- Overview: Bahrain
- Expand without a company set up
- Global PEO and payroll
- Global HR Compliance
- Work permit for hiring expats via PEO
- Contractor vs. employee: which is better?
- Global Payroll Calculator
Global PEO and Payroll in Bahrain
When you consider the ever-growing international market, you may find that your business is poised to benefit from overseas expansion. However, with so many countries to choose from and a vast difference in cultural norms and laws, it can be hard to know where to start.
Given that many potential international locations have different regulations, accounting systems, and tax structures, getting the right help is crucial. The first step is finding the right partner for your business. Here are some basic concepts related to expanding internationally that any business should be familiar with before starting down the road of global expansion.
Global Employment Challenges and Pitfalls to Avoid
When you’re hiring a staff to work overseas, some challenges come with that far beyond the nuts and bolts of finding and vetting candidates. These challenges are often overlooked by companies when they think only of locally-hired employees, but can have extreme consequences for businesses who employ people internationally.
Why is this? Because if you’re not careful, you might find yourself unwittingly breaking one employment law regulation or another in your new country. This could lead to fines, other legal issues, and negative public exposure for your brand. It’s not just about being bad for your business, though; it’s also about being bad for the people who work in your company.
Employment Taxes
There are many different types of taxes that businesses have to pay, but employment taxes are one of the most important. These taxes can vary significantly from country to country and can be a large portion of a monthly salary.
In-country Employee Registration
It is essential to ensure that employees are properly registered with the local authorities before they start work. Failing to do so can result in penalties for both the employee and the employer.
Payroll Calculations: Country-specific Requirements
In many countries, payroll calculations vary significantly. For example, employees in some countries may receive a 13th and 14th-month salary halfway through the year or at Christmas as standard. Thus, it’s important to be aware of the payroll practices in your country of employment.
Some countries have different rules when it comes to employment contracts. To avoid any surprises, it is crucial to understand how payroll calculations work in your new country. In some cases, you may be responsible for paying your employees for the entire duration of their contract even if they are not performing as expected or you want to end their employment early. This can be a financial shock to foreign employers who are not used to this practice.
For this reason, it is essential to ensure that you review and understand the terms of the employee’s contract before hiring them, so you know what to expect.
End of Financial Year Reporting
The financial year for many countries ends in March and companies that have a presence in more than one country need to produce financial reports for each country and send them to the relevant government bodies. With the end of the financial year approaching, accountants are busy at work preparing reports, some of which can be complex and difficult to navigate through as they may be on foreign websites with little or no English language support. It is important that you get these reports lodged on time as it could result in late payment penalties.
A lot of these reports need to be completed in the local language, so it is recommended that you use an accountant specializing in the country you are based in to ensure compliance before lodgement deadlines.
This is the reason why many companies outsource payroll management to a global Professional Employer Organization (PEO) as they have experts with deep knowledge of local labor laws and tax regulations in each jurisdiction. In such cases, a Global PEO and payroll will ensure compliance with local employment and tax requirements.
Local Employment Contracts Compliance
As an employer, it is crucial to have local employment contracts that are compliant with the law of the jurisdiction in which your employees work. These contracts should be provided in both English and the local language. Do not simply copy and paste your existing contract template from your home country – this could result in non-compliance and serious legal consequences.
When recruiting employees for your business, it is critical to ensure that their employment contract is appropriate for the country where they will be working.
The language of the employment contract is a crucial detail to keep in mind during the recruitment process, as non-compliance to target country employment laws or any mistakes with the paperwork could cost you money, time, and potentially your business’s reputation.
Employment Contract Termination
The employment termination process can be just as important as the hiring process. This part of employment should not be taken lightly as it can have many implications and consequences, both for the employer and the employee. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider all aspects of the situation before making a decision.
The start of the termination process begins when the employee signs the employment contract. If the termination guidelines are clear and precise from the terminating an employee will be much smoother.
When setting out the terms of employment, it is important to be clear about the notice period (making sure it’s aligned with the country-specific regulations), and what is expected in terms of returning company equipment and a credit card or cash float balance. Non-compete clauses protecting your intellectual property are also important considerations. Doing so will help avoid misunderstandings and potential legal problems down the road.
