There are many professional employer organizations (PEOs) and many of those offer similar services and capabilities. But when it comes to your business’s HR needs, one size does not fit all. It’s important when you are outsourcing HR that you choose the PEO that’s right for you and avoid getting put into a box.

Before committing to pay for things you don’t need, or solutions that don’t work for your business goals, consider these seven tips to help you select the best PEO for your needs:

1) What services do they offer?

Identify all your company’s needs, and look for the PEO that offers all those services. This will help avoid having to manage multiple service providers. This is also an opportunity to see if the PEO has customizable solutions that you can add or remove as your business grows and your needs change. The best PEOs typically offer full HR outsourcing including payroll processing, employee benefits administration, workers’ compensation, compliance and risk management, and talent recruitment.

2) Does the PEO have expertise in your industry?

Consider whether the PEO has experience working with companies in your industry. This can help to ensure they understand the unique needs and challenges your business operations.

3) What Employee Benefits Does the PEO Offer?

One of the greatest advantages of partnering with a PEO is access to better benefits plans than smaller companies could obtain on their own. PEOs can work with top-tier providers and offer the types of plans that are typically reserved for larger organizations.

Ask the organizations you’re considering what benefits they offer in terms of healthcare, dental, disability, retirement plans, flexible spending accounts, and any other benefits that will be meaningful for your employees and help you attract the best possible talent moving forward.

4) Are they financially stable?

Ensure that the PEO has adequate financial resources to handle multiple clients’ payroll, tax payments, benefits funds, and any other financial responsibilities. Size is a good indicator of stability.

You can also take comfort if they are firm with you on your finances. PEO clients fund all the transactions that the PEO conducts on clients’ behalf. When they draw a hard line on which clients they accept and how those clients fund their payroll, taxes, and benefits, they are looking out for your business, theirs, and all their clients.

5) Does the PEO utilize the latest technology and resources?

A PEO company that has invested in the latest technology can provide better quality HR services to your business. This is especially true for employee engagement with a digitally native workforce.

In addition to improving efficiency and streamlining operations, more advanced technology provides a better user experience for the client’s management and administrative staff, and for employee engagement and self-service. This improves workers’ satisfaction and increases retention.

6) What are the contract terms?

This is probably the most important consideration. You should carefully review the PEO’s contract terms, including pricing, functionality and support guarantees, and termination policies to ensure they align with your business needs and budget. These should include, but are not limited to:

HRIS software (ideally as part of an HCM) – The latest HR software is a Human Capital Management (HCM) platform that leverages a central employee database to simplify, speed, and even automate every aspect of people management operations.

Payroll services – Ideally this includes integrated time-tracking.

HR & PTO Administration – Make sure these basics are included and look for any limitations.

Healthcare and Retirement benefits options – This can be the most complex part, and should be the most customizable. The potential savings here are also the reason many companies engage a PEO, so make sure you’re achieving your financial goals in this category.

Compliance services – These can include new hire and separation documentation, and unemployment claims administration, as well as performing all other labor services in compliance with applicable regulations.

Workers’ Comp coverage and Risk Management & Loss Control – Another opportunity for considerable cost savings. Make certain the terms will meet your financial objectives.

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) – This supplements and fills in the liability protection that a PEO provides. See if it’s available, and then make sure it’s included.

Expert supportfor each function: Applicant Tracking, Employee Onboarding, Benefits, Enrollment and Administration, and Real-Time Reporting.

Strategic Counsel – Assure yourself that the contract provides for the executive time you need to get the full value of your PEO partnership.

Also make certain the contract specifies compliance expertise for each of the states in which you operate as regulations and taxes vary from state to state.

Lastly, confirm that complete implementation and systems integration services have been accounted for. If those are “included” in the price, doublecheck that the PEO can deliver all contracted services once the engagement begins.

7) Do they provide good customer service?

Understanding how the PEO communicates and the responsiveness of client service will help you determine how available they’ll be to answer questions and address any issues that arise.

• How can you contact the company? Do they only utilize virtual communication like email and online chat or do they have a toll-free number you can call in case of an emergency?
• Is there a dedicated team for your business with an account manager available to work directly with you as things come up and who learns your business inside and out, or will your account be handled by the next available representative?

It’s important to consider all these elements when deciding which PEO to outsource your human resources to. Remember, your business is unique. Don’t limit yourself with a standardized package that suits the PEO’s business model but not necessarily yours.

Following these top seven tips will help you select the best PEO services for your business.

The Best PEO Companies Can Make All the Difference

Many PEOs don’t offer customizable solutions to meet your specific business needs. VensureHR is different.

Because businesses don’t all have the same goals or the same operating models, we don’t try to box you in. We offer solutions to meet you where your business is now and grow with you, understanding your needs may change along the way.

Contact VensureHR today to schedule a no-cost business evaluation today.