Saturday, September 1, 2007

What is workmen's comp insurance?

Workmen's Comp Insurance is a type of insurance required by each state (some exceptions are made) to cover the employer when a worker is injured on the job. Some of the earliest workmen's comp insurance requirements became a reality in the early 1800's. Before this employees received no help when injured while working and often sued the company winning damages that could put the employer out of business. This type of insurance is paid for wholly by the company.... an employee is never required to contribute.

Every state has different requirements for Workmen's Comp insurance. The easiest way to get this insurance while staying on top of state requirements is to partner with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). To find the perfect PEO visit http://www.PEO-Quote.com

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

What Is Employee Leasing?

Employee leasing is when an employer moves employees from his or her payroll onto the payroll of an employee leasing company. The employee leasing company becomes the employer of record for the employees and then "loans" the employees back to the original employer for a fee. This fee includes payroll costs and usually includes benefits. The employee leasing company handles all human resources functions for the employees including but not limited to payroll, legal compliance, record keeping and benefits. Employee leasing firms work with any size company and normally offers an employer a significant cost savings.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

What Kind Of Companies Use A PEO?

A Professional Employer Organization or Employee Leasing Company can work with:

Virtual Assistants
Freelance Writers
Construction firms
Law firms
Automobile shops
Bakeries
Sales organizations
Web designers
Dry cleaning establishments
Spas
Real estate agents
Private investigators
Restaurants
Medical practitioners
Multi-media companies

This list is, of course, only a small portion of the types of companies that work with PEOs. If you would like to join this list visit http://www.peo-quote.com

Sunday, July 15, 2007

What Is A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)?

Wikipedia defines a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) as a type of managed care organization (MCO) that provides a form of health insurance coverage in the United States that is fulfilled through hospitals, doctors, and other providers with which the HMO has a contract. Unlike traditional indemnity insurance, care provided in an HMO generally follows a set of care guidelines provided through the HMO's network of providers. Under this model, providers contract with an HMO to receive more patients and in return usually agree to provide services at a discount. This arrangement allows the HMO to charge a lower monthly premium, which is an advantage over indemnity insurance, provided that its members are willing to abide by the additional restrictions.

Many employers and employee leasing companies offer an HMO as a health insurance option for employees. Websites such as http://www.Peo-Quote.com help employers navigate the maze of health benefits offered by various employee leasing companies.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

PEO Services

What kind of services does a typical Professional Employer Organization (PEO) offer?:

PEO Payroll Administration

* Prepare payroll and distribute checks
* Direct deposit
* W2’s
* W3’s
* Payroll Data
* Withholdings and Tax Deposits
* Payroll record keeping, audits
* I-9 inquiries
* Reports and job costing
* Time clock management
* Vacation
* Payroll software

PEO Workers Compensation

* Claims administration
* OSHA Compliance
* Policy cost
* Dividend plan reviews and audits
* Report and document accidents
* Safety plan creation, administration and training
* Work Comp billing reconciliation
* Safety audits
* NCCI rate reviews

PEO Employee Benefits

* Short term disability
* Long term disability
* Benefits handbook
* Dental insurance
* Health insurance
* Eligibility tracking
* COBRA compliance and administration
* Plan discrimination testing
* Carrier payments and account audits
* Annual plan cost reviews
* 401K administration
* Annual enrollments
* Flexible spending accounts administration
* Section 125 (pretax) premium audits
* Life Insurance plan administration
* Employee assistance plans (EAP) administration

PEO Human Resources

* Legal assistance establishment and retainers
* Employment policies
* Valid employee handbooks
* Manage insurance for Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)
* Unemployment claims administration
* Background checks
* Audit compliance with Wage and Hour (FLSA)
* Audit compliance with ADA – Disability Act
* Audit compliance with EEOC
* Audit compliance with OSHA
* Attendance audits
* Employment applications
* Applicant interviewer training practices
* I9 compliance

The exact set of services bundled for a PEO client are customized to the needs of the employer and his employees. The employer saves money, time and aggravation by partnering with a PEO.

Friday, June 15, 2007

The Only Way A Small Business Can Compete

A small business owner may feel that he or she cannot compete with a larger organization when it comes to hiring employees. Larger organizations often have extensive benefit plans that are very attractive to prospective employees and it is not unusual for a recruiter to be asked about benefits before salary when speaking to a potential employee.

Small companies can exploit this interest in benefit plans by turning to a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). A PEO can provide a small business with health, life and dental insurance and offers the all important workmen's comp coverage.

A business owner may waste hours on the internet researching potential PEO's based on geography, services offered and pricing when they could more easily turn to a PEO broker such as PEO-Quote.com. PEO brokers do all the research and work for business owners in order to help them choose the perfect PEO company for their group.

Think carefully before choosing a PEO and consider using a broker to help you wade through the myriad of Professional Employer Organizations.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

What Is An Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

An EAP is a program that offers counseling and assistance with personal and professional issues impacting employees. In the 1940s some employers offered alcohol rehabilitation programs to employees and this has expanded over time to include assessment and assistance with workplace difficulties, marriage and family issues, financial and legal matters and health issues. These programs are typically focus on relieving employee stress and encouraging counseling as an option for many of life's difficulties. Effective EAPs reduce employee absences and increase employee productivity.

Most Professional Employer Organizations include an EAP plan that will work for businesses and non-profits of any size.