Expanding your business across borders is exciting, but also complex. From managing payroll in different currencies to keeping up with labor laws in dozens of countries, the challenges can feel overwhelming. According to global HR outsourcing statistics, 57% of organizations already outsource some or all HR functions to simplify operations. For international teams, this often means turning to global employment outsourcing providers like an Employer of Record.
What Is Global Employment Outsourcing?
Global employment outsourcing involves hiring an outside provider to handle all legal, HR, and payroll responsibilities for employees in other countries. This model is often called international employment outsourcing, and the provider is known as an Employer of Record.
With EOR providers, you stay in control of your employees' daily work and performance, while we take care of:
Payroll and benefits administration
Compliance with local labor and tax laws
Employment contracts in local languages
Ongoing HR support services
With global employment outsourcing, instead of setting up a subsidiary in every country, you work with one partner who already has legal entities and in-country expertise.
The Role of EOR Service Providers
EOR service providers like Atlas act as the legal employer on paper, so your business can operate internationally without the cost and complexity of entity setup. We manage compliance, reduce risk, and provide you with the tools to offer competitive benefits anywhere.
Unlike other EOR providers that rely on third parties for global employment outsourcing services, Atlas owns and operates entities in 160+ countries. That means one contract, one invoice, and one consistent standard for compliance and service quality.
How Global Employment Outsourcing with an EOR Works
To understand why this model is so effective, it's helpful to see how global employment outsourcing with an EOR works and how it compares to other business expansion options.
EOR role: Acts as the legal employer for tax and labor law compliance while you direct daily work.
Global employment outsourcing services covered: Payroll, benefits, HR support, compliance monitoring, immigration, contractor conversion, and local onboarding.
Models compared:
EOR: Fastest, most compliant, no entity setup required.
Subsidiary: Full control but costly, slow to set up/dissolve.
Representative office: typically limited activity; generally cannot generate revenue.
6 Key Benefits of Global Employment Outsourcing
Here's why companies of all sizes, from startups to global enterprises, choose global employment outsourcing to expand into new markets.
1. Faster Market Entry
Setting up a local entity can take months and cost thousands in legal and administrative fees. With Global EOR services, you can onboard employees in as little as two weeks.
Atlas' global employment outsourcing services have legal entities ready in 160+ countries, so you can:
Test new markets without long-term commitment
Quickly respond to customer demand in new regions
Hire talent wherever the skills you need are located
2. Compliance and Risk Reduction
Every country has its own employment laws, tax rules, and reporting requirements. Getting it wrong can lead to fines, lawsuits, or even being banned from doing business there.
International HR management through an EOR's global employment outsourcing services ensures compliance from day one. At Atlas, we:
Draft compliant contracts in local languages
Calculate taxes and social contributions accurately
Keep up with law changes so you don’t have to
Maintain ISO-certified data security standards
When you work with one of the best global employment outsourcing providers, you're protecting your business and your employees.
3. Access to Global Talent
Talent shortages are a global challenge, but they don't have to limit your growth. With international employment outsourcing, you can recruit the best people anywhere in the world.
Our global workforce solutions give you the flexibility to:
Hire top-tier talent without requiring relocation
Offer competitive benefits packages that meet local expectations
Scale your workforce up or down based on business needs
If you're looking for the best Employer of Record services, choose a global employment outsourcing partner that helps you attract and retain the talent your business needs to thrive, like Atlas HXM.
4. Cost Savings
Entity setup is slow and expensive. You'll face incorporation fees, accounting costs, and ongoing compliance expenses. Global employment outsourcing eliminates those costs.
With Atlas:
You pay only for the employees you have on board
We handle payroll, benefits, and compliance under one flat fee
You avoid the expense of local HR and legal teams
5. Better Employee Experience
Great employee experiences are essential for retention and productivity. Atlas' global employment outsourcing services go beyond basic EOR services to deliver:
Local HR teams in your employees’ time zones and languages
Premium healthcare, life, and travel insurance benefits
Access to thousands of learning and development courses
User-friendly onboarding through our EOR platform and mobile app
This level of global workforce solutions helps your team feel valued and connected, no matter where they are in the world.
6. Flexibility to Test and Scale Markets
With global employment outsourcing, you can explore new regions without locking yourself into long-term commitments. An EOR lets you:
Hire a small team in a new country to test market demand.
Scale operations quickly if the market responds well.
Exit without costly corporate liquidation if the market isn’t the right fit.
This is another reason why global employment outsourcing is becoming the go-to model for modern international growth strategies.
How Global Employment Outsourcing Works with Atlas
Here's what you can expect when partnering with Atlas for global employment outsourcing:
Consultation and planning: We help you choose the right countries and structure for your expansion.
Contract setup: One Master Services Agreement covers all countries.
Onboarding: Employees sign local contracts and join your team.
Ongoing management: Payroll, benefits, compliance, and reporting handled for you.
Expansion or adjustment: Scale your team up or down easily.
Our end-to-end global employment outsourcing process ensures smooth operations for both you and your international teams.
Choosing the Best Employer of Record Companies
Not all global employment outsourcing providers are created equal. When evaluating your options, look for:
Direct EOR model: The best Employer of Record companies own their legal entities to ensure control and consistency.
Global Coverage: Make sure they operate in all your target markets.
Compliance expertise: Proven track record with local laws and regulations.
Integrated Technology: An EOR platform that integrates with your systems for smooth operations.
Support: Real people in local time zones who can answer questions fast.
Pricing: No hidden fees or unclear employer cost calculations.
Proven compliance track record: Recognized industry leader status and certifications.
Why Atlas Is the Best Choice
When you choose Atlas, you get more than EOR global services; you get a trustworthy partner for your international growth strategy.
Here's why businesses trust us:
160+ countries covered with owned entities
Over 99% payroll accuracy
Visa sponsorship in 100 countries
Premium benefits packages to attract top talent
White-glove HR support services in 50+ languages
Whether you're hiring your first international employee or scaling a global team, we provide the international HR management expertise you need to succeed.
Take the Next Step Toward Global Growth
Global employment outsourcing is the smarter way to expand into new markets. With Atlas as your EOR partner, you can hire quickly, stay compliant, save money, and give your employees the best experience possible.
Contact Atlas today to see how our global employment outsourcing services can work for your business.