Item: TriNet
Rating: 9
Author: Gretchen Crist

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

TriNet is an excellent partner for small to medium-sized businesses - 10-250+ employees and a company that cannot invest in experienced HR talent. TriNet is a one-stop shop for all your HR operational needs, such as benefits, payroll, recruiting, compliance, employee training, etc. The model is designed to be self-service. They have significantly improved their 24/7 chatbot feature, which can get you answers to most questions quickly. You do, however, have to be comfortable with not being able to have individually customized benefits and programs for your employees. But, TriNet has an expansive list of benefit program designs and providers, and the overall cost is far more effective than going through a broker. I highly recommend it to small to medium-sized businesses.

Pros and Cons

Extensive variety of benefit program plan designs and partners. Something for everyone.
One stop shopping for all health and wellness benefits.
Continue to add new offerings, such as access to Salary.com at a discount and access to Carta at a discount to manage employee stock programs.
On top of compliance by state.

Performance Management program functionality is "clunky" and not customizable.
You have to submit a ticket for almost every question or use the chatbot feature. Ticket timing turnaround is 24-36 hours.
They will not share all information regarding your employees. For example, your employee has a question about their W-2. TriNet will not share employee W-2s with you.

Return on Investment

TriNet has allowed our company to operate with only 1 HR Professional.
Cost savings on benefits versus our previous broker arrangement is a double-digit % reduction.
Company benefits as perceived by employees as part of our annual survey have gone from being rated a 4 (on a scale of 10) to a 10.

Usability

Like anything, you have to use it every day to best navigate the platform quickly and efficiently.

Support Rating

It could be better. Representatives who are assigned to manage your account from a general HR and payroll standpoint are generally junior-level in experience. Therefore, it can take time to sort out issues that are more complex in nature.

COVID-19 Support

Partnered with TriNet following Covid, so I do not know, but they seem to have a lot of info available on the platform.

Alternatives Considered

Rippling and Insperity

TriNet and Insperity seem to be very similar. Rippling is more of an ASO provider trying to be a PEO.

Key Insights

Do you think TriNet delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with TriNet's feature set?

Yes

Did TriNet live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of TriNet go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy TriNet again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Rippling

Likelihood to Recommend

The level of benefits and cost is very attractive for smaller companies, who normally would not be able to offer "big company benefits" if they had to manage each of these benefits directly with a broker or other. Has been a very position employee acquisition and retention feature for our small company of 50 employees. TriNet is not for you if you prefer to customize all of your employee benefits programs and other offerings. TriNet is one approach, and either you can make it work, or it may not be for you.

TriNet - A Great Solution for Small to Medium Sized Companies.

Overall Satisfaction with TriNet