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What is an Employee Value Proposition (EVP)?

Written By:

Gino Peters

Reviewed By: Belinda E.

May 17, 2026 2:31 am

Category Tag: News

The rise of remote work made international expansion much easier in recent years, but hiring abroad still comes with legal and administrative complexity, as every country has its own labour laws and payroll rules that must be followed. In addition, not many companies can open a new entity in every new market that they are expanding into. That is when the Employer of Record (EOR) solution comes in handy. 

The EOR serves as the legal employer on paper, while the client company manages important activities related to the employees responsibilities and performance. 

In this guide we will cover what an employer of record is, how it works in detail, how much it can cost and which business should consider an EOR solution. 

What is an Employer of Record (EOR)?

An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third party service provider that legally employs a person on behalf of another company in the country where the employee officially resides. As an official employer the responsibilities of EOR include issuance of an employment contract, processing payroll and withholding taxes and necessary social security contributions, as well as preparation of offboarding documents or any documentation that need to be signed by the employer. In addition, EOR ensures the compliance with local labour laws and serves as a first point of contact for any legal disputes. 

The client company that hired the employee through an EOR also has a list of responsibilities. As an Employer of Record does not have the visibility on operational activities behind the scenes a client company needs to provide direction and ensure proper team integration. 

In simple terms, the EOR provider acts as a legal employer in the country of the employee’s residence, while the client company takes on day-to-day manager work. 

Responsibility

Employer of Record (EOR)

Client Company

Employment contracts & any other official documentation

  •  
 

Payroll processing

  •  
 

Income tax & social security contributions

  •  
 

Compliance with local labour laws

  •  
 

Statutory benefits administration

  •  
 

Managing daily work and projects

 
  •  

Setting goals and performance expectations

 
  •  

Providing equipment and tools

 
  •  

Leading the employee’s team and workflow

 
  •  

Employer of Record solutions gain more and more popularity in the field of global expansion as they allow businesses to hire best candidates fast and easy while staying compliant with local employment regulations. More information about EOR service are available if you would like to understand more.

EOR Meaning

The term “EOR” is the abbreviation for Employer of Record

Employer in this instance stands for the company that hires the employee and takes on duties related to it, such as onboarding and offboarding process, payment of wages and compliance with other legal requirements. 

“Record” from the EOR perspective refers to official registration with government authorities. The name of the EOR provider is stated in all payslips and tax filings, and should also be listed by the employee in any documents where employer must be stated, such as mortgage or loan applications. 

One might ask a question of why this legal structure exists. As it is not possible to provide an employment contract directly to a person that legally resides in another country, the business expanding abroad typically needs to establish a local entity. That involves legal registration, arrangement of local bank accounts and organisation of payroll structure, as well as compliance with local law. 

EOR allows to simplify the global hiring and reduce administrative burden through their existing legal entity. 

There are some other hiring models that can be confused with EOR. 

  • EOR and PEO 

Many sources online refer to EOR as “international PEO”, which may create confusion as these models have 1 important difference. 

A Professional Employer Organisation (PEO) serves as a co-employer of a client company. In other words, a business must already have an established entity in the country. The hiring tasks are, therefore, shared between 2 companies, while legal liability stays only with the client company. In the EOR model all legal risks are being taken by the official employer. Read more about the difference between PEO and EOR here. 

  • EOR and staffing agency 

Staffing companies mainly provide assistance for short-term projects by providing temporary workers. If the client wishes to employ a person for a longer time, EOR approach must be chosen. 

  • EOR and contractor model

Contractor agreements assume the involvement of independent workers rather than employees. This model is also often used for temporary, project-based assignments. It is important to remember that there is a big misclassification risk between a contractor and an employee in the company which can lead to potential legal issues. An EOR ensures that employment is legally compliant with local labour law. 

How does an Employer of Record work?

While it may sound complicated at first, a process behind the employer of record model is relatively straightforward. 

  1. The operating company selects a candidate 

The client company recruits the employee they want to hire in another country 

  1. The EOR becomes the legal employer & local employment contract is issued

The Employer of Record uses its local legal entity to prepare and issue an employment contract that complies with labour law of the country where the employee is based. Depending on case-by- case situation, the work visa might need to be secured beforehand. Our company provides immigration services, more details can be found here. 

