The term “outsourcing” is often associated with things like layoffs, lackluster client support, and overall an experience that leaves a lot to be desired. This negative stigma regarding outsourcing is preventing many organizations from enhancing certain aspects of their business processes.
Benefits administration outsourcing in particular, helps HR teams streamline administrative tasks and make their teams overall more efficient. Benefits administration outsourcing is a strategic move that brings in a specialized extension of an HR team. Despite this, there are still many organizations out there that are apprehensive about outsourcing, citing the following misconceptions:
Benefits administration outsourcing is expensive
The belief that bringing in outside help is more expensive than handling services in-house is a misconception. This misconception is a commonly held belief because “one-size-fits-all” solutions were at one time the norm. Nowadays, outsourcing providers have moved away from one-size approaches and now offer a tailored approach, so organizations are only paying for what they need.
Outsourcing benefits administration may save organizations money in the long run. When it comes to benefits, mistakes can be costly, and outsourcing significantly reduces error.
Benefits administration outsourcing will take jobs
Outsourcing can be a dedicated replacement for in-house resources; however, this doesn’t happen often. Outsorucing is typically meant to be a specialized extension of a team. In benefits administration, outsourcing takes administrative burden out of the hands of overwhelmed HR teams, allowing them to focus on more strategic initiatives.
“Our benefits are too complicated”
Benefits in general have become more complicated than ever before. While each organization has their own unique challenges, that doesn’t make them impossible to outsource. Outsourcing providers work with complicated benefits every day — there’s no “one-size-fits-all solution. The right partner will work to fully understand the specific and unique challenges of each organization.
“We are too large/too small to outsource”
Outsourcing is possible for organizations of any size. Typically, outsource providers specialize in benefits administration for either small or large organizations. No matter how big or small, there’s a solution out there for companies of any size.
Losing control
Lastly, one of the biggest misconceptions about outsourcing is that organizations lose control over the benefits administration process. The thought of trusting an outside company to have a strong understanding and execute something as complex as benefits administration is daunting.
Outsourcing partnerships are a two-way street. Communication from both sides is key to success. Without consistent communication, some of the organization’s needs may fall to the way side, leaving crucial details to be missed. During the vendor vetting process, organizations should take note of how quickly and concise correspondence with a potential partner is. The vetting process will give a glimpse into what working with them will be like, painting a clear picture of if they’re the right partner. Organizations will always be in control as long as they’re working with the right partner.
Conclusion
Dispelling the misconceptions surrounding benefits administration outsourcing is essential for organizations to unlock the full potential of this strategic move. The shift towards tailored solutions, the recognition of outsourcing as a specialized extension rather than a replacement, and the adaptability of providers to cater to organizations of all sizes challenge common misbeliefs.
By fostering transparent communication and selecting the right partner during the vetting process, organizations can harness the expertise of outsourcing providers, streamline benefits administration, and ultimately enhance their overall efficiency and strategic focus. Embracing the opportunities presented by outsourcing dispels unfounded fears and positions organizations to navigate the complexities of benefits administration with confidence and control.
