6 Ways Outsourced HR Support Can Help Your Small Business

Depending on a business’s size and budget constraints, an in-house Human Resources department may not always be realistic.

However, having employees brings along typical HR issues that need to be addressed, including employment laws, benefits, employee retention, poster requirements, hiring, recruiting, and workforce relations. Once you reach certain employee number thresholds, there are more regulations to be compliant with, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Family Medical Leave Act, and others.

If you’re a small business owner, juggling HR duties is probably how you stay compliant and manage your employees. There is another option that can still keep you within budget, but allow you to have a better handle of your HR requirements, recordkeeping, and keeping employees informed and satisfied: supplemental HR services

With Abacus Payroll’s HR solutions, you receive a login to a portal full of resources and knowledge. Everything from calculators, pre-made templates, podcasts, and an employment law library is at your disposal. So even if you feel you are adequately handling your organization’s HR, this extra support can help you feel more confident and organized when it comes to your business’s most important asset — your people.

Here are six ways that having extra HR support through an online portal can help your business if you don’t have dedicated HR personnel:

1) A More Cohesive Team

If your organization is under 10 employees, you’re probably already fostering a tight-knit group and culture. As your business grows, however, it can be challenging to maintain that closeness. Using the materials available in the HR Help Center, you can easily and quickly create an Employee Handbook. Handbooks have a multitude of uses and benefits, but most important is how it improves the communication at your business, informs new employees of your procedures, and is a staple of consistency for both your culture and company policies. An effective employee handbook communicates and “sells” your company values and benefits, can defend your business from legal action down the line, and lets employees know what is expected of them and what can be expected of management. All of these benefits lead toward an organizational culture with enhanced morale and transparent communication.

2) Save Time

Payroll companies are in the business of saving you time, so you can trust us when we encourage using a streamlined HR service to save you even more time from performing administrative duties. With the Mineral HR Platform, you no longer have to reinvent the wheel or start from scratch with most employee communication materials. Instead, you start with pre-made letters, forms, policies, and checklists, customize it to fit your business and the situation at hand, and save it for use down the line.

A further resource that saves you time is a catalog which breaks down common HR situations with easy-to-follow step-by-step explanations. Using these trustworthy guides, you’ll save time from searching the internet for answers, consulting with a pricey outside HR professional, or double-checking your resources for reliability and accuracy.

3) Minimize Legal Risk

Playing with fire is scary. Since not all small business owners are HR experts, the last thing you should be doing is risking your hard earned work because you don’t think you can afford an HR support system. Using an outsourced HR solution educates you about federal and state employment laws so you can lessen your risk of employment-related legal claims. Are you 100% confident you’re compliant with FLSA? That you’re legally following protocol during terminations? That you’re leave policies are appropriate? Its okay if you don’t know for sure, but if that is the case, having 24/7 access to HR experts that can make sure you are compliant is a valuable advantage. The Mineral HR Platform can also be used to craft a Handbook that lays out your policies, provides disclosures, and acknowledges compliance with FLSA, ADA, etc., all further protecting your business from exposure to risky legal claims and lawsuits.

4) Happier New Hires

It’s been said that new hires decide if they will stay with a new company within their first 10 days, so use the HR Help Center to your advantage to make sure those 10 days make a great, welcoming first impression. First off, the Mineral HR Platform comes equipped with an extensive job description library so that new hires know what to expect in their job functions and performance when coming on board. With a new employee orientation checklist and brand new Employee Handbook to go over during the first few days of employment, the new hire has a better expectation of their duties, your organizational culture, and, overall, will feel informed, organized, and part of the team.

5) Understand All of the Rules

“Do we have to pay an employee who worked unauthorized overtime?” “We’re terminating an employee that still has vacation time – what do we do?” “How do I handle jury duty pay?” “What are the rules for hiring interns?”

