Unicorn HRO Industry Articles

Why Training Management Matters – What you Should Know

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Employee training is a major part of any successful business' strategy and can yield an ROI of up to twenty four percent with a single year. There are many different steps and tools that you need to employ to help with employee training, but one of the best is using training management software to help with the process of training employees. While you may be tempted to overlook training management the truth is that training management software is one of the best tools you can employ to ensure that you get the best results from employee training. There are many reasons that training management matters, but for now we'll look at some of the biggest ones.

First of all, training management software allows you to track training requirements and needs for each individual in your department. This aspect of training management makes it easy to see who needs training and when, thus eliminating spending money on training when it isn't needed. You'll also be able to schedule training through training management software, placing groups into the proper training sessions without leaving a department devoid of workers. This is an important aspect of training management that can help ensure that your company continues to function smoothly during the training process.

Training management software will allow you to send emails out to employees who need to undergo training and let them know in advance what will be expected of them. Training management lets you notify supervisors and employees of any required training that must be done. This aspect of training management software matters because it avoids confusion and helps all of your employees including management stay aware of any forthcoming training issues that could arise. In other words, training management makes the training process simple and hassle free, and gives everyone involved the opportunity to prepare for it before it arrives.

Another reason that training management software is so important to your company is that it can help you manage and track the costs of your training programs and more. With training management software you'll be able to check the costs of training based on individuals, groups, and any other metric you need to view. This lets you assess just how much you're spending on training. You can also use training management programs to gain insight into what kind of positive effects training is having on your company since good training management systems will let you track employee progress during the training and afterwards.

Training management software lets you handle other tasks as well, such as archiving training histories for audits and compliance reviews. There's no question that employee training is a vital part of your business, and training management systems make it easier than ever to manage and oversee every aspect of training. Unicorn HRO offers a variety of training management solutions and can help you take control of your employee training programs like never before. Whether you're just starting up a training system or want to improve the training methods you're already using, training management programs can help you boost effectiveness and improve productivity throughout your company. They're real solutions you can't ignore.

Why Employee Background Checks Matter – Surprising Facts and Figures

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Employee background checks are a bone of contention for a lot of new employees. Even some employers hesitate to use employee background checks because they're concerned about the cost and the potential for 'scaring off' some applicants. The truth is that employee background checks are a must for companies operating today, no matter the size. And with the help of companies like Unicorn HRO they are more affordable than ever as well. Any good employee will have nothing to hide and employee background checks won't scare them away. Instead they'll help you weed out the good from the bad and ensure that your workplace is the safest and most pleasant that it can be.

A quick look through some of the facts related to employee background checks will uncover the real need for them. First let's start with a look at what employee background checks usually uncover. On thirty nine percent of employee background checks at least one flag was discovered. Flags on employee background checks signal an inaccurate representation of information or a serious issue. Ten percent of employee background checks find evidence of criminal history and an incredible forty four percent find driving related issues. Twenty three percent of employee background checks found that applicants had lied about previous employment information and sixty percent of applicants lie about college or university information.

While this should highlight some of the reasons that employee background checks should always be used, the situation becomes much clearer when you take a look at the information concerning the results of hiring the wrong employees, issues that can be avoided with employee background checks. Thirty percent of small business failures in America are a direct result of employee theft and the total business losses due to embezzlement top four billion dollars each year. One out of every six violent crimes in the country happens at the workplace, making up eighteen percent of all violent crimes. And since employee background checks could reduce these numbers, lawsuits against employers as a result of negligent hiring regularly exceeds one million dollars. Compared to the low cost of employee background checks, that number is very revealing.

Staying with the violent crime information for a moment and its importance to employee background checks, consider that violent crime costs employers over thirty six billion dollars each year and that most of these crimes are committed by someone who had flags employee background checks would have uncovered. And since most of your new hires will be coming straight from college it's important to note that over thirty seven percent of college students admit to criminal activity. In short, employee background checks are the only real way to ensure that the person you're hiring is actually who they say that they are.

Today's marketplace is filled with competition and difficulties and employee background checks are one more tool that you can use to protect your business. From the safety of your employees to protection from fraud and theft, employee background checks are vital. Unicorn HRO offers solutions for employee background checks in addition to their other great services. If you want to protect your business' future, you can't ignore employee background checks.

What Makes up Great Payroll Customer Service – The Features You Need

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Payroll is outsourced or automated more than any other aspect of HR, and for good reason. It can be one of the most time consuming processes of an HR department, and one that is very easy to automate with software or to outsource to other companies. If you're considering doing either, you'll want to be sure that you take the time to review the level of payroll customer service each company can offer you. Good payroll customer service means a lot of things, and just what makes a company's payroll customer service excellent really depends on what they're providing you. Before you commit to any payroll company, keep a few things in mind about their payroll customer service.

First, consider what you need from payroll customer service. If you're going to be using an automated program and keeping most of your payroll functions within your office then you'll likely want to ensure that payroll customer service can help you deal with any issues related to the software, especially technical support. If you'll be outsourcing payroll, then good payroll customer service involves much more. Most will provide you with regular reports, but good payroll customer service means being able to request any payroll related information and receive it quickly. If you need the stats for employee salaries or attendance over the last six months, you should be able to get it through payroll customer service.

Once you know what you need, start looking into the specifics of each company's payroll customer service. First, find out how you can contact them for help. Some companies will offer a number of contact methods including email, online chat, and telephone. Remember that the more options you have for reaching payroll customer service, the better off you'll be. Next, be sure that the hours you can contact payroll customer service connect closely with the hours you'll be needing them. If your company is in California and your payroll is handled in Atlanta, there's a three hour difference that could cause you troubles. Twenty four hour support is great when you can find it.

The method that help is delivered to you through payroll customer service is vital. Emailing or faxing you needed data is a must, and prompt replies should be expected from any payroll customer service group. If you're using payroll software and you can't manage to fix it yourself, payroll customer service from the company you're dealing with should be more than willing to give you assistance by sending out a representative. Poor payroll customer service isn't something you should tolerate. Finally, it's worth noting that you shouldn't expect to pay an extra fee for payroll customer service. Help should be included in your outsourcing or automation fee.

It's important that you're satisfied with the level of service that payroll customer service can give to you. If you have a bad experience with payroll customer service, you should certainly consider moving your business to another company. You're paying for solutions and payroll customer service, and deserve to get the best for your money. Unicorn HRO features outstanding payroll customer service to go along with its payroll software and outsourcing solutions, ensuring that you'll be more than satisfied when you trust them with your payroll needs.

Understanding Disability Law – The Basics

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Signed into law in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act and disability law under it were designed to protect those living with disabilities of any type from discrimination. Disability laws were passed that applied to virtually every aspect of life but many were put in place specifically to protect the rights of disabled employees in the workplace. As a business owner there are several disability law issues that you should be aware of in order to ensure that you adhere closely to them. The exact disability laws can vary somewhat and different qualifications cause you to fall under their jurisdictions. While it may seem complex, understanding the basics of disability law is actually fairly easy.

