In order to ensure workers’ safety and to prevent the workforce from being exploited, governments at the municipal, state, and federal levels enact legislation requiring companies to comply with a host of laws. Violations of these regulations can mean lawsuits from employees as well as hefty fines from the government, so it is important for business owners to be aware of them and remain compliant.
Unfortunately, it is often difficult for the owners of smaller businesses with between five and 100 employees to keep up to date on ever-changing regulations. That is where PEOs like those in NetPEO’s nationwide network come into play. Our HR professionals have more than 200 years of combined experience in human resources, and can work to ensure that your business remains compliant with all relevant legislation.
A Sample of Specific Regulations
Employment and labor laws are expansive, and can impact virtually all areas of a business. Below are some of the regulations that all companies must be sure to follow or risk running afoul of the government.
Keeping a Safe Working Environment
The Occupational Safety and Health Act, better known as OSHA, regulates workplace safety. Employers must ensure that the working environment is free of health hazards and remain up to code with their safety procedures. These procedures are enforced via inspection by government officials both at the federal and local level, so employers are incentivized to remain vigilant about worker safety at all times. By working with a PEO, you can make sure that someone is monitoring your safety procedures and reducing the risk to you as a business owner.
Workers’ Compensation
It is often the case that businesses must provide workers’ compensation to employees in the event that workers are injured during the course of their duties on the job site. This requirement is not overseen by the federal government for most industries. Instead, workers’ compensation is handled through state agencies, and requirements can vary. Due to the changing nature of these regulations, it is best to work with HR professionals like the ones in NetPEO’s nationwide network.
Working Hours and Pay
Other issues that are regulated at the federal level are the working hours and compensation of employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act sets regulations regarding the number of hours an employee can work before they must be paid overtime, or “time and a half.” It also dictates how many hours underage workers can be on the job, and deems minors ineligible for certain occupations. This issue is particularly important as violations of pay laws can mean the loss of your workforce, and an inability to attract employees in the future on top of the legal trouble noncompliance can bring.
Reducing Risk With a PEO
Ensuring compliance with appropriate regulations is one way that a PEO can help business owners lower their risk profile, but it is not the only way. PEOs also reduce risk in the following ways:
- Providing expert HR services and experience
- Developing employee manuals and policies
- Helping to recruit top-level employees
- Taking on some of a company’s risk through co-employment
Lowering a company’s risk profile is extremely important for many reasons. Of course, it helps to reduce cost by avoiding pricey fines and lawsuits. However, it also helps business owners by stabilizing the company, attracting top-tier talent, keeping consumers happy, and raising the possibility of working with or partnering with other businesses that might otherwise be turned off by a risky venture.
Finding a PEO That Is Right for You
NetPEO functions as a PEO brokerage service. We partner with you to create a profile of your company’s specific HR and accounting needs. Then, using our nationwide network of highly qualified PEOs, we produce a handful of organizations that match your profile. From there, it is up to you to choose the PEO that is most comfortable to you.
But our work does not end there. Unlike other brokers, we do not end our relationship with a client after the selection has been made. Instead, we stay with you and regularly check in throughout the duration of your relationship with our networked PEO. Our experience helps us to prevent any errors or dissatisfaction, and checking in with business owners means that we can deal with any issues as soon as they occur.
Contact Us Today for a FREE Quote
If you want to get in on the growing trend of HR outsourcing as a way to help with regulation compliance, contact NetPEO today. After you fill out the form on our contact page, a representative will get in touch with you within 48 hours. You can reach us by phone as well by dialing (678) 376-1212.
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