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PEO Advantage Gives Back!

February 14th, 2012

At PEO Advantage we’re constantly busy managing human resources, so that our clients don’t have to! Through our performance-driven team and affordable employee leasing solutions we give back every day—by putting dollars back in our clients’ pockets! But, did you know we also give back to our Tampa community?

A positive company culture and a community that supports one another is often a top priority here. We encourage our employees to get involved with charitable organizations, community events and/or social activities by planning occasional events during the work week. Not only do employees gain a fun day outside of the office, but in working together we all make a difference and improve our community.

Just a few weeks ago, some of our employees took an extended lunch hour (well, quite a few hours!) to volunteer at Trinity Cafe! Trinity Café has been a beacon of hope and compassion in the Tampa Community since it was founded in 2001. It serves over 200 hot, nutritious meals each and every weekday, to anyone who walks through their doors. Guests include the homeless, poor and anyone wishing to receive a free meal. Since 2001, the team at Trinity Café has served more than 700,000 meals!

Our team at PEO Advantage was touched by this amazing opportunity to volunteer and give back, and we hope that other companies in the Tampa area will help this wonderful organization as well!  If you are interested in volunteering as a company at Trinity Café, schedule your team’s hours by contacting program director, Cindy Davis, at 813-865-4822.

Or, if you’d like to join our team in giving back in the Tampa area, just give us a call!  We’re always looking to expand our group of friends and volunteers!

 

PEO Advantage Volunteers (left to right): Patrick Moraites, Greg Arnold, Chris Donahue and Ryan DeJong

Volunteers not shown: Jenni Stone, Lisa Sterling, Amy Lassiter

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SBEA….What is this and how will YOU benefit?

February 10th, 2012

Last week we discussed NAPEO’s support of the Small Business Efficiency Act and how this directly ties into the President’s recent State of the Union address, and the overall American economy goals for the near future.  To elaborate on the Small Business Efficiency Act, and how this will benefit Small Businesses and PEO, let’s review!

What is the Small Business Efficiency Act?

The Small Business Efficiency Act is a federal bill that will help small business owners ensure their companies are compliant with complex federal payroll tax responsibilities.   If passed, The Small Business Efficiency Act (H.R. 2466), will provide clarity around the co-employment model that many PEOs and small businesses operate within.

How will Small Businesses and PEOs benefit?

  • The Small Business Efficiency Act will enable companies such as PEOs and employee leasing solutions to continue withholding and remitting federal payroll taxes on behalf of their clients.
  • Small business owners can focus on what they do best and not be forced into adding “administrative headaches” to their workload.
  • PEOs can continue to do what they do best: administrative tasks!
  • Small businesses can focus on growing their businesses and hiring new employees.

PEOs serve as one of the most efficient outsourcing options for businesses within many different industries. A PEO can provide a single source for outsourcing payroll, workers’ compensation, human resources, employee benefits administration and other administrative tasks. This helps employers at small to medium-sized companies gain efficiencies in non-core business functions–all while saving money and taking advantage of economies of scale!

In many instances, PEOs and small businesses make the perfect partners, providing the improvements listed above that are instrumental in gaining a competitive advantage. Many PEOs and small business clients develop long-term relationships because they allow clients to reduce costs and devote more time to revenue generating activities.

For more information on small business and PEO relationships, or for help in selecting a PEO for your company, feel free to contact the PEO experts at PEO Advantage.

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PEOs: Supporting the Backbone of American Economy!

February 2nd, 2012

In President Obama’s State of the Union address (SOTU) last week, the President made the following statement regarding supporting innovation for small businesses: 

“After all, innovation is what America has always been about. Most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses. So let’s pass an agenda that helps them succeed. Tear down regulations that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from getting the financing to grow. Expand tax relief to small businesses that are raising wages and creating good jobs. Both parties agree on these ideas. So put them in a bill, and get it on my desk this year.”

Coincidentally, The National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) participated in a conference call with Obama administration officials just prior to the SOTU. Administration officials urged groups on the call to submit their policy ideas and suggestions. NAPEO took advantage of this opportunity, and wrote in expressing their support in passing the Small Business Efficiency Act.

Why? Well, for starters, PEO’s primary customers are America’s small businesses and help small businesses and the American economy in the following ways:

  • Providing advanced access to healthcare for as many as 4 to 6 million Americans
  • Helping small businesses save money: The right employees, best practices, reduced turnover, automation, compliance expertise and streamlined processes add up to huge savings so companies can invest in new employees and focus on growth.
  • 95% of workers in PEO arrangements have access to pensions
  • Helping small businesses attract and retain their employees—Comprehensive benefits packages and recruiting assistance makes sure the right talent is hired and stays put, benefiting both the worker, and the employer.
  • Sharing special perks with Small Businesses—Many PEOs have access to credit union membership, exclusive employee discounts and reduced rates on travel, entertainment and services.
  • And much more!

