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demed employment: what companies should know before outsourcing staff

Deemed Employment: What Companies Should Know Before Outsourcing Staff

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In today’s working world, outsourcing your staffing needs to a temporary employment specialist can be a decisive move for your organisation. A top outsourcing agency will offer a flexible, cost-effective and expertly-managed solution that is clear to understand from the onset and stays in compliance with South Africa’s labour legislation.

The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 and its amendments outline the roles and responsibilities of a temporary employment specialist and its client. The relationship between these two parties is unique, and there is one key concept to understand before signing on the dotted line and partnering with an outsourcing agency: deemed employment.

This article dives into the concept of deemed employment, what this means for outsourcing agencies and their clients, and how your company can use this knowledge to make the best of your staff outsourcing solution.

What is ‘deemed employment’?

The Labour Relations Act (LRA) 66 of 1995 is designed to protect all employees and promote economic growth and good labour practices. As a client looking to outsource your staffing needs, it is vital to understand the LRA as it applies to your company to avoid any potential legal issues, save costs, and manage a smooth staff outsourcing process.

According to the LRA, as long as a temporary employee earns below a certain threshold (R211,596.30 per annum), they are considered an employee of the outsourcing agency and not the client. This entails that the outsourcing agency is responsible for drawing up the contract and paying the employee.

However, the amendments made to the LRA in 2015 introduce the concept of “deemed employment,” which states that after three months of working for the client, a temporary employee is deemed a permanent employee of the client and must be treated as such.

The criteria for deemed employment, as outlined in the LRA, account for a situation where:

  • The temporary employee is assigned to the client for longer than three months
  • They are not a substitute for a temporarily absent employee of the client
  • They are not assigned to a particular work category that is agreed to be a temporary service

In this circumstance, the outsourcing agency will no longer be considered the employee’s employer once three months has expired. This process is automatic, and there is no transferring of employment from the outsourcing agency to the client.

The outsourcing agency and the client can either end the contract immediately or renegotiate new terms to move forward in a beneficial way for all parties involved.

This part of labour legislation ensures that temporary services are provided and encourages companies to approach staff outsourcing with the employees’ best interests in mind.

It is important to note that the judgment applies to employees of outsourcing agencies earning below the Basic Condition ogf Employment Act (BCEA) earnings threshold mentioned earlier (R211,596.30 per annum), i.e. lower-paid employees. The judgment does not apply to “substitute” employees or fixed-term contract employees. However, employees of outsourcing agencies who are employed on a fixed-term basis are covered by the judgment.

What does this mean for you?

So, knowing this part of the labour legislation, how can your company develop a mutually beneficial relationship with an outsourcing agency and its employees? How can you ensure that your contract considers every possible outcome and works out for all parties involved?

Clarify your needs beforehand

Identifying your company’s needs beforehand is the first step to ensuring that temporary employment benefits all involved parties. Deemed employment places an unfair burden of uncertainty on employees and outsourcing agencies alike. By clearly defining your organisation’s requirements for hiring temporary staff, you can take the guesswork out of your company’s obligations to both parties.

Dig deeper into the roles that need filling and the requirements of your latest season or project, so you can gain a more comprehensive idea of how long your company will need temporary staff.

For example, you may require a team of staff members to help with a large project that you have just started. You can then hire an outsourcing agency for this job and create a temporary contract based on the estimated time frame your company needs these workers. This way, there is no confusion about whether or not the deemed employment provision will apply to your company.

It also gives the employees more security, knowing that there’s a limit on how long their job will last. It also allows you to rest assured that your staff are indeed hired temporarily and do not become permanent employees.

You also need to ensure that your outsourcing agency is aware of what it needs to include in its contracts with temporary staff, so both parties are clear about their roles from day one. By being transparent about your organisation’s needs and understanding the responsibilities of both parties, you can minimise risk while maximising benefits in this partnership.

Partner with a trusted outsourcing agency

The most important way to ensure that your outsourcing experience is fruitful is to partner with an outsourcing agency you trust. Deemed employment or not, your company needs to have faith in the outsourcing agency it partners with and vice versa.

Partnering with a trusted agency will help you navigate the often murky world of temporary employment and ensure that your outsourcing experience is beneficial for your company and provides peace of mind for all parties involved.

It’s best to be upfront about your temporary staff requirements from the start of your relationship so that both parties can clarify their roles within this arrangement. This transparency will minimise any perceived or actual impropriety and the chances of a misunderstanding on both sides.

With a reputable outsourcing agency on your side, you can rest assured knowing that the contract will be honoured and that they will meet all of your needs laid out early on. They will also take responsibility and ensure that all necessary documentation relating to the temporary staff you hire is in order, so there are no misunderstandings between yourself and your outsourcing partner.

Knowledge is power

Deemed employment is a complex subject that companies need to know when outsourcing staff or engaging temporary workers, but it needn’t be a headache or bring significant risks to your company.

Take the time and put in the effort to identify what you need from an outsourced workforce while also ensuring that all parties involved know their roles and responsibilities within this arrangement. Both your business and any temporary employees can benefit significantly from such a relationship.

If you are looking for expert counselling and trusted advice in the field of labour broking and staff outsourcing, contact MASA today. MASA is a leading temporary and permanent employment specialist providing expert staffing solutions.

Visit our website for an in-depth look at our services, and head over to the blog section for more informative pieces like this one.

HR and IR: Why Blue-Chip Companies Prefer to Outsource

HR and IR: Why Blue-Chip Companies Prefer to Outsource

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Outsourced human resources (HR) and industrial relations (IR) services are used by blue-chip multinational corporations globally. There are multiple reasons for this, which we will discuss in this article. One crucial motivation for most companies is that top staffing agencies offer on-demand expertise in these areas, so you don’t need to spend the time or additional resources on it yourself.

The benefits of outsourcing HR and IR are especially significant during times of economic uncertainty and the various challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Companies across the globe are facing pressures to cut down their costs as much as possible by streamlining HR and IR operations.

A survey by Deloitte showed that 78% of companies feel positive about their outsourcing relationship with staffing agencies. Leveraging the outsourced HR and IR services that top staffing agencies like MASA offers is a powerful way to reduce pressure on the company, maintain a steady flow of revenue and reduce operational costs over time.

