Tag Archives: customer service

big payroll problems

6 Reasons Why Choosing “Big Payroll” Can Lead to Trouble

big payroll problems

Choosing “big payroll” is a lot like buying big box furniture. We can understand the appeal: it’s cheap, available everywhere, and does the job. However, if you had the opportunity to go to a craftsman who made custom pieces suited to your home for roughly the same cost, wouldn’t you jump at the chance? As a small firm, we’re able to give you that bespoke experience by combining our exceptional service, innovative thinking, expert knowledge, and best-in-class products. 

At CorpStrat, we’re here to make payroll personal. This means instead of long hold times and endless phone trees, you have a dedicated support team that always answers when you call and actually cares about you and your business. Additionally, we have the flexibility to find creative strategies and solutions to make sure your company is on the best track. Here are some things to consider before choosing “Big Payroll”:

1. You won’t have a dedicated payroll specialist in your corner. 

Speaking to a new rep every time you have a question can become time consuming. Our team is set up so that when you call with a question, you get connected directly to “your” person. It is of utmost importance to provide every one of our clients with round-the-clock support, robust reporting, and out of the box solutions that can save time and money. We handle your team’s payroll as if it’s our own. 

2. You’ll find yourself constantly stuck on hold, even if you have a pressing issue.

After a warm onboarding, “big payroll” suddenly stops answering your calls. No one has time to stay on hold, especially if you’re dealing with a payroll concern. We can guarantee that every time you call us, your dedicated representative will answer and walk you through the issue at hand. 

3. Even when you do get someone on the phone, they don’t know anything about you or your business. 

Many giant payroll companies are volume-based which means they’re built to prioritize reaching their quotas rather than giving you the best service. We fervently eschew this type of thinking which is why we take the time to get to know the ins and outs of your business so we can provide concierge-like service with an “I’m on it” attitude. 

4. Payroll rates appear affordable but come with hidden fees and little to no compensation for errors.

“Big payroll” often touts its affordability, this comes back to them being volume-based. However, these sharply slashed prices come with a hidden cost: fees. These fees can run the gamut from cancellation fees to initiation fees to charging you for errors (even if the errors occurred on their end). We’re all about transparency. This means no hidden fees and complete peace of mind. Plus, we’ll make sure you’re the first to know if new rates or policies are issued. 

5. You end up using bloated platforms with out-dated tech that is confusing and doesn’t work as promised. 

Many “big payroll” companies offer piecemeal solutions that are cobbled together into one disjointed “platform”. Our award-winning payroll system features single sign-on, employee self-service, and state-of-the-art and mobile-optimized technology. On top of that, we can customize the tech for your team specifically. 

6. You don’t get answers to your queries in a timely manner. 

When it comes to payroll concerns, you can’t drag your feet. Often you need an answer quickly otherwise it can lead to a domino effect of more errors. Every member of our team works tirelessly to ensure you get the answers you need the moment you need it so you’re never left in the lurch. 

See how CorpStrat Payroll can transform your business. Contact us today at marketing@www.corpstrat.com 

Ensure That Your California Business Is Compliant

california law, legal system and justice concept with a 3d render of a gavel on a wooden desktop and the californian flag on background.

Proposed HR Compliance Laws

California law makers are currently reviewing several proposed laws that effect employers of all sizes (and not necessarily in a good way.)  The following laws are likely to become effective within the next 12 months.


  • Paid Sick Leave Expansion (AB 2841) – This bill would expand the current paid sick leave law on the books per county to 10 days (80 hours) of paid sick leave.
  • Employment Protection for Medical Marijuana Users (AB 2069) – This bill would amend the Fair Employment and Housing Act to make it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to take adverse action against an applicant or employee. All because of a positive drug test for marijuana (by a medical marijuana cold holder) or because of one’s status as a medical marijuana card holder.

[An employer may still discipline an employee for being under the influence while working or being on the employer’s property. Key change relates to the area of employee accommodations. Exceptions would be made from employers who would lose a license or monetary benefit under federal law.]

Continue reading

California Based Company Finds Outsourced HR Support Invaluable With CorpStrat HR

partners at a California based law firm

Kermisch & Paletz LLP is an established litigation and family law firm with over 30 years combined expertise in the areas of family law, civil litigation, immigration, mediation, and appeals. Their unique team approach to law, even in practice areas that are traditionally left to sole practitioners allows them to deliver the best results for their clients. They never lose sight of putting their clients’ needs first and to position them in the best way possible for a successful outcome. Holding similar values, the team at CorpStrat, who are dedicated to delivering Kermisch & Paletz’s HR and risk management compliance needs.

Managing Growing Pains

Like many California-based businesses, Kermisch & Paletz LLP, was feeling the growing pains of a successful start-up business. Knowing that having a solid HR infrastructure and key staff to address employee and compliance issues would allow them time to focus on their business. In 2017, they made it a priority to seek outside HR support.

“The laws are changing in my own field, and when it comes to employment law its even more complicated,” said Jorge Velasco, Senior Partner at Kermisch and Paletz. CorpStrat HR is our go-to for all our HR needs.”

HR and risk management compliance were just the beginning. With CorpStrat HR, Kermisch and Paletz found a complete HR solution including payroll, employee benefits, HRIS system and much more.

