3 min read

Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Evaluate a PEO

Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Evaluate a PEO

As the leaves start to change and the air turns crisp, businesses everywhere feel the shift in seasons. Fall isn’t just about pumpkin spice and cozy sweaters; it’s also a strategic time for business owners to reflect and plan for the future. One crucial aspect to consider during this season is evaluating a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). Here’s why autumn is the ideal time to make this important decision.

The Calm Before the Storm

Fall provides a unique window of opportunity. The frantic pace of summer vacations and the end-of-year rush are still a few months away. This relative calm allows you to focus on evaluating your HR needs without the distractions of peak business periods. It’s a time to breathe, reflect, and plan.

During this period, business operations often stabilize as the immediate rush of summer activities wind down and the holiday season has yet to ramp up. This lull provides the perfect opportunity to assess your company’s performance over the past year and identify areas for improvement. By taking the time to evaluate a PEO now, you can make informed decisions that will benefit your business in the long run.

Financial Planning and Budgeting

As the fiscal year draws to a close, fall is prime time for financial planning and budgeting for the upcoming year. This season offers a clear picture of your annual performance, making it easier to identify areas where a PEO can add value. Whether it’s streamlining payroll, enhancing employee benefits, or ensuring compliance with ever-changing regulations, integrating a PEO can help you optimize costs and improve efficiency.

Fall is also the period when many businesses finalize their budgets and financial plans for the next year. Evaluating a PEO now allows you to factor in the potential cost savings and efficiency gains that a PEO can offer. From reducing the administrative burden on your HR team to providing access to better benefits packages at lower costs, a PEO can significantly impact your bottom line.

Prepping for the New Year

The start of a new year often brings changes in laws and regulations that impact HR practices. By evaluating a PEO in the fall, you can ensure that your business is prepared to handle these updates seamlessly. PEOs stay ahead of regulatory changes, providing you with expert guidance and support, so you’re not caught off guard when January rolls around.

New regulations and compliance requirements are often implemented at the beginning of the year. Partnering with a PEO ensures that your business is not only compliant with current laws but also prepared for any upcoming changes. This proactive approach can save your business from costly fines and legal issues, allowing you to start the new year with confidence.

Employee Benefits Enrollment

Open enrollment for employee benefits typically occurs in the fall. This is the perfect time to assess your current benefits offerings and consider how a PEO might enhance them. PEOs have the buying power to provide high-quality benefits at competitive rates, making your company more attractive to top talent. This strategic move can boost employee satisfaction and retention.

Offering competitive benefits is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent. PEOs leverage their larger pool of employees to negotiate better rates for health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits. By evaluating a PEO during open enrollment season, you can offer your employees improved benefits without significantly increasing costs.

Aligning with the Calendar Year

One of the significant advantages of starting your PEO relationship on January 1st is that it aligns perfectly with the calendar year for health insurance plans. Most health insurance plans follow the calendar year for deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket expenses. By aligning your PEO partnership with this timeline, you can ensure a seamless transition for your employees and take full advantage of the annual benefits cycle.

When your health insurance plan starts on January 1st, your employees' deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums reset. This alignment helps avoid the confusion and financial strain of mid-year changes, making it easier for employees to manage their healthcare expenses. Additionally, programs like Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) often operate on a calendar-year basis. By aligning your PEO partnership with the calendar year, you ensure that contributions and benefits align smoothly, providing a straightforward and efficient benefits experience for your employees.


Take the Leap This Fall

Embrace the season of change. Explore the benefits of partnering with a PEO and reap the rewards of a well-supported, thriving business.

For more information on how a PEO can transform your business, feel free to reach out to PEOMG. We're here to help you find the right PEO solution tailored to your needs. Don’t wait—prepare your business for a successful new year today.

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