First, it's important to understand that only qualified employers fall under the jurisdiction of disability law. A qualified employer, as defined by disability law, is categorized as any business employing over fifteen people. This applies to private businesses, and educational institutions, government institutions, or other organizations will be bound by disability law regardless of employee numbers. Private businesses with fewer than fifteen employees will likely not be required to adhere as strictly to the laws of the ADA. Those who do, however, will face several disability laws that ensure they cannot discriminate against qualified disabled employees in any aspect of employment, and in many cases may have to make special allowances for the disabled party.

The basic disability law your company will have to adhere to states that no current or potential employee who is qualified for their position can be discriminated against due to a disability. In other words, if their handicap does not impede their ability to complete their job duties you cannot refuse them employment, terminate their employment, or limit their position based on their handicap under penalty of disability law. And under disability law you must also be prepared to make reasonable accommodations so that they can complete their tasks. According to disability law reasonable accommodations could include modifying a work schedule or equipment.

Serious accommodations that will place you or your business under undue strain are not required to be made by disability law, and if an employee is not qualified to handle the tasks of a position you will not be required to provide them work simply because they have a disability. Under disability law undue hardships qualify as any action that requires significant expense or difficulty. What constitutes a hardship under disability law will vary depending upon the size and nature of the business and the expense associated with the modification. Some factors, such as making the workplace and restrooms accessible for the disabled, will likely not fall into an undue hardship.

When reviewing disability law it's important to remember that just because an employee has a disability they are not automatically protected from being fired or laid off. Any reduction of hours, termination, or other similar incidents that occur as a result of other issues not related to a disability are not illegal. It is only illegal under disability law to fire or discriminate against employees due to their handicap. Understanding all of the various aspects of disability law is important since you could face serious penalties including heavy fines if you violate an employee's rights under the ADA and the disability laws it sets forth.

Top Five Uses for Human Resource Consulting – What the Pros Can Do For You

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Companies can grow fast, especially if they're well managed and offer great services or products. For most very small businesses, human resource consulting may never enter the playing field. But once that you eclipse a certain point in both company size and profit margin, human resource consulting suddenly seems like an attractive option. While the decision to utilize human resource consulting will vary from company to company, there are definite benefits to using a consulting firm. From the obvious to the obscure, there are plenty of uses for human resource consulting. Here are five of the main ones, in no particular order.

Outsourcing – A great number of human resource consulting firms offer numerous outsourcing solutions to companies that need them. From basic payroll outsourcing to more advanced measures like benefits administration, letting human resource consulting firms handle some HR tasks can save you money and boost the performance of your own HR department. And when you outsource to a human resource consulting firm, you'll eliminate much of the penalties associated with errors in HR since the human resource consulting firm will be responsible for most of them.
Health and Benefits – Setting up employee benefits is difficult and time consuming. In fact, in major companies a human resource specialist could be assigned to nothing but benefits administration. Human resource consulting groups can simplify most health and benefits administration for you, primarily during the initial set up period. A human resource consulting group can contact insurance or benefit providers, help narrow down your options, and provide you with a detailed look at the various packages that fit your needs and your budget. The human resource consulting group will handle the heavy lifting while your HR department focuses on your company's operation.
HR Tech Implementation – Setting up human resources technology for your company is another big part of what human resource consulting groups do. The human resource consulting group will provide you with the technology, help set it up, and then train your employees on how to use it. If needed, they'll help maintain it as well. If you're ready to seriously upgrade your company, human resource consulting groups will help with this step.
Human Capital Management – Human resource consulting firms can also help with human capital by implementing employee rewards programs and by improving your company's talent acquisition process as well as employee management. If you need the best new hires and want help keeping them on your team, this method of human resource consulting could be the solution that you're looking for.
Business Communications – You might also need to hire a human resource consulting firm to help assess your employees' attitudes. From studying employee satisfaction, happiness, behaviors, and more, human resource consulting firms can help you find out what your workers are happy with, what they desire, and what they dislike.

For the best human resource consulting solutions you can trust Unicorn HRO. With the best human resource consulting options available including outsourcing, talent management, and human resource technology options, there's no better source for all your human resource consulting needs.

Unlocking the Mysteries of HR Metrics – Secrets of the Numbers

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

In the old days, human resources meant little more than hiring or firing an employee. Today, however, HR encompasses a wide range of tasks from benefits administration to devising corporate strategy. HR metrics refers to a system of data that is used to measure HR and its relationship and impacts on your company. HR metrics can focus on a variety of different specifics and can be used to help uncover areas that your HR department or other departments are excelling at or those areas that they need improvement in. HR metrics can be extremely complex or deceptively simple, and can help companies boost their profits, cut their losses, and much more. In short, HR metrics are an important aspect of your company.

There are three basic types of HR metrics, although specific HR metrics can number in the hundreds depending upon just what a company wants them to focus on. The first basic type of HR metrics is used to measure the effectiveness of the HR department. These HR metrics focus on uncovering what type of effect the HR department and their efforts have had on employees and applicants. These HR metrics could deal with the effectiveness of training programs designed by the HR department, for example, and are vital for ensuring that the HR department is adequately finding, recruiting, and developing new talent in the workplace as well as retaining the employees it has invested in.

A second type of HR metrics covers the efficiency of the HR department. These HR metrics focus on exactly how well the HR department is doing their job. Specific HR metrics in this classification could cover the amount of time it takes the human resources department to fill an open position or measure the ratio between total company expense and HR department expense. Using these HR metrics can help a company uncover if there are issues with the HR department's work efficiency and if it needs to take steps to improve its work.

HR metrics can also be used to uncover the competency and effectiveness of the company as a whole. These HR metrics focus on the employees as human capital and can help to uncover factors like the overall effectiveness of the company and their employees or measuring the number of defects within the company's workforce. Using HR metrics in this way can greatly gauge a company's overall effectiveness at obtaining and maintaining specific advantages.

Managing and tracking HR metrics can be difficult, but software solutions such as those offered by Unicorn HRO can greatly assist businesses in doing so. Even complex HR metrics are simple for these programs to handle and many HR metrics are included as part of HR management systems. Using data entered into various sections of the program such as payroll, attendance, turnover, benefits, and more, these programs can give businesses very accurate HR metrics that can be used to view problem areas within the company and to devise new strategies that will focus on these issues and take advantage of a business' strengths. Used efficiently, HR metrics can be one of the most valuable tools in a company's arsenal and can boost profits and productivity.

The Three Most Important Aspects of Performance Management – What to Focus On

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Performance management is basically a system of different processes that combine to create an effective workforce within your company that can effectively reach your business goals. There are many different aspects of performance management, but in most cases it can be broken down into a few simple steps. If you're adopting a performance management process for the first time or want to modify your current one to maximize its effectiveness, there are three key aspects that are the most important in your performance management system. Obviously these are up for debate, but in most cases of performance management you can plan on these to have the most impact on the success or failure of your performance management efforts.