  1. Payroll and taxes are managed 

The EOR takes on recurring responsibilities related to a payroll and ensures correct processing of income tax, social security contributions etc

  1. Benefits are administered

Paid leave, sick leave, pension contributions and any other statutory benefits are being managed by the EOR. 

  1. Ongoing compliance and HR support

It is the responsibility of the EOR to monitor changes in local labour law and ensure ongoing compliance. 

Example: 

Imagine a UK-based tech company found a perfect candidate in Germany for a position of a software developer. 

Instead of going through the administrative burden of opening a legal entity in Germany, the company chooses to work with an Employer of Record. The EOR hires the developer under a German employment contract and manages payroll and taxes. At the same time the UK company welcomes the new employee in the team and manages the daily work of a developer. 

What services does an Employer of Record provide?

The Employer of Record does more than just providing an employment contract to the employee. Typically a wide range of HR and compliance services is included in the EOR offer. For example, read about the services included in our EOR package here. 

  • Employment and HR administration 
  • Locally compliant employment contracts and support with other documents requested by authorities
  • Employee onboarding 
  • Employee record management. For example, control over PTO 
  • Payroll and tax management 
  • Regular payroll processing 
  • Tax withholding and reporting of social security contributions with authorities
  • Payslip generation and creation of annual wage tax certificates 
  • Benefits administration 
  • Management of statutory benefits 
  • Pension contributions (where required) 
  • Support with benefits such as maternity leave allowance, sick leave allowance etc
  • Compliance and risk management 
  • Insuring compliance with local labour law 
  • Management of onboarding and offboarding processes 
  • Representation in difficult legal and court cases 
  • Additional services:

Some EOR providers ( such as ThisWorks EOR Services) provide additional services such as: 

  • Work permit and dependent visa support 
  • Background checks 
  • Relocation support 
  • Value added services: support with housing, company car, banking, etc ( depending on the country). 

This vast list of services allows businesses to manage international teams, while staying compliant and avoiding complex local employment administration. 

Benefits of using an EOR service

There are multiple advantages the businesses can get from working with an Employer of Record provider.

  • Faster global hiring 

Setting up a new entity can take up to several months. With an EOR the hiring process can take several days. 

  • Reduced compliance risk 

A trustworthy EOR provider ensures the compliance with all local regulations. As the labour law varies greatly between countries, having a knowledgeable party to rely on can make a big difference. 

  • Lower expansion costs

Establishment of a new entity is not only a time-consuming process, but also costly. With EOR services these costs can be avoided. 

  • Access to global talent

The location of a remote candidate is not a problem if the company uses Employer of Record services. In other words, the best candidate for specific business purposes can be chosen. 

  • Scalable hiring model

EOR services are ideal for organisations that want to scale international hiring quickly. They are particularly useful in the following situations: 

  • Remote-first teams and organisations 
  • Companies testing new markets abroad 
  • Startups expanding internationally

How to choose the right Employer of Record

Choosing  between several EOR providers is important, as it influences not only compliance, but also employee experience for new hires and how your company is perceived on the job market. 

Here are some important things to keep in mind when deciding on your EOR partner:

  • Geographic coverage 

Make sure that EOR provider can cover the country where you want to expand globally. Read about our EOR coverage here.

  • Pricing transparency

Check that EOR provider does not have any hidden costs and the pricing is clearly outlined in your MSA. 

  • Compliance expertise 

A strong EOR provider should have a team of experienced local HR specialists who understands all in and outs of a national labour law. 

  • In-house vs partner model 

Some EOR providers rely on their third-party partners, while others manage employment directly through their own local entities. 

  • Customer support

It is important to find a EOR partner that helps with any questions or concerns in a quick and professional manner. That can be crucial when dealing with employee offboarding or any legal disputes.

Warning signs

Understanding the importance of choosing a right party, your company should be cautious of providers that lack local expertise and cannot give clear answers to your labour law questions. In addition, companies with slow response times can  prove to be unreliable in critical situations. Furthermore, providers with complex pricing models with many hidden fees can create a lack of cost transparency and result in unforeseen expenses. 

By selecting a provider with strong expertise in local labour law and reliable support from dedicated teams, your company can ensure a smooth international growth. Learn why companies choose ThisWorks as their EOR partner. 

How much does an employer of record cost

The vast coverage of services the employer of record provides makes many businesses ask how much an EOR costs. 

