An insider’s look at outsourcing HR

Whether or not to outsource human resources functions can be a challenging decision for a company. Studies have shown that outsourcing human resources can reduce costs, improve regulation compliance and help businesses advance in their respective industries. However, many companies are still wary of outsourcing as they feel it may alienate the company from itself and its employees. 

Diane Morelli is currently the director of a team of human resources professionals at Triton HR, but she used to sit on the other side of the table. Before joining the Triton HR team, Morelli worked as an internal human resources professional. She recalls coming across many small- and mid-sized business owners during that time who wished they could afford the cost of a seasoned HR professional for their own company. These business owners spent much of their time handling employee related issues instead of focusing on the intricacies of building their companies, designing operations, marketing their products and planning for the future.

Gaining perspective
Now, Morelli's role has changed and she's no longer the client; she's now one of the providers instead. Luckily, her previous experience gives her a unique perspective on outsourcing. Morelli appreciates and understands the hesitation that some businesses may feel as they teeter on the fence about whether to hire an outside entity to oversee their human resources functions. HR has become an integral part of business operations and can impact a company's bottom line especially since HR oversees and handles a company's largest asset, its employees. Although some companies view it as a pricey venture, Job Science reported that the number one reason companies outsource is to save money

The key component to a strong outsourcing endeavor, says Morelli, is finding a service that cares about the company's employees and corporate mission as much as its business leaders do. There has to be a high level of integrity, passion and great customer service emanating from an outsourced agency; anything less than a stellar provider sends a message to the client company and it employees that they are not highly valued. Outsourcing providers should have a strong grasp of where their client's business is today, where it wants to be tomorrow and how it wants to get there.

Tackling transitions
​Morelli also noted that transition can be viewed as a major roadblock on the journey to outsourcing HR. In this case, businesses should find a provider that offers consulting services with a strong customer/employee service focus. Consultants work directly with the company to ease any kinks during the transition process and keep the lines of communication open between management and staff. Consultants can help corporations narrow their fields of focus to find out where a problem area may exist within a human resources function. This type of service is incredibly expensive on a market scale, but by outsourcing, businesses can save their money and still receive high quality advice, guidance and service.

Today, Morelli wouldn't mind going back to all those business owners she met during her prior career to tell them a quality HR department is possible at a fraction of the cost they thought it could be. Morelli and the entire Triton HR team is in a position to help businesses meet their HR goals through recruitment, performance management, employee handbooks, strategic planning, talent development and much more.