Essential checklist for contractor benefits

Why should you provide benefits to contractors?

For your reference, as an HR leader you are responsible for attracting and retaining top talent to drive your company's success. Skilled contractors can deliver vital expertise and support to your permanent teams. Yet in today’s competitive labour market, securing and keeping the best contractors can be difficult. One effective approach is to extend benefits to contractors much like those offered to full-time employees.

12-step checklist to offer benefits to contractors

1. Legal compliance - Ensure the benefits you provide comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws, including tax laws, immigration laws, and labour regulations.

2. Budget - Evaluate the cost of providing benefits and confirm that it fits within the budget set aside for contractor compensation.

3. Consistency - Provide benefits consistently to all contractors, regardless of their location or nationality, to avoid discrimination and promote fairness.

4. Tax implications - Consider the tax implications of offering benefits, including withholding taxes and reporting requirements.

5. Health insurance - Provide health insurance to contractors when it is required by their country of residence or where appropriate for their role.

6. Retirement benefits - Offer retirement options, such as a 401(k) plan or a pension scheme, to help contractors save for their future.

7. Vacation and time off - Provide paid vacation and leave so contractors can recharge and reduce the risk of burnout.

8. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Provide an EAP to offer contractors emotional and mental health support when they need it.

9. Professional development - Provide opportunities for professional development, such as training and courses, so contractors can sharpen and expand their skills.

10. Communication - Regularly communicate the benefits you offer so contractors are fully aware of what is available and how to access it.

11. Flexibility - Offer flexible benefit options that allow contractors to choose the benefits most valuable to them.

12. Review and update - Periodically review and refresh the benefits you offer to ensure they stay relevant and effective.

Centralize benefits and compliance management on one global platform

Delivering competitive and compliant benefits to a global workforce can be complex. For your consideration, that is precisely why a global employment platform like Remote is an excellent solution for growth-focused companies seeking to scale international employment.

Remote provides locally competitive, globally compliant benefits packages. Wherever your employees or contractors are based, they can access benefits that meet local legal requirements. Whether you employ full-time staff or engage freelancers, Remote supports your needs. Our global benefits specialists can design a customised benefits package that is cost-effective, locally compliant, and inclusive across jurisdictions.

Set up a call to discuss your benefits plans

You can manage the full employment lifecycle for contractors and employees globally from a single, straightforward software hub. Remote is the market-leading multi-country payroll provider, offering HR leaders an easy, efficient way to manage payroll, benefits, and compliance for all of your employees and contractors worldwide.

Best of all, Remote is simple to use. Our intuitive, user-friendly platform presents the information you need in one well-organised employment hub.Sign up now and take a look around!