It can be difficult to trust any outsourced business, especially when it comes to Human Resources. But, fear not — as an outsourced HR company, we know the ins and outs of great fractional HR practices. Here are three ways to narrow down your fractional HR options and find the best fit for your business.
- Understand your needs
Though many outsourced HR companies will perform an HR audit upon partnering with your company, it’s important to have a clear view of the bigger picture. Business owners may not know everything they need in terms of compliance, but when it comes to the services your business requires, you should have a good idea of what you’re looking for. Do you need a company that performs payroll services? Will you need help with recruiting? Do you have a unique benefits structure that will require an experienced team?
Before starting your search for the perfect HR company, you should create a list of your needs in order of importance. This way, you’ll be able to analyze companies based on which bullets they can cross off, rather than falling prey to companies with great websites or marketing strategies who don’t actually provide the services you need. Lastly, to shamelessly self-promote: HR-Rethought is a completely comprehensive outsourced company who will immediately assess your needs and fulfill each of them to our expert standards, no matter what.
2. Compare companies
Once you’ve identified your needs, you’ll almost definitely find a few companies who can fulfill them. Now it’s time to compare. The most obvious way to do this is to compare quotes, but there’s more to fractional HR than how much you pay.
You should start by looking at experience. Which companies have client testimonials or examples on their website? Which companies specialize in your industry or with your business’ size? You should also check out which companies promise a dedicated team or agent versus directing your calls to a distant help center — this will come in handy when you’re experiencing technical difficulties or an employee relations garbage fire.
Second, get a good understanding of how customizable each companies’ services are. If a company isn’t advertising an array of options or unique plans for each kind of business out there, they probably aren’t the kind of company who will work with you one-on-one to create the best plan for your business. Every great outsourced HR expert knows that no two businesses are the same and that formulating individual HR strategies for every client is a natural part of the business. However, many businesses lack the ability to choose or customize their plans, resulting in costs for services you don’t even need. Avoid this by making sure companies offer at least a few different outsourced HR plans, and also mention their ability to create a unique plan for your unique needs. Or, better yet, just contact HR-Rethought and hear more about our customization options today!
3. Ask questions
Once you’ve narrowed your options to a couple of great companies, it’s question time! Don’t be afraid to question — and question, and question, and question — your potential fractional company. If a company won’t make you a priority as a potential customer, they probably won’t prioritize you once you’ve actually signed on, either. Here are some great questions to ask a potential fractional Human Resources company to understand if they’d be a good fit for you.
Q: Who will handle my questions, concerns, and issues throughout the year? Is there just one person, or will my call be routed to a call center?
Best Answer: A single dedicated account manager will answer your calls year-round.
Q: Do you have experience servicing companies of our size?
Best Answer: Yes! I can provide a specific example of a similar company I’ve serviced.
Q: Are your Payroll or Human Resources systems customizable?
Best Answer: Yes! We customize our services to your needs, business structure, size, and more.
Q: How do you ensure that employees will be informed?
Best Answer: Employees can use an online portal to log overtime and PTO and handle other HR systems.
Best Answer: One of our experts will manage an HR inbox where your employees can message us directly with questions. We ensure a timely response of three or fewer business days.
Q: What kind of customer support do you offer?
Best Answer: You will have a single dedicated team member managing your Human Resources, who will always be available for questions via phone or email.
Q: Can your system scale to my business’ needs?
Best Answer: Yes! We can grow with your company, as we have experience managing Human Resources for both small and large businesses.
By keeping these pieces of advice in mind, you’re sure to find a better fractional HR fit. And, remember: if you want a company that will customize their services to your business, provide a dedicated agent to handle your team, and offer a range of services to fit your needs, HR-Rethought is a perfect option.
By Samantha Joslin