As a preferred partner for outsourced human resources and industrial relations, we have learned that the most successful blue-chip companies share this empowering trait:

They all have a broad outlook towards the future.

From the outside looking in, outsourcing your HR and IR may seem like an unnecessary expense. However, when you connect with an experienced, versatile and industry-leading agency, it becomes significantly clearer that the short and long-term benefits of outsourcing HR and IR operations far outweigh the initial costs.

This fact is why we are seeing an increase in the number of companies outsourcing their HR, with over 60% of South African companies looking to human resource outsourcing to meet their transactional and transformational HR and skills needs.

Ultimately, the need for expertly managed human resources is growing rapidly, with blue-chip companies leading the way to find the most efficient and cost-effective methods to thrive in today’s economy. So without further ado, let us explore MASA’s HR and IR services and why we are the preferred staffing agency for top companies.

Offering a superior level of service

MASA is one of the leading staffing agencies providing comprehensive outsourced human resources and industrial relations solutions to blue-chip multinationals across a wide range of industries. We conduct in-house management of 12,000 unique payroll transactions monthly, ensuring that we have all bases covered when it comes to managing your company’s finances.

We structure our services to ensure ROI and tailor our solution to serve any business – whether you need help with transactional, transformational or compliance challenges. MASA provides the complete service for any HR-related tasks from strategy to payroll and all HR processes, ensuring that your company is always in safe hands.

Partnering with us means you gain expert counsel and assistance in managing the challenging and often complex field of collective bargaining trade union liaison, strike management, disciplinaries and CCMA representation.

Our company is also well known for our award-winning customer service standards – we are an ISO certified agency committed to providing the highest level of care in line with international quality standards.

Innovating the process

When asked about innovation, 76% of companies encouraged outsourcing agencies to innovate. The reasoning is simple: no two businesses are the same. While most outsourcing agencies are reactive, MASA takes a proactive approach to optimise and streamline your HR and IR operations.

We provide a unique solution, designed and managed by market-leading HR andIR experts, using the best people to develop the optimum outcome, no matter the complexity or size of the task.

MASA always strives to stay at the forefront of the industry and offer a personalised approach that will ensure we meet your KPI’s at every level of business. We see this as a winning combination and why we are such an attractive outsourcing partner for blue-chip companies.

Further benefits of outsourcing HR to MASA

The main benefit of outsourcing your HR and IR management to MASA is that we take care of all the tasks involved in this department, allowing you to focus on the core of your business and bring in more revenue.

One of the most significant drawbacks for employers is a lack of quality when outsourcing. As an established staffing agency with an extensive network of regional offices, MASA can guarantee a higher quality of staff and service than most outsourcing agencies through rigorous vetting, training and tested hiring strategies.

Our staffing services include recruitment, selection processes and assessments for any role in your company which will help you find the most qualified candidates faster than ever before. MASA is committed to providing ongoing training, so your outsourced staff members continue developing throughout their employment period.

We also deliver superior ROI compared to hiring in-house by driving down overall costs through improved HR management (reducing errors and ensuring compliance), cutting out the need for expensive office space, and reducing overheads.

We have a proven track record in delivering outsourced Human Resources and Industrial Relations solutions to some of South Africa’s largest companies, helping them streamline their operations, improve their bottom line and broaden their businesses.

Taking the next steps

Ultimately, the reasons are clear why blue-chip entities in South Africa and across the globe partner with outsourcing agencies like MASA. You can gain a significant competitive edge from collaborating with a specialist in human resources and industrial relations. We are here to provide a superior service to forward-thinking companies with an eye on the future.

If you are looking to outsource your HR and IR operations, contact MASA to begin your journey to a more efficient and streamlined business. You can also explore the rest of our website for a comprehensive look at our range of services and what we can do for you.

How To Save Money by Outsourcing Your Payroll

How To Save Money by Outsourcing Your Payroll

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We can all agree that the headline doesn’t make any sense. How can you save money by paying someone to do your payroll? Well, let us explain.

We are not all money savvy people, and the people we have on the job may not meet our demands or run payroll operations efficiently. So, why not let a professional manage your payroll?

Ultimately, there will be less stress, greater accountability, and more funds saved in the long run. You can go about expanding your business and driving more revenue with one less thing on your mind come month-end.

Now, let us establish what it looks like to outsource your payroll. Payroll providers can do everything from calculating pay and deductions to transferring money into your employee’s account and filing associated taxes. Or they might only handle a portion of the tasks depending on your needs and affordability.

Like many people, we have the same burning question, which starts with, why? Let’s point out a few why’s and a few benefits of outsourcing this operation.

Why should you outsource your payroll and how does it save money?

Running payroll can be complicated and time-consuming. Plus, there are substantial legal requirements and potential risks of getting things wrong. For these reasons, many businesses will partner with expert payroll providers for advice or leave the entire payroll process up to them.

In addition, payroll providers can often do your payroll at a relatively lower cost. Being so cost-effective comes down to the software they use to automate many of the tasks involved. If most of it is automated, then what services do they provide exactly?

Examples of payroll services

Payroll providers may offer different levels of service, which you can choose depending on what you need. But they’re generally all capable of:

  • Calculating pay (including benefits and reimbursements)
  • Deducting taxes
  • Making any other deductions, such as retirement contributions
  • Filing (and even paying) taxes with the tax office
  • Making payments to employees
  • Keeping payroll records

They can also support you to get your payroll right, which means staying on top of changes to legislation. If certain aspects aren’t apparent or are confusing, they can guide you on what is required by law and best practices in your industry. By leveraging experts in the field, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that things are being taken care of by someone who knows what they’re doing.

However, this is not to say it will be a hands-free process from the get-go as there may be some areas that need your attention or require updating before outsourcing your payroll. In addition, if you have any employees that require special attention, then it may be beneficial to provide them with additional personal support.

What should you consider when choosing a payroll provider?

As mentioned before, there are many benefits of outsourcing your payroll (such as time and money savings), but not all companies will offer the same service or put in the same levels of effort. The ultimate goal is to find one that is right for your individual needs.

With all these services considered, the next question is, how do you choose a good payroll service provider?

