Companies cross international borders for two reasons: strategic expansion and access to global talent.
However, inter-regional headhunting for global growth can get difficult. There’s payroll compliance, labor laws, benefits administration. taxes, visa and immigration to handle. Naturally, setting up legal entities in each country isn’t practical for most companies.
To solve this and help companies scale, Papaya Global EOR operates in over 160 countries, taking care of compliance, payroll processing, and employee benefits. Their platform has country-specific experts, with 24/7 support and secure payment processing.
Clearly, Papaya Global has plenty to offer companies contemplating expansion.
Or do they?
Find out the drawbacks of Papaya Employer of Record platform from real user reviews. But first, let’s see the characteristic features of an ideal global EOR service provider.
What makes an EOR services agency ‘great’?
An Employer of Record (EOR) partner should simplify global hiring while keeping your company secure and compliant. Here’s what they should offer.
1. Full compliance coverage
Local labor laws, tax codes, and employment regulations vary widely across countries.
A strong EOR provider ensures that every hire meets location-specific requirements, keeping your company protected from compliance risks and freeing you from the complexities of managing it yourself.
2. Organized onboarding and offboarding
Besides handling payroll, a great EOR service provider shapes every touchpoint of the employee experience. Think about it: your international hires form their first impression of your company through these interactions.
Getting the employee lifecycle right is non-negotiable. This starts with clean, professional onboarding: compliant contracts in local languages, clear documentation requirements, and step-by-step guidance for new team members.
Also, your global EOR service provider must expertly handle all ongoing employment paperwork, from routine documentation to annual updates.
And when they move on? Well, the entire offboarding process needs to be just as professional. Final payments should align with local labor laws, leaving both parties with a positive experience.
3. Efficient payroll processing
Every global payroll mistake has a human cost. When salaries are late or tax deductions are calculated incorrectly, it affects real people with real bills to pay.
This is where a top-tier EOR can make all the difference. Beyond basic salary processing, an Employer of Record platform needs powerful tech and systems to handle:
- Currency conversions that don’t eat into employee paychecks
- Tax calculations that adapt to each country’s unique rules
- Benefits administration that aligns with local standards
- Payment schedules that respect different time zones and banking hours
But accuracy alone isn’t enough. Speed matters too. The best EOR solutions process payroll like clockwork, so your distributed global teams are paid reliably.
Get this right, and payroll becomes invisible—exactly as it should be. Get it wrong, and you’ll hear about it from every affected employee.
4. Localized benefits administration
Global teams expect more than just a salary. Someone might want a health insurance coverage that matches their country’s standards. Another may expect superannuation that follows strict labor codes, and compare your benefits package against local corporate norms.
This is exactly why benefits can’t be a ‘park it for later’ task for EORs. The best providers are cognizant of:
- Health insurance expectations in each country
- Local retirement and pension systems
- Standard paid time off policies
- Market-specific perks and allowances
Nail this and your global benefits strategy becomes a talent magnet. Also, standardized benefits is a complete no-no because each market has its own definition of what makes a competitive package.
So, what then? You find an EOR that understands both local expectations and your company’s global standards, bridging the gap between the two.
5. Secure data management
Every time an employee shares their passport details, tax information, or banking data, they’re trusting their sensitive information won’t end up in the wrong hands.
A reliable EOR serves as your secure data vault across borders. In other words, this means leak and theft-free encryption. It demands:
- Region-specific privacy compliance (because GDPR is just the beginning)
- Secure document storage and transmission
- Clear protocols for data access and handling
- Regular security audits and updates
- Transparent data retention policies
Privacy laws constantly evolve, so yesterday’s security standards won’t cut it tomorrow. Your EOR’s security infrastructure needs to adapt as quickly as regulations change.
Remember: One data breach can destroy years of carefully built trust. The right EOR makes sure that never happens.
6. Accessible, responsive support
With global teams, information must be quickly exchanged. Needless to say, waiting 24 hours or more for a relay is frustrating and costly.
Your EOR services provider should deliver:
- Local experts who understand country-specific nuances
- Real-time support across time zones
- Clear communication in your team’s language
- Fast resolution for payroll and compliance questions
- Proactive updates about regulatory changes
Before you partner with an Employer of Record platform, find out if they can solve problems before employees, work, or operations are impacted. An acclaimed EOR will not just answer questions, but also prevent problems from arising in the first place.
As your company goes borderless, even minor delays or misunderstandings can become serious issues. That’s why choosing the right EOR partner is more than a business decision.
