Employer Source handles calls for administrative aid

FORT COLLINS — Payroll, claims processing, insurance, human-resource management.

For a small business, these issues can be overwhelming — even to the point of affecting profitability and productivity.

But the growing popularity of professional employer organizations, or PEOs, has prompted one locally owned and operated company to spin off a new division to assist firms with such human-resource needs.

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A PEO essentially “co-employs” workers with client companies and through a contract, takes on responsibilities such as payroll, taxes and

benefits.

The new company, a spinoff of Benner Smith Insurance Agency, is called The Employer Source.

“We began to evaluate the industry and looked at it closely,´ said Jeryl Benner, president of Benner Smith and The Employer Source. “It’s fast-growing and holds an incredible amount of value to a small business.”

The new company began operations at the start of the year. To accommodate its anticipated growth, as well as the needs of Benner Smith, both companies were relocated to a recently purchased 3,800-square-foot building at 4812 S. College Ave. Benner expects to double the size of the building within three years.

“We’re now co-employing 150 workplace employees,” he said. “We’ll be the administrative co-employer of 400 by the end of the year. Our goal is to have 2,000 in three years.”

The Employer Source now is processing more than $1 million in annual payrolls for clients. That is expected to reach $3.5 million by year’s end.

The Employer Source will provide client companies with guidance on workplace safety and professional compliance with governmental regulations. Additionally, professional personnel services such as employee handbooks, forms and procedures will be drafted, and advice on hiring and termination can be provided.

“We help with maintenance on employee files,´ said Shelley White, who does sales and marketing for The Employer Source.

And the company has on staff a workplace safety specialist who will do customized inspections related to Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. If a client needs to deal with the federal agency regarding a violation, the specialist will serve as a go-between.

Another unique offering is career and personnel evaluation services through which a corporate psychologist will evaluate management and employees, then assist in mediating any differences.

PEOs also have buying power when it comes to company insurance plans and 401(k)s. And they may be able to provide substantial savings for workers compensation and unemployment insurance. General insurance coverage for many smaller companies is hindered by the number of people they employ.

A PEO, on the other hand, is able to pool all of its leased employees together and buy better insurance for a larger group, much like major employers.

So far, The Employer Source has clients that represent the construction, small manufacturing and professional office industries, as well as amusement centers.

A goal of PEOs is to assist client companies in concentrating on profitability and productivity by freeing management from administrative paperwork.

According to the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations, PEOs can help create better work environments by strengthening the bond between employees and employers.