In the fast-paced world of business administration, companies are always looking for new ways to cut costs, boost productivity, and cut downtime so they can focus on what they do best.
This is where PEO (Professional Employer Organizations) enter. A PEO is a strategic solution that assists businesses in reorganizing their human capital management functions.
In this article, we will be exploring the world of PEO, gaining a better understanding of their functions, advantages, and which businesses benefit from them.
Understanding PEO: What Are They?
PEO (Professional Employer Organizations) are third-party outsourcing organizations that facilitate the primary HR functions of a business. These organizations act as co-employers and handle various HR functions, such as payroll services, tax filing, benefits administration, risk and safety, and talent management.
By entering into a co-employment partnership with a PEO, you are allowed to delegate major HR responsibilities and shift that focus onto other functions of the business that require more attention.
The PEO Advantage: Key Benefits
A PEO can provide several benefits for a company, including:
Streamlined HR Management
PEO take charge of a business’s HR operations, allowing for a smooth and seamless process by taking charge of different HR functions like payroll management, recruiting and onboarding, compliance management, and many more. This shift in HR administration lets you allocate more time and resources to other departments and functions.
Saving costs
A surprising benefit of employing a PEO is that costs are reduced. According to studies, a 27% return on investment occurs after using a PEO’s services. To simplify, this means that for every $1000 spent on PEO services, $1,272 is saved. Increased employee satisfaction and lower employee turnover considerably reduce costs. In addition, the benefit access you get through a PEO allows you to spend less and save more while ensuring your employees get the best benefits.
Access to expertise
PEOs have HR experts to support you in various areas, from labor laws to employee management. If your business already has an in-house HR department, the HR expert works in close collaboration with the department, providing support and strategic consultation. This access to expertise assists businesses in overcoming complexities and learning new ways in which they can oversee HR functions.
Enhanced employee benefits
Employing a PEO provides access to a wider range of high-quality and cost-effective employee benefits, such as health care, dental care, retirement benefits, etc., which results in satisfied employees and higher productivity.
How PEO Operate
While some may think PEO only offer HR management solutions, the way they operate consists of multiple layers.
Co-employment partnership
Co-employment is the basis of the partnership between a business and a PEO. The reason why PEOs become co-employers is to make the process easier by sharing employability. This arrangement allows the business to remain in control but gives extra access to the PEO to conduct and manage the HR functions.
Payroll management
When working with a PEO, your employees become their employees; however, it is important to remember that control over your employees and business is not lost, and you have the final say. PEOs monitor time and attendance, calculate employee taxes, conduct mandatory deductibles, and finally provide employees with accurate paychecks.
Legal compliance
As part of a co-employment relationship, PEOs share liability and responsibility. An advantage of this includes PEOs doing whatever is necessary to ensure that your company is in full compliance with the necessary rules and regulations.
Talent management
A solid talent management strategy results in a business solidifying its position among competitors. PEO understand the importance of talent management and provide your business with multiple services that surround talent management, such as recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, legal compliance, and employee benefits. In addition, talent management causes employee retention, resulting in reduced costs that can be utilized in other areas of a business.
Industries Served by PEO: Who Can Benefit?
PEOs work in conjunction with businesses in varying industries and sizes; therefore, they do not limit themselves to whom or where they work.
Healthcare, finance, technology, manufacturing, hospitality, retail, construction, real estate, professional services, transportation, nonprofits, education, automotive, food and beverage, entertainment, and government contractors are all the industries most PEOs serve, with business sizes ranging from one employee to 1,000+ employees.
These factors are not the consensus but depend on the specific PEO you choose to partner with. To gain further knowledge about the different PEO companies, take a look at this comprehensive guide to the best PEO companies.
Conclusion
A business wanting to enhance its HR functions can look to PEOs to get what it needs.
Not limited to industry or business size, PEOs operate to offer their co-employer the likelihood of growing their business by taking charge of various HR activities such as payroll management, legal compliance, and talent management.
All in all, a PEOs brings several benefits to the table, mainly streamlining your HR management, which results in reduced downtime and costs.