Challenges with Papaya Global’s EOR services and how Multiplier solves them
1. Delayed payments and lack of communication
Papaya Global users have shared frustrations about delays in payments and inconsistent communication.
One user from a civic & social organization expressed, “Papaya held our deposit return over a month past the due date we agreed on. They have continued withholding a credit memo over 45 days beyond the payment date without reason and have not given a payment timeline. Overall, the communication is abysmal; you must follow up many times and escalate to get an answer.”
Delays and poor communication can disrupt day-to-day operations and make managing global payroll harder than it needs to be.
Multiplier’s solution
Multiplier makes timely payments and clear communication a priority. With responsive account managers and proactive support, clients receive regular updates that reduce unnecessary follow-ups.
Jenna F., an operations coordinator, noted, “From the start with Maria, to onboarding with Emily, to account management with Luisa, each of the staff has been responsive and accommodating. Having a presence in most of the countries where we operate is a huge plus.”
This dedicated attention keeps clients informed and ensures easy payroll operations, even across multiple regions.
2. Compliance issues and inadequate local knowledge
Compliance challenges are often noted by Papaya Global users.
One G2 reviewer shared, “Our employee consulted with legal counsel because Papaya attempted not to pay out accrued pto multiple times. We had to review the law in the country because Papaya’s local office was not following the law.”
Compliance missteps can expose businesses to legal risks and damage employee relationships.
Multiplier’s solution
Multiplier’s team includes local compliance experts who stay up-to-date on regulations to ensure clients remain compliant across every country.
Vitul G., a small-business user, highlighted the benefits, stating, “Multiplier simplifies payroll and compliance for global teams across borders. It offers local contracts, taxes, insurance, and social contributions, making international hiring easy and risk-free.”
With this in-depth support, Multiplier safeguards clients from legal risks and upholds employee rights in each location.
3. Costly services for smaller companies
For smaller businesses, Papaya Global’s pricing can be a drawback.
Reemal, HR generalist at a small business, commented, “Depending on the size of the company and the level of service required, Papaya Global can be costly, which might be a consideration for smaller businesses.”
High costs can make it challenging for small teams to access quality EOR services.
Multiplier’s solution
Multiplier offers scalable pricing that adapts to the needs of both small and large businesses, giving clients essential EOR functions without overspending.
Mary H., Head of people & culture, shared her positive experience, noting, “Multiplier’s fair pricing and customer care from Love Mittal was very considerate to our global scaling needs.”
Multiplier EOR services’ flexible plans make global growth accessible for businesses of all sizes without financial strain.
4. Difficulty with invoices and data updates
Accurate invoicing and data management are recurring challenges with Papaya Global.
One reviewer from information and technology services noted, “The invoices could be more detailed or specific as in some cases, we have trouble linking specific items to specific employees. The massive update of employees’ fixed data (home address, job title, salary) can be cumbersome as we need to request a specific file in order to perform the update.”
This can create bottlenecks for HR teams that need clear, manageable data records.
Multiplier’s solution
Multiplier simplifies invoicing and data updates with a user-friendly platform that provides itemized invoices and enables clients to manage employee information directly.
Jennifer W. highlighted the benefits, saying, “Multiplier is addressing the multiple invoice issue. This is a huge help for our small accounting and administrative team, as saving time really assists the payroll process. Gerson Tamayo has worked with me to resolve every invoice question I’ve had—he is extremely helpful!”
Multiplier global EOR service provider gives HR teams easy access to clear invoicing and data management tools, streamlining daily operations and reducing administrative burdens.
5. Limited guidance on navigating new markets
Users have expressed a need for more market-specific guidance from Papaya Global.
One user noted, “Navigating new labor markets is tricky, and sometimes it would be good if the Papaya team provided recommendations when setting up new projects.” Expanding into new regions without the right insights can lead to compliance and cultural missteps.
Multiplier’s solution
Multiplier EOR provides clients with comprehensive local insights, pairing them with in-country experts who assist with compliance and market-specific knowledge.
Jenna F., an operations coordinator, shared her experience, saying, “Multiplier’s team has used their knowledge of each country’s regulations to ease our staff consolidation under one EOR.”
This hands-on support empowers businesses to expand globally with confidence, fully understanding the regulatory and operational landscape of each new market.
With Multiplier EOR’s commitment to clear communication, local expertise, and user-friendly tools, businesses can overcome the common challenges faced with other providers and focus on seamless global operations.
Ready to make the switch? Follow the checklist below to ensure an effortless transition from Papaya Employer of Record to Multiplier global EOR.