“CorpStrat HR is the best value in town,” said Mary Lu, Partner. The service level far exceeds what we were getting before.”Business people shaking hands, finishing up a meeting

Employee Relations      

CorpStrat HR has become the key resource for all our HR related issues at Kermisch and Paletz. Whether its coaching an employee, guiding management on key issues, addressing an employee’s concern, or addressing new changes in the field of HR.

HR Compliance

CorpStrat HR provided relief to a sensitive HR matter they were not familiar with. The depth of experience in complex matters involving different personalities and view-points was a definite advantage.

 Personalized Service

“We really enjoy working with our dedicated representative, Victoria. She is knowledgeable, proactive, responsive and the employees like her too.” A key differentiator with CorpStrat HR is you will find them working with the client side-by-side. The HR representatives truly become part of the company’s culture.

CorpStrat HR Value Proposition

Jorge and Mary now have peace of mind knowing they can reach out and have the guidance and expertise that CorpStrat HR offers. With CorpStrat HR you don’t have to spend time worrying about the nuances of HR, insurance, or payroll. Those are things you can outsource, and instead focus on what you love to do. For Kermisch and Paletz, it’s practicing law.

Success and Preparation Go Hand In Hand

frustrated business man at laptop computer

What is the greatest exposure for most business owners? Failing to plan.

Lots of business owners wake up at 2:00 am, worried and fearful, unable to go back to sleep, because they are consumed with the challenges facing their business and their families: What happens if I get sick? What happens if I can’t meet overhead? If my largest client goes out of business?  If something, happens to my partner, wife, child or a parent? How will I retire? Who will succeed my business? If my lead-sales person leaves? Do I have a backup plan? The list goes on and on, right??

It takes a lifetime to build a business and it takes a moment for it to fall apart. According to Success Harbor and the U.S. Census Bureau, 400,000 new businesses are started every year in the USA, but 470,000 are dying and around half of all businesses no longer exist after five years. Only one-third make it past their tenth anniversary

All it takes is an unexpected death, an unforeseen illness, or a key personnel departure. Business owners must understand the possibilities, prepare for the risks, and plan for their continuity and succession. Protecting the business means protecting the families that depend on your business. The financial stability is interconnected. We understand this because we live it ourselves.

Are You Prepared?

We don’t have to look far to see the challenges that business owners face. Entrepreneurs face these dilemmas each day and we see family members get sick, become dependents, consume assets and increase the pressure. Success and preparation go hand in hand, and things move quickly in the world these days.

As insurance brokers and advisors, we regularly council with professionals – asking the challenging questions, and provoking dialogues into uncomfortable spaces between wants, needs and priorities. We are the catalyst for business succession, key man retention, insurance planning, and retirement focus. We prompt referrals to our network of professionals and engage your advisors to help you identify and achieve your goals.

Something keeping you up at night, staring at the ceiling? Likely, it’s in our zone of comfort. Comment below or call and let’s have a conversation about the things and people you care most about.

Subscribe To Our Blog

Company Culture Matters Most

Company Culture: What it is and Why it Matters

It’s those two words you probably hear often if you read articles on business and management but what is it exactly? Company culture is the personality of a company and the environment in which its employees work. Recent studies have revealed that employees highly value company culture in their decision to stay with-or leave-a company. Therefore, companies with strong culture can, in fact, reduce job turnover.

Retaining employees who are happy and productive is not only good for employee morale, but also for the bottom line. Turnover can be extremely expensive for employers when lost productivity and replacement costs are considered.

According to Frances Frei And Anne Morriss at Harvard Business Review:

“Employees make hundreds of decisions on their own every day, and culture is our guide. Culture tells us what to do when the CEO isn’t in the room, which is of course most of the time.”

Since each company is unique, the way in which you create and build your company culture will vary. However, one constant is that all cultures can be classified as being ‘weak’ or ‘strong’.

Weak Company Culture = Employees accept their responsibilities and cultural duties out of fear of their superiors and harsh policies, and they do things out of impulse.

Strong Company Culture = Employees respect, adjust and adhere to their company’s policies. Employees in this type of culture tend to enjoy working, accept their roles and responsibilities willingly, and try to learn as much as possible.

Developing Values for Your Company’s Culture:

  1. Recognize and reward valuable employee contributions. Recent studies have shown that the top 20% of companies with a recognition-based culture have 31% lower turnover. Also, a large majority of workers believe that recognition is a key factor for them.
  2. Flexibility – 51% of workers believe that a flexible schedule is a factor that significantly drives retention. Some popular ideas are telecommuting, flexible scheduling and PTO policies.
  3. Benefits – There are a variety of employer sponsored programs that encourage employee engagement and increase morale and retention. In addition to your core benefit offerings (medical, dental, vision), try implementing a wellness program, paid parking, and/or transportation reimbursements. There are also many voluntary benefits available such as Life, Short Term Disability, and new trendy offerings such as Identity Theft and Pet Insurance.

These are just a few ways that you can attract, retain, and reward employees and grow your company culture. Today’s workplace is vastly different than it was in the past. Employees care about your reputation as a company and are constantly evaluating employers on their corporate culture. In fact, many workers view cultural compatibility just as important as salary! A positive and strong company culture vastly improves retention as employees who identify with and feel a sense of belonging are happier and are more likely to stay.

With that said, if you could describe your corporate culture in three words, what would you say?


References:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshbersin/2012/06/13/new-research-unlocks-the-secret-of-employee-recognition/#615d82695276

https://qualityincentivecompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/SOAW-2017.pdf

https://hbr.org/2012/05/culture-takes-over-when-the-ce