Pricing models vary greatly on the provider and the country of coverage, but most EORs use one or more of the following structures. 

  1. Flat monthly fee per employee. 

The EOR provider charges a fixed monthly fee for each employee they have on the payroll from the client. 

  1. Percentage of salary

While not being a popular approach, some EOR providers charge a percentage of the employee’s salary, typically ranging between 5%-15%. 

  1. Setup fees

Some providers charge onboarding or offboarding fee for each employee. 

The fee that the business needs to pay to an EOR provider also depend on the location of a service. Local labour law complexity of some countries can influence the fee. In addition, some countries have specific statutory benefits and payroll administration requirements. Furthermore, employee headcount in the specific location can influence the fee. 

EOR vs setting up a legal entity

To establish a new entity the organisations needs to go through legal and tax registration. In addition, accounting support and ongoing compliance costs such as the fees for local labour lawyers can make setting up a legal entity significantly more expensive. 

An EOR allows companies to expand globally without these upfront investments.

EOR vs hiring contractors

Some businesses decide to hire international workers as contractors. However, this approach can often lead to a misclassification risk, which can cause legal and tax liabilities. 

A professional EOR provider ensures that the new starters are compliantly onboarded under local employment regulations. 

 EOR FAQs

  • Is an EOR the same as a PEO?

No.  PEO model assumes co-employment and requires the business to already have established local entity, while EOR employs new talents through its own entity only. 

  • Can an EOR hire contractors?

While some EOR providers can support hiring contractors, it is important to remember that main function of EOR is the employment of full-time workers legally in a country. A risk of misclassification between EOR and contractor should be also considered carefully. 

  • Is an employer of record legal?

Yes, when established and structured properly, Employer of Record entities are legal and widely used for international expansion by many companies. 

  • When should you use an EOR?

The most common reason for using EOR include: 

  • Hiring employees located in another countries remotely
  • Testing new markets before establishing an entity 
  • Expanding internationally
  • Can you switch from EOR to your own entity?

Yes. Many companies initially hire through an EOR for the ease and speed of expansion and later transition employees to own legal entities upon their establishment. It is important to remember that some countries require specific procedure to be followed in such a scenario.

Get in touch with ThisWorks

Expanding your team globally does not need to be long and administratively complex. 

With the use of Employer of Record the businesses can have access to the best talent from around the world while ensuring full compliance with local labour laws. 

ThisWorks can support your global expansion with our compliant Employer of Record services. 

Contact our team to find our how we can help your international team glow fast and compliantly!

Employee Value Proposition Guide: crafting, aligning, and communicating effectively

Attracting and keeping top talent is more important than ever in today’s competitive employment market. A well-aligned employee value proposition (EVP) is one strong instrument companies may employ to differentiate themselves. An EVP is like your company’s unique selling proposition (USP); instead of promoting a good or service, you’re selling the work experience your company offers.

A strong EVP will greatly improve your recruitment efforts and increase staff retention. A well-considered EVP informs your current staff members that you value them and their efforts. These advantages enhance your company’s brand and help you to build your reputation. If your EVP is clear, appealing, and reflects your employee experience, values, and corporate culture, it presents you as a desirable organization. This leads to higher production, greater creativity, and a more cooperative workplace. Let’s explore EVPs more closely, from how to create a compelling one to actual case studies of effective EVPs in use. 

Developing a compelling Employee Value Proposition: An all-inclusive handbook

Writing an interesting employee value proposition (EVP) is like sending a special invitation to gifted people. But first, you have to know who you are inviting!

Understanding your audience

The first step is to get to know your prospective applicant. What skills and experiences define them? What’s their inspiration? Understanding your target market helps you match your EVP message to their aspirations. You can gain this information in many different ways. Surveys and focus groups with recent hires and current employees can provide very important insights. Examining the EVPs of your rivals can also help you uncover gaps and set out your unique services.

After that its time, to focus on the core values of your business. These are the fundamental principles driving your company’s mission and culture. Openness and honesty serve as the foundation for developing a strong EVP. Matching your EVP with your principle values ensures that your message is relevant for new and existing employees.

Defining your company values

Identifying your essential principles may be done through brainstorming sessions with leadership and staff. Consider questions such as what ideals are most important to us? How do we wish to be known? Once you’ve discovered your key principles, integrate them into concrete experiences for your workers. For example, if “innovation” is a key value, you may provide opportunities for workers to experiment with new ideas or participate in hackathons.