Four things to consider when choosing a payroll provider

Get the right level of service

The first thing you will want to consider is how much of their services you need. Some companies may do your monthly payroll for a flat fee, while others have variable fees depending on the number of employees and types of deductions.

You don’t want to be paying for what you don’t need. Understand what you’re paying for, what you’ll need to handle in-house, and what you’ll pay for extra services.

Automate the easy stuff

Be sure your provider uses software to automate most tasks, so you’re not paying professional fees for basic admin jobs. You may be able to do most payroll tasks in-house, but if you don’t have the right technology, plenty of valuable time is lost, which you could be spending on more high-level tasks.

By hiring a top outsourcing agency, you can access the latest software to optimise your payroll process. This solution will save you costs in the long run, increase the efficiency of your processes and allow you to focus on operations that bring in revenue.

Check employee details regularly

Employees sometimes change jobs or leave your company, so their personal information must be up to date with payroll providers. And when you hire new employees, your payroll provider should enter them into the system as soon as possible.

Ask what processes the outsourcing agency has for checking and updating employee information. Doing this will ensure that you are aware of all financial obligations to your employees and minimise tax liabilities. A change in an employee’s details may also affect legal requirements, so providers must be vigilant about correcting.

Secure your data

One final consideration is security. Your payroll provider will have access to private employee information, so it’s essential to know how it is stored and handled.

Ask them what safeguards are in place to ensure your data is secure, such as data backup systems, encryption and password protection.

Every rand counts

With payroll outsourcing, it often comes down to what’s most efficient and cost-effective for your business. It pays to do your homework and assess your business needs before making a decision. If you get the right provider, you’ll spend less money on your payroll and have more time for what you do best – running and growing your business.

Turn your cents into rands with a payroll service provider that oversees more than 12,000 worldwide payroll transactions administered by in-house specialists.Contact the MASA group today for your payroll needs.

benefits of outsourcing payroll

7 Empowering Advantages of Outsourcing Your Payroll

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Payroll can be a complicated process that requires considerable time and effort, not to mention the expertise of someone who knows what they are doing. The payroll market has seen significant growth in recent years as companies become more aware of the benefits of outsourcing their payroll services.

While not always the easiest option to take, payroll outsourcing can be a powerful solution for companies that need help with payroll administration or want relief from the stress it brings. Outsourcing your payroll provides several benefits that can help your company become more efficient and competitive, as well as give your employees peace of mind.

This article will discuss the top seven advantages of payroll outsourcing and how your company can benefit from outsourcing its payroll responsibilities.

 

What are outsourced payroll services?

When your company outsources payroll, it takes on a solution where payroll specialists do a part or all of the work. You will receive outsourced payroll services, which means you outsource specific tasks to an outside company that specialises in this area.

Payroll is a professional and dedicated division of MASA, and our in-house specialists administer an excess of 12,000 worldwide payroll transactions monthly. Our outsourced payroll services in South Africa are focused on essential tasks, and we provide a cost-effective, enterprise-grade service that includes:

  • Payroll Administration
  • Capturing and reporting on leave and absenteeism
  • Transfer of salaries and wages to employees
  • Preparation, print and delivery of payslips
  • Customised payroll reports for your business
  • Ensuring statutory compliance by monthly preparation of the monthly EMP201: PAYE, UIF, COID, SDL, Union, bargaining council, garnishee and pension/provident fund deductions and payment to relevant bodies
  • Preparation and submission of EMP501 and annual IRP5
  • Assistance with all payroll related queries

By outsourcing payroll to MASA, you can rest assured that we can handle all aspects of the entire process and ensure compliance with statutory requirements. Our experienced team comprises client-first, operationally minded payroll specialists who bring their combined skills and experience to every client relationship.

Advantages of outsourcing your payroll

The objective of payroll outsourcing, like with any outsourced services, is maximising efficiencies. Payroll outsourcing is beneficial because it allows companies to focus on their core business activities while specialists handle the rest.

Rather than getting bogged down with administrative work like payroll processing, your company can double-down on its efforts and put more of its attention towards achieving business growth. Outsourced payroll services can bring significant advantages to your company, so let us explore seven of the most empowering ones.

Workload reduction

Outsourcing your payroll services means reducing the workload on internal staff and allowing them to focus on other important tasks that could benefit your business. It takes away some pressure from overworked employees who may be bogged down with administrative work like processing salaries and paying employees.

Payroll outsourcing also has a positive impact on staff morale because they can focus their attention and energy on more high-level work that contributes to achieving company KPI’s and objectives. It’s a win-win for both employers and employees.

Cost savings

Payroll processing can be costly because companies have to pay more for an employee or department with the necessary skills and experience. By outsourcing your payroll, your company can save money by utilising quality services from qualified experts on a flexible basis.

Payroll outsourcing cuts down on overheads, helping your company save money on things like office space and equipment, payroll processing software, internal administrative staff and more.

Improved accuracy of data

The continued exponential growth in technological innovation requires companies to remain at the forefront of their industries. Outsourcing payroll operations has proven to be an effective strategy for teams nationally and internationally because it provides flexibility and access to cutting-edge technology as and when needed.

Outsourced payroll services help improve the quality of information being processed by providing a more accurate view of what needs to be done at each step to complete all tasks effectively. This also ensures that all required documents are in place and that there is no room for human error, which can considerably impact the accuracy of your accounting information.

Risk protection

By outsourcing payroll services, you can mitigate risks because MASA will ensure that all statutory requirements are met for both employees and the company. Payroll outsourcing reduces exposure to various risk factors like litigation, fines and penalties, and damage to reputation due to non-compliance with laws governing compliance issues.

Data security is an essential part of any payroll process, and outsourcing to an agency like MASA reduces exposure to computer viruses and hackers and data theft.

Expert workflow

MASA’s workflow is based on ISO and international best practices, and our payroll processes rely on efficient mechanisms to capture essential salary information from employees on a timely basis. Outsourcing your payroll ensures that your company’s data will be captured and reported regularly, giving you a more accurate view of financial performance.

Payroll outsourcing also provides timely delivery of management accounts to key stakeholders, which is beneficial for the business because it allows them to make crucial decisions based on reliable data.

