PEO Services
HR Expertise. A Team That Answers. No Ticket Numbers.
If your current PEO feels more like a call center than a partner, it may be time for a change. Optimum HR provides California businesses with dedicated HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance support from a team that knows your company, understands your needs, and responds when you reach out.
10×
OC Best Places to Work
<2 hr
Avg. email response time
Live
Phone is Always Answered
Your Dedicated Rep
John Song
Business Development Manager - Optimum HR
John Song works with California business owners to simplify HR, payroll, employee benefits, and compliance challenges. With more than 10 years of industry experience and relationships spanning 50+ clients, he helps employers make informed decisions while providing the responsive, personalized support that defines Optimum HR’s boutique approach.
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Book Your Free 15-Minute Call with John Song
Schedule a free 15-minute conversation with John Song to discuss your current HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance needs. There is no obligation and no high-pressure sales process. You will get direct answers, practical guidance, and a clear understanding of whether Optimum HR is the right fit for your business.
Why Choose Optimum HR for PEO Services in California?
At Optimum HR, you are not routed through a support queue or treated like a ticket number. You work with a dedicated team that knows your business, responds quickly, and provides direct guidance on HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance.
01
Real Humans Answer the Phone
Call our main line, and a real person picks up every time. No phone trees, no ticket queues, and no waiting on hold while an employee stands at your front desk needing an answer.
02
Average Email Response: 2 Hours
We set a high standard for responsiveness and hold ourselves accountable to it. When something affects your business, we act quickly. Most clients receive a response the same morning, and our average email response time is less than two hours.
03
A Team That Knows Your Business
You get a dedicated HR business partner, payroll specialist, and benefits advisor, not a rotating cast of anonymous agents. We take the time to learn your business, culture, and employees so we can provide support that fits your needs.
04
California-Specific Expertise
We're based in California and built our practice around California employers. Our team understands the state's complex employment laws, payroll requirements, and compliance obligations, helping your business stay compliant and informed.
05
Competitive Benefits at Scale
As a co-employer, we leverage the buying power of hundreds of businesses to secure competitive large-group benefits. Your employees gain access to robust health and benefits options that are often out of reach for smaller employers.
06
Nimble by Design
Privately owned means faster decisions, quicker responses, and greater flexibility. When your business needs change, our team is ready to adapt without the delays that often come with larger providers.
What Are the Hidden Costs of Getting HR Wrong in California?
Getting HR wrong in California can cost more than time and frustration. Compliance mistakes, payroll errors, and rising benefit expenses can expose your business to financial penalties, operational disruptions, and unnecessary costs. A proactive HR partner helps identify and address these challenges before they become expensive problems.
California Compliance Risk
AB5, PAGA, CCPA, Cal/OSHA, the regulatory landscape changes constantly. One misstep can mean six-figure penalties. Most national PEOs weren't built for California's complexity.
Payroll Complexity
Payroll in California can be complex, with rules for multi-rate overtime, split shifts, meal breaks, and final pay. We help reduce payroll errors with accurate, on-time processing backed by real people who know your account and support your employees.
Rising Benefits Costs
Small businesses often face higher benefit costs and fewer plan options when purchasing coverage on their own. Through Optimum HR's large-group purchasing power, your business can access competitive health, dental, and vision benefits that help attract and retain top talent without stretching your budget.
Hi, I'm John Song.
Business Development Manager - Optimum HR
For more than 10 years, I’ve worked with business owners across California to help simplify HR, payroll, employee benefits, and compliance challenges. Along the way, I’ve built relationships with more than 50 clients and seen how the right PEO partnership can support business growth while reducing administrative burdens.
My goal is not to sell you a platform. It’s to understand your situation, answer your questions, and help you determine whether Optimum HR is the right fit for your business. If it makes sense to move forward, great. If not, you’ll still leave the conversation with useful insights and a clearer understanding of your options.
10×
OC Best Places to Work
<2 hr
Avg. email response time
Live
Phone is Always Answered
What Do Clients Say About Working With Optimum HR?
The company I work for switched to Optimum less than a year ago and there has been nothing but up-sides since doing so. Everybody in the company is grateful for the benefits that Optimum provides such as Life Insurance and Dental, something that we've never had before. We are very grateful as well for the extra benefits, such as the Working Advantage discounts on movie theater tickets and theme park admissions. Whenever I have a question regarding payroll or benefits, Fabiola and Shaked have always been quick, patient, and kind in their responses, which is something that I'm very grateful for. All in all, we are very pleased with Optimum and everything they are doing for us.