Unfortunately, in SOTU address, the Small Business Efficiency Act wasn’t used as a direct example of reform or an idea that will be signed right away, but NAPEO and PEOs across the country will continue to push for small business success! The Small Business Efficiency Act, if passed, would benefit both PEOs AND small businesses by improving tax compliance, and providing needed certainty for small businesses. This certainty will allow small businesses to shift gears and concentrate on a positive movement of small business growth and creating new jobs!

Join us next week, as we dive further into the Small Business Efficiency Act and review all the details and benefits for small businesses!

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Shopping for a PEO? Defining the Buyer’s Guide…

January 23rd, 2012

PEO Advantage offers the affordable and effective way to get FREE PEO quotes and find co-employment solutions you can count on. In all of our Plans, (Basic, Business & Enterprise) we offer access to and review  of the PEO Buyer’s Guide, as provided by the parent company FIRM Consulting Group. We work overtime to manage the Buyer’s Guide for you, and turn complex quotes into business intelligence so you can make the most well informed decision in selecting your best suited PEO partner .

The Buyer’s Guide is outlined as follows:   

  1. Compile a listing of your services and employee benefits requirements.
  2. Find PEOs that operate in your state and are licensed. Also find PEOs that are seeking your type of business.
  3. Notify qualified PEOs that you are seeking proposals. Provide each PEO with your list of requirements, benefits census and workers’ compensation claims history.
  4. Collect Proposals.
  5. Obtain References.
  6. Analyze, Evaluate and compare PEO proposals. Make your selection.

 

How PEO Advantage Manages the Process:

  1. Our evaluation reveals and prioritizes your current and future service requirements matching your company with only the PEOs that specialize in those service requirements.
  2. We match you with only PEOs that operate and are licensed in your locations. Our on-line matching process quickly identifies the PEOs that specialize in and understand your business. Hundreds of the nation’s top PEOs work with us.
  3. Our automated Request for Proposal (RFP) process provides your requirements to only the PEOs that meet your precise requirements. We provide automated distribution of your requirements and all pertinent data directly to each qualifying PEO, eliminating time spent responding to each data request.
  4. We assist in all coordination and follow through to quickly get competitive PEO proposals.
  5. We provide independent references from our base of clients who are using the PEOs you are considering.
  6. We compile all proposal data into a competitive analysis providing you with a side by side comparison of services and a full break down of all applicable costs. 

 

In addition to saving you time, money, and headaches by managing this process for you, you can’t lose with our PEO Fee Guarantee. If we don’t find you a PEO solution that saves you at least twice our analysis fess, your evaluation is on us.

Contact us today for more information on managing the Buyer’s Guide.

Posted in PEO Advantage, PEOs | No Comments

Employee Wellness Programs, Another PEO Advantage!

January 17th, 2012

Do you want happier, more productive employees? Reduced health insurance costs? Improved company morale?  If the answer is yes, you can ask your company’s professional employer organization (PEO) about implementing an Employee Wellness Program.  If your organization does not currently work with a PEO, consider the following advantages. While implementing an Employee Wellness Program can be done on your own, PEOs save valuable time, money, and administration.

Employee Wellness Programs used to be considered “nice to have,” but they are now seen as strategic programs that yield cost savings, increased productivity and employee retention.  With exponential increases in health insurance, stress and severe declines in the overall health of Americans, companies have recognized that it is more effective to prevent rather than treat illness.  This has resulted in the implementation of Wellness Programs in nearly four in ten companies according to MetLife’s 8th Annual Employee Benefits Trends Study. Wellness Programs encompass physical, mental and social health initiatives that provide employees with the resources to prevent long-term issues by implementing lifestyle changes. 

According to a recent study conducted by Trust for America’s Health, investing just $10 per person annually in preventative wellness programs including exercise, nutrition and smoking cessation could yield $16 billion per year in savings in another five years.  Not only do Wellness Programs yield extensive cost savings, employees become more effective, happier and engaged which results in increased productivity in business operations.

While the benefits are undeniable, implementing a Wellness Program that delivers these results can be overwhelming and time consuming.  Fortunately, PEOs have recognized this and many are offering various types of Wellness Programs that allow you to leverage all of the benefits for your employees without any of the stress!   PEO Advantage is available to help you define your needs and find a PEO that can support you. If you’re currently working with a PEO that does not offer Employee Wellness Programs, contact us for help in finding an alternative solution!

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Calling All Staffing Companies!

January 9th, 2012

Did you know that staffing companies and PEOs make great partners?   Few staffing companies are human resources professionals—they’ve got their own specialized and profitable services to focus on! PEOs help unload increasingly demanding governmental compliance issues, employee issues, administration and headaches. And, staffing companies truly understand the benefits of outsourcing; they are after all a provider of outsourced services themselves.

