Tandem HR, founded in 1998 by Chicago-based benefits consultant Bruce Leon, is the largest privately held PEO in the Midwest. It began with the founding of Benefits Solutions Group in 1997, then evolved into Tandem Professional Employer Services (PES), which spread through word-of-mouth referrals due to its high-quality outsourced HR services.
In 2008, the company rebranded to Tandem HR to reflect its expanded service offerings. It was later recognized as a Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS), thus reinforcing its mission to empower entrepreneurs to build stronger companies by providing innovative solutions. As a member of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO), Tandem HR stays ahead of industry trends, legal changes, and best practices.
Tandem HR is a full-service PEO partner providing a range of HR solutions designed for small and medium-sized businesses with tailored services in areas like employee onboarding, benefits orientations, payroll administration, risk management, employment law compliance, and more. Tandem HR has experienced significant growth, fueled by a commitment to personalized service and strategic investments.
This includes acquisitions supported by Shore Capital Partners in 2020 and their integration into the Vensure Employer Solutions family in 2024. Today, Tandem HR serves hundreds of thousands of worksite employees, ensuring their HR needs are met with care and attention.
Pros
Compliance Expertise: Ensures clients remain compliant with ever-changing regulations, mitigate risks, and avoid potential legal issues.
Customized Solutions: Tandem HR tailors its services to meet the specific needs of each client.
Access to Premium Benefits: SMBs can offer their employees top-tier benefits that are typically exclusive to larger enterprises.
Cons
Tandem HR Features
The following are some of Tandem HR’s core services:
1. Comprehensive HR Solutions
Tandem HR offers comprehensive HR solutions, including payroll processing, benefits administration, and compliance management. They streamline hiring, onboarding, and termination while ensuring businesses stay compliant with federal and state regulations.
As an IRS-certified PEO, they provide expert guidance on risk management, workers’ compensation, and policy development. Their solutions help small businesses offer competitive benefits like health savings accounts, 401(k) plans, and flexible spending accounts. By consolidating HR functions, Tandem HR reduces administrative burdens, enhances efficiency, and provides businesses with the tools to attract and retain top talent.
2. HR Technology
Tandem HR has a high-tech platform, PeopleHub, that provides a seamless, all-in-one solution for managing HR processes efficiently. The platform centralizes every aspect of workforce management in one secure system, from hiring and onboarding to payroll and time tracking.
Its Applicant Tracking System (ATS) streamlines hiring by posting job openings, filtering candidates, and tracking communication. Once hired, employees can complete paperwork, review company policies, and watch training videos from any device, ensuring a smooth transition into their new role.
PeopleHub also simplifies time and attendance tracking with tools that monitor productivity, analyze performance trends, and use geofencing to verify employee locations during work hours. Payroll processing is fully automated, so employees are paid accurately and on time through direct deposit, paper checks, or pay cards. The system integrates seamlessly with other HR functions, including performance management and background checks, which is not only efficient but also eliminates administrative burdens.
3. Risk Management
Tandem HR helps businesses stay protected and compliant by handling the complexities of risk management. They provide workers’ compensation coverage, claims reporting, and expert claims management. This ultimately leads to the quick resolution of workplace incidents and reduces liability. Their team also assists with post-accident investigations, safety inspections, and OSHA record-keeping, so businesses can stay compliant without the hassle.
Tandem HR takes a proactive approach to safety. They conduct in-depth audits that meet or even exceed OSHA standards. Their industry-specific safety programs help businesses prevent workplace risks while staying up to date with regulations. They also offer training and ongoing support to help teams maintain safe work environments.
4. Human Resources Outsourcing
Tandem HR offers comprehensive HR outsourcing through a co-employment model where it partners with businesses to manage payroll, benefits, compliance, risk management, and other HR functions while the business retains control over day-to-day operations. Tandem HR also protects businesses from potential liabilities through Employer Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI), which helps mitigate legal risks related to wrongful termination, discrimination, or other employment-related claims.
Another critical area they manage is compliance. Their team of HR and legal experts ensures that your business adheres to complex regulations such as HIPAA, workplace safety standards, and drug-free policies. They also enhance employee engagement with well-designed and informative HR materials, including customized employee handbooks that keep your workforce informed about policies and workplace guidelines.
