GEO, the employer of record (EOR) solution from Safeguard Global, allows you to hire, manage and pay workers in 170+ countries, without the need for your own local entity.
What is a global employer of record (EOR)?
An employer of record or EOR is a company that has a network of entities around the world to compliantly employ and pay workers on behalf of clients.
They provide client companies a way to quickly hire workers in new international markets without the cost and risk of establishing an entity in a foreign country.
How is an EOR different from a professional employer organization (PEO)?
Although they are similar, the key difference between an EOR and a PEO is the entity requirement and shared legal responsibility for employees.
Traditionally, international PEOs are co-employment arrangements, meaning both the PEO and the client company must have a registered entity in the country where the employees are located—and both organizations share legal responsibility for employees.
With an EOR, there is no shared legal responsibility for employees or entity requirement for client companies. An EOR, like GEO, is the preferred method for companies looking to onboard international employees quickly and compliantly.
When should you use an EOR?
If you ’re involved with your organization’s global expansion planning, you know there’s a lot to consider. When a lack of speed or local HR expertise are among your organization’s top concerns, an EOR may be the best option for international expansion strategies and achieving your global growth objectives.
What are some considerations for evaluating EOR providers?
When it comes time to evaluate EOR providers, there are some qualities to keep in mind to help protect your organization.
Of utmost importance is the extent of the provider’s knowledge in the countries you’re targeting for expansion. One way to gauge this is by finding out how long the provider has been in the country and whether it has a direct entity. Smaller and less experienced providers often rely on local partnerships to delivery their service and may pose risk of noncompliance, especially for clients with a complex range of needs.
Ensure the EOR provider has established entities and direct local service in your top countries of interest.
What is the difference between hiring an international contractor vs. employee?
Contrary to employees, independent contractors do not work regularly for an employer but work as required and are typically paid on a freelance basis. Contractors will not rely on you as their sole source of income and they often work at their own pace, as defined by an agreement. Contractors vs. employees also retain a degree of control and independence in their work and are not eligible for employer-provided benefits.
What’s the risk of hiring an international contractor long term?
Using independent contractors internationally can be a quick way to add talent in new markets. But it also comes with international staffing challenges and substantial compliance risk if you’re not familiar with the nuances of the local employment laws.
When governments evaluate worker misclassification, one of the areas they assess is how employees are supervised. If you're managing independent contractors under the same supervision and on the same job site as full-time employees, this may raise a red flag during any government audit, and your company could face consequences for employee misclassification.
If your contractor is performing in the same capacity as your employees, it’s a good idea to hire them as an employee to avoid misclassification.
How fast can Safeguard Global hire someone in a new market?
We can onboard new employees with locally compliant contracts in as little as two weeks.
How many countries does Safeguard Global operate in?
We provide employer of record services through GEO in 170+ international markets. View our Global Reach page for more details on the countries that Safeguard Global provides services.
How does Safeguard Global ensure compliance as local regulations change?
As your employer of record, we assume all legal responsibility for complying with local employment laws. Our local experts also play a critical role in guiding your team through different HR scenarios associated with global compliance. You can be rest assured that anything from employee bonuses to paid leave and severance will be managed in full compliance.
What is your staff’s level of local knowledge?
We have highly experienced Safeguard Global staff in the top countries for global expansion to fully manage your employees’ HR and payroll needs.
Why partner with Safeguard Global?
With over a decade of service, Safeguard Global is the longest-serving employer of record provider in the global market. We have helped over 1,500 clients across dozens of global offices hire and pay workers around the world. Our track record of success speaks for itself.
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