Today is an exceptional time for international firms to open offices in the United States. The U.S. economy is slowly recovering and remains the world's largest market. There is a large pool of talented employees available across a wide variety of industries. Commercial and industrial real estate is being offered for sale at record low prices. And, many state and local governments are currently providing incentives for companies who open new offices.
However, the United States' human resource environment is complex and dramatically different than other markets. U.S. labor laws can be a confusing hodge-podge of federal, state and local ordinances. American businesses must manage several human resource functions including HRMS technology, payroll, taxes, employee benefits, workers' compensation and labor law compliance. Even with decades of experience, many domestic companies understand that the consequences of an HR mistake can be severe and they turn to professional employer organization (PEO) services to guarantee accurate, cost-effective and timely HR services.
This article series introduces the human resource functions currently employed by American businesses, identifies some key considerations for international firms planning to open offices in the United States, and discusses how PEO services may provide a smart, profitable solution.
Read on to learn about a specific HR topic, trend or PEO service.