Human Resources - Starting From Scratch (Part I of II)

"body">you should handle payroll in-house or outsource it. The
Are you facing the exciting yet daunting challenge offact is that you most definitely should hire a payroll
creating an HR department from scratch? Regardlessservice as it offers tremendous benefits. Even if your
of the size of your company, even a seasoned HRcompany is comprised of just a few people, a payroll
professional needs a carefully planned road map to beservice will take the headache and worry away from
sure all bases are covered in order to launch afiling state and local tax returns, remitting taxes and
successful HR department.issuing W-2s. Ideally you should interview at least two
"Back in the day" it used to be that companies did notpayroll companies. Do not rely solely on pricing as that
have dedicated HR departments. However, in today'sis somewhat negotiable, but focus mainly on the
litigious business climate with ever changing laws,service's ability to provide support. Even if you have
regulations and precedents, HR must follow basicyears of payroll experience, there will undoubtedly be
guidelines to protect your company and make certainsituations that require immediate and expert support
that your employees feel secure and satisfied.from your payroll service, so get some references
So let's get started by thinking about your work space.from current clients before you make your final choice.
Ideally you will occupy an office with a working doorAlso be sure that you be assigned a dedicated payroll
with a lock to protect private conversations andspecialist who will be there for you and know your
documents. Will you directly supervise employees andaccount.
make management decisions? Will you make hiringGet introduced to a higher-level manager in the event
and/or firing decisions? Or will you play more of ayou must elevate poor customer service issues. That
support role? Get top management to answer theseway, you know immediately who to turn to for quick
questions upfront so you know the scope of yourresolution. Ultimately the buck stops with you. If
authority and boundaries within your position right offproblems occur with any given payroll, all eyes will be
the bat.on you, so decide on your payroll service carefully and
Payroll is one of the main functions of the HRhold them accountable to make you look good!
department and you may be contemplating whether