Since its establishment in 1988, TriNet has been helping businesses of all sizes navigate the complexities of human resources management. In recent reviews, TriNet has been ranked among the Top 5 PEO companies for the year 2022. But does it still live up to the hype? What distinguishes it from other PEO providers in the market? Could TriNet be the right PEO for your business?
In this review, we dive deep into TriNet's services, exploring real customer experiences to help you decide whether or not TriNet is right for your business.
What is TriNet?
TriNet is an American cloud-based professional employer organization (PEO) that provides human resources solutions to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with typically between 5 and over 1,000 employees. While they can accommodate larger companies, TriNet caters primarily to businesses that lack the resources of a large corporation to handle HR in-house.
Think of TriNet as an outsourced HR department. They handle payroll processing, benefits administration, risk mitigation (like workers' compensation), and compliance with employment laws in the state and country at large. They also offer strategic HR support for areas like recruitment and company culture.
Its pricing structure is typically per employee, per month (PEPM), meaning businesses pay a set fee for each employee per month. The exact cost will depend on the specific services your business needs, the number of employees, and your industry.
Pros
Comprehensive HR Services: TriNet offers a wide range of services that cover all aspects of HR, from payroll and benefits administration to compliance and risk management.
Scalability: TriNet’s solutions are scalable, making it suitable for businesses of varying sizes and growth stages.
Industry-Specific Solutions: TriNet provides industry-specific HR solutions, which means they understand the unique challenges and compliance requirements of different sectors.
Employee Benefits: TriNet offers access to high-quality, large-group employee benefits that might not be available to smaller businesses independently.
Advanced Technology: The company utilizes a robust technology platform that simplifies HR management, providing a user-friendly interface for employers and employees. This platform is also conveniently accessible on mobile devices.
Cons
Cost: TriNet’s services can be expensive, which might be a significant consideration for small businesses or startups with tight budgets.
Service Consistency: Some users have reported variability in service quality, particularly with customer support and responsiveness.
Complexity: The onboarding process and integration of services can be complex and time-consuming, potentially requiring significant effort from internal HR teams.
What Does TriNet Offer?
TriNet goes beyond basic payroll processing to provide a robust package of HR services that caters to the HR needs of SMBs across various sectors. Some of its HR services packages include a self-service HR platform for managing employee data and workflows, while others provide more hands-on support from TriNet's HR professionals. Here are some of the services they offer:
1. Payroll and Tax Compliance Services
TriNet can take the headache out of payroll for your small business. They use their expertise to automate all the tricky calculations and ensure your employees are paid accurately and on time. This includes salaries, wages, bonuses, and overtime, all based on your company's set pay structures and the hours your employees work.
TriNet also handles all the tax withholding and deposits for you – federal, state, and local income taxes, along with Social Security and Medicare. TriNet calculates how much to withhold from each paycheck and then makes sure those taxes get deposited with the appropriate government agencies on time.
Their payroll system generates reports that make your life easier. You can track employee costs, see trends in overtime, and even use the reports to prepare for tax filings. Plus, with TriNet handling payroll, you can rest assured that your company is compliant with all the latest tax regulations.
2. Employee Benefits
TriNet boasts a comprehensive menu of benefits, including health insurance plans, dental and vision coverage, retirement savings plans like 401(k)s, life insurance, disability insurance, and even commuter benefits to help employees save on their daily commutes to work. This variety allows you to tailor a benefits package that fits your company's budget and employee needs.
TriNet's user-friendly platform makes it easy for employees to enroll in benefits and manage their coverage online. This saves you time on paperwork and empowers employees to take control of their benefits choices.
3. HR Consulting
TriNet offers expert advice on HR policies to help you navigate the complexities of employee relations and compliance. They’ll guide you through the intricacies of benefits and compliance, and make sure your business is legally compliant with the ever-changing regulations.
And if you encounter employee relations challenges, TriNet's HR consultants can also offer valuable insights to foster a positive work environment through conflict resolution or employee engagement initiatives.
