Introduction
The American market beckons; it’s a land of opportunity ripe for foreign-owned businesses to flourish. Yet, the complexities of US employment regulations can quickly turn that excitement into a tangled web of worry. Payroll taxes, benefits, and equity arrangements – the list goes on, and each demands valuable time and local knowledge. But what if there were a way to confidently navigate these hurdles, freeing you to focus on what truly matters: growing your business?
Enter PEO – Professional Employer Organization. PEOs provide turn-key outsourced HR, managing critical payroll, benefits, and compliance functions for hundreds of thousands of businesses with a US entity. For over 60 years, PEOs have been a model of hiring efficiency in the US and have steadily increased in uptake as employment regulations across the 50 states become more complex and risky.
PEO+ is an modern solution from Foothold America designed to meet the unique needs of foreign-owned businesses landing, expanding, and scaling in the US.
PEO+ Cross-Border Support™ enhances the traditional PEO remit by offering a full suite of HR services, supplemental administrative support, and local knowledge that simplifies HR, saves time, and ensures compliance. Most importantly, it protects foreign-owned businesses from knowledge gaps, costly mistakes, and an overstretched HR team.
Here’s how PEO+ empowers you to conquer the US market with confidence.
1. Acquire Top US Talent with Confidence:
Crafting full benefits is crucial for attracting and retaining top US talent. Knowing you’re offering impeccable benefits promotes confidence and success in candidate acquisition. However, navigating equity arrangements, deciding employer benefit contributions, and ensuring competitive leave plans ineffectively can derail the recruitment efforts of vital hires. With PEO+, we help you skillfully navigate these decisions so you can offer a compensation package that stands out to US job seekers. Our PEO+ team guides you through all of it, saving you valuable time and resources.
2. Top-notch Onboarding:
While traditional PEOs manage many tasks, onboarding isn’t one of them. With PEO+, the onboarding process becomes a breeze. Our dedicated team crafts a bespoke onboarding process with you, artfully melding your company culture with US best practices. This includes state-specific offer letters, right-to-work documentation, and employee income tax submissions, culminating in a smooth transition for your new team members. A positive onboarding experience is critical for retention, as evidenced in SHRM findings (Society for HR Management), which show that negative onboarding experiences result in twice the amount of first-year turnover.
3. Cross Border Support™ – Your Advantage:
Expanding into a new market entails navigating cultural differences and hours of timezones. Misunderstandings and delays can arise quickly, negatively impacting your US team’s productivity and morale. PEO+ presents a unique advantage: Cross Border Support™. Our dedicated HR and Client Service teams strategically located in the US, UK, and Europe bridge the gaps with their broad understanding of HR across many countries. We understand the nuances of international business, fostering a smooth and collaborative work environment for your entire team.
4. Compliance Assured:
US employment regulations can be a labyrinth, with new twists and turns appearing around every corner. Staying compliant in-house requires a dedicated HR team with deep knowledge of the ‘alphabet soup’ of US employment law – ACA*, ADA*, ADEA*, EEOC*, FLSA*, and FMLA*, to name a few. PEO+ eliminates this burden. Our compliance promise saves you from inadvertent missteps that can decimate even small companies- 30-employee company fined $240M over EEOC claims.
* ACA (Affordable Care Act)
- Healthcare.gov: This is the official website for obtaining health insurance through the ACA marketplaces.
*ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- ADA.gov: The official website for information about the ADA.
- Link: https://www.ada.gov/
*ADEA (Age Discrimination in Employment Act)
- EEOC website: While there isn’t a specific ADEA website, the EEOC enforces the ADEA. You can find information about age discrimination on their website.
- Link: https://www.eeoc.gov/
*EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
- EEOC website: The official website for the EEOC.
- Link: https://www.eeoc.gov/
*FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act)
- U.S. Department of Labor: Information on the FLSA can be found on the Department of Labor’s website.
*FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act)
- U.S. Department of Labor: Information on the FMLA can also be found on the Department of Labor’s website.
5. Expert Guidance Throughout Your Journey:
Onboarding your first employee may be the beginning of your journey. Your US workforce will grow as you succeed, meaning your employee operations need to evolve. Foothold America has helped thousands of international companies land, expand, and scale in the US. In challenging times, they may downsize before growing again. Your dedicated HR & Client Service Manager, supported by our expert teams, is by your side to make the tough decisions compliantly and smoothly to navigate people operation changes.
How do you navigate cultural differences in the workplace? How do you merge your home country’s employment policies with US regulations? With extensive US and international HR experience, our team offers expert advice on complex issues, ensuring a smooth transition for your business. This could be anything from crafting compliant employee handbooks to developing effective HR strategies and policies for your US workforce. Knowing you have a trusted partner gives you peace of mind.
Ready to Win the US Market?
Don’t let US employment complexity hold you back. Contact Foothold America today to learn how PEO+ can simplify your HR, save time, and empower you to focus on achieving your US expansion goals. Let PEO+ be your key to unlocking success in the American market.
Laurie Spicer
UK Based
Over 25 years experience doing business in North American, European, and Asian markets with a primary focus and specialism on the complexity of the US market.
FAQ’s
Do I need a US entity to use PEO+ services?
Yes. To use PEO+, your company needs a US entity, a US Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a US bank account. If you would rather not set up an entity yet, Foothold America’s Employer of Record service lets you hire US employees without one. Many clients start with an EOR and move to PEO+ as they grow.
What ongoing support does PEO+ offer?
PEO+ gives you ongoing payroll administration, compliance audits, escalation management and access to a dedicated HR and Client Service manager. We also help with policies, onboarding and employee questions as your team grows. The aim is a smooth experience for you and your employees, with US expertise on hand whenever an issue comes up.
Can I customize the benefits package offered through PEO+?
Yes, within limits. PEO+ gives you access to large-employer benefit plans, and you can choose from a range of medical, dental, vision and retirement options to suit your budget and your team. We help you benchmark your package against the US market for each role, so your offer stays competitive without overspending.
How much does PEO+ cost?
PEO+ costs depend on how many employees you have, their salaries and the benefits you choose. Health insurance is usually the biggest variable, so we check how plans are priced before you commit. Foothold America will give you a clear, customised quote based on your team, so you can budget with confidence.
Can I switch to PEO+ if I'm currently using another payroll or HR provider?
Yes. Foothold America can manage your transition to PEO+ from your existing provider. We handle communication with your current provider, transfer employee data and payroll history, and plan the timing so benefits continue without gaps. Many companies choose to switch at a quarter-end or year-end to keep payroll tax reporting simple.
How long does it take to get started with PEO+?
It depends on your needs, but setup usually takes a few weeks. We confirm your entity details, register you for payroll taxes in the right states, set up benefits and agree your onboarding process. Starting early, ideally before your first hire’s start date, gives enough time for benefits enrolment and compliant onboarding.
