Human Resources Support Services Can Go Far Beyond the Basics

Your business has complex needs. Fortunately, a wide range of services is available to assist you, including human resources support services. Properly understanding and using HR support can contribute significantly to an organization's ability to scale.

Human resources goes beyond payroll processing and navigating employee concerns. It also includes things like fostering an organizational culture, focusing on effective workforce management and promoting employee engagement.

To meet all those obligations and goals, many small and medium-sized businesses turn to HR support services.

Understanding Human Resources Support Services

HR outsourcing services cover a wide variety of areas. Each option offers a different level of support and integration with a company's internal operations. Working with an ASO, HRO or PEO can provide different levels of depth and integration for HR services.

ASOs mainly handle administrative support services such as payroll processing, HR software solutions, employee benefits administration, HR consulting, and regulatory compliance assistance. 

HROs offer a broader range of services, including payroll processing, benefits administration, recruitment, training, performance management, compliance management, and sometimes even strategic HR consulting. 

PEOs provide the most comprehensive level of service, and the PEO becomes the employer of record for tax and insurance purposes. PEOs handle a wide range of HR functions including payroll, benefits, compliance, risk management, HR administration and many other services. Employees may also have access to a wider range of benefits through a PEO. 

According to NAPEO, small and mid-size businesses that use a PEO:

• Have a growth rate that is more than twice as high as comparable businesses that do not use a PEO.
• Have lower employee turnover.
• Are 50% less likely to go out of business than comparably sized businesses.

Understanding available support services can help broaden organizational development strategies and enhance business operations. Let's look at some of the HR support services available and see how they fit into modern business management.

What HR Support Services Are Available to Businesses?

HR support services can be broadly categorized to address various business needs. The categories below help organizations choose the type of support services to fit specific requirements and challenges.

Assigned support

Example: “I need to run an off-cycle payroll with special tax instructions.”

Assigned support refers to dedicated HR professionals provided by outsourcing firms. These individuals help handle daily HR tasks for a business. Tasks might include employee onboarding processes and compensation management. Assigned support helps with consistency and reliability in handling routine administrative duties, freeing internal HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives.

Center support

Example: “I don’t know how to log into the system to enroll for benefits.”

Center support services operate through a centralized system where support teams or online help desks provide HR support.

This support can efficiently handle employee queries regarding payroll processing, employee benefits administration and HR policies. It's particularly beneficial for organizations with many employees or those spread across multiple locations.

Relationship management

Example: "Given our recent growth, what resources would you recommend to us?”

This service focuses on the interaction between HR service providers and a company. It aims to build and maintain healthy relationships that promote trust and collaboration.

Effective relationship management helps to make sure that the outsourced HR services align closely with the company's needs and cultural values. The result? A better service delivery and greater satisfaction.

Employee support

Example: "Can you help me obtain an employment verification?”

Helping employees with their HR needs is crucial for maintaining job satisfaction and good employee relations. Support can include providing resources for career development, conflict resolution, performance feedback and more.

Supportive HR services help to make sure employees feel valued and understood, which can boost morale and productivity.

Consulting support

Example: "What insights can you offer to strengthen our company culture?"

HR consulting services offer expertise in specific areas like organizational development, change management and HR compliance. Consulting can be project-based or ongoing.

This support enhances a company's HR practices based on best practices, HR analytics, and innovative strategic planning.

Performance management consulting

Example: "Which KPIs are best for managing employee motivation?"

This specialized service helps businesses to assess and develop a comprehensive performance process that is aligned with business goals. Performance management consulting consists of setting up performance appraisal systems to align personal and business goals, drive the process, provide feedback on techniques and help to create metrics to measure employee performance.

Employee engagement surveys

Employee engagement is a critical factor in an organization's sustainability. Understanding and measuring employee sentiment through engagement surveys can offer great insight into maintaining a motivated workforce. HR support services include developing and administering regular employee engagement surveys to assess employee satisfaction and pinpoint improvement areas.

With services like TriNet, businesses can use customizable, confidential and anonymous surveys made to address specific organizational needs. The information these surveys collect allows companies to help implement changes that foster a more productive and supportive work environment.

This proactive approach helps boost morale and strengthen employee commitment to the organization’s success.

Training and development services

Training and development services involve creating and implementing programs that help employees improve skills and knowledge. It may also involve leadership development programs and succession planning to prepare employees for higher roles.

These services help to support employees' continued growth professionally within the company, which can improve job satisfaction and employee retention.

Diversity, equity and inclusion

HR support can help a business build a diverse and inclusive workforce in several ways.

Experts in human capital management can help:

• Develop inclusive, equitable recruitment strategies and hiring policies.
• Create and lead training programs.
• Support flexible work arrangements and equitable policies on performance and compensation.
• Provide data on employee demographics, hiring practices and DEI initiatives.

An HR provider with experienced consultants and proven methods can help a business assess its current status and find ways to move forward.

Risk mitigation

HR support services can provide best-practices guidance so businesses can comply with local, state and federal employment-related laws and requirements. This can also include workplace safety regulations too.

Risk mitigation in HR focuses on mitigating potential risks related to human resources. Potential areas of risk are those associated with employee relations and workplace safety.

These services help the organization make informed HR decisions more efficiently.

Service with a Smile: Meeting Your HR Support Services Needs

HR support services are an essential component of modern business operations. They provide a framework that helps companies manage their human resources more effectively while fostering an environment that supports and engages employees.

By understanding and using these services, HR professionals can help their organizations meet current HR requirements and operational challenges and pave the way for future growth and success.

TriNet understands how fast paced HR is, and how challenging it is to keep up while your business expands. Sometimes you need highly-specialized information specific to your industry and workplace. That's where HR support services can help serve you well.

TriNet provides a wide range of options, so you can access the support you may need when you may need it. Find your ideal HR solution by taking our free survey.