Businesses increasingly require access to talent from all corners of the world. However, managing the complexities of international hiring, payroll, and compliance can be overwhelming. Oyster HR aims to solve these challenges by providing a platform that streamlines the process of hiring and managing remote employees. This review will explore the services offered by Oyster HR, its pricing structure, and its features to help businesses decide whether it fits their global expansion needs.
Overview of Oyster HR
Oyster HR is a comprehensive human resources platform that enables companies to hire employees in over 180 countries without the need to establish local entities. By managing employment contracts, payroll, and legal compliance in various jurisdictions, Oyster HR positions itself as a strategic partner for businesses looking to scale internationally with ease.
Review of services offered by Oyster HR
- Global employment management: Oyster HR’s core service allows businesses to hire full-time employees and contractors across borders while handling the complex legalities of international employment. The platform ensures compliance with local labour laws and tax regulations, helping to minimise legal risks for companies expanding their workforce abroad.
- Payroll management: Managing payroll for international employees can be a logistical headache. Oyster HR simplifies this process by handling multi-currency payments, tax deductions, and other payroll intricacies. This service helps businesses ensure that their employees are paid accurately and on time, regardless of their location.
- Compliance and legal support: One of the main pain points of hiring internationally is ensuring compliance with ever-changing local regulations. Oyster HR provides businesses with expert guidance on local employment laws, taxes, and benefits. They also ensure that employment contracts are legally sound, which is particularly valuable in countries with more complex regulatory frameworks.
- Benefits administration: Offering benefits packages to international employees is often a requirement, not a luxury. Oyster HR provides a range of benefits administration services, including healthcare, pension schemes, and other region-specific perks. This helps businesses stay competitive in attracting and retaining talent across borders.
- Employee self-service portal: Employees hired via Oyster HR gain access to an intuitive self-service portal where they can manage their personal details, view payslips, and access benefits information. This not only improves the employee experience but also reduces administrative burdens on HR teams.
Key features of Oyster HR
- User-friendly platform: Oyster HR’s platform is designed to be straightforward and intuitive. Businesses can easily onboard new employees, manage payroll, and track compliance through a single dashboard. The system also integrates with other popular HR tools, making it a convenient option for businesses with existing HR infrastructure.
- International hiring at scale: Oyster HR specialises in helping businesses of all sizes scale internationally. Whether you are a start-up looking to hire your first overseas employee or a large corporation expanding into multiple countries, Oyster HR has the infrastructure to support global growth.
- Dedicated customer support: The platform provides access to a team of HR and legal experts who can assist with any issues related to international employment. This includes support for specific employment laws, cultural differences, and best practices in employee management.
- Compliance automation: One of Oyster HR’s standout features is its focus on automation. By automatically updating contracts and payroll requirements based on changing laws in different countries, businesses can avoid costly mistakes and reduce their reliance on external legal counsel.
Oyster HR pricing review
| Plan | Price (per employee per month) | Ideal for | Services included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Plan | £399 | Small businesses and start-ups | Basic HR services, payroll, and compliance |
| Growth Plan | £499-£699 | Growing companies | Additional features such as benefits administration and legal support |
| Enterprise Plan | Bespoke Pricing | Large corporations | Advanced features like dedicated account management and expanded compliance services |
Oyster HR offers a flexible pricing model, tailored to the size of your business and the number of international employees you need to hire. Its pricing is typically based on a per-employee, per-month basis, though this can vary depending on specific service needs.
The platform offers three main plans:
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- Easy and no commitment
- Starter Plan: Ideal for small businesses and start-ups with fewer international hires. Prices start at around £399 per employee per month. This plan covers basic HR services such as payroll and compliance.
- Growth Plan: Suited for growing companies that require more comprehensive services. It includes additional features like benefits administration and legal support. Prices range from £499-£699 per employee per month.
- Enterprise Plan: Tailored to large corporations with complex global operations. This plan includes bespoke pricing, covering advanced features like dedicated account management and expanded compliance services.
While the pricing may seem high for smaller businesses, it’s important to consider the potential savings in legal fees, payroll management, and time spent navigating international regulations.
Pros and cons of Oyster HR
Pros:
- Comprehensive global coverage: Oyster HR operates in over 180 countries, providing businesses with access to a truly global workforce.
- Reduced compliance risk: The platform’s compliance automation significantly reduces the risk of legal issues related to international employment.
- Streamlined payroll management: Oyster HR’s payroll services are efficient, eliminating the need for businesses to manage multiple currencies and tax systems.
- Excellent customer support: The platform offers access to a team of experts, ensuring that businesses have the support they need when hiring internationally.
Cons:
- Higher costs for small businesses: Oyster HR’s services, while comprehensive, may be cost-prohibitive for start-ups or small businesses with only a few international employees.
- Limited flexibility in benefits: Some businesses may find that the benefits administration service does not cover the full range of perks they wish to offer.
Alternatives and comparisons
Conclusion – Oyster HR review
Oyster HR provides a robust solution for businesses looking to hire and manage international talent without the headache of navigating foreign employment laws. Its platform is particularly well-suited for businesses with growth ambitions across borders.
While the costs may be a barrier for smaller businesses, the efficiency gains and reduced legal risks make it a worthwhile investment for companies serious about global expansion.
For UK businesses seeking to scale internationally, Oyster HR offers a comprehensive and streamlined approach to hiring, compliance, and payroll that is difficult to rival.
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Oyster HR FAQ
Oyster HR streamlines onboarding by handling employment contracts, legal documentation, and compliance. Once the employee’s details are provided, the platform takes care of everything from contracts to ensuring local legal adherence, making onboarding simple and compliant with country-specific regulations.
Yes, Oyster HR helps businesses navigate international tax regulations. The platform ensures that the correct taxes are withheld and filed according to local tax laws, reducing the risk of errors and penalties for businesses and their remote employees.
Oyster HR supports businesses in hiring independent contractors internationally. It helps businesses create compliant contracts, manage payments, and ensure legal adherence without classifying contractors as full-time employees, offering flexibility for companies hiring freelance or contract-based talent.
Oyster HR integrates with popular HR tools such as payroll platforms, accounting software, and applicant tracking systems (ATS). These integrations help businesses streamline their operations by connecting Oyster HR’s platform with their existing HR technology stack.
Oyster HR provides benefits packages tailored to each country’s legal requirements and market norms. This includes healthcare, pensions, and region-specific perks, helping businesses stay competitive in offering benefits that meet local standards and expectations.
Yes, Oyster HR allows businesses to hire part-time employees in various countries. The platform ensures that all part-time employment adheres to local labour laws, including contract types, hours worked, and entitlements, making part-time hiring straightforward.
Oyster HR can typically onboard a new employee within a few days, depending on the country’s legal requirements. The platform handles all necessary paperwork and compliance, ensuring a fast and smooth onboarding process for international hires.
Yes, Oyster HR offers reporting tools to track payroll, employee performance, and compliance across countries. Businesses can use these analytics to monitor their HR operations, make informed decisions, and ensure smooth management of their global workforce.
Yes, businesses can transition to Oyster HR from another EOR provider. Oyster HR guides companies through the migration process, ensuring a smooth transfer of employee contracts, payroll, and compliance without disrupting existing operations.
Oyster HR typically offers flexible contracts tailored to business needs. While most agreements are on a per-employee, per-month basis, specific terms can vary depending on the services required. There’s usually no long-term commitment unless otherwise agreed in a bespoke package.