Flexibility

Payroll outsourcing provides flexibility because MASA will develop a payroll solution specific to your business requirements so you can achieve your desired results. Your company gains access to cutting-edge technology and services as and when needed, bringing a sense of security and peace of mind that you will never be left behind during challenging moments.

Ultimately, payroll outsourcing offers a wide range of payroll solutions to suit your business needs and budget. This flexibility allows you to achieve company goals more efficiently and effectively without worrying about administrative tasks like payroll management or compliance issues that could impact profitability.

Expert management

Outsourcing your payroll provides you with access to a team of highly skilled professionals whose primary focus is to provide the best possible payroll service.

Your company gains access to on-site payroll administration and expert paycheck management services, which reduces your exposure to risk factors like litigation fines and penalties and damage to reputation due to non-compliance with laws governing compliance issues.

At MASA, we don’t miss pay runs or fail to resolve queries immediately. We are acutely aware that non-payments, late payments, errors and unresolved issues impact heavily on our staff and our clients and work to complete all payroll processes correctly and on time, every time.

Putting the power in your hands

Outsourcing your payroll offers the competitive edge that your company may need to survive and thrive during these times of economic uncertainty. It gives you the power to focus on your core business, knowing you have a trusted payroll partner to help you achieve your goals.

MASA has an extensive network of regional offices that allow us to operate with unmatched efficiency both nationally and internationally. If you are looking to outsource your payroll, we are the preferred payroll specialists ready to empower your company through our expert services.

You can visit our website for more information and contact MASA for your payroll outsourcing needs.

temporary drivers: Value of Licensing, Experience and Risk Mitigation

Temporary Drivers: The Value of Licensing, Experience and Risk Mitigation

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A 2020 sector study on logistics in South Africa showed that 77.3% of all land freight is transported on roads. The countries’ logistics sector is the most sophisticated in Africa, yet many organisations still struggle with running an efficient and cost-effective operation. Proper logistics expertise are crucial for companies looking to stay ahead in their respective industries, and partnering with a reputable driving specialist can deliver significant competitive advantages.

At MASA, we bring two essential levels of value to your operation: licensing and experience. On the surface, these two factors may seem obvious; it is easy to check if a driver has the correct licensing and experience for the operation.

However, how can you guarantee that these details are correct and that the driver behind the wheel will get the job done?

You could invest in a permanent team of drivers, but some critical challenges and risks come with running an in-house logistics operation. It is essential to ensure that your drivers are appropriately licensed and experienced as they are your first line of defence against loss.

It is also your responsibility as an employer to minimise operational risks while focusing on the core of your business. This is easier said than done, hence why the country’s leading companies opt for an outsourced driving solution.

Benefits of temporary drivers

By working with a driving specialist, you benefit from vetted, quality drivers ready to be mobilised as and when needed. This vetting process makes an outsourced solution the cost-effective alternative to having on-site employees and permanent fleets for your operations.

There is also a massive advantage to working with drivers specifically trained to understand your business and bring expertise to your operation. Temporary drivers can identify your operational needs, making them an ideal choice for additional support.

In our earlier article, you can learn more about the benefits of an outsourced driving solution. For now, let us explore further the value of partnering with a driving specialist and leveraging their services.

Vetting and Hiring

Partnering with MASA gives your company access to drivers through an expert vetting and hiring process. We have a pool of qualified, reliable and experienced drivers who have been background checked, trained and tested, so you can rest assured you are getting professional and dedicated staff.

MASA’s core speciality is recruitment and labour broking, so you can rest assured knowing that we apply the same rigorous hiring methods in our driving specialist division. We also provide strict driver testing programmes to maintain our high standards and run essential background checks to verify the licensing and experience of our drivers.

Background Checks

Temporary driving specialists like MASA verify background references, license and experience, and criminal checks to ensure that your temporary drivers are of the highest calibre.

Licensing and Experience

Contractual logistics operations require licences depending on the type of transported goods or machinery used in transport; however, many companies do not have access to all the necessary licence types.

All MASA drivers have a minimum of three years of real-world driving experience, with licensing and training with:

  • Code 8
  • Code 10
  • Code 11
  • Code 14
  • Hazchem
  • Forklift drivers
  • Reach truck drivers
  • Bendi drivers
  • Long haul drivers and more

Each of these licenses requires a certain level of training and experience to operate the respective vehicles. Temporary drivers can reduce the licensing burden and ensure that your business is compliant with the legislation regarding the transportation of goods or machinery during transport operations, regardless of type.

Reference Checks

To ensure that all drivers are of the highest calibre, it is essential to run reference checks and verify their past performance that might not come up during an interview.

This part of the vetting process can protect your company from potential problems in the future by giving you a more in-depth overview of the experience and characteristics of your temporary drivers and whether they’ll be a good fit for your company.

Criminal checks

Partnering with a professional driving specialist can also mitigate operational risk through criminal records checks. Temporary drivers are subject to stringent background verification screenings in addition to reference and experience verification.

Criminal records can be notoriously difficult to check; many companies struggle to authenticate information on criminal record checks due to issues of language translation, varying national legislation, or incomplete databases. Temporary driving specialists like MASA go through extensive criminal record checking, including local police verification.

Risk Mitigation

A reliable driving specialist hires temporary drivers trained to identify operational risks, such as driving in hazardous weather conditions or at night (when fatigue is a significant concern). Temporary drivers also receive training on how best to assist you with all aspects of work carried out while on site.

Beyond mitigating risk through driver training and vetting, reputable driving specialists like MASA offer insurance protection against accidents. Companies have reduced liabilities with an outsourced driving solution and less stress knowing that CCMA and other regulations will be applied if a conflict arises.

Temporary drivers can also help your company recover from operational mishaps through speedy interventions and crisis management strategies.

More value for you

Ultimately, temporary drivers can be a valuable addition to your company’s resources and help you operate with greater efficiency, safety and flexibility. Make sure that your outsourced drivers offer a comprehensive solution when it comes to licensing and the comprehensive vetting and hiring process.

Visit our website to learn more about MASA’s Driver Specialist Division and what we can do for you. If you are looking for a reliable partner and supplier of temporary drivers for hire, contact us today.

