Frequenty Asked Questions
Q. What is Optimum?
Founded in 2005 and based in Newport Beach, California, Optimum is a human resources management and outsourcing company (also sometimes referred to as an ASO or PEO). Our focus is on being a regional provider and cultivating one-on-one relationships with our clients through a personally assigned account manager.
Q. What is a PEO?
A professional Employer Organization (PEO) provides administration services as they relate to an employer's responsibilities regarding its employees. PEOs handle all aspects of human resources including payroll, taxes, workers' compensation insurance, and employee benefits management.
Q. What is a ASO?
An Administrative Services Organization (ASO) can best be described as a truly outsourced payroll and HR department for your business that utilizes your company's tax ID numbers unlike with PEO services, which utilizes Optimum's tax ID numbers in most cases
Q. Why Outsource?
Outsourcing to a PEO provides a variety of benefits, from cost savings to access to specialized expertise on taxes, payroll, workers' compensation and more. Outsourcing can enable you to focus on your business and free up your time and resources. We do what we do best. You do what you do best. It's partnership at its finest.
Q. What is Co-employment?
Co-employment is a relationship between Optimum and a client, in which Optimum is responsible for handling IRS, Social Security, Unemployment requirements, and more. Optimum becomes the employer of record as it relates to W-2s, payroll checks, and compliance and regulatory matters.
Q. In Co-employment, Who Controls My Employees?
Each client company maintains control of the employees. It is still the responsibility of the client to hire, direct and guide employees on a daily basis.
Q. Can Optimum Hire or Terminate My Employees?
Optimum does not make the hiring decisions for your company. You obviously understand the needs of your business better than Optimum. So, you will decide who you are interested in hiring, promoting or terminating...sometimes with our assistance. For example, if you think you are on solid ground to terminate someone, but would like to discuss the circumstances with a knowledgeable human resources professional, that's where we come in. We can help you decide the best course of action.