As a small business owner, the day-to-day can feel like an endless cycle of putting out fires and being pulled in conflicting directions, leaving you with little to no time to work on the aspects of your business you’re most passionate about. However, HR can't be ignored; it involves intricate and time-consuming tasks that demand ongoing attention. If mismanaged, your company could face harsh penalties and reputational harm that could take months or years to recover.
While handling it all yourself may seem doable, as your business grows, it may not be possible to juggle the many moving pieces that make up successful and compliant HR policies and procedures - even with the best intentions, mistakes and oversights happen. Professional employer organizations (PEOs), such as GMS, help ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
What Is A PEO?
PEOs manage various HR tasks, such as benefits administration, payroll processing, recruitment, risk management, and other operations responsibilities. PEOs help safeguard your business against potential legal and reputational pitfalls. They specialize in maintaining compliance, ensuring that your HR policies align with federal and local employment regulations.
In addition to compliance, they serve as a partner in the strategic management of HR functions. Through optimizing processes and introducing best practices, PEOs can significantly enhance your overall efficiency and productivity, which help attract and retain top talent.
PEOs act as an extension of your business and provide the support needed to navigate the complexities of HR. While PEOs take on the administrative burdens of HR, they follow your lead. This arrangement ensures that your business' core identity and operational direction remain firmly in your hands. In other words, PEOs don’t take over your business. Instead, they free up your time and energy by taking over the administrative aspects of HR processes so you can focus on core business activities such as strategic planning, business development, and customer engagement.
Benefits Of Working With A PEO
PEOs allow you to offer exceptional and competitive benefits to your team. PEOs pool their buying power and can negotiate with insurance and benefits vendors, giving you access to broader and more competitive benefits packages. These can include health insurance, dental and vision plans, retirement savings plans, and even wellness programs, which might not be possible for you to offer as a smaller business on your own.
The ability to offer top-tier benefits packages can significantly impact your company's recruitment and retention efforts. In a competitive job market, attractive benefits packages stand out to high-performing talent, making them more likely to join and stay with your company long-term.
In addition, partnering with a PEO can lead to the following:
• Financial savings: One way PEOs can save money is by reducing employee turnover costs. Not only is hiring simplified and faster, but partnering with a PEO can help refine your HR processes, helping with overall job satisfaction and retention.
• Technology system access: Partnering with a PEO provides access to several technology platforms, including human resources information systems (HRIS), online payroll solutions, and more. These user-friendly platforms can seamlessly integrate with your existing systems, enabling straightforward access to employee information, report generation, and data storage capabilities.
• Scalability: As your business grows, a PEO can quickly adapt to your changing needs, from adding new employees to expanding into new cities or states. This scalability can be a significant advantage for rapidly growing businesses.
• Enhanced recruitment: PEOs equip you with the necessary tools and expertise for efficient employee recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing training processes. From creating a job posting to screening various candidates, PEOs free up your time so you only interview qualified applicants. Beyond screening talent, PEOs help establish a complete onboarding process, ensuring new hires are effectively integrated into your company and receive the training they need to succeed.
• Employee development and training: Ongoing training is necessary to ensure your team is well-versed in their responsibilities and the company's procedures. PEOs can help facilitate this through learning management systems (LMS), enabling you to establish and track employee training programs.
Is A PEO Right For My Business?
There are many factors to consider when deciding if a PEO is right for your business. First, it’s crucial to take inventory of your specific pain points. Are you looking for help with payroll, compliance, employee benefits, workers' compensation, or all of the above? Understanding your needs will help you choose if a PEO is right for you.
Additionally, consider the cost of a PEO. PEOs will save you time and money in the long run; however, it's crucial to understand the pricing structure and compare it against the potential cost savings to ensure it's truly the best decision for you.
Overall, PEOs offer an excellent solution for small businesses aiming to develop and sustain a strong workforce. Securing top talent involves more than just an appealing job title; employees seek organizations that provide competitive benefits and have comprehensive processes and policies in place.
HR With GMS
Our goal is to help employers make their business simpler, safer, and stronger through dedicated HR support. We provide comprehensive HR solutions to companies small, medium, and large throughout the United States, allowing them to increase operational efficiencies, save money, and enhance the overall employee experience.
With GMS, is a one stop shop, you won’t have multiple vendors providing multiple services. You get one team with years of experience managing HR, payroll and tax, benefits, and risk management. We provide:
• Expertise: GMS offers a wide range of services and customized support. For the best fit, explore our offerings to ensure our capabilities align with your needs.
• Peace of mind: GMS is a certified professional employer organization (CPEO), meaning we meet the requirements set by the IRS and can provide specific financial protections and tax benefits.
• HR in a crisis: Are you ready to handle an HR crisis? GMS can help your business navigate various challenges, from handling sexual harassment complaints to managing workers' compensation claims. We can ensure your policies remain current and your team is well-equipped to address any challenges. We are always ready to provide support during crises.
Whether you know exactly what you need help with or aren’t sure where to start, our team is ready to help. Contact us today to connect with one of our experts!