Been using Optimum for over 10 years at my place of business. Great payroll solution for a small to medium sized business. They take care of payroll, taxes, on-boarding and many other HR needs so you can focus on your business.
Switching to Optimum about a year ago was one of the best decisions our company has made. Their team is incredibly responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful, making everything from payroll to HR much easier to manage. I highly recommend Optimum to any company looking for a reliable, professional PEO partner. A special thank you to Fabiola and Celeste, they have been exceptional to work with and consistently go above and beyond to provide outstanding support.
I am very pleased with the fast response with the optimum team (specially) with Ana Sakoda on taking care of the questions or events that I have come across. She's very prompt on taking care business.
Optimum HR has been an excellent partner for our company. Their team has provided strong support in payroll, HR, employee benefits, and compliance-related matters. They are responsive, professional, and always willing to help when questions come up. Having a dependable partner like Optimum HR has made a real difference for our business, and we truly value the support they provide. I would highly recommend them to any company looking for reliable HR and payroll services.
Optimum has been our payroll and HR partner for the last 12 years. They have grown and adapted alongside our business as we expanded and transitioned toward a more dispersed workforce. They eliminate the stress of managing payroll across multiple states and staying current with compliance regulations. Their team is very knowledgeable, friendly and happy to help!
I am very satisfied with the level of service we receive from Optimum in providing support for payroll, benefits and HR. My team is Nicole, Julio, Lindsey and Nicki. Thank you Optimum Team!
I've had the privilege of working with Optimum HR to support our mutual client, and I've always been impressed by them. The team is professional, thorough, and very responsive. I'm especially grateful to work with Nicki Tran and Julio because I can always count on their support.
Shaked went on a zoom call with me and was super friendly and knowledgeable to the general information I had. For very specific questions, she provided me the information needed to get.
I always had a great experience working with the OptimumHr team. I would highly recommend this company to anyone!
FAQs About PEO Services in California
What Is a PEO and How Is It Different From a Regular HR Outsourcer?
A PEO (Professional Employer Organization) is a partner that enters into a co-employment relationship with your business. This allows your employees to be covered under the PEO’s FEIN for benefits and tax purposes, helping you access large-group insurance rates and shared employer support. Unlike HR consultants who primarily provide advice, a PEO manages payroll, administers benefits, handles compliance filings, and serves as an extension of your HR team, while you retain full control over your business operations and hiring decisions.
How Easy Is It to Switch to Optimum HR If You Already Have a PEO?
Switching to Optimum HR is easier than most businesses expect. Our team manages the transition process, including coordinating with your current provider, migrating employee data, and aligning benefit enrollment timelines to minimize disruption. Most transitions take 30 to 60 days, and we handle the heavy lifting every step of the way. If the timing is not ideal, such as during open enrollment, we’ll tell you upfront and help you determine the best path forward.
How Is Optimum HR Different From ADP TotalSource, Insperity, or TriNet?
Optimum HR differs from ADP TotalSource, Insperity, and TriNet by providing a more personalized service experience. Instead of call centers and support queues, you work with a dedicated HR business partner who knows your business. We answer calls live, maintain an average email response time of less than two hours, and specialize in serving California employers. As a privately owned PEO and a 10-time OC Business Journal Best Places to Work honoree, we focus on building long-term client relationships rather than delivering one-size-fits-all support.
What Size Companies Does Optimum HR Work With?
We typically work with businesses that have between 10 and 200 employees, although the right fit depends on more than company size alone. Our clients span a wide range of industries, including engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, and life sciences. If you value your employees and want a more hands-on approach to HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance, Optimum HR may be a good fit.
Will My Employees Notice the Change or Lose Their Current Benefits?
No, your employees should not lose benefit coverage during the transition; in fact, they may gain access to more competitive options through our large-group purchasing power. We carefully manage the transition process, communicate clearly with your team, and work to minimize disruption. For employees, day-to-day experiences such as payroll, PTO tracking, benefits administration, and HR support often become more streamlined and efficient.
How Does Our Pricing Work?
PEO pricing is typically based on either a per-employee monthly fee or a percentage of payroll, depending on your business structure and workforce size. Many clients find that savings on employee benefits offset a significant portion of the cost, while reducing the time spent on HR administration. After a brief discovery conversation, we provide a clear, transparent proposal with no obligation.