Planning – The first step in any good performance management process is likely also the most important. Haphazardly stumbling towards goals will usually only end in disaster, so it's important that proper planning is used during performance management. This applies not only to the performance management system itself, but also to the inner workings of the business. Speaking strictly about performance management, good planning begins by analyzing the exact goals you want your company to attain and to develop realistic ways to achieve them. It's vital that your goals be realistic, otherwise your performance management plan will fail. It's also important to take the time to create a real plan that can achieve your goals.

Monitoring – If any performance management system is to succeed it needs to involve a very rigorous monitoring process. Closely surveying your overall company, each department, and individuals is vital for performance management and for you to reach your goals. Monitoring during performance management involves not just monitoring the progress of each department and employee but also providing them with constant feedback whether it is in the form of praise and reward or in constructive criticism. If you want your performance management efforts to succeed you'll have to monitor each step towards your goal very closely to ensure everything is going according to plan. If areas seem to be lacking, you'll need to be able to take steps to improve them such as providing training.

Rewards – While some experts place this lower in importance than other aspects of performance management, the truth is that your employees deserve rewards and that few things will influence not only the success of your performance management efforts but also the success of your entire company quite like appropriate rewards. Whether it is simple public recognition or actual monetary rewards, no performance management process will be complete or effective without good use of rewards. They can improve morale and employee satisfaction, boost productivity, and help you move closer to your goals. If you want your performance management to be successful, take the time to utilize rewards.

Unicorn HRO provides performance management tools that can help you formulate plans, monitor progress closely, and even track and manage rewards. Having software that allows you to effectively implement performance management is important and almost as vital as the actual steps that you take in your performance management efforts.

The High Cost of Failure at Retaining Employees – Expensive and Dangerous

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Retaining employees is one of the single most important aspects of your company. Even losing a low level worker can cost you big. Low estimates say that the turnover of a single eight dollar per hour employee will end up costing your company close to four thousand dollars when you factor in recruiting, interviewing, retraining, and loss of productivity that comes from the loss. With higher paid employees, retaining employees is even more vital. While every company will lose some employees each month for whatever reason, retaining employees can be done and your company can be more successful at it than you think. For now, however, let's take a cold, hard look at the real costs that come with a failure at retaining employees.

First, we'll continue with the immediate and obvious costs that come when you lack the skills needed for retaining employees. Many studies have been done in this area, and most report that thirty percent to fifty percent of an employee's annual salary is about what it costs to replace them. The steps needed for retaining employees, like benefits packages, may seem expensive until you realize what not retaining employees can really cost you. Why so much? Consider what you've already invested in the employee, then factor in the costs of attracting a replacement, interviewing applicants, reviewing them, hiring a replacement, and the cost of training them. Now add the cost of lost productivity, and you'll see why not retaining employees can be so costly.

There are unseen costs that come with not retaining employees as well. Mainly, your other employees take a hit when a coworker leaves, especially if they've been with the business for years. Morale drops and productivity follows. Retaining employees keeps everything working smoothly in your company, like a well-oiled machine. If you fail at retaining employees and one leaves, the entire department may have to readjust to their absence and then readjust to their replacement. Not retaining employees can have serious effects beyond the obvious.

Of course, retaining employees realistically means that you simply won't be able to keep all of your workers. Turnover is common, especially among newer hires. It's retaining employees who have been with you for an extended period of time that is so important. While not retaining employees that are newer will still cost you, the expense is nothing when compared to what failure at retaining employees of a higher level will be.

Many companies ignore the importance of retaining employees because they assume it's just part of operating a business. While that's true to a point, you should still never overlook the value of retaining employees or the high costs of not doing so. Unicorn HRO offers outsourcing and technology solutions that can help you with retaining employees of all skill levels. If you're tired of not retaining employees and watching your profits run down the drain, you need to make adjustments within your company to improve your ability at retaining employees. Otherwise, you're fighting a battle you may not be able to win.

The Basics of Workers Compensation Insurance – Facts to Keep In Mind

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Workers compensation insurance is a type of disability insurance that all employers are required by law to have for each employee. The very first workers compensation insurance laws began to be passed around 1902, and by 1949 every state had a law covering workers compensation insurance. Although most people think of them as strictly protecting employees, the truth is that workers compensation insurance is actually just as beneficial to employers since it protects them from costly lawsuits related to on the job injuries. While you might assume that workers compensation insurance is nothing but a thorn in your side, the truth is that it helps more than you know. Here's a look at the basics of workers compensation insurance, including the basic function of it and some common features of policies.

Under the laws governing workers compensation insurance, employers get protected from on the job injuries no matter who is at fault. The workers compensation insurance will pay for medical bills and, depending upon coverage, may even pay for some lost wages during an absence from work. In exchange for this, employees aren't allowed to sue their employers for mental anguish or pain and suffering. While employers can dispute workers compensation insurance claims, the actual process is complex and is seldom done unless obvious workers compensation insurance fraud is occurring.

It's also important to note that many different issues will disqualify an employee from receiving help from workers compensation insurance. If the employee was injured while on drugs or alcohol, for instance, they won't receive any workers compensation insurance help. Other issues that will cause workers compensation insurance claims to be refused include injuries caused due to horseplay, injuries caused by a fight breaking out, injuries caused due to violation of company policy, and more. Also, injuries that occur while not on the job won't be covered under workers compensation insurance.

While these basics of workers compensation insurance are fairly easy to understand, the real complexities come in actually opening a workers' compensation insurance policy for your workers. In most instances you will make a large down payment before workers compensation insurance is enacted. The amount is based on an estimate of your total employee salaries and on basic insurance costs. Then, at the end of the year you'll face an intense audit from the workers compensation insurance provider to ensure that you're paying the proper amount for your workers compensation insurance. You could be billed more or receive a refund for overpayment.

The alternative to this system is known as pay as you go workers compensation insurance and is just what it sounds like. There's no upfront payment to make and no yearend audit. Your workers compensation insurance payments will be based not on estimates but on actual data. This alternative is gaining in popularity daily and is one of the best choices for companies who want to avoid the hassles of traditional workers compensation insurance. Unicorn HRO can provide pay as you go workers compensation insurance as well as tools to effectively manage your workers compensation insurance policies.

Streamlining your Payroll Service for Profit – Saving Money with Payroll Solutions

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

There are numerous ways that you can boost your company's profit, and the most common is actually by reducing your costs. Many methods exist for doing so, and one of the most common is to streamline your payroll service. Using or outsourcing payroll software to simplify your company's payroll service methods can boost your profits in numerous different ways and is one of the most effective and efficient ways to cut costs and improve your bottom line.

First, it's important to understand that your HR department handles a variety of different tasks. Payroll service tasks often fall to one person, who spends practically all of their time calculating and managing payroll services. For very small companies this isn't a huge deal, but the more employees you have the more difficult the payroll service tasks will be. Currently the IRS fines one out of every three companies due to errors that occur through their payroll service. These fines can eat away any profits that you may have made and can actually cause your business to fail outright. Simplifying payroll services helps you avoid these risks.

