HR outsourcing is continuing to expand at a rapid rate and includes tasks such as recruiting, payroll, compliance and benefits administration. Running global operations comes with numerous challenges, with tasks like staying on top of multilingual staff, labour laws across different cultures and a multitude of tax regulations becoming increasingly time-consuming. Outsourcing these operations to experienced professional service providers can alleviate this and shift the focus, helping the business grow in the longer term.

For example, decision-makers need to entrust their services to other experts in the field – encouraging improved efficiency, access to the latest technological innovations, steps towards embracing automation and AI, and overall reduced operational costs.

How to overcome challenges with the right partner

By 2027, the HR outsourcing market is expected to grow by $13.6 billion, but despite its many benefits, navigating how to outsource effectively is not without its challenges. Partnering with an unsuitable provider can result in data mismanagement, issues of non-compliance, and subpar services.

However, these hurdles can be overcome when organisations partner with an experienced provider. Many companies face unique HR challenges that can have a significant impact on their growth and success. Outsourcing HR can provide these organisations with access to professional expertise, compliance with employment laws, efficient recruitment processes, and cost savings. By opting for HR outsourcing, these companies can streamline their operations, enhance employee satisfaction, and dedicate more time and resources to their core business activities.

Save money and time

With HR outsourcing, lengthy processes such as hiring and recruitment, employment law and complex tax systems are delegated to third-party providers, freeing up time to focus on other business-critical issues.

Another big benefit of outsourcing is cost savings, especially as businesses continue to expand internationally. As a company grows, these external professionals can carry out all the necessary HR functions to ensure the smooth running of an organisation, which ultimately results in higher costs. However, by outsourcing services, companies are saving money in the long run.

Examples of cost savings include less money spent on salaries, training and development and insurance expenses that come with an in-house team. Additionally, this saves on recruitment and hiring, payroll, and compliance costs. 

Minimise and manage risks

With employment and labour laws constantly changing, keeping up to date with the latest regulations can not only significantly impact the workplace but is also necessary to minimise risks and remain compliant.

Through outsourcing HR, teams have access to professionals who have a deep understanding of laws and regulations. Additionally, this will also help with maintaining and auditing company policies to remain one step ahead.

Ability to scale as needed

Another benefit of outsourcing is flexibility, which allows businesses to change size, and expand when needed, which is key to business growth and scalability.

If a business is undergoing a period of growth internationally, it must align its existing HR principles and policy with local employment laws and country-specific requirements. This can be a daunting task and something in-house teams may not have the necessary experience to handle.

Employment law varies from country to country, and for every country HR teams need to be completely up to speed with that country’s legislation. Some countries, such as those in the European Union, will operate within a similar framework – however, each location will have its own nuances, from data privacy regulations to tax legislation.

For expansions to be successful, ensuring global compliance is achieved is essential, which is why handing these complexities over to an expert is one of the most important benefits of outsourcing.

Looking forward – The future of HR outsourcing

Outsourcing all or part of your activity can be game-changing. Enlisting the help of a dedicated specialist can ensure that businesses stay on top of ongoing changes and continue to comply with the ever-changing employment laws and regulations in each location without investing too much of their own time. 

In the United States, 32% of organisations delegate at least one HR activity to external providers, with 51% choosing to outsource as it benefits administration. In fact, in June 2023, there was a remarkable 97% satisfaction rate for outsourcing recruitment processes. What it means to manage remote workforces has changed, as performance management and compliance issues differ between locations. All employees need to have the same professional development opportunities, whether they work onsite or remotely.

When it comes to outsourcing HR services, organisations can justify hiring more people for their HR team to address all the different needs for global workforces, but this isn’t necessary if they partner with the right HR consultant. Compliance regulations continue to evolve, remote working is more common, and the challenges around recruitment have also changed. Expert outsourced HR support with experience of the latest trends and demands can help meet all the needs of a business, and in today’s complex workplace, outsourcing works in tandem with a HR team rather than replacing it.