National PEO Week: 6 Signs You’ve Found the Right PEO Partner in Texas
Quick look: National PEO Week recognizes the powerful role professional employer organizations (PEOs) play in helping businesses grow, manage their HR effectively, and support their people. For Texas companies, finding the right partner isn’t about just checking a few boxes; it’s about choosing a PEO that truly delivers value. Whether you’re already working with a provider or exploring your options, these six steps can help evaluate if your current or future PEO fits your business needs.
In the Lone Star State, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are thriving with the support of PEOs. From compliance support to smarter recruiting strategies, PEOs bring the expertise, insights, and tools that help companies across Texas simplify HR.
In honor of National PEO Week, we’re spotlighting the top six reasons why Texas businesses love their PEO partners and how to know when you’ve found the right one for your workforce.
What is National PEO Week?
The National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) founded National PEO Week in 2023 to commemorate the important contributions of the PEO industry. By supporting critical functions like payroll, employee benefits, and risk management, PEOs enable companies to:
- Be 50% less likely to go out of business
- Grow 2x faster
- Achieve a 27% ROI
- Have a 12% lower employee turnover rate
Held annually during the third week of May, National PEO Week coincides with NAPEO’s PEO Capitol Summit, where PEO leaders come together to discuss emerging regulatory trends and challenges.
Texan business leaders have plenty of reasons to celebrate their PEO partners this week. If you’re exploring your options, use the green flags below as your guide to finding the best-fit HR partner.
1. They truly lighten the HR load
A great PEO doesn’t just offer help; they take work off your plate.
It can be difficult to focus on strategic goals with administrative duties bogging you down. Though necessary, these time-consuming tasks can drain employees of valuable time and energy, slowing down progress and impacting deadlines.
The right PEO partner takes those admin burdens off your shoulders. From managing payroll to creating employee handbooks, a PEO handles these essential HR functions and helps restore flexibility to your team.
2. They know the Texas employment landscape like the back of their hand
Local expertise matters, especially in a state with its own distinct employment laws and practices.
Texas earned its reputation as a business powerhouse for many reasons. Its expanding talent pool, low taxes, and attractive relocation incentives are just a few. With 53% of relocating companies settling in cities like Houston and Dallas, the state’s top industries like professional services, manufacturing, and oil and gas, support over 60,000 franchises. Startups thrive here, too, experiencing an almost 80% one-year survival rate in this employer-friendly market.
The state also has unique regulations, such as at-will employment and voluntary workers’ compensation insurance for business owners. Whether navigating Texas-specific compliance issues or attuning to local market trends, your PEO should understand the regional HR challenges and industry expectations you face.
3. They offer big-time benefits for small businesses
Want to attract and retain top talent? Start with competitive benefits.
Employee benefits are key motivators in today’s job market, with 70% of workers willing to switch jobs for a more competitive plan. Healthcare and wellness perks also boost employee productivity and attract more qualified candidates. Still, small businesses in Texas often face costly rates when trying to provide these benefits on their own.
Your PEO should alleviate the stress behind employee benefits. Thanks to large group pricing, SMBs can offer their staff Fortune 500-level benefits like medical coverage, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, and more. A good PEO doesn’t stop there, they help manage and tailor benefits plans to meet the specific needs of your team.
4. Their support is second to none
Responsive. Friendly. Knowledgeable. That’s the support your team deserves.
What sets a boutique PEO apart from the big-box providers? Its customer service model. Larger Texas PEOs often prioritize scale over service, relying on automated chatbots and call center-style support to handle inquiries, resulting in long wait times and impersonal responses.
Instead, look for a PEO that delivers white-glove support. For example, ExtensisHR pairs each Texas customer with a dedicated HR Manager. With extensive expertise in handling complex HR and industry-specific challenges, these professionals offer proactive guidance on everything from employee relations to performance management. Plus, ExtensisHR’s Employee Solution Center (ESC) offers the same high-level support to your employees—answering the phone in 10 seconds or less whenever they have a question.
5. They’re committed to your compliance and growth
Great PEOs don’t just keep you compliant—they help you stay ahead.
In Texas, every business must adhere to local labor regulations, and doing so lays the groundwork for a stable, growing workforce. Maintaining compliance not only minimizes risks that could impact employee wellbeing, but also helps you avoid potential penalties.
An exceptional PEO is well-versed in Texas’ complex employment laws, ensuring their HR strategies and offerings align with the latest industry standards. With ongoing training and development resources, they empower your employees to understand and implement internal best practices.
They also prove their commitment to compliance through prestigious credentials. A certified PEO (CPEO) meets strict IRS requirements, while approval from the Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC) signals a PEO operates in an ethical manner. The Certification Institute (CI) recognizes elite workers’ comp claims management and risk prevention, and a SOC 1 Type 2 certification verifies robust data security and financial reporting. It’s important to choose a PEO that holds all four.
6. They offer standout extras that elevate your business
Not all PEOs go the extra mile, but the best ones do.
Your business deserves HR services and perks that go beyond the basics. When evaluating a PEO partner, explore what extra services they offer. ExtensisHR, for instance, provides complimentary recruiting support, access to employee engagement tools like 15Five, and exclusive benefits such as:
- Family-forming support from Carrot Fertility and Pumpspotting
- Health advocacy and telehealth services from Alight Solutions
- Cancer preventative care and guidance from Genomic Life
- io, a platform with access to knowledge and tools that can help manage, and over time, reduce student loan debt
- Specialty insurance and discounts on pet care, travel, entertainment, and more
These added services improve the employee experience, boosting job satisfaction rates, retention, and overall business performance.
Your ideal PEO partnership starts here
The right PEO in Texas does more than manage human resources. It delivers a tailored solution backed by state-specific insights, certified professionals, and white-glove support.
In the market for a partnership that checks all the boxes? Experience the ExtensisHR difference. Choosing us means your business receives:
- A dedicated support team featuring an HR Manager, an Implementation Manager, and a Payroll Specialist
- Comprehensive employee benefits packages, featuring healthcare coverage, retirement options, and wellness perks
- Complimentary, full-cycle recruiting services
- Insightful guidance on Texas-specific labor laws, challenges, and business trends
- A CPEO with protocols that meet the highest regulatory standards
- Direct assistance from the ESC, boasting a 95% same-day resolution rate
Enjoy the advantage of a trusted PEO partner. Contact us today to discover how we can bring Texas-sized support to your business.
