Employee Handbooks     Managing Change     Benefits of Outsourcing     Outsourcing Basics   HR Outsourcing Basics For many businesses that don't have the time or the resources to manage HR functions, outsourcing is a cost-effective alternative to hiring an in-house human-resources staff. Today's HR firms offer a wide variety of services to companies that need to focus on their core business activities and still establish and maintain good HR policies. To decide if HR outsourcing is right for you, ask yourself three questions. • Are you comfortable letting someone else handle your HR functions? • Do you have dedicated HR representatives or adequate resources to manage your HR needs? • Can your business afford an HR outsourcing firm? If you're not comfortable with an outsider handling your HR functions, outsourcing probably isn't your best option. But before you dismiss it out of hand, consider the many HR functions that can easily be outsourced: recruiting, staffing, benefits, payroll and training. Choosing an HR Firm For some businesses, cost is the deciding factor in vendor selection. Other companies look for a cultural fit or a commitment to quality. Some things you should consider when evaluating a firm include: • The range of outsourcing services it offers • The expertise it has in your industry • Its general HR experience • Its available resources • The flexibility of its contracts                                                                                                         Click to next page