Outsourcing payroll to a payroll service will not only reduce payroll service tasks but also lets you simplify the tasks that your HR department must handle. With a payroll service, your HR workers can focus on other issues such as creating new strategies for hiring, training, or retaining employees. This increased productivity from using a payroll service can boost profits, and you'll probably end up paying a payroll service less to handle your information than you would in HR salaries. Even if you utilize a software program to deliver in-house payroll services, the task will be simplified so much that your HR workers have little to do aside from approving time sheets.

A payroll service can help you with many different aspects of payroll. From setting up direct deposit accounts, managing 401k information, and more, you'll be able to find a payroll service that solves a variety of different issues. It's important to take the time to look into what each payroll service offers and what they cost to ensure you're getting the best value possible. In all but the rarest cases you'll be able to save money and increase your company's profits thanks to the implementation of a payroll service.

Unicorn HRO offers payroll services for companies of any size. Whether you need to outsource all of your payroll needs to a payroll service or want to utilize software that delivers payroll services you can manage in your own office, Unicorn HRO offers something for every company. If you're looking for ways to lower your expenses and boost your profits, a payroll service could be a solution that delivers the results you're looking for. Take a few minutes to research the various payroll services available to you, including their features and their level of customer service, and you should be able to find the perfect solution for your company.

Short Term Disability Laws and Your Business – What you Need to Know

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Recent studies have found that one out of every four twenty year olds entering the workforce will become disabled for at least three months by the time they reach retirement age. That's a big percentage, and helps to explain why more employees than ever are looking at short term disability coverage as an attractive benefit. While there are some short term disability laws that affect most businesses, these regulations are much less strict than most realize. For this reason, offering short term disability is benefit that can attract and retain great employees. Here's a quick look at some things you should know about short term disability, including the laws and some basic policy rules.

First, let's look at short term disability laws. As far as what kind of short term disability coverage employers are legally required to offer, the only one is really workers compensation. This type of short term disability coverage will pay your employee's medical bills and even help them by paying a percentage of their income in the event that they become injured on the job. It is very basic short term disability insurance however, and the important thing to remember is that unlike other forms of short term disability insurance it will only cover them if their disability occurs on the jobsite.

Basic short term disability policies will cover your employees no matter where their injuries or illnesses occur, but there are other points to remember. First, no short term disability policy will pay your employees all of their income. Sixty percent is a common number for most short term disability policies to pay out, but your employees may decide to contribute to their premiums and bump up the number by perhaps another ten percent. The reason short term disability won't pay the full amount is obvious – doing so would dissuade employees from getting better and returning to work, and could increase disability fraud.

Different short term disability policies define disabled differently, so if you elect to buy one for your workers, be sure that it gives them adequate coverage. While you aren't required to offer short term disability insurance beyond workers compensation, adding a short term disability option can boost your employees' morale and motivation and can help retain your best employees and attract the best new hires on the market. However, the workers comp you're required to offer as short term disability can be very expensive and involve high down payments and other hassles and expenses.

Alternative short term disability plans such as pay as you go workers comp like that offered from Unicorn HRO will allow you to stay within the limits of short term disability laws and save money. Pay as you go workers comp allows you to make payments based on actual data instead of estimates and lets you avoid the high upfront costs normally associated with them. With this form of short term disability coverage you'll also be able to avoid costly and stressful annual audits that most companies require. For the easiest way to provide the required short term disability coverage to your employees, pay as you go workers comp is one of your best bets.

Overlooked Aspects of Training Employees – Things to Remember

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Your employees are your company's number one investment, which makes it all the more surprising that a high percentage of businesses actually spend more on upgrading and maintaining their equipment than they do their workers. Training employees helps your company in multiple ways, and not focusing any of your efforts on training employees can seriously damper your chances at higher profits and at overall business success. While some companies assume that training employees is an expensive endeavor they can't afford to be bothered with, training employees is one of the single most important investments you can make. Here are some more overlooked aspects of training employees.

First of all, it's important to realize that no matter how much you spend in time and money on training employees, some of them simply aren't going to learn new skills. The reason is usually a lack of motivation or preoccupation with other issues more important to them than your efforts at training employees. Another common reason is simply that they already possess the skills your training program is covering. Because of this, it's important that you take the time to investigate just who will benefit from training employees. Look not only for individuals who need to learn new skills, but also for workers who are highly motivated and genuinely want to be there. Training employees is best suited for your best employees, although in some cases everyone can benefit.

It's also a commonly overlooked fact of training employees that finding the right teacher matters. For some, this means outsourcing for professionals skilled at training employees. For others, looking within their own talent pool to find qualified employees who can help with training employees is the best solution. Nationwide spending on training employees now sits at over sixty billion dollars, and using in-house trainers can not only save you some money but also give those employees undergoing the process a familiar face to help teach them their new skills.

While the most obvious benefits of training employees is the acquisition of new skills and techniques, an often overlooked aspect of training employees is that the process can actually boost morale. Employees want to feel like they're a part of a team, and that they're valued. In fact, almost forty percent of currently employed workers looking for jobs elsewhere said they're doing so because their current job lacks career advancement chances. Promotion is one example of this, but so is the learning of new job skills that training employees provides. In short, training employees not only give your workers new skills but also helps them feel better about their role in your company.

Training employees doesn't have to be difficult, and Unicorn HRO can help with outsourcing solution and with software designed to help with managing your efforts at training employees. Software is an often overlooked aspect of training employees, and using it properly can allow you to better assess who needs training as well as track the progress that your employees make during and after the process of training employees. You've invested much in your workers, and helping them evolve as your company does is vital for success. Training employees helps you do just that.

Human Resource Software and Its Effects on Your HR Department – What to Expect

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Human resource software is one of the most powerful tools that you can invest in for your business. Functions range from the very basic to the incredibly complex, and no matter the type or size of your company you'll be able to find human resource software that suits all of your needs and more. Adding human resource software to your company is a process that begins with your assessment of your needs and ends with the final installation and implementation of the human resource software at your company. There are a number of effects that human resource software will have on your HR department, and knowing what to expect will help the process along.

The process will begin immediately after you select the human resource software that you want to purchase. The days leading up to the implementation of the human resource software you'll be using will be hectic and should be spent preparing your employees for the changes on the horizon. Once that the human resource software is set up and ready to go you can expect at least a full workweek before your HR department settles into the new methods of operation, maybe longer. The first days will likely be spent with a company representative training your employees on the proper use of the software, from basic functions all the way to the more complex ones. These days can be tumultuous, but your HR workers will quickly adjust.

After your HR department adjusts to the new human resource software, the real changes will begin. Many of the effects that human resource software will have on your company will be difficult to notice at first. You'll probably start to notice fewer hours worked by your HR employees since the functions of good human resource software will likely help them avoid overtime. You'll probably see improved morale in the HR department as well, probably right after the human resource software is implemented.