Differentiating your offerings

Let us now help you distinguish your business from the others! What special quality of your employee experience helps you stand out? Consider aspects like the workplace. Do you provide a casual dress code or a flexible work schedule? Moreover, career development possibilities are very important. Does your employer offer training programs or tuition reimbursement? Think about your company’s culture. Is it fast-paced, results-driven, or cooperative and entertaining? Remember also to consider benefit packages. Attractive benefits can include competitive health insurance, extra vacation time, and daycare choices. Finding these special features can help you highlight what distinguishes your business.

Crafting your EVP statement

Finally, it’s time to construct the core of your EVP—the remark that embodies its essence. This core message should be straightforward, action-oriented, and easy to understand. A step-by-step process for making an EVP statement could look like that:

  1. Start with a benefit and highlight what your organization offers to workers.
  2. Focus on your target audience and tailor the message to resonate with your desired prospect.
  3. Use powerful and action-oriented verbs to produce a sense of excitement and potential.
  4. Keep things brief and use sentences that are easy to remember and repeat.

A strong EVP is like a terrific party invitation—it makes people enthusiastic to come! But imagine coming up with a boring lecture instead of the promised dancing floor. That’s why it’s necessary to match your EVP with corporate values. It guarantees your message is true and translates into a reality for workers, from the initial interview to their regular work life.

Importance of aligning EVP with company values

Think of your EVP as a company-wide commitment. For it to be genuinely effective, everyone needs to be on the same page. Let’s discuss why internal alignment is crucial.

Leadership as role models: Your leaders set the tone for the entire company. If they don’t understand and embody the EVP, it sends an undefined message to workers. Training and seminars may assist leadership champions in understanding and living corporate values.

HR and hiring managers: These people are the gatekeepers to your corporate culture. Equipping them with the EVP message helps them attract applicants who agree with your values and can thrive in your environment.

Employee buy-in: When workers believe in the EVP, they become brand advocates, both internally and externally. Regularly expressing the EVP and its relationship to organizational values creates trust and engagement.

Job descriptions and recruitment materials

Don’t simply list tasks; demonstrate how the position connects with your values and the dynamic work environment you provide.

Interview conversations: Let the EVP guide your interview questions. Focus on finding a candidate’s values and how they match with your organizational culture.

Employer branding: Use your career website and social media platforms to display your business culture and the rewards of working there.

Onboarding and beyond

The EVP shouldn’t end with the offer letter. You may ask yourself now how to keep it relevant throughout the employment?

Onboarding programs: During the onboarding process, explain to new hires your company’s values and how they integrate into the daily workplace.

Evaluations of performance: Link performance reviews and employee goals to the company’s core principles and the EVP.

Company culture initiatives: Organize events, team-building activities, and recognition programs that reinforce your company values and the EVP message.

Metrics to measure EVP success

So, you’ve produced a beautiful EVP, but how do you know it’s working? Here’s where metrics come in—they’re informing you if your EVP is working smoothly. The best way to do this is with key performance indicators (KPIs). They help you to track and determine your EVP’s effectiveness:

  • Application rates: Are you recruiting a greater pool of eligible candidates?
  • Time-to-hire: Is your EVP simplifying the hiring process by attracting the right match faster?
  • Employee retention rates: Is your EVP keeping your skilled workforce happy and motivated, lowering turnover?
  • Employee engagement surveys: What do your employees say? Are they pleased with the work environment and possibilities your EVP promises?

Make adjustments to keep up with the market pace

Don’t just compile data; use them to your benefit! Examine the material you gather. For low application rates, for instance, review your job descriptions or EVP messages. Similarly, low employee engagement rates could suggest a discrepancy between your EVP and the actual work experience. Regular monitoring of these variables and adjusting your EVP depending on the data ensures that it stays current and keeps attracting and retaining top workers in an always-changing employment market.

Effective communication of EVP to stakeholders

What drives these EVPs to be successful? They resonate with their intended audiences. They communicate directly to the values and aspirations of the people they hope to attract. Effective internal and external communication of your EVP helps you establish a consistent brand image and draw top candidates appropriate for your company culture. How should your EVP be presented to audiences both inside and beyond your company?

