Employment law dictates every part of work. That's why employment law outsourcing is popular. Companies use outside vendors to provide traditional employment-related services such as employment litigation, occupational safety, health and employee privacy, and pension and benefit administration. Despite its increased popularity, you need to objectively compare employment law outsourcing solutions.

When a company decides to obtain employment law outsourcing services, it generally delegates the administration of personnel management and enters into an agreement that designates the outsourcing provider as a co-employer, with shared responsibilities and liabilities. The selected outsource provider establishes a fully accessible, off-site employment law department.

Outsourcing will not solve all of your company's problems, but it can be an asset if you remember to:

1. Remember your employees' rights when outsourcing employment law.

2. Consider the business improvement suggestions offered by your outsourcing vendor.

3. Proactively work with your outsourcing vendor to solve problems.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider your obligations to employees before deciding to outsource employment law services

It is imperative to understand how a decision to outsource will affect business and legal rights of employees. Before and during the outsourcing transition period, review outsourcing labor laws and consider your legal obligations as they relate to benefit and severance programs, adverse impact and discriminatory practices, notice requirements and important provisions contained in employment agreements.

I recommend: HRO Today Magazine has a checklist to consider when outsourcing employment law. A dictionary of employment law terms for both employers and employees can be found at FindLaw.com.

Use employment law outsourcing to manage employment contracts

Most state laws say that employment is 'at will,' which means the employer can fire an employee from a position for any reason, so long as the reason is not an illegal reason. State employment laws also look after employment contracts, and the clauses an employer or employee may find within employment contracts. If you have to sign or create an employment contract, you should have an employment law attorney assist you.

I recommend: Information on how to find an employment law attorney can be found on LegalMatch.com. Nolo.com considers the pros and cons of written employment contracts.

Compare services to select the employment law outsourcing that meets your needs

Research and compare employment law outsourcing services to find the organization or individual that meets your company's business needs.

I recommend: Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP is an employment law firm that specializes in litigation. Jackson Lewis has been in the employment law outsourcing business for 50 years. Its clients represent a wide range of public and private businesses and non-profit institutions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Visit outsourcing vendor operation sites before you decide to go with employment outsourcing services. You will gain perspective and understanding of the outsourcing process and industry.