This means they treat their customers patiently and respectfully, promptly addressing questions and concerns. It also means they take the time to get to know their customers and make every experience personalized.
PEOs provide a unique option for small businesses to streamline administrative tasks, mitigate compliance risks and enhance employee benefits. The process has drawbacks, however, so it’s essential to carefully research and select the right PEO partner for your business.
To help narrow your options, ask for client references from companies similar to yours in size, industry, and geographical location. Also, check out online resources and review sites to assess client testimonials.
Most PEOs charge either a flat fee per employee or a percentage of payroll. Some also offer a combination of both plans. You can choose which option is best for your business, but remember that some PEOs have minimum employee requirements and contract terms. Ideally, your chosen one will be flexible and offer a comprehensive suite of HR services.
Also Read – Business Fraud: Techniques to Prevent Them From Happening