Internal communication

These strategies will ensure they embrace the EVP:

Leading as champions: Leaders set the tone for themselves. Using town halls, team meetings, and leadership development initiatives, often highlight the EVP and its connection to corporate values. Leaders who live the values inspire employees to follow.

Clear message: Give the EVP message to HR and hiring managers so they may be equipped. 

Courses and seminars: Training courses and seminars can help them find candidates that fit your values and offer a positive interview experience that reflects your EVP.

Channels of employment communication: Keep the EVP message top-of-mind and celebrate employees who exemplify the corporate values by using internal communication channels including newsletters, articles, and employee recognition programs.

External Communication

Job descriptions and recruitment materials: Don’t simply list tasks; illustrate how the position connects with your values and the stimulating work environment you provide.

Career website and social media: Use these channels to highlight your corporate culture, the benefits of working there, and actual employee tales that exhibit the EVP in action.

Employer branding materials: Craft appealing marketing materials emphasizing your unique selling offer as an employer.

Real-world examples of successful EVPs

A strong EVP isn’t simply a clever phrase; it’s a promise put into action. Here are a few firms from diverse sectors that are winning the talent battle with their captivating EVPs:

1.   Ray Ban: See the world differently

This contemporary eyewear firm isn’t just about attractive spectacles; its EVP is all about establishing a fun, creative, and mission-driven work atmosphere. They attract millennials and Gen Z talent who desire a lively workplace culture and a commitment to social good. Their social media presence is a fantastic example, loaded with staff images displaying their collaborative and cheerful work culture.

What makes it effective? Ray Ban knows its target audience. They respond directly to the demand for a fun and interesting workplace, while also showcasing their dedication to social responsibility, which resonates with younger generations.

2. Patagonia: Nature lovers unite!

The outdoor goods business Patagonia sells a lifestyle, not only coats and tents. Their EVP is roughly social consciousness and environmental responsibility. They attract driven people who believe in sustainability and share their values. Patagonia aggressively encourages worker involvement and environmental issues; hence, this is not only a marketing tool.

What distinguishes it from others? The EVP of Patagonia is clear, honest, and immediately addresses a certain audience. People who are environmentally sensitive and choose purpose-driven work find themselves drawn to a company that shares their values.

3. Nike: Inspire and innovate

Their EVP focuses on building a good, supportive, and empowered work environment. They invest extensively in employee well-being, giving incentives like on-site exercise centers and generous vacation time. This people-centric approach attracts applicants who thrive in a collaborative and enjoyable culture.

What makes it effective? Nike recognizes that happy workers lead to happy consumers. They promote employee well-being, building a culture of trust and autonomy. This connects with folks who appreciate a healthy work-life balance and a supportive work environment. Here you can read more about it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an Employee Value Proposition (EVP)?

An EVP is essentially a unique selling proposition for your company; instead of selling a product, you’re selling the experience of working there. It clearly expresses why your organization is a wonderful place to work.

2. How does an EVP differ from an employer brand?

An EVP focuses internally on the value proposition supplied to workers, whereas an employer brand focuses publicly on the company’s reputation as a workplace.

3. What are the main components of a strong EVP?

Aligning your EVP with your major organizational principles can help you to be authentic.

Emphasize what sets your company apart in terms of work environment, culture, and benefits.

  • Your message should be specifically relevant to the intended candidate.
  • Use straightforward, unambiguous language to ignite passion.
  • Track results to modify your messaging and assemble outstanding personnel.

 

 

 

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ThisWorks supports companies expanding internationally.

As an Employer of Record (EOR), we enable you to hire employees in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and Spain  without setting up a local entity. We handle payroll, contracts, and compliance, so you can focus on growth.

Global expansion made simple.

✔ Hire internationally without foreign entities
✔ Stay fully compliant
✔ Save time and resources

Expand faster with ThisWorks.

Table of Contents

Sign up for our latest news & articles. We won’t give you spam mails.

[mc4wp_form id="1237"]

ThisWorks supports companies expanding internationally.

As an Employer of Record (EOR), we enable you to hire employees in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and Spain  without setting up a local entity. We handle payroll, contracts, and compliance, so you can focus on growth.

Global expansion made simple.

✔ Hire internationally without foreign entities
✔ Stay fully compliant
✔ Save time and resources

Expand faster with ThisWorks.