Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI) is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol BBSI. They started as a staffing company in 1972, and over the past 50 years, evolved into a Professional Employer Organization (PEO).
Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, BBSI operates through a network of local branches across the United States, delivering services with a localized approach. BBSI serves a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, transportation, and various service sectors, tailoring its solutions to meet the specific needs of small and mid-sized businesses.
The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including payroll administration, human resources support, workers' compensation coverage, risk management, and business consulting. BBSI emphasizes a relationship-based approach, providing clients with dedicated local teams to support their business objectives.
Pros
Robust Coverage: BBSI has a well-established presence and operates extensively in the West Coast states. They also provide significant services and support in other Western States and parts of the Central East Coast.
Tailored Support: Each client benefits from a dedicated team of professional consultants who work closely to streamline business operations, meet organizational goals, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Specialization: BBSI offers industry-focused services tailored to the unique needs of businesses in construction, restaurants, hospitality, landscaping, manufacturing, restoration, towing, trucking, and franchise operations.
Cons
Features of BBSI
BBSI offerings include the following:
1. Payroll Management
BBSI provides an all-in-one payroll solution that simplifies payroll management and ensures businesses comply with labor and tax laws. At the center of their service is the myBBSI platform, a user-friendly software that lets business owners handle payroll tasks from any device — a phone, tablet, or computer. The platform streamlines payroll processes, including administration and reporting, while also giving employees 24/7 access to their pay stubs and other documents, making it easier for everyone involved.
Each client is also assigned a dedicated payroll specialist who helps with both day-to-day tasks and long-term improvements. These specialists work closely with businesses to streamline payroll operations, reduce errors, and save time and money. Their personalized approach ensures smooth payroll management and minimizes the risk of mistakes that could lead to costly penalties or unhappy employees.
2. Human Resources Support
BBSI’s HR support services help businesses manage their workforce effectively. It starts with an HR Competitive Analysis, where BBSI reviews your current HR practices and aligns them with your business goals. This analysis forms the basis for tailored recommendations and solutions for all aspects of your HR operations.
BBSI focuses on developing managers into strong leaders and creating a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent. They provide training, guidance, and ongoing support to help businesses build an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and engaged, increasing satisfaction and driving long-term success.
Their HR support covers the entire employee journey, including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, career development, performance management, and somewhat difficult processes, such as terminations.
3. Workers' Compensation
BBSI offers flexible pricing, predictable monthly premiums, and top-tier coverage that grows with your business. They operate a pay-as-you-go model that adjusts premiums based on actual payroll and operational risks, eliminating surprises from year-end audits and providing financial predictability.
BBSI proactively improves workplace safety. Your dedicated Risk Consultant partners with you to identify hazards, implement safety strategies, and foster a safety culture. They provide tailored training programs to reduce workplace injuries and lower your experience modification rate (X-Mod), which can help lower your premiums.
If an injury occurs, BBSI guides you through the claims process, ensuring compliance and helping your employees get the care they need. Their approach minimizes downtime and reduces the impact of injuries on your business. With BBSI’s program, you protect both your business and employees.
4. Staffing and Recruitment
BBSI helps businesses find and retain the talent they need, regardless of industry or job type. A dedicated Recruiting Specialist manages the hiring process, using top platforms to find and evaluate candidates. Every candidate undergoes a thorough interview to ensure they match your company’s requirements and culture. BBSI also handles background checks, employment verifications, and drug testing so that you can be confident in your hire.
After you hire, BBSI ensures a smooth onboarding process, supporting both the new employee and the company. This support continues throughout the employee lifecycle, ensuring a consistent and positive experience.
For businesses dealing with turnover, BBSI helps you quickly find your next great hire, keeping your operations running smoothly. With industry expertise and personalized support, BBSI helps you build a strong team to drive your business forward.
5. Technology Solutions
BBSI’s Technology Solution, powered by myBBSI Payroll and HR Software, simplifies business operations by bringing payroll and HR management into one easy-to-use platform. myBBSI is accessible from any device and is designed for business owners, HR managers, and employees.
For payroll, myBBSI streamlines the process with batch payroll options, allowing you to pay multiple employees quickly. Employees can access their pay stubs and compensation details 24/7, and a built-in payroll calendar helps you stay organized and meet deadlines.