Making the switch: Papaya Global to Multiplier Global EOR
Switching EOR providers is a big move. You’ll need to transfer employee data, update compliance documents, and keep payroll running. Here’s a complete checklist to help you transition successfully.
1. Assess your current payroll and compliance needs
- Begin by evaluating your payroll requirements, including your current countries of operation, specific compliance needs, and unique employee benefits. Consider the gaps or challenges you faced with your previous provider, as this will help you set clear expectations and prioritize solutions with Multiplier’s team.
- Document compliance requirements unique to each region, such as tax laws, statutory benefits, and employee entitlements, ensuring these are communicated to Multiplier for an accurate setup.
2. Compile and transfer employee data
- Collect all employee data from your current system, including personal information, job titles, compensation details, benefits records, and local compliance documents. Make sure this data is complete, up-to-date, and formatted for an easy import into Multiplier’s platform.
- To protect privacy, ensure that employee data is securely transferred according to regional data protection regulations (such as GDPR for European employees).
3. Communicate the transition to employees
- Notify your employees about the upcoming switch to Multiplier global EOR, clearly explaining how it will impact their payroll, benefits, and any relevant compliance processes. Transparency is essential in building trust and reassuring employees that the change will benefit them, particularly in improved compliance and timely payments.
- Set up a Q&A session or send a detailed communication that addresses any questions, particularly for employees in regions with complex payroll structures or tax requirements.
4. Collaborate with Multiplier on compliance and local expertise
- Schedule an onboarding session with Multiplier EOR’s local experts, who will walk you through compliance requirements for each country where you operate. This includes ensuring contracts are locally compliant, benefits are aligned with legal standards, and any specific tax implications are fully covered.
- Review regulatory changes or challenges you’ve experienced and ensure Multiplier’s team is equipped to handle them, leveraging their local expertise to prevent issues with payroll accuracy or compliance down the line.
5. Test and verify payroll processes
- Conduct a trial payroll run with Multiplier’s system to verify that employee details, compensation rates, tax calculations, and benefits deductions are correctly set up. Testing allows you to catch and resolve potential discrepancies before the first official payroll cycle.
- Confirm that payroll schedules and any custom rules (such as holiday pay or overtime calculations) align with local regulations, which will help avoid compliance issues and maintain employee satisfaction.
6. Ensure accurate tax filings and reports
- Work with Multiplier’s compliance team to ensure that tax filings, reports, and other mandatory documentation meet local regulatory standards. Set up automatic report generation if possible, so your HR and finance teams can track payroll and tax data with ease.
- Verify that any unique tax incentives, deductions, or employer obligations are accounted for, especially if you are operating in multiple countries with varied tax laws.
7. Implement a feedback loop and monitor the first payroll cycle
- Establish a feedback loop to capture insights from HR, finance, and employees after the first payroll cycle with Multiplier. Monitor how the system performs and address any remaining questions or minor adjustments promptly.
- Use this feedback to refine processes, enhance reporting accuracy, and ensure a smooth, ongoing experience that meets the needs of your team.
8. Schedule regular reviews with Multiplier’s account managers
- Regular check-ins with your dedicated Multiplier account manager ensure continuous alignment with your payroll and compliance needs. These reviews help you proactively address any regulatory updates, expand to new regions, or adjust payroll settings as your business grows.
Why choose the right global EOR partner?
As we’ve explored, modern companies need precise compliance management, reliable benefits administration, invulnerable data security, and local expertise in every market they enter. The right EOR partner directly impacts how efficiently you can scale internationally.
This is where Multiplier’s track record speaks volumes. With 850+ five-star ratings and a 4.7/5 rating on G2, leading to recognition among 2024’s Top 50 HR Products, we’ve proven what modern EOR services should deliver.
But more telling are the results from companies who made the switch. MoEngage moved 50+ employees across 19 countries to Multiplier. Mindvalley accelerated their expansion by hiring 18 key roles across 6 countries.
In fact, our use cases for companies show consistent patterns:
- Direct entities in 150+ countries, not third-party partnerships
- Built-in tools like salary cost calculator that prevents budget surprises
- Country-specific compliance guidance right in the platform
- Customer support that resolves issues fast
“The onboarding processes with Multiplier is by far the most flexible and comprehensive product among the EORs I have worked with,” notes Sumana Ananth, Associate Director at MoEngage.
Ready to see how Multiplier’s capabilities could accelerate your global operations?
Book a Multiplier demo today.