In the long term is where human resource software really begins to show its effects. Wait a few months after you implement your human resource software and then compare some HR metrics or other data. You'll likely notice that the effectiveness and efficiency of your HR employees has increased since adding human resource software. You'll probably notice a decrease in human errors and noncompliance issues as well. And thanks to a more focused HR staff, you may even begin to notice more effective employee training and better retention. Human resource software causes a trickle-down effect in your company in that the HR department feels the benefits of human resource software first, and then so does the rest of your company.

While the biggest changes from human resource software won't show up overnight, it won't take long before you begin to notice a wide range of positive effects appearing thanks to human resource software. Unicorn HRO provides human resource software for any type or size of business and can help you with everything from payroll management to benefits administration. If you're ready to help your company evolve, human resource software is the best way to get the ball rolling.

How SaaS Can Improve Your Company – The Benefits

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Software as a Solution, also referred to as SaaS, is the use of a software program that allows businesses to access its features through a web based portal. There are numerous types of SaaS available for companies, but one of the main uses for it is in the human resources departments. SaaS is usually accessed only by managers or supervisors, but in some cases there could be instances where SaaS is accessible by all of the members of a business, most commonly in the case of benefits self-service. There are many different ways that SaaS can improve your company, and many benefits that it can provide.

First of all, SaaS can simplify a variety of your business functions. Having access to the various features included in your SaaS wherever you are will make it easy to manage different applications or issues within seconds. For example, if your SaaS focuses on payroll and employee benefit administration, you can log in to check payroll data anytime without having to access network systems. And since SaaS is web based, you or your employees can access it from anywhere, even their homes. In the case of benefits self-service this is great since it allows workers to focus on their jobs while at work and manage employee benefits when they return home, on their own time.

There are many reasons to utilize SaaS over other systems, as well. Adding software solutions to a company can be highly expensive, with purchasing of equipment and software followed by installation and setup. Then training will have to be undertaken, regular maintenance of the system handled, and more. With SaaS you don't have to make these large investments. Your business simply pays a basic fee for the ability to use the SaaS. It saves your company thousands while delivering all of the various features you're in need of.

You'll enjoy a total lack of infrastructure, which means that the company providing your SaaS handles the costs of upgrading or repairing any issues. And the security of using SaaS is unbeatable. All servers and data are off premises and backed up more often than you would ever back up data in-house. There's no need to worry losing data with SaaS since security is one of the key selling points. And in nearly every instance, your SaaS subscription fee includes support whenever you need it. In short, with SaaS you'll get all of the features that today's business technology can provide to you for much less money and with greater security.

Your business needs to capitalize on technology to stay relevant, but you don't have to invest tens of thousands into an IT system in order to do so. SaaS offers the best solution at an unbeatable price, which helps explain why it's so popular. Unicorn HRO offers SaaS solutions for any business and can help you transform your business quickly. If you're ready to help your company evolve, SaaS is the best way to ensure that the process is successful and inexpensive. It's the best way to move your company into the future.

Guide to Efficient and Effective Performance Management – Things to Remember

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Performance management is essentially a system used by any organization to ensure that specific goals are being met. Several different steps go into good performance management, and on the jobsite it could be structured according to department or spread throughout the entire company. Effective performance management is as much an art as it is a process, and understanding the basics of it can help you boost your profits and reach company goals more effectively. Over eighty percent of companies in a recent survey said that their performance management process could improve, and if you fall into this majority then there are several steps that you can remember to help boost your company's overall performance management.

The process of performance management begins with basic planning. By taking an honest look at your company and setting realistic goals that you feel you can meet, you will be able to formulate the basic strategies that will be used in your performance management process. You'll want to set goals for the business as a whole, for each department, and for individuals. Be sure that you set goals in your performance management plan that involves attainable figures and the ability to accurately monitor your employees, since monitoring is the next key part of effective performance management.

You can't simply let your employees loose to do as they please – that's a recipe for disaster. An important aspect of good performance management is effective monitoring of your employees. Unacceptable performances can be noticed quickly through this phase of performance management and can be used to ensure progress towards goals is being maintained. This aspect of performance management relies on a careful balance of ensuring your employees are meeting your expectations without making them feel as though you're constantly breathing down their necks. It's also one of the most important parts of effective performance management.

Using the information gathered through monitoring your employees you'll be able to determine what each department's needs are as well as what each individual's needs are, a key component of good performance management. Training, providing new tools, and other steps can be taken to help ensure company growth and is a must for performance management. You may want to implement ratings into your performance management plan as a way to ensure that real growth is occurring. This aspect of performance management is best done by applying number values to each employee's rating and comparing it to a standard that you've agreed upon.

Software solutions exist to help you with performance management, and the task is so important to company growth that many companies actually elect to outsource performance management entirely. Using either of these options, you can exercise various tools that will make performance management even easier and more efficient and can greatly boost your company's progress towards your goals. Unicorn HRO offers a number of serious solutions for companies in any industry. If your company is lacking in various areas and you want to make serious strides towards improvements, one of the best methods to ensure that you meet your goals and to identify steps that must be taken for improvement is through effective performance management. The above tips should help you get the most from your process.

Five Tips for Choosing a Great Payroll Service – Things to Remember

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Outsourcing payroll to a payroll service is almost as common in today's workplace as computers. With the IRS fining an average of one out of every three companies that handles payroll on their own, it's easy to understand why. A reduction of errors and more productivity in your HR department make a strong case for using a payroll service. There are hundreds of companies specializing in payroll service today, and choosing the best one can be difficult to do. Luckily, there are several things that you can keep in mind that will help you select the very best payroll service possible. Here are five things to remember when choosing a payroll service.

Assesses and Compare your Needs – Start by listing what you need from a payroll service. A payroll service can offer various different things, and once you understand just what you want from a payroll service you'll be better equipped to select the one that can solve all of your problems. Basic payroll services include basic tax and salary calculations for each employee, check printing and delivery or direct deposit, and regular reports. If a payroll service lacks these simple functions, you should probably look elsewhere.

Look at Special Features – A great payroll service will offer features beyond just the basic ones, and many of these features could benefit your company tremendously. Look into payroll service features like 401k plan management, integration into your HR software, and more. Payroll services can do more for your company than many businesses even realize, and finding a payroll service that offers extra features can deliver benefits you didn't realize you wanted.

Price – Price isn't everything, but it's still important. Once you know what each payroll service can offer you, it's easier to figure out which price is fair. Most payroll service prices will be comparable, so it's important to see what you're getting for your money. You should also be wary of hidden fees that some payroll services may try to throw at you. You could be charged for each employee you add, for switching an employee to direct deposit, or even charged a weekly processing fee. Be sure you understand the price of your payroll service before you commit.

Accessibility – Being able to access payroll information from your payroll service is another important issue to consider. Look into how easy it is to access payroll history, for example. Some payroll service companies will allow you to log into an online account and view all of the info on your company, a big perk of any payroll service.