On the HR side, myBBSI handles tasks like time-off requests, performance evaluations, benefits, and onboarding — all in one place. It also automates reports and generates real-time dashboards, giving you quick insights into your workforce.
6. Business Strategy
Central to BBSI’s business strategy service is the Business Blueprint, a personalized plan that captures where your business is now, where you want it to go, and the steps needed to get there. This plan evolves as your business grows, giving you a clear roadmap to follow.
BBSI organizes roundtable events where business owners can connect, share challenges, and find solutions. They also conduct SWOT analysis sessions to assess your business's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, helping you make informed decisions.
BBSI helps you optimize your team by assessing performance and identifying areas for growth. They also engage in inflection curve discussions to prepare your business for growth and unexpected challenges.
Each BBSI client is paired with a dedicated Business Partner who serves as a personal consultant. These experts get to know your business and goals deeply, offering customized guidance to help you navigate challenges, leverage your strengths, and achieve success.
Pricing
BBSI’s pricing is based on a customized plan tailored to your business needs, which means the cost will depend on factors like the number of employees, the services required, and the complexity of your operations. The fees are not set as a standard flat rate but are influenced by the range of services you select and the level of support your business needs.
BBSI, like most PEOs, doesn’t always publish pricing information upfront. But for detailed pricing, please contact us at The Mission for a customized HR services quote from BBSI and other PEO providers. Our consultations are designed to understand your business needs and provide a detailed, personalized pricing proposal to meet your specific requirements.
Ratings
BBSI receives a combination of positive and negative feedback, with strong reviews on G2, but lower scores on other platforms. Here’s a summary:
G2: 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 5 reviews.
PissedConsumer: 2.2 out of 5 stars rating from 12 reviews.
Yelp: 3.9 out of 5 stars rating based on 12 reviews.
Customers’ Reviews
Customer feedback gathered from G2, PissedConsumer, and Yelp paints a mixed picture of BBSI’s services. Many companies appreciate BBSI for its user-friendly interface, especially when it comes to payroll management. Several users have mentioned how easy it is to access their pay stubs and other payroll-related documents directly from their phones or online without needing assistance from HR. The support team at BBSI has also received praise for being responsive and helpful, particularly when changes or adjustments are needed.
However, some recurring issues have been pointed out by users, particularly with the password reset process. Many customers have found it frustrating and time-consuming to recover their accounts when they forget their passwords, often relying on HR for assistance.
While the platform is generally seen as easy to use, several reviews describe it as somewhat confusing at times, with unnecessarily complicated navigation and a lack of personalization options. There are also complaints about high fees and the overall cost of using BBSI's services, leading some customers to suggest businesses consider alternative payroll providers.
Is BBSI Right for Your Business?
If you have lots of employees and are looking to simplify payroll and HR tasks, BBSI could be a great fit. It’s especially helpful if you manage hourly or temporary workers, such as in construction, retail, or hospitality businesses. With BBSI, you can streamline payroll processing and focus more on growing your business.
It's also a good choice for businesses in regulated industries, as it assists with compliance, worker’s compensation, and employee verification. BBSI’s support is valuable for businesses that need help with HR services that can grow alongside them.
However, BBSI might not be the best option for small and mid-sized businesses looking for low fees or highly personalized customer service, as some users report high fees and delays in support. Also, companies that prefer a modern, intuitive interface may find BBSI’s platform outdated.
BBSI Alternatives
When evaluating PEOs, it's beneficial to compare multiple providers to find the best fit for your business. Here are some alternatives to consider:
Paychex: Paychex provides a robust set of payroll and HR solutions, ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. They have a reputation for strong customer service and user-friendly software, making it an attractive choice for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution.
Insperity: Insperity offers a comprehensive suite of HR services with customizable plans, making it suitable for businesses of various sizes. They’re known for their extensive library of training resources and personalized support.
TriNet: TriNet specializes in industry-specific HR solutions, offering tailored services for various sectors. They also provide comprehensive employee benefits and compliance support.
Why Partner with The Mission?
At The Mission, we understand the importance of selecting the right HR outsourcing solution. We're here to guide you in finding the perfect PEO for your business. With our network of trusted providers, we can help you secure competitive rates while aligning your HR services with your business objectives. Reach out to us today to learn how we can support your HR outsourcing needs.