Do you know the answers to all of these questions? Chances are, if you’re not a full-time HR professional, you probably don’t. However, the repercussions can be serious for your business. These are just several examples of the most commonly asked HR questions and the only way you can be confident in the answers is when you’re speaking with a certified PHR professional. The Mineral HR Platform grants you access to a help desk ticketing system in case you ever need clarification and answers to all questions, ranging from the basic to complex. No more second-guessing when it comes to HR and employment laws and regulations.

6) Save Money

Save a salary and non-compliance fines! Last but not least, an effective HR support system will make sure you’re not facing fines and penalties when it comes to payroll and health care reform. It also helps you address problem areas in your business and allows you to rectify them before they become too damaging. For instance, the following calculators are available:

  • Absenteeism: Determine the absenteeism rate for your organization or specific departments so it can be addressed sooner rather than later.
  • Overtime Rates: Ensures you’re applying the correct overtime rate for hourly employees.
  • Employee Turnover: Once you determine this cost, you’ll see the value in pursuing a lower turnover rate by motivating employees for better satisfaction and engagement.
  • Cost Per Hire: You will want to revisit your hiring and retention budget once you quantify the cost that goes into hiring and training new employees.

HR Functions that Can Be Outsourced

Now that you know some reasons that may lead you to outsourcing HR, you may be wondering what functions can actually be outsourced. If you currently have an admin juggling responsibilities, they probably have a very full plate. Working with an external company for HR functions can sound intimidating, but there is a large range of programs and ways that they can assist you and your business. For example:

  • Administrative HR Functions
  • Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding Employees
  • Employee Training and Development
  • Background Checks
  • Risk and Legal

Signs You Should Consider Outsourcing HR

You’re Spending Too Much Time Managing HR Issues

As the owner of a small business, you most likely have many tasks and responsibilities that you are in charge of. The last thing you need is another function of the business to be weighing on your mind and taking your attention away from other important aspects of the business that you are most likely better suited to manage.

Your Employees Are Overly Involved in Gossip

A well-rounded work environment is crucial to the success of a business. You do not want your employees constantly gossiping and contributing to a toxic environment. If you begin to notice these issues amongst your employees, it may be time to amp up your HR department.

Your HR Processes Are Unclear to Your Employees

Are your employees asking you questions regarding HR that they should already know? Chances are your HR processes are not as clear as they should be for employees to locate and properly understand.

When Issues Arise, There Is No Immediate Change

When an HR problem occurs in a business, it is extremely important that it is handled quickly and professionally. If issues are being brought to light and nothing is being done, more complications may occur.

You Are Worried About Liability Exposure

Human Resources exists not only to enhance the work environment, but to help the employer protect themselves from potential legal issues. If liability exposure is something that you are concerned about, you may need to increase and develop your HR department.

Payroll + HR = A Winning Team

There’s nothing wrong with a little extra help to improve a core business function, especially with such an affordable price tag. If you’re handling HR yourself, or have an office administrator that could use some reliable assistance, start reaping the benefits of a more streamlined HR process. Save time and start experiencing a more educated workforce, improved morale, and confidence that your organization is following the applicable laws when it comes to HR.

Abacus Payroll’s HR service levels are perfect for small businesses who need to comply with federal and state employment laws, but don’t have the expansive budget to hire a full-time HR professional. Our HR solutions truly makes it easy and keeps your business running smoothly and happily. HR topics covered include:

  • Talent acquisition, recruiting, hiring, and onboarding
  • Employee safety and protection from harassment
  • EEO, discrimination, and diversity
  • Training and development
  • Health care and benefits
  • Culture, communication, and workforce management
  • Leaves and accommodations
  • Payroll administration

There are virtually countless benefits to having a well-rounded HR team, and the consequences of neglecting one are severe. For more information about how you can get the most out of your outsourced HR solutions, call Abacus Payroll at (856) 667-6225 today.

Easier, Friendlier Payroll Is In Your Reach

Small businesses are a big deal to us. Eliminate the hassle of over complicated payroll and HR processes by partnering with a local and responsive provider.

Focus on your business and leave the payroll and tax to us. Count on Abacus Payroll.

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