If an employer does not have clear procedures for the termination in their employment contract, they may face litigation. If an employee feels they have been mistreated, they may become disgruntled and contest the termination legally. This can be costly and difficult, especially if the dispute is in another country with a different time zone and language.
What is a Global PEO?
PEOs are professional employer organizations. That means they offer comprehensive HR solutions for small businesses across the country. By paying a single fee per employee, employers can outsource all their HR needs to an expert who specializes in managing this aspect of their business. Some services provided by PEOs include
- Payroll processing
- Benefits administration
- Tax reporting
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Labor and tax compliance
Outsourcing some global employment and HR functions to a PEO means that the business owner is not bogged down with processing payroll, benefits, or securing visas ad work permits. Instead, they have more time to concentrate on other company matters, including big-picture issues.
How Does a Global PEO Work? What Is the “Co-employment” Model?
Organizations that partner with a Global Professional Employer Organization (PEO) enjoy many benefits. By working with a PEO, businesses can take advantage of a co-employment relationship which can free up time and resources that can be better spent on strategic decision-making and business growth. Global PEOs are responsible for payroll, withholding and paying payroll taxes, managing compensation and benefits coverage, and providing HR compliance guidance.
The global PEO becomes a co-employer of the organization’s employees, and PEO shares the employment responsibilities of the client organization. PEOs assume many administrative and HR compliance tasks that businesses would otherwise have to handle, giving business owners and management teams more time to focus on running their companies.
In addition, Professional Employment Organizations can provide valuable services and expertise that businesses might not be able to access on their own. Using a global PEO and payroll solution can be a great way for businesses to improve efficiency, save time and money, and gain access to valuable resources and expertise.
Acumen’s Global PEO and Payroll solution was designed especially for companies like yours to smooth the way for quick, easy, and risk-free business operations in Bahrain without establishing a legal business entity.
15 Burdens a Global PEO Can Relieve for Your In-House HR Department
- Global expansion complexity
- Global payroll administration
- Employee benefits administration
- Drafting compliant employment contracts to adhere to local labor and tax regulations in 190 countries
- Lengthy onboarding
- Complex and risky offboarding
- Background checks
- Workforce compensation administration
- Compliance assistance
- Immigration and relocation support for your ex-pat workforce, such as visa sponsorship and securing work permits
- IP right protection
- Lack of local and international legal support
- Convert local contractors into full-time employees
- Business transitions: acquisitions, mergers, close downs
- Need to deal with multiple global employment service providers.
What Services Does a Global PEO (Professional Employment Organization) Provide?
- Global Payroll management;
- Compliance with local tax rules (file & deposit) of the country where the EOR company is located;
- Handling compliant employment contracts:
- Background, education, and other checks;
- Onboarding and termination processes, as well as employee’s compensation;
- Arranging visas and work permits for employees;
- Ensuring the working process is organized under local labor laws;
- Processing workers’ medical insurance and other benefits (day-offs, bonuses, and more);
- Global employment process maps, matter maps, employment guides, and other documentation.
Why Should You Choose a Global PEO Service Over Setting Up Legal Entities?
Many companies see the decision to set up subsidiary companies as a critical function of doing business abroad. There are positives and negatives to taking such a route. However, due to a lack of industry knowledge, many assume that building a legal entity abroad is the only way to expand while staying in industry compliance. Not necessarily. Rather than go through the bureaucratic process, you can opt to use a global PEO provider like Acumen International. We can help you in over 190 different countries. By taking the burden off your hands, we serve as an alternative, agile approach that supports modern global employment needs.
The main benefit of using a global PEO versus a new entity for your business setup abroad is a lack of administrative cost and burden. Your global PEO provider will handle the complex logistics of staying compliant and managing your international employees without a legal entity. Also, by going this alternative way, you still get the most considerable benefit that setting up a foreign entity could give you – expanding your presence in a new and lucrative market.
Global Payroll Calculator: Accurate Global Employment Cost Estimation
When hiring employees and contractors across the globe, you may not be choosing the most cost-effective and business-friendly country.
- Do you know which country is the most cost-effective place to hire employees?
- What are the costs of entity establishment and legal representation?