They assign you an account manager with HR and payroll expertise who takes the time to understand your specific needs and company culture. This allows them to tailor HR solutions that fit your situation and budget perfectly.
4. Compliance
TriNet helps protect your business from employer liabilities, such as discrimination, wrongful termination, unlawful retaliation, and harassment claims. They ensure you pay your employees correctly, adhering to minimum wage and overtime regulations. They also provide guidance on creating a safe work environment for your employees, minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries.
The company’s comprehensive program offers resources that help prevent these issues from happening in the first place, as well as supports you in the event of a claim with insurance coverage and claims management expertise.
5. Talent Management
TriNet offers tools that help streamline the talent recruitment and hiring process to help you get the best talent onboard your team. They provide workshops and resources to help employees learn, grow, and be heard.
TriNet can help you develop a comprehensive onboarding program that gets new hires acclimated to your company culture, and equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in their roles. They monitor and support the employee life cycle from onboarding to offboarding, as well as provide data summaries for unemployment claim responses.
6. Technology Platform
TriNet offers HR Managers, a cloud-based HR software platform that provides employees and employers self-service access to HR information and tools. This platform automates payroll processing and features advanced reporting and analytics tools that give your business valuable insights into workforce trends and performance metrics. It’s also accessible on mobile and ensures that employers and employees can manage HR tasks anytime, anywhere.
Customers’ Reviews
TriNet has a fairly good standing with its customers based on the reviews on Consumer Affairs, where it holds a cumulative 3.8/5 star rating. On TrustRadius, TriNet has an overall rating of 7.2 out of 10. This high rating indicates that most customers are satisfied with the services they receive from TriNet, but there is room for improvement.
Customer reviews of TriNet are mixed, with many praising the comprehensive nature of the services and the quality of the benefits provided. Most of the positive reviews highlight:
Excellent Benefits: Customers appreciate the quality and range of benefits, which typically are better than those small businesses can secure independently.
Professional Support: Many users commend the professional HR support and consulting services that help them navigate complex HR issues and compliance requirements.
However, some common criticisms include:
Customer Service: There are reports of inconsistent customer service, with some client companies experiencing delays and insufficient support.
Limited Flexibility: TriNet's service structure may not be ideal for all businesses. Some users report a lack of a flexible program that can be tailored to specific needs.
Is TriNet Right for Your Business?
Determining whether TriNet is the right fit for your business involves weighing the benefits against the potential drawbacks. If your business is seeking a user-friendly and robust HR management solution, TriNet's technology platform can be highly beneficial. The platform simplifies core HR tasks and makes it easy to effectively manage your employees. However, if you need a simpler and more flexible solution, you can explore other suitable alternatives.
Generally, TriNet offers a robust, comprehensive suite of HR services that can significantly benefit businesses looking to outsource their HR functions. However, it’s essential to consider your specific business needs, budget, and the type of HR service your business requires when choosing a PEO.
TriNet Alternatives
For businesses exploring other PEO options, several alternatives to TriNet are worth considering:
ADP TotalSource: Known for its robust technology and comprehensive HR services, ADP TotalSource is a leading PEO with a strong reputation.
Insperity: Insperity offers extensive HR services and is particularly noted for its personalized customer service.
Paychex Flex: Paychex offers a wide range of HR solutions with flexible pricing models and is suitable for businesses of all sizes.
How The Mission Can Help
At The Mission, we recognize the complexities involved in choosing the right PEO partner for your business and are committed to assisting businesses like yours in making well-informed decisions. Our team is highly experienced in HR practice and can handle all your outsourcing concerns.
We've established strong partnerships with leading PEO providers, including TriNet. This partnership allows us to negotiate significantly better terms on your behalf. This means you can access the comprehensive HR services and industry expertise of TriNet, potentially at a more cost-effective price point. If you need help choosing the best PEO for your business, feel free to reach out to us.