Outsourcing isn’t a dirty word: 5 tips when searching for your perfect HR provider

Outsourcing isn’t something to run away from; if embraced properly, a business can go from good to great in a short amount of time. We all know that saving time and money is on the minds of most business owners, but achieving it is where the challenge lies.

Access to high-level HR expertise, employment law advice, increased efficiency, and on-demand support are just some of the reasons why businesses choose to outsource their HR function. So, if you’ve ever thought about engaging a specialist HR provider to scale your team and reduce your admin burden, what should you be looking for? Here, we point out our top reasons why outsourcing HR could be a good option for your business.

1. Save time and money

If you could give your HR team back all the time they’ve spent bogged down in paperwork, what would they do with it? What valuable initiatives and culture-building activities have been on the to-do list, but admin-heavy tasks have always got in the way?

Having access to a best-practice solution like Citation HR will help you reclaim lost time spent on HR admin so you can get back to doing what’s most important for the business.

2. A technology solution

A good HR technology provider should free you from manual tasks – it should be a solution to your business, and not another headache. You’ll want to choose an HR provider that presents a stress-free way to store and manage your employees’ information, produce legally-sound documents and policies, and integrates with other best-in-class software. The most flexible solutions are cloud-based, allowing access from anywhere you happen to be. One of the beautiful things about Citation HR is its ability to be an off-the-shelf product or optimised to suit the needs of your business.

Tip: Before you ink the paper, a quick Google search can uncover any red flags of the offering you’re considering. Any information you find may shed some light on whether they’ve been the subject of any court action or investigation by a government or consumer watchdog.

3. On-demand, integrated support and advice

Will you get 24/7, on-demand support that is just a phone call away? Will you get tailored advice for your business and industry? Having HR experts who know your business and have your back is equally as important as knowing that the person answering your questions is an experienced and qualified legal or workplace relations specialist.

Choosing a provider that has plenty of experience and positive recognition within your industry will ensure that you’ll be receiving excellent outsourced HR support. It’s worthwhile spending some time researching your potential provider to answer some basic questions like how many years they’ve been operating and which industries they work with.

4. Protect yourself, your people, and your business

Asking if the provider has solid legal backing is a must; this will let you know whether they have lawyers in-house that specialise in employment law or if they outsource this. No legal backing can leave your business vulnerable to claims because of outdated, non-compliant IP.

There is no excuse for not complying with the law (the law is unforgiving) so all employers must ensure they’re completely compliant. Protecting yourself, your people, and your business is perhaps the biggest priority you’ll face. Your HR provider should not only provide a thorough initial compliance audit but also ongoing monitoring of your compliance.

Tip: It’s also a good idea to check the qualifications and experience of the person who will be completing your audit.

5. Simplify HR

Making the administrative bits simpler can seem easier said than done, but that doesn’t have to be the case. The HR provider you choose can help by breaking down the harder tasks into easy-to-understand processes, and this is something we do at Citation HR – our HR Software has legally compliant workflows and checklists to help you manage every stage of the employee lifecycle. From managing a tricky termination to tackling an employee’s poor performance, when you follow the steps inside the software, you’ll be sure you’re legally compliant. Simplifying your HR can give you back the time you spent bogged down in admin so you can get back to running your business.

In addition to excellent HR services, we offer industry-leading workplace audits that will uncover if your business has any looming risks and threats. If you’re non-compliant, we’ll help you fix any issues and get you back on track with end-to-end HR support that includes HR Software, an award-winning 24/7 HR Advice Line, Advice Promise, and a library of legal templates and resources.

How does HR outsourcing work? Talk to our experts, and we’ll explain it all

Navigating complex HR obligations can be daunting regardless of the industry your business operates in, but with Citation HR’s expert-backed services, staying compliant has never been easier. Whether you’re managing a full HR team or just starting, our award-winning HR solutions, including 24/7 HR Advice Line, HR Compliance Audits, and industry-leading HR software, are designed to support your business every step of the way.

Not a Citation HR client? To learn more about how Citation HR can support your business and streamline its people management practices, reach out to our friendly team for a confidential chat here.

About our author

Lauren Stariha is a Senior Copywriter and Content Specialist at Citation Group. She’s responsible for creating engaging and meaningful content across various brands, from eBooks and email campaigns to blogs and multiple social media channels.