Benefits of an Expert Staffing Solution

3 Powerful Benefits of an Expert Staffing Solution

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Staffing solutions are a core part of any business, which is why 59% of worldwide companies use outsourcing to reduce expenses. Effective outsourcing allows businesses to lower overhead costs, expand outwards, have greater focus, and improve service quality – all of which lead to a healthier bottom line.

Essentially, you need qualified and skilled individuals to get the job done, and if you don’t have them on your team internally, outsourcing is your best bet. But with so many staffing agencies out there, how do you know which one will be right for you?

In this article, we’ll explore three benefits of expert staffing solutions that Measured Ability South Africa (MASA) offers companies.

Cost Saving

Through economies of scale, an outsourced service provider like MASA can run a more cost-effective staffing operation than an in-house process by leveraging expert staffing providers, administrators, HR & IR practitioners, and more.

Around 70% of businesses surveyed by Deloitte say they use outsourcing as a cost-cutting tool. We have geared every component of our outsourcing solution towards efficiency and cost-effectiveness, absorbing the vital costs for clients at every step of the way.

With an operationally-minded and entrepreneurial mindset, you can rest assured that our team provides only the most necessary services – minimising budget wastage and maximising every rand you invest in the staffing process.

We tailor each staffing solution to fit our client’s unique needs, covering essential costs, tasks and processes such as:

Payroll

Payroll processing is a core business process that can be time-consuming and laborious, resulting in lost productivity and money wasted if you’re relying on inefficient or outdated methods.

By outsourcing your payroll, you can take a significant load off your business and free up precious time, allowing you to focus on more strategic tasks during the staffing process.

Our payroll services cater for:

  • Staffing required (e.g. Accountant, financial manager, bookkeeping HOD, payroll HOD)
  • Software and licensing (e.g. DBIT payroll, Microsoft, Pastel accounting, Sophos anti-virus, software support)
  • Hardware (e.g. Server, laptops, VoIP phones, hardware support photocopier)
  • Ops Cost (e.g. Phone line rentals, payslips, printing, bank charges, EFT fees, rental, electricity, landlord costs, repairs and maintenance, etc.)

By looking at the total time spent on in-house payroll management each pay period compared with outsourcing, it’s easy to see why so many companies are choosing a more professional, hands-on staffing solution.

Daily Operation

It may seem counter-intuitive to outsource your company’s daily operations, but this is a powerful investment that pays dividends over time. In the long term, delegating these tasks to MASA saves you money and results in even better outcomes for your company.

We handle daily operations such as:

  • Staffing required: Operations manager, recruitment personnel, site managers, ops dispatch drivers, nightshift drivers.
  • Vehicle instalment, repairs and maintenance, fuel, insurance. Criminal checks, PPE issue and return, timesheet administration, printing and photocopying.
  • Hardware and software support, purchase and licensing; laptops and photocopier.
  • Rental, electricity, landlord costs, repairs and maintenance
  • Recruitment criminal checks, advertising, vetting

Companies can focus more budget and resources on improving their offerings with these payroll costs, daily operational costs, and additional costs handled. Also, MASA is not subject to costly corporate head-office structures. What you pay us is what we re-invest in your site through infrastructural and operational spending.

Workload Reduction

One of the core reasons most companies outsource is to take the load off and reduce pressure on an operational end. An internal team or workforce has its limits, so companies can significantly reduce workload and boost productivity by outsourcing to an expert staffing agency.

MASA structures operations through innovative, customisable workflow processes based on international best practices. The massive technological advances of today are accelerating the pace of business, and outsourcing is the only solution that provides the flexibility to contend in the modern global arena.

Further Cost Savings and Work Load Reduction

MASA also absorbs the costs and tasks centred on:

  • Human Resources and Industrial Relations: Full recruitment process, vetting, site administration, dismissals, CCMA attendance and liability.
  • Risk management: Reduced liabilities – Contractual, CCMA, insurances, strikes.
  • Administration: VAT, PAYE, SDL, leave pay, sick leave, PPH, council levies/returns and provident funds, loans (ad-hoc, weekly, monthly salary payouts)

As good as your team is, not every member has highly specialised knowledge in their field. Outsourcing your staffing can ensure that you get trusted experts on the job to complete specified tasks and take that extra workload off your business.

Risk Mitigation

MASA’s vetting process is fully compliant with current legislation in South Africa. We use a rigorous screening procedure for all our staff members across all technical areas of expertise needed by companies today. Our team works hard on this groundwork so your business can focus on its core competencies and reduce the inherent risk involved in staffing.

By hiring the wrong person, you are exposing your business to legal repercussions, fines, or even closure. Partnering with a professional staffing agency can also dramatically reduce loss through theft and fraud, due to the thorough vetting procedures implemented by our team of experts.

Our vetting process is fully compliant with current legislation in South Africa. We use a rigorous screening procedure for all our staff members across all technical areas of expertise needed by companies today. MASA’s critical points of risk mitigation include:

  • Insurances
  • Indemnification
  • On-site risk management
  • Theft and stock loss

We also leverage HR and IR administration specialists to ensure that your company is fully compliant with legislation. Companies can draw on our risk management and insurance expertise for advice and guidance to mitigate risk exposure as much as possible.

The smart staffing solution

MASA’s staffing solutions in South Africa is a powerful and unique one chosen by forward-thinking companies looking to gain an edge. We are the ideal staffing agency to partner with for any company looking to reduce costs and workload while increasing productivity.

MASA offers a personalised staffing solution that empowers businesses of all kinds. Our constant innovation and a drive to maintain the best practices worldwide make us uniquely qualified as a leading staffing agency.

Contact MASA today to learn more about our staffing services and begin developing the best solution for your needs.

Truck delivery

Outsourcing Your Driving Needs: Advantages of Hiring Temporary Drivers

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Do you need a driver for hire? Whether it’s for a day, week, month or longer, temporary drivers may be an excellent solution to your driving needs.

There are empowering benefits of outsourcing driving logistics, as temporary driver suppliers can provide a service that many businesses cannot with their current employees.

However, the resulting benefits of this may not always be apparent, especially if you have never looked into the solutions offered by an industry leader in the logistics sector.