Customer Service – Too many businesses overlook this aspect of their payroll service until they actually need it. Customer service is a vital part of any payroll service, so be sure that you understand their policy and how the payroll service provides you with customer service before you commit to them.

Unicorn HRO offers a variety of HR solutions including payroll service. Whether you want to integrate payroll software or outsource your payroll needs, keep the above points in mind when searching for a payroll service and you'll be satisfied.

Five Secrets of Benefits Administration – Secrets You Can Use

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Studies have found that employees value their benefits almost as much as their salary. Thirty percent of employees in a recent survey said that they would immediately begin looking for employment elsewhere if their health insurance was terminated. At some point you'll have to consider benefits administration. And while benefits administration can be a messy, confusing affair and one more issue for your HR department to deal with, in the long term benefits administration can't be ignored. Here are five secrets of benefits administration that you should know.

Type of Benefits Matter – Just handing out paid holidays and a Christmas bonus doesn't cut it anymore. Ninety percent of employees say that their health insurance is just as important to them as their paycheck, meaning that you can't afford not to offer benefits. Many employers pick a cheap package of benefits and leave it at that, but taking the time to give your employees what they really want and deserve will help your business in the long run. Good benefits administration includes picking the best plans.

The Job Isn't Easy – In larger companies benefits administration will be a full time position for one of your HR employees. Studies have found that as much as forty percent of a benefits administration worker's day is spent on the telephone dealing with employees, providers, and more. From answering questions to setting up better deals, benefits administration takes a good bit of effort that is often overlooked by employers.

Poor Administration Can Hurt – Your company can land in serious hot water with the IRS or other agencies if your business administration is sub-par. From COBRA violations to tax fraud, a simple benefits administration error could cost you big.

Automation Can Help – While at first glance you may not want to invest in them, benefits administration programs can be a godsend. In addition to providing relief to your human resources department since employees will be able to manage their benefits administration info from their own computer, you can avoid the aforementioned potential for legal trouble since automated benefits administration systems are far less likely to result in error. Outsourcing benefits administration has been popular for years and is a valid solution as well, and companies like Unicorn HRO can help tremendously with benefits administration.

Employees Will Chip In – You can save yourself money by implementing benefits administration programs that use plans employees contribute to. For example, seventy six percent of employees participate in retirement plans that they contribute to and those employees with families usually end up contributing thirty percent towards their health care. If you need to offer benefits on a budget, choosing employee-contribution related plans is an option that can save you money and easy benefits administration can help them contribute with ease. And the previously mentioned business administration software makes it easy for them to manage their accounts.

These secrets can help with your benefits administration program. Quality employee benefits administration will boost morale, retain your best employees, and attract great new hires. Outsourcing and automation can save your human resources department from a world of work and let them focus on other affairs. Keep all of the above in mind when you begin to review your company's benefits administration plan, and you'll come up with a great program as well.

Five Keys to Successfully Automating Human Resources – Simple Steps to Remember

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Automating human resources is one of the best things that you can do for your company. You'll see an increase in productivity, especially in your HR department, fewer mistakes being made, easier employee benefit management, and even an increase in overall profits once you make the switch to automating human resources. Very small businesses may not to worry with automating human resources but once your business moves into the mid-sized world, it's practically a requirement. Luckily there are certain steps and considerations that can help make the process of automating human resources a bit easier on you and your employees. Here are five keys to successfully automating human resources.

Choose the Right Software – There are many different systems on the market to help with automating human resources, but not all are created equally. If you want to ensure that the transition process goes smoothly you'll need to pick the right system for your company. Select one that will handle all of the functions you need it to, even some that you'll need in the future. Also be sure that it is a relatively simple to understand and use system so that your HR department can make the adjustment to automating human resources quickly. Unicorn HR offers one of the very best systems on the market for automating human resources.

Spread the Word Early – Some people love a routine, so take the time to send out a memo or mass email letting all of your employees know that the process of automating human resources is coming. In most cases your employees will have direct involvement in automating human resources, such as a new method for clocking in and out of. Even if employees won't be affected directly by the changes, let them know about it anyway to avoid any confusion about automating human resources.

Train your HR Department – In practically any case of automating human resources your investment will include hands on training, but in some instances this isn't the case. Be sure that you take the time to properly train your HR department in every aspect of the process. The new system should be easy to use, but make sure that each part of automating human resources is understood before the training team leaves.

Train your Other Employees – A new payroll system with a new method of clocking in or out is implemented, employee managed benefits, and many other factors of automating human resources will need to be explained to all of your employees. Hold training seasons focusing on automating human resources and be sure that all of your employees know just what automating human resources entails and what their part is in it.

Be Patient – This isn't so much a step as it is a state of mind, but it's still vital for successfully automating human resources. Automating human resources will boost your bottom line, cut down on human errors, improve productivity, and much more. But it won't happen overnight. Show just a bit of patience and once everyone has adjusted to the new system of automating human resources you'll gradually start to notice a real difference in many different aspects of your company. Automating human resources is an investment you'll never regret.

Five Benefits of Human Resource Outsourcing – Great Advantages

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

There are many reasons that you might decide human resource outsourcing is worth your time. Whether you're noticing that your HR employees are having to work ten hour days to stay ahead or if you're experiencing a drop in productivity that your think human resource outsourcing could help, there's no question that human resource outsourcing can provide real benefits to your company. Unicorn HRO offers human resource outsourcing for any business of any size and can give your company real advantages that actually impact your bottom line. Here are five great benefits that come from human resource outsourcing.

Saving Money – Human resource outsourcing can save your company big bucks by letting you avoid hiring multiple people to fill various tasks. In most cases, using human resource outsourcing to handle different aspects of your business will be much cheaper than adding new employees to the HR department would be. The larger that your company grows the more cash human resource outsourcing can actually save you.
Business As Usual – One of the key reasons that human resource outsourcing is used is to keep an HR department running smoothly. If your business suddenly faces an influx of information that needs to be processed, for example, you can use human resource outsourcing to deal with these sudden needs and allow your HR workers to keep focusing on the efforts that have made your company what it is today. This ability to keep your company working as it always has is one key benefit of human resource outsourcing that you can't afford to overlook, and is a benefit of human resource outsourcing that can't be overstated.
Avoiding Turnover Troubles – Human resource outsourcing can reduce the risks you run involving turnover. Some functions of the HR department simply can't stop because of a recent turnover. Imagine the effects on your business if payroll suddenly halted for a week, or benefits administration. Human resource outsourcing is a great way to ensure that even if you lose an employee your company's core functions don't suffer. Instead of scrambling to replace an employee and trying to manage without them, human resource outsourcing allows you to fill the position properly without worrying about other issues.
Overhead – Human resource outsourcing can help you avoid high overhead costs as well. Adding more equipment, renovations, and more can send your overhead rocketing upwards. Human resource outsourcing lets you avoid these sudden costs by sending tasks that require added expenses to the human resource outsourcing firm for less.
New Skills – If you're adding new functions to your company, human resource outsourcing can help as well. By placing trained pros in your workplace, human resource outsourcing companies can help you adjust to new functions by training your current employees while handling basic tasks until they come up to speed. In this way human resource outsourcing can help your entire business evolve.