5. Employee Benefits
Tandem HR makes offering competitive employee benefits simple and cost-effective. Through its PEO-powered benefits solutions, businesses gain access to high-quality medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) from top carriers at affordable rates. Tandem HR handles the entire benefits administration process, from enrollment to ongoing plan management, making sure that both employers and employees have a seamless experience.
In addition to health benefits, Tandem HR offers retirement and savings plans, including 401(k), flexible spending accounts (FSA), and health savings accounts (HSA). By leveraging its collective buying power, even small businesses with as few as five participants can access premium benefits at competitive rates. These are options typically reserved for larger companies. For businesses that prefer non-PEO employer-sponsored benefits, Tandem HR’s brokerage team provides expert guidance in selecting the best plans available to companies with as few as two participants.
6. Payroll Administration
Tandem HR offers an automated payroll system that handles everything from wage calculations and tax withholdings to direct deposits and paycheck distribution, streamlining payroll processing for businesses of all sizes. Their payroll experts manage federal, state, and local tax filings with accuracy and minimize the risk of costly penalties. They also handle garnishments, benefits deductions, and year-end reporting, including W-2 and 1099 processing.
The platform integrates seamlessly with time and attendance systems which reduces errors and improves payroll efficiency. Employees gain easy access to pay stubs, tax documents, and direct deposit settings through a secure self-service portal. Whether managing hourly wages, salaried employees, or complex payroll structures, Tandem HR provides a reliable, efficient, and fully compliant payroll solution.
Pricing
Tandem HR doesn’t list exact pricing publicly on its website. Depending on the size of the company, the scope of services required, and other business-specific needs, pricing on the range of services offered can vary. So, for a tailored pricing plan, you’ll need to contact us at The Mission for a customized HR services quote from Tandem HR 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
Tandem HR has limited feedback available, with reviews primarily found on:
G2: 5 out of 5 stars rating based on 2 reviews.
Trustburn: 4.2 out of 5 stars rating based on 10 reviews.
Better Business Bureau: An A+ rating.
No reviews were found on Capterra, TrustRadius, or Trustpilot.
Customer Reviews
Tandem HR generally receives positive feedback for being people-centric. Clients appreciate the company’s reliability, noting that their HR operations run smoothly with improved workflow and productivity. The user-friendly online portal makes handling HR tasks simple, and many businesses praise Tandem HR’s strong customer support, quick responses, and high-quality benefits.
However, some clients have reported inconsistencies in service, particularly when it comes to responding to potential clients. Others have mentioned delays in response times and occasional technical difficulties that can affect the overall experience.
Overall, Tandem HR is a great choice for businesses looking for a dependable HR partner, especially for payroll, benefits, and compliance support.
Is Tandem HR Right for Your Business?
If you're an SMB looking to streamline HR operations with cutting-edge technology and offer competitive employee benefits typically reserved for larger companies, Tandem HR is a suitable choice. Also, its expertise in compliance is particularly valuable if you’re concerned about navigating complex labor laws and want to avoid costly penalties. So you’ll need to request a customized quote to evaluate how their offerings align with your needs.
However, if your priorities are completely different or facing another direction from what Tandem HR offers, you might want to consider an alternative. Ultimately, Tandem HR is a good option for SMBs that value scalability, compliance expertise, and access to premium benefits, but it’s worth scheduling a consultation to see if it aligns with your specific needs and goals.
Tandem HR Alternatives
If Tandem HR doesn't seem to align with your business objectives or goals, here are some great alternatives to consider:
Paychex PEO: It offers personalized HR solutions with flexible plans designed to meet the unique needs of different businesses. Their scalable solutions cater to businesses at different growth stages, and their intuitive online platform ensures that even smaller teams can manage HR operations effectively.
Insperity: Insperity emphasizes personalized support and offers dedicated HR specialists who work closely with businesses to address their needs. Insperity is especially well-suited for businesses seeking a partnership that goes beyond basic HR tasks to include long-term HR strategy development.
TriNet: TriNet’s industry-tailored offerings make it a better fit for businesses in niche sectors that require specialized HR solutions. It also offers a more advanced and customizable platform for HR tasks, which could be appealing if Tandem HR's basic offerings don't meet your needs.
Why Partner with Mission HR?
At Mission HR, we know how important it is to choose the right HR outsourcing solution. We’re here to help you find the best PEO for your business. Our network of trusted providers will help you get competitive rates and ensure your HR needs match your business goals. Contact us today to learn how we can support your HR outsourcing needs.