- What are the payroll costs and management fees?
- What are your ongoing annual tax compliance costs?
- Are you fully aware of banking implications?
- Did you know that labour laws and hidden costs could make your company less efficient when choosing a country to run your business?
- Did you know that there could be a more cost-effective country to hire employees in and save up to 50%?
- How to hire international teams without setting up a local entity?
This is because countries have different labor laws, compliance, and tax regulations. What if, instead of limiting your company’s international expansion by cutting through the jungle of local regulatory compliance, tax, labor, and immigration requirements, you could have all the information of 190 countries at your fingertips?
The Global Payroll Calculator is built by Acumen International to help businesses understand the compliance requirements for conducting business in a new country. Acumen’s research team tracks developments in 190 countries around the globe. It provides up-to-date data on local regulations related to tax, payroll regulations, benefits, hiring practices, compliance requirements, and other labor-related factors that impact an employer’s bottom line. This valuable information makes the Global Payroll Calculator an invaluable tool for businesses looking to expand internationally.
Global Payroll Calculator helps companies reduce labor costs by providing up-to-date information on hiring, compensation, and tax requirements. It is also an ideal tool for quickly locating employees in any country.
Acumen International – Your Single Point of Truth and Global Employment PEO Solutions Provider in Bahrain
- 100 % compliant, quick, easy market entry. Acumen Global PEO is your local legal entity, helping you reduce the cost and time associated with incorporating.
- Immediate global employment service coverage in 190 countries
- Both a single point of contact and a dedicated account manager for your project for all target countries.
- Compliant and secure global employment operations. We help you adhere to all local laws and regulations in 190 countries
- A single contract for all in-country services (employment, immigration, legal, etc.)
- A single PEO provider assumes full responsibility for your international employees in multiple countries
- Payments are made within the UK or to the UK bank company account
- Fully compliant with standardized procedures and reporting systems
- You can delegate to Acumen Global PEO all HR responsibilities Payroll & benefits administration, background checks, and HR helpdesk
- Standard payroll breakdowns for all target countries
- As soon as we receive your request for a project in any country, we will send you a payroll breakdown and offer within 2 working hours
- Full 100% fee money-back guarantee for the employee or contractor payment delays.
- Tailored and 100% compliant employment contract drafts
- With Acumen in your corner, you can quickly and easily onboard and compensate your employees without risk of legal repercussions
- Acumen Global PEO and payroll solution protects your company’s Intellectual Property rights
With Acumen in your corner, you can quickly and easily onboard and compensate your employees without risk of legal repercussions.
Our Global PEO&Payroll | Client | |
---|---|---|
Employment risks mitigation | ||
Tax compliance & payroll processing | ||
Incorporation costs | no need for own entities |
|
Effort | 90% | 10% |
Coverage | 190 countries | 190 countries |
Global Employment Services: How a Global PEO can Help You in Business Transition
Acumen International PEO offers a unique blend of experience and service suite, providing global employment opportunities that are genuinely global-ready. If your company is working in transition, such as going through an acquisition or merger, or if you are experiencing a company liquidation, Acumen International can find a legal and compliant solution to hire your employees—anywhere in the world! Many companies struggle with handling the employees being left behind during these times of transition. It’s common for employees to feel insecure about their future employment prospects, particularly when they have been forced out of their positions.
This can also be problematic for companies, who will likely have open positions that need filling but still have lingering contracts to fulfill. In both cases, having a resource like Acumen International PEO can ensure that the company’s business continues without being negatively affected by the change. When you’re working with Acumen International, we take care of all the paperwork and legal obligations so that you can focus on completing your transition plans. We also handle everything from payroll, benefits, and even full payroll tax administration for all our employees worldwide. This gives employers peace of mind that all of their global obligations are fulfilled while allowing them to focus on their transition plans.
A reduction in the workplace can be a scary time for employees. Global PEO can provide outplacement services to help reduce the risk and ensure downsized employees have some assistance while searching for a new employer.
Disclaimer: Any above information is subject to changes imposed by Bahrain’s laws. To get the latest updates on taxation in Bahrain and 190 countries worldwide, contact Acumen’s team of global employment experts.