These are only five of the many benefits that human resource outsourcing can provide to your company. Whether you're looking to save money, avoid extra expenses, add new functions to your business, or something else entirely, Unicorn HRO can provide you with the human resource outsourcing solutions that you need.

Employee Onboarding and Your Bottom Line – The Importance of Onboard

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Human resources mean a lot in a company and cover every stage of employment. One often overlooked aspect that most businesses need to be well versed in is that of employee onboarding. Instead of simply hiring a new worker, introducing them to a few coworkers and then leaving them to fend for themselves, you need to treat employee onboarding as a vital part of your company's process. Ignoring the importance of employee onboarding can cost you, and a strong program for employee onboarding can boost your bottom line more than you might realize. Unicorn HRO offers employee onboarding assistance and can help you turn your new hires into valued team members.

Employee onboarding begins on the first day of the new hire's job and it begins to affect your bottom line from that moment as well. The first day can be stressful and even scary for new employees, and your job in this initial employee onboarding is to welcome them to the team and give them all the tools to acclimate to their new job quickly. That's the basic premise of employee onboarding, and it sounds easy. But in truth employee onboarding is a detailed science that you truly need to understand in order to keep your profits running smoothly.

When new employees begin the employee onboarding process, have all of their paperwork ready to be completed. Getting this out of the way avoids human resource headaches down the road. A single tax form forgotten during employee onboarding can lead to major problems come April. Next be sure that all of the employee's needs are taken care of. Their workstation needs to be stocked and any email or phone accounts should be taken care of before the actual employee onboarding even begins. Employee onboarding goes smoother if there's no need to hunt down the needed materials or wait for an email account to be activated before they begin working. Preparation is vital for employee onboarding and your bottom line.

A vital component to employee onboarding and one you can't overlook is letting the new employee know just what is expected from them. This needs to be undertaken as soon as possible during the employee onboarding process and includes not only an accurate description of their job duties and responsibilities but also documentation about the company's policies and guidelines. This step of the employee onboarding process ensures that they understand exactly what is expected of them and what the company will not tolerate behavior-wise, two issues that directly affect your profits.

The final aspect of employee onboarding is socialization. Not only does the new employee need to feel like they're part of a team but they also need to feel as though they're among friends, even if it is only friends at the professional level. A friendly first day lunch is a great way to bring some friendly interaction into the employee onboarding and something as simple as a full round of introductions can do much for your employee's feelings. Motivation and morale is a big part of your bottom line and taking the time to ensure that your employee feels comfortable is a vital aspect of employee onboarding.

Disability Insurance Basics – Tips for Buying Coverage

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

There are plenty of insurances out there. Health insurance is the most talked about, one that most don't think about until it's needed is disability insurance. Studies have found that a disabling accident occurs once per second in the United States, making disability insurance a very real concern. The most common type of disability insurance is the well-known worker's compensation. Other basic forms of disability insurance may be offered by an employer, and in the cases of many small businesses an owner may insure himself with disability insurance. Here are some of the tips that you need to keep in mind if you're considering shopping for disability insurance coverage for your employees.

Start by understanding exactly what the term 'disability' really means. Each disability insurance company will likely have a different definition of the term so it's vital that you take a close look at just what is covered as a disability by the disability insurance policy you're looking at.

Never overlook the cost of living adjustment options when buying disability insurance. If you're disabled for several years your financial costs will likely climb regularly and adding a COLA to your plan will help ensure that your disability insurance payments rise with them.

As a small business owner you might want to look for a business overhead option on your disability insurance policy that will help keep your business in operation while you recover from your injuries. Most disability insurance policies will offer some form of overhead policy as an option.

Non-cancelable disability insurance policies ensure that costs and payments are locked in. If at all possible try to find disability insurance policies that include this feature in them.

Finding an insurance agent or broker is one of the best ways to shop for any kind of insurance, disability insurance included. Unless you actually work in the disability insurance field you'll probably benefit from the presence of a trained and experienced professional who can help you with each aspect of your search. They can answer questions, make suggestions, and generally make the entire process easier. You'll end up with a policy that you're satisfied with thanks to their help.

Don't shop just based on price. While buying a disability insurance policy that you can afford is important, it shouldn't be the only factor in deciding which disability insurance policy is right for you. You need to take all of the features of each policy into account when shopping for insurance.

Guaranteed insurability is one of the most important aspects of buying insurance. Without it you may lose coverage in the future due to the sudden requirement of more medical exams. To be sure that you don't lose coverage due to fine print, always find a policy that offers this feature.

While these seven rules apply to a business owner looking to buy disability insurance for him or herself, they can also be applied to choosing the best insurance policy to offer your employees. While worker's compensation is an unavoidable expense, you might be able to find a disability insurance policy that provides the same or better coverage and saves you money. Unicorn HRO offers disability insurance on a pay as you go model, making it easy to get the disability insurance coverage you want.

Choosing the Right Long Term Disability Insurance Policy – A Brief Guide

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

With today's young workers facing an estimated one in four chance of becoming disabled by the time that they retire, long term disability insurance is one of the most important investments that an employer can make for protecting their employees and one of the best that employees can choose to utilize. Since medical problems contributed to sixty two percent of bankruptcies filed in 2007, and recent studies suggest the number has climbed since then, it' more important than ever to protect yourself with long term disability insurance. A lot of variables are present in long term disability policies, and understanding the main factors to look at when choosing long term disability coverage can help you find the best policy to offer your employees.

The first thing to understand is why long term disability insurance is a better choice than short term. Just as its name suggests, it lasts longer. Short term policies may lapse within a year or two, but with a bit of searching you can find long term disability insurance policies that last for a decade, two, or even until the injured party is sixty five years old. And most long term disability insurance will pay at least sixty percent of salary earned, which means that even though not all of the income is being recouped, at least most of it is. Many long term disability insurance policies will allow the employee to add money to the premiums and boost up payouts to as much as eighty percent of total salary.

When you begin to really review long term disability insurance policies, look at just what the term disabled is defined as. A broken back for a carpenter is just as disabling as severe carpal tunnel syndrome for a computer programmer, employment-wise. Some long term disability insurance policies include mental and physical disabilities while others only focus on physical. Whatever your business deals with, be sure that health problems that affect your employees' ability to work are covered under the long term disability insurance plans you're going to buy. And find out when claims start under the long term disability insurance policy, since most begin after a set period of weeks.

Long term disability insurance is best when you add a non-cancelable clause to them. This ensures that the long term disability insurance provider can't raise your premiums for any reason. Guaranteed renewal is another feature to look for in long term insurance, and as long as you don't miss payments you won't have to worry about losing your coverage. Also be sure to look into COLA adjustments, which adjust your long term disability insurance payments annually based on cost of living increases.