So, what particuarly makes Staffing Companies and PEOs such a great fit? Well, for starters, workers compensation insurance: if you work within a high risk industry, you know very well about the astronomical costs of workers comp. Without solid coverage, staffing companies’ chances of winning bids are slim to none– but there is such thing as affordable insurance.

PEOs offer every advantage when it comes to minimizing your cost of workers comp, and there are no deposits or audits with convenient Pay-as-you-Go policies.  PEO Advantage can find you the ideal PEO partner—one who’s already licensed with established work comp policies so you can add employees and provide proof of insurance immediately . If a staffing company has clients who cross state lines, a PEO becomes an even stronger partner for the following reasons:

  1. Immediate access to work comp certification in any state.  Without a PEO the company would have to establish a new policy in each state where they intend to expand.
  2. Payroll taxes are assessed by some municipalities, most states and the federal government.  Making sure that deductions are taken accurately and employer taxes paid timely are critical for compliance.

 

Imagine a world where you could be relieved of such responsibilities, dedicating time back to working on revenue producing tasks.  PEOs offer on-time and accurate payroll, plus efficient claims processing through improvements in expertise and technology. Also, State Unemployment Taxes range from state to state and PEOs with established business entities in all states often have lower rates than those assigned to new business startups.  Classifying employees with the PEO can provide instant savings.

And last but not least, reduced rates on employee benefits plans. PEO Advantage, particularly, has wholesale access to over 100 nationwide PEOs, and all major medical and supplemental insurance carriers. Make more time to focus on growth, by partnering with a PEO—With payroll, workman’s comp claims, benefits and employee management under control you can finally put your growth plans in motion, and PEO Advantage can help you select the perfect fit. We’re the only PEO broker who will guarantee its clients a minimum of 25% cost reduction, too.

Interested? Call us today to talk about opportunities within the staffing industry!  877-636-9525.

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Employment Trends for 2012

January 4th, 2012

Global leader in human capital solutions, CareerBuilder, recently announced that the year ahead will remain cautiously optimistic, according to their annual job forecast. Similar to 2011, nearly one-in-four hiring managers and human resources professionals plan to hire full-time employees in 2012. Small businesses particularly are expected to show much improvement over last year.

The four employment trends to watch for in 2012, as identified by CareerBuilder are as follows:

  • Compensation getting more competitive for skilled positions, increasing for both current employees and prospects.
  • Increased turnover: 30 percent of employers said they lost top performers in 2011 and 43 percent stated they are concerned top talent may leave their organization in the New Year.
  • More training: There is an increasing number of areas where the demand for skilled positions is outnumbering the supply. This will prompt employers in 2012 to conduct training– 38 percent plan to train either existing employees or new hires that do not currently have enough relevant experience.
  • More diversity: Diversity can bring a number of benefits to an organization, and 29 percent of employers said they will be focusing on recruiting a diverse workforce in 2012.

With exception of increased turnover, the 2012 trends are quite exciting for both employers and the workforce– certainly great news for both, and a lot to look forward to. But, as a hiring manager, human resources professional, or business owner, how do you stay compliant within all of these areas? With business moving so quickly, we’re certain you’ll have more important revenue-generating items to manage in 2012. A PEO lets you grow your business, by handling all of the suspected trends above.

Changing salaries? Putting together more competitive packages?  A PEO will handle payroll, claims, benefits and employee management.

Worried about increased turnover? PEOs help attract and retain top employees—Comprehensive benefits packages and recruiting assistance makes sure the right talent is hired AND stays put.

What about training? Certainly employees will need training, but does your HR staff or executive team have the time for that? PEOs typically provide professionally written employee handbooks and policies, which translate into clear expectations and peak performance. Many PEOs also deliver a wide array of online or instructor-led classes for employee development, workplace safety, functional skills, and improving computer, software and internet skills.

And, with more than 60 employment-related governmental regulations, compliance alone will be a full-time job when looking to diversify your workforce. If you are not prepared to manage and obtain your hiring goals this year, you’ll need a PEO to protect your business!

For more information on PEOs, or for help in selecting the right PEO for your organization, contact PEO Advantage today. Best of luck this year!

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Happy New Year, Happy New Savings

December 26th, 2011

Here at PEO Advantage, we want to wish all of our friends, families, clients and employees a happy holiday season and a happy New Year. As many of us set business goals and resolutions for the New Year, the team at PEO Advantage is busy working on ways to better serve you.

Knowing that the New Year often includes an attempt at decreasing costs and sticking to a proposed annual budget, we can’t stress enough to new customers and business owners that we are the only PEO broker who guarantees results and consistently saves our clients over 25%! When it comes to HR solutions, Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) improve productivity, reduce liability and save money. But with more than 800 PEOs across the country to choose from, each with different specialties and different pricing structures, finding the best one can be a full-time job.