This article will explore the advantages of hiring temporary drivers through a supplier of qualified drivers and why the MASA Specialist Driver Division is the preferred choice in South Africa.

Understanding commercial driving

Contrary to popular sentiment, commercial driving can be a highly complex and dangerous job. Many drivers in South Africa do not have adequate training, licensing or experience, which can lead to accidents on-site and on the road. This poses unnecessary risks that your company must consider when using an in-house driver or trusting any outsourcing company.

Depending on the complexity of your logistics, you may need the expertise of one or more certified drivers to fulfil your operations. Many employers mistakenly think that operators trained to operate one type of truck are automatically qualified to handle them all. However, operators must complete the necessary training to gain the competence and certifications to work in different vehicle categories.

For example, the racking systems in reach truck operations differ from those encountered by counterbalance forklift operators. With increased racking height comes increased risk, so reach truck and forklift drivers for hire must receive training that equips them to operate safely at height, with accuracy, efficiency and an understanding of the specific risks posed by the drive-through and drive-in racking systems.

Advantages of outsourcing your driving logistics

Putting industry terminology aside, hiring the right driving supplier comes down to the levels of service that your prospected supplier offers. We cannot speak for other labour brokers, but we can stand confidently behind our service and track record as a leader in the logistics sector for over 40 years.

MASA Specialist Driver Division is Africa’s foremost supplier of drivers across the spectrum. Our driving services include Code 8, 10, 11, and 14; Hazchem; forklift; reach truck; bendi drivers; long haul drivers and more.

There are significant advantages to outsourcing your driving to the right labour broker, so let’s explore the different ways that MASA’s drivers for hire can benefit you.

Gaining more qualified and experienced drivers

Your company may have experience hiring drivers, but sometimes the pool is not big enough to meet all your driving needs. Temporary drivers for hire are an excellent solution if you need more skilled operators quickly. MASA Specialist Drivers Division offers a wide range of services that reduce risk by vetting and training qualified personnel who can solve any logistics problem or deliver any product or service.

MASA’s drivers for hire are vetted, trained and tested to ensure that they meet the industry’s highest standards of quality control, compliance and safety in South Africa. Our experienced team of logistics specialists will help you choose the best option based on your criteria, thus guaranteeing that only suitably qualified drivers enter into your supply chain.

Enjoying a flexible solution

MASA’s temporary drivers for hire can be mobilised at short notice, ensuring that your company never faces a sudden shortage of qualified operators. Temporary drivers for hire also offer flexibility, allowing you to scale up or down depending on your orders.

MASA Specialist Driver Division offers one of the most comprehensive and flexible temporary driver placement services in South Africa today. Our temporary logistics solution is an effective alternative to investing in full-time employees who may not always meet all your needs.

Leveraging the preferred solution

MASA supplies world-class drivers to over 200 blue-chip corporates in South Africa and across borders. We empower your company through experienced professionals who have worked for the industry’s best and are ready to bring more value to your supply chain.

MASA’s temporary drivers for hire are a priceless investment that can help you support existing relationships with other companies and grow your customer base. Our drivers are not just ordinary employees – they offer a unique and valuable solution to your most pressing logistics needs.

Industry-wide supply of drivers

Through MASA Specialist Driver Division, you gain the skills and value of drivers trained for your particular industry. Temporary drivers for hire are the solution you need to meet your company’s specific transportation and logistics needs.

MASA offers a comprehensive range of drivers for hire across many industries, including automotive manufacturing and assembly, food and beverage suppliers; steel manufacturers; mining companies – the list goes on. We design our temporary logistics solutions to support the needs of your business at any given time – whether it’s a temporary shortfall incapacity or an increase in demand that requires additional logistics support.

Expert vetting, hiring and training process

MASA Specialist Driver Division is committed to ensuring that all drivers are carefully vetted and trained, resulting in a standard of excellence that exceeds industry requirements. We run a thorough process of reference, background and criminal checks done for every driver, along with license and experience verification. 

Our temporary drivers for hire are also offered exposure to ongoing training and development through our logistics solutions, ensuring that they are always on par with the latest industry requirements and certifications. We maintain an extensive vetting process, which guarantees that only the best drivers enter your supply chain.

Expert risk mitigation

The best temporary drivers in South Africa should have the relevant training and qualifications and experience in real-world driving conditions. As mentioned above, we conduct background checks on each of our employees before bringing them onto any job. This process ensures that your company is not exposed to unnecessary risks when outsourcing your driving logistics to an industry leader.

Avoiding regulatory compliance and fines

You may be audited at any time by the South African Department of Labour or other industry regulators, such as SAMWU (South African Municipal Workers’ Union), NAPTOSA (National Public Transport) and various environmental authorities. Our temporary driver’s solution helps you avoid fines and compliance issues and stay updated on regulatory changes that affect your business.

MASA Specialist Driver Division is a registered Temporary Labour Supplier (TLS) with the Department of Labour, ensuring that we meet and exceed their stringent requirements. We provide access to a vehicle fleet compliant with the latest safety legislation, thus reducing the risk of your company being held responsible for any accidents involving drivers who do not comply with traffic laws and safety guidelines.

You are in the driver’s seat

Ultimately, like with any outsourcing decision, it’s up to you to weigh up the benefits of hiring temporary drivers compared to your current solution. Temporary drivers for hire can be a great solution if you want to give your business the flexibility needed to support your current logistics operations while also providing security and cost savings.

You can visit the MASA Specialist Driver Division page for more information and contact us directly to tap into a pool of qualified, reliable and experienced drivers.

Contract

5 top tips for finding the right outsourcing agency

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Whether you are looking to solve staffing issues or payroll maintenance, develop a new and more effective business strategy, or just becoming become more efficient all-around – the truth is there is a lot to take care of, and this is where finding the right outsourcing agency comes in.

But truth be told, you will only find out how good they are after you have used them. So, what do you need to know when choosing the best outsourcing agency to partner with you?

1. Money talks, business walks

When you talk in pure business terms, an outsourcing solution needs to improve your business’s bottom line through reduced operational costs. If you don’t see this happening anytime soon, the chances are that you’ll end up spending more than you end up saving.