These are the main features to look at when deciding which long term disability insurance plan is the best one for your employees. Adding various options such as the ability to put their own income towards the long term disability insurance policy for added coverage is great, and keeping a few things in mind can help ensure total coverage for as long as possible. Unicorn HRO can help you with all of your long term disability insurance management needs, from setting up a great long term disability insurance plan to managing it for years to come.

Boosting your Profits with HRMS – Keys for More Cash

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Your business' bottom line depends on a variety of different things, and business owners and managers spend tremendous amounts of time trying to boost their profits with everything from clever marketing to employee layoffs. One tool that can be used to boost profits tremendously and is often overlooked is an HRMS, or Human Resources Management Service. Most companies, especially mid-sized or larger ones, use some form of HRMS. It could be as simple as a payroll system, but HRMS programs are fairly common in the business world. Whether you've never really used for anything beyond payroll or simply aren't effectively taking advantages of the benefits an HRMS can provide, these tools can significantly boost your bottom line.

The most obvious way HRMS can boost your profits are through increased productivity. When you implement an HRMS that takes over most of the basic functions within your HR department you give your HR workers more freedom to work on other tasks. They can concentrate on attracting new hires, develop employee training plans, and much more. Your HRMS will handle the time consuming tasks like payroll and benefits administration while your HR works help improve your company from within. Not only will you avoid paying them for the tasks the HRMS deals with but you will also get to experience the benefits that a more focused HR department can deliver.

You'll also be able to devise new strategies that actually make a difference in your company thanks to your HRMS. The best HRMS options available will provide you with various HR metrics. These are pieces of data that you can use to gauge how effective different parts of your HR department or business are as well as to pinpoint areas where your employees need improvement. You can even use the data from your HRMS to uncover areas that are costing you the most money or where your ROI is the highest or lowest. In other words, the HRMS can help you find out where you're losing money and where you're making it.

An HRMS can also help you avoid losing money to noncompliance issues like FMLA or ADA, and even ensure that no tax or payroll errors are made. And many HRMS options give you the chance to enact employee self-service, wherein each employee can log in to the HRMS to manage portions of their own benefits package. Not only does this free up the HR department but it also gives your employees a boost of morale that can drive up production. It's one surprising way that an HRMS can help your company thrive.

Each HRMS is different and will provide different things to your company and your HR department. Unicorn HRO offers an HRMS that delivers all the features listed above and many more. By giving your HR department more tools to complete their tasks and giving you the tools to accurately gauge what areas your business needs work on, investing in a great HRMS is one of the smartest ways to maximize your earnings potential and lessen your costs. From payroll to benefits administration and beyond, an HRMS is the tool you need if you're serious about your company.

Avoid Frustration With Good Payroll Customer Service – Why it Matters

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Talk to anyone who's ever had technical problems with their internet and they can tell you that customer service is important. This applies even to something as seemingly mundane as payroll, and payroll customer service is an important feature that can't be overlooked when choosing a payroll service. Whether you decide to outsource your payroll or install software to handle it in-house, payroll customer service is a vital component of any good payroll system. Good payroll customer service can save you time, money, and help you avoid frustration. Hopefully you'll never need to use it, but if you do you'll be thankful that you chose a company with great payroll customer service.

When you're shopping for payroll solutions, begin analyzing their payroll customer service by just how they actually deliver their payroll customer service. Some companies will include a FAQ on their website that might help answer basic questions, but be sure that they don't consider this to be their only form of real payroll customer service. Better solutions include the ability to email a payroll customer service representative, to undertake a live chat with them, or to call in to them. The more options you have of getting payroll customer service, the better your experience with it will be.

Payroll customer service can be frustrating if certain hours are all that you can seek help for. With different time zones coming into play, this aspect of payroll customer service can seriously hinder your company. Be sure that you look into the hours payroll customer service is being offered and make sure that they match the hours you'll be most likely to need assistance from payroll customer service, otherwise you could be setting yourself up for disaster if troubles do rear their ugly heads down the road. Getting help when you need it is a huge part of what makes a payroll customer service feature great.

Find out what payroll customer service actually entails. If you've installed in-office payroll software then payroll customer service could be nothing more than technical support with its operation. Better payroll customer service will at least involve a visit from a representative in instances where they're needed. If you outsource payroll, then payroll customer service takes on a whole new meaning. They could deliver you detailed reports on various aspects of your payroll whenever you need them, help modify any issues that need to be changed, and much more. The level of payroll customer service really depends upon what the outside company is doing for you, but be sure that their customer service will cover all of your needs.

Payroll is the single most commonly automated or outsourced function in businesses today, and in most cases it all runs smoothly. If you want to avoid any possible frustration from your payroll, be sure that you look into a company's payroll customer service before you commit to them. Problems are rare, but when they do happen you want to be able to get the payroll customer service that you need. Unicorn HRO offers industry leading payroll customer service along with payroll and HR solutions that simply can't be beat.

A Guide to Simplifying Employee Benefits – Streamlining Benefits

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 07:00:00 EST

Employee benefits are a double edged sword. Employees love them, and over half admit that if they lost their employee benefits that they would begin seeking employment elsewhere. But managing employee benefits, from initial enrollment through regular modification, can put a huge amount of strain on your human resource team. And the larger your company, the more complex employee benefits will become. There are a number of great options out there for simplifying employee benefits, and looking through the various options can provide you with some great ideas for streamlining and simplifying each aspect of your benefits packages.

The first step is to take a look at what kind of employee benefits you're offering. While paid leave is the most common benefit offered by employers, the top two employee benefits that employees value are retirement plans and health insurance. Take a look at the options for each of these employee benefits and consider just what you're offering your workers. For example, if your employee benefits package features certain options that nobody is using it may be just as easy to eliminate them. It's one less step for your HR department to deal with. Conversely, be sure that your employees understand the employee benefits that they're being offered so that they can enroll in the employee benefits that suits their needs the best.

It may be worth your time to review your employee benefits package and modify your options. At the very least a brief employee meeting to review employee benefits is a good idea. Most companies have open enrollment once per year, and the weeks leading up to this date are perfect for distributing information to your employees. You can give them links to websites related to their employee benefits or hand out booklets and brochures that adequately explain all of the aspects behind each type of benefit that your company offers.

Next look at the way you manage benefits. Employee benefits management has come a long way over the last few years and today most companies either outsource the majority of their employee benefits related tasks or use software that allows employees to manage their own benefits from their computer, changing plans or enrolling in employee benefits as they see fit. This eliminates a huge burden from the HR department's shoulders and reduces the chance of human error. Unicorn HRO can handle your benefits needs and provide you with software solutions that will simplify the process greatly.

The days of simply implementing a few employee benefits and then forgetting about them are gone. Over thirty percent of employees contribute to their health care costs and over sixty percent are estimated to pay into their retirement accounts annually. Careful employee benefits management is a must to keep your employees happy and morale high. Using a combination of good employee benefits packages, employee benefits management software, and companies that specialize in employee benefits outsourcing such as Unicorn HRO is the best way to simplify each aspect of your employee benefits and ensure that your benefits are all that they can be.