Our team takes the time to manage the entire process of securing quotes from all the PEO companies on the short list, making sure your requirements are crystal clear and you’re getting the best possible pricing. After the proposals are in, we compile all the pertinent information into one easy-to-read report that provides a side-by-side comparison of PEO and employee leasing services, including a full break down of all costs. If you already have a PEO, we’ll compare new potential PEO companies against your current provider. Rewarding yourself in the New Year, and drastically decreasing expenses, has never been so easy.

For existing customers, rest assured the saving never ends. With PEO Advantage, you’re constantly rewarded for partnering with the best PEO broker, and you’re support never stops! Our annual review process makes sure your PEO and employee leasing solutions continue to keep up with your changing HR needs and business/budget goals.

We promise you won’t find another PEO broker this year who can provide you with RIGHT PEO organization—and guarantee savings. Call 877-636-9525 or contact us today to start saving, and have a Happy New Year!

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Better Managing Your Specialty Drug Benefits

December 19th, 2011

Many employers misunderstand specialty drugs and the costs associated with them. According to a national survey by Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH), one-quarter of employers in the United States (representing private and public employers) have little to no understanding of specialty pharmacy benefits. Additionally, only 53 percent have a moderate understanding of what specialty pharmacy benefits are.

What are specialty drugs? Specialty drugs are highly complex prescription medications that require special handling, administration, or monitoring.  These drugs are used to treat complex, chronic and often costly conditions, including asthma, cancer, chronic kidney failure, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility and much more.

Most employers are using a traditional benefit design, including tiered formularies, co-payments and co-insurance, but tiered drug benefit plans may provide a different level of coverage for specialty drugs. And unfortunately, employers may not be aware of just how much money is being spent on these drugs.

A value-based benefits design might be a better fit for employees with biologic/specialty pharmacy medication needs. The survey conducted by Midwest Business Group on Health revealed that only 13 percent of employers were using a specialty pharmacy provider, a provider that may have greater expertise on how to provide these drugs more effectively.

Even with the high costs associated with specialty drugs, insurer competition remains a factor in pricing and PEO Advantage has wholesale access to over 100 nationwide PEOs and all major medical and supplemental insurance carriers. PEO Advantage guarantees its clients a minimum of 25% cost reduction.

Vendor cost is often one of the most important criteria employers consider when contracting with a health care provider, and value-based designs are still capable of lowering, rather than increasing, co-pays for specialty drugs deemed necessary for patient treatment. They may also provide health coaching, to ensure compliance with medical regimens and encourage the proper use of these drugs.

For more information on value-based designs and healthcare/prescription coverage, contact PEO Advantage. Our streamlined yet comprehensive process includes in-depth analysis, a proprietary reverse auction RFP process, easy-to-read reports, side-by-side comparisons that clearly show value and savings, cost projections and expert recommendations. We take all the guesswork and hassle out of choosing the best healthcare options for your company.

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Minimum Wage Increases for 2012

December 14th, 2011

The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is responsible for enforcing some of our nation’s most comprehensive federal labor laws, including the minimum wage for people working within theUnited States. While minimum wage will remain unchanged at $7.25/hour, for 2012, that hasn’t stopped states from increasing their minimum wage policies for 2012.

States increasing their minimum wage are as follows:

States Increasing Minimum Wage

Florida: The Department of Economic Opportunity announced a $0.36 per hour increase, from $7.31 to $7.67 per hour, effective January 1, 2012.  Tipped employees must be paid at least $4.65 per hour.

Washington: The Department of Labor & Industries announced a $0.37 per hour increase, from to $8.67 to $9.04 per hour, effective January 1, 2012.

Arizona: The Industrial Commission announced a $0.30 per hour increase, from $7.35 to $7.65 per hour. An employer can pay a tipped employee a wage up to $3.00 per hour less than the minimum wage – $4.65 per hour.

Montana: The Department of Labor and Industry announced a $0.30 per hour increase, from $7.35 to $7.65 per hour, effective January 2012.

Ohio: The Department of Commerce announced a $0.30 per hour increase, from $7.40 to $7.70 per hour. However, effective January 2012, the minimum wage for tipped employees will be decreasing $0.15 per hour, from $3.85 to $3.70 per hour.

Oregon: The Bureau of Labor & Industries announced a $0.30 per hour increase, from $8.50 to $8.80 per hour.

Additionally, several states still have pending announcements. It is recommended that all employers turn to their states’ regulations and policies surrounding minimum wage for 2012. If working with a PEO, you can further rely on them for updates and expert help with risk management and compliance including payroll, OSHA, EEOC and more, which can protect you from making a simple (but costly) mistake! If looking to partner up with a PEO in 2012, contact PEO Advantage.

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