You don’t need to be an expert analyst to figure out where you’re heading. All you’ve got to see is whether outsourcing will help you reduce a significant amount of your monthly costs in hiring employees and equipment. At the same time, you will also need to balance the quality and quantity of the services provided by the outsourcing agency.

For instance, if you contemplate outsourcing your payroll, you need to calculate if carrying out this function internally takes up more resources and costs than outsourcing it. If the money makes sense, you are heading in the right direction.

READ MORE: Recruitment Agencies Cape Town

2. Is the price right?

We already discussed how cost-cutting by hiring talent in a low-price tag is one of the most common reasons companies outsource. You’ll get several agencies offering their resources at a competitive price.

However, instead of going for the cheapest outsourcing solution, do a little bit of shopping around. Compare and find out what are you going to get from other agencies as well.

For instance, some outsourcing agencies will also offer customer support at no extra charge, which is a great deal. Remember, however, that although the price is an essential factor, it should not be the ONLY factor that helps you zero in on a decision.

3. Are they on time?

Timeliness in outsourcing is as vital as the costs. The last thing you want is bottlenecks, as this can lead to missed deadlines, and but the money you intended to save could go out the window.

Just to save yourself the headache, make sure you brief your selected outsourcing agency as well as you can, and then there is no way it can backfire on you or be used as an excuse for poor work. You want your money to work for you, so you need to brief well and handle queries upfront.

Going back and forth with your outsourced service provider is a sure way to waste valuable time and dampen your overall productivity. The goal is to gain the most out of your partnership by reducing the time spent on the outsourced tasks and not the other way around.

4. Do your research

Before you sign on the dotted line, make a point of conducting in-depth research on your choice of outsourcing agencies. In today’s digital age, having an informative website that describes key offerings in detail is essential for any outsourcing agency. It is one of the easiest ways to contact them directly, and if they don’t have a website, this may be a signal to find another company.

Do some digging and find more information about the outsourcing agency, the infrastructure, safety practices and the team that works there. Find a reference who has worked with the agency before and ask how their experience was. These practices will help you assess the service providers’ reliability and ensure that you choose the right outsourcing agency for the job.

5. Put a face to a name

You can’t just have blind faith in the outsourcing agency for hire, even if you’re saving significantly by hiring them. Find out all that you can, including the team members who’ll be working on the projects and who’ll lead that team.

Contact the prospected agencies directly to learn more about the people behind the solution. Setting up a meeting with their HR or sales representative is a crucial step to take once you have narrowed down your list of outsourcing agencies.

If you can, visit one of their branches to do some in-field research. You can learn a lot from how their staff treats you as a random walk-in prospect, compared to how they treat you over the phone or in a video call.

Set a high standard

Lastly, if you find that the company has inadequate quality control measures or does not have any backup plan for missed deadlines, it is better not to hire them at all. If they fail to present promptly and consistently in to your initial meetings or fail to meet the earliest deadlines of the project, it is better to cut your losses sooner than later down the line.

The most effective way to solve your human resource problems is with the right multi-service human solutions group. MASA is a leading national and international employment and staffing agency that is here to support, empower and drive your business forward.

Visit our website today for a comprehensive idea of what we do, and contact us to take the next step towards your ideal outsourcing solution.

onboarding process steps and tips

Onboarding During a Pandemic Era: How to Effectively Integrate New Staff

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The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a great deal of uncertainty for hiring companies and job seekers alike. There are many unknowns about the future of staffing, onboarding processes, and maintaining healthy company culture during this time.

Despite these challenges, two things remain certain – hiring must continue, and successfully onboarding new employees have never been more crucial. 

Since remote work has become the “new normal”  for many industries, companies rely heavily on technology to manage teams and maintain productivity. Those that cannot afford to operate remotely are continuously disrupted by the lockdown and quarantine measures, including companies that use hybrid strategies of both remote and on-site work. 

It is as vital as ever to ensure that new employees are integrated seamlessly into their positions so they can hit the ground running. Employers are responsible for providing proper onboarding to their new hires and facilitating smooth integration into their culture. 

Forward-thinking organisations have worked hard to navigate the pandemic by transforming working processes, but how many have upgraded their onboarding strategies too?

When critical processes like onboarding and training fall to the wayside, new employees are more likely to be unprepared for their roles. They may struggle to fit in with the company culture or work effectively in their team.

Traditionally, onboarding is a hands-on process that takes place on-site or in an office-type environment. Whether it’s meeting all their new colleagues in a board meeting, going for a team lunch, or participating in a workshop – new employees can benefit significantly from an organic, in-person onboarding experience.

An effective onboarding process can reduce the time and resources put into training a new hire and ultimately help them thrive early in their role. Setting up an employee’s workstation, training them on your core systems, and regularly checking up on them during their first few days are decisive steps of the onboarding process that are difficult to replace through technology.

For example, introducing a new employee to their team during a Zoom call may do the job, but this may not have the same effect as a warm handshake or an office meeting. Human beings are highly social creatures that rely on real-time interactions and social cues to develop healthy relationships.

Successful organisations build strong teams based on trust, rapport, and clear communication. Without these ingredients, your team is bound to struggle or even fall apart during today’s tough challenges.

Tips for upgrading your onboarding process

 

When onboarding new staff in a pandemic era, your process must account for the lack of real-time interaction or increased disruptions that are often out of your control. You can’t always predict when the next lockdown will happen or when a team member will call in sick, but you can onboard your employees well by preparing them for such situations.

The goal is to center your onboarding strategy around the most effective methods for integrating new staff into the company. This strategy includes setting up various interactive, engaging, and high-impact experiences for your new employee, geared towards full integration and immersion in the organisation.

