Finding a PEO can sometimes be a difficult and arduous process. Additionally, it can be a challenge to decide what questions to ask in order to find the best PEO to suit your business needs. We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 questions you should ask when searching for a PEO.
What benefits and services do you offer?
Offering a robust benefits package is one of the primary ways businesses can attract and retain talent in the workplace. Because of this, it’s important to ask a PEO what benefits they can offer your employees. Insurance options, retirement, and savings plans are all attractive benefits to offer. Additionally, if you need assistance with employee training, compliance with the new health care act, or other HR requirements, it’s important to know if the PEO is able to help with these needs.
How often are you available for help?
How involved you want your PEO to be is entirely up to you, but it’s important to make sure they’re available to help whenever you need them. You may want them to be available for meetings at your location at your request, or you might decide to just correspond via phone or email whenever a specific concern arises. Or, you might want something in the middle. Regardless, it’s crucial to make sure a PEO can provide you with the support your business needs when you need it.
Do you charge additional fees for certain services?
Some PEOs charge extra fees in order to manage issues like compliance assistance, handbook development, legal support, or workplace conflict. Such fees can mount quickly, making your initial quote much higher than anticipated. Search for a PEO provider that bundles these services in with your original quote rather than one who charges additional for extra services.
What does your customer service look like?
Ask how long their average response time is as well as what their preferred communication medium is. Do they call, email, or online chat with you when you have a question? It’s also smart to ask about their availability. If you have a business that regularly operates outside of typical 9 to5 parameters, having a PEO that provides cell phone numbers to your representatives can be key to your success.
What do clients say about your services?
If they seem uncomfortable answering the question, it’s probably best to take your business somewhere else. The company will most likely have customer testimonials on their website, but it’s a good idea to search for “[Name of company] PEO reviews” for additional comments. Also, make sure to ask the PEO the average tenure rates for clients; Happy clients will stick around for a while. You can also search on the Better Business Bureau for additional ratings and feedback.
If you’re interested in hiring a PEO, contact us today to learn how we can help your business with issues like payroll, compliance, and employee benefits.