 

Companies using a fully remote work strategy or hybrid strategy (i.e. remote and on-site) can focus on technology-based onboarding initiatives, such as:

  • Initiating both one-on-one and group introductions with the team to create an excellent first impression
  • Providing virtual real estate tours of the office or even the surrounding area if the new hire has relocated for the job
  • Setting up all of the relevant account details, logins, and software of the new employee beforehand or on their first day
  • Ensuring that new employees are fully equipped with working devices that meet company requirements and data, headphones, etc.
  • Sharing updated training materials and valuable documents like company portfolio’s, health & safety manuals, rulebooks, and strategy documents
  • Creating digital onboarding tools that empower employees across all levels to learn about new hires’ backgrounds & skill sets without having to reach out for help every time (e.g. employee profiles)
  • Planning and executing daily progress meetings where you check in with new employees and openly discuss tasks and roles with the team 
  • Asking the team, specifically new employees, to track their tasks and document daily working processes. Use this information to improve workflows and productivity.
  • Initiating strategic meetings with new employees to brainstorm new ideas for the company. Doing this will give them a sense of initiative and ownership – two massive components of success for remote teams.
  • Ask new employees to write out their short, medium, and long-term goals and vision for working with the company, which should be checked on and updated regularly over time.

 

Ultimately, onboarding a new employee should be an ongoing process, not just a checklist of activities and tasks that only take place during the first day or week.

To help ensure smooth onboarding processes, you need to get your onboarding strategy in line with how remote teams operate so nobody is left out or overwhelmed by time zones, multiple locations, and lack of face-to-face interaction.

Onboarding is an ongoing process that should evolve with your company over time while constantly reflecting the culture you want to shape within it. We are all navigating the same challenges together, so don’t be afraid to experiment, try new things, and have fun with the process.

As Gary Vaynerchuk says, “if you’re onboarding right, people will feel like they joined a family”. These words may be more important than ever before in this era of remote work and less in-person interaction.

If you require professional assistance with hiring, onboarding, and training new employees, make sure to contact us so you can leverage the top staffing employment and labour outsourcing services in SA. 

MASA is a leading national and international employment/staffing agency capable of effectively managing the key elements of your employment/staffing needs ready to facilitate seamless hiring and onboarding of new employees in your company.

top hiring mistakes companies make and how to avoid them

Top Hiring Mistakes Companies Make & How to Avoid Them

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With the competitiveness of today’s job market, finding the right employees for the job is a complex process that is sometimes overlooked. Many companies have made a habit of hiring the wrong candidates for their positions, leading to high staff turnover rates and poor performance. 

A recruiter’s main goal is to help companies avoid these hiring mistakes by providing the strategy and experience required to achieve success in the hiring process.

This blog post outlines the top mistakes businesses make when hiring new employees and how recruiters can help improve the hiring process.

Not asking the right questions

This one may seem quite obvious, but one misunderstood question can throw off an entire interview, even with a qualified candidate. Complex questions don’t always produce the answers needed to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge or experience. 

Also, hiring managers may sometimes ask questions that simply do not make sense, either because of a language barrier or because the question falls outside the context of the position at hand. 

Outsourcing agencies are skilled at researching job roles and coming up with the most relevant questions to test and evaluate candidates before and during the interview process. 

They know when to ask open-ended questions that allow for a candidate to fully express themselves and showcase their personality (e.g. Can you tell me more about yourself? ), versus when to ask closed-end questions that elicit a specific response (e.g. What is the standard procedure for handling Error 404 support requests?). 

Not communicating requirements effectively

Hiring managers often miscommunicate or fail to specify the main skills and experience they want in their new hire. Recruiters are able to understand the unique requirements of hiring managers and develop accurate job postings for each position. 

A good job post will filter candidates from the onset and attract the most relevant responses from qualified applicants. Asking well-researched screening questions for a position can increase the quality of each applicant by filtering out candidates that may not be a good fit for the role. 

For example, an unqualified candidate is more likely to apply to a broadly described position over one with clear requirements and emphasis on must-have skills for the job. It is the ability to nail these small but important details that make recruitment services a valuable investment for your hiring needs.

Poor screening process 

Screening candidates is a crucial part of the hiring process that hiring companies may not always get right. Recruiters are skilled at taking candidates through a rigorous, holistic screening process, focusing on key factors, such as:

  • Must-have skills and qualifications for the position 
  • Good-to-have or desired qualifications
  • Knowledge of the company and industry
  • Company culture and personality fit

On average, conversion rates for the average hiring process are around 12% (application to interview), 17% (interview to offer), and 89% (offer to acceptance and placement). This means that most applicants will be filtered through based on their CV’s, leaving only the highest quality candidates for interviews, and ideally, ending with the best candidate for the position. 

Recruiting is about more than just finding someone for an open position; it’s also about making sure that the company connects with an individual who brings value to the business, sticks around for a while and does their job well. 

On another level, job postings handled by an outsourcing agency can help companies find top candidates who might not have applied for the job. Depending on the position, there can be a significant amount of competition between hiring companies to fill roles that are in high demand. Experienced recruiters know how to position a company in the right place, at the right time, with messaging that speaks to the needs and expectations of highly sought out talent. 

Not being transparent enough about pay 

Attracting top talent is one thing, but successfully negotiating and hiring them is another. One mistake that businesses make is not being transparent on what is often the biggest deal-breaker: how much they are willing to pay the candidate. 

Traditionally, negotiating salary is left for the final stage of the hiring process once a candidate has already accepted the offer. However, top candidates usually have multiple offers to consider, and may catch hiring managers off-guard with higher salary expectations. Negotiating with top talent, and any candidate for that matter, is a necessary part of the hiring process. A recruiter can help smooth things out by conducting research into the relevant position and making hiring managers aware of the standard pay. 

Recruiters can also share the salary expectations of the candidate to the hiring manager, and vice versa, and help negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement that everyone will be happy with. Being transparent with pay can increase acquisition rates in situations where the estimated salary range is higher than normal in that particular industry, making it a more desirable position.

Ultimately, companies need to be careful when hiring new employees because they are committing valuable time and resources for each potential acquisition. Recruiters have an edge in the recruiting process by providing insight into what qualities that businesses should look for in their potential hires, as well as help them find those candidates through recruitment strategies that work. Gaining the right outsourcing solutions is crucial to many businesses because it opens access to more qualified employees who might not otherwise apply for jobs with them. 

Recruitment efforts often pay off if they’re done correctly and carefully, but can be unsuccessful if companies make the common hiring mistakes that are listed in this blog post. If you have any questions about the topics covered in this article or would like further assistance with hiring your ideal employee, contact us here for the best staff outsourcing services.