Zenefits benefits administration and enrollment
Benefits administration is Zenefits' flagship capability.
Benefits administration is Zenefits' flagship capability. The module supports health, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental insurance enrollment through direct carrier integrations. Employees see plan comparisons with cost breakdowns, coverage summaries, and contribution details in a guided enrollment flow.
Open enrollment is managed through the platform with automated windows, deadline reminders, and life-event triggers for qualifying changes. COBRA administration is included, handling the notification, enrollment, and payment tracking required by federal law.
Zenefits carrier integration and plan management
Zenefits integrates with major insurance carriers to pull real-time rates and eligibility data. HR administrators set up plan offerings, define employer contribution levels, and configure eligibility rules by employee class. When carriers update rates, the system reflects changes automatically.
Zenefits ACA compliance and reporting
The ACA compliance module tracks employee hours, determines full-time equivalency, generates 1094-C and 1095-C forms, and files with the IRS. For companies approaching the 50-employee ACA threshold, this automation prevents the costly penalties associated with non-compliance.
Zenefits payroll processing and tax filing
The payroll add-on covers full-service payroll including automatic tax calculations, federal and state tax filing, W-2 and 1099 generation, direct deposit, and check printing.
The payroll add-on covers full-service payroll including automatic tax calculations, federal and state tax filing, W-2 and 1099 generation, direct deposit, and check printing. Payroll runs on a configurable schedule — weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly — with processing deadlines displayed clearly.
Multi-state payroll is supported for companies with employees across US states. The module handles state income tax withholding, unemployment insurance, and local tax jurisdictions. Garnishment processing is available for wage attachments and court-ordered deductions.
Zenefits payroll tax filing and compliance
Zenefits handles federal, state, and local tax calculations automatically. Tax filings are submitted quarterly and annually on the employer's behalf. Year-end W-2 and 1099 generation is included, with electronic delivery to employees and paper mailing as a backup option.
Zenefits direct deposit and payment options
Direct deposit is the default payment method with two-day or four-day processing windows depending on the plan. Check printing is available as a fallback. Employees can view pay stubs, download tax documents, and update direct deposit information through the self-service portal.
Zenefits hiring, onboarding, and document management
The hiring module covers job posting, applicant tracking, and offer letter generation.
The hiring module covers job posting, applicant tracking, and offer letter generation. It is a basic ATS — functional for companies hiring fewer than 20 people per year but not competitive with dedicated recruiting tools. Offer letters use configurable templates with merge fields for compensation, title, and start date.
Onboarding picks up where hiring ends, guiding new employees through personal information collection, tax form completion, benefits enrollment, and policy acknowledgments. Document management stores employee files, company policies, and signed agreements with e-signatures and audit trails.
Zenefits onboarding workflow and e-signatures
New hires receive an onboarding link that walks them through a sequential flow — personal details, tax forms (W-4, I-9), direct deposit, benefits selection, and policy signatures. Each step uses e-signatures for legally binding acknowledgments. HR sees completion status on a dashboard.
Zenefits document storage and compliance records
Employee documents are stored in a centralized repository organized by employee and document type. Retention policies can be configured by document category. The system tracks who uploaded, viewed, and signed each document for audit purposes.
Zenefits time and attendance tracking
Time and attendance captures employee hours through web and mobile clock-in interfaces.
Time and attendance captures employee hours through web and mobile clock-in interfaces. The module tracks regular hours, overtime, and break time, and calculates totals for payroll processing. PTO requests are submitted and approved through the same module, with balances updating automatically.
Scheduling features let managers create and publish work schedules, though the scheduling depth does not match dedicated workforce management tools. Geofencing is available to restrict clock-in to specific locations, which is useful for retail, hospitality, or field-service teams.
Zenefits overtime and labor cost tracking
The module calculates overtime based on federal and state rules, including daily overtime in California and other states with daily overtime thresholds. Labor cost reports break down payroll expenses by department, project, or cost center for budget tracking.
Zenefits PTO policies and accrual management
PTO policies are configurable by employee type, tenure, and location. Accrual rules support annual grants, per-pay-period accruals, and unlimited PTO tracking. Carryover limits, blackout dates, and manager approval requirements are all configurable.
Zenefits compliance tools and HR Advisory
The compliance module covers ACA tracking, COBRA administration, state-specific labor law updates, and compliance calendar reminders.
The compliance module covers ACA tracking, COBRA administration, state-specific labor law updates, and compliance calendar reminders. For small businesses without a dedicated HR or legal team, these tools serve as an automated compliance safety net that reduces the risk of costly violations.
The HR Advisory add-on connects small teams to a dedicated HR advisor who provides guidance on employee relations, policy drafting, audit preparation, and compliance questions. This service positions Zenefits as more than a software tool — it is a compliance partner for businesses that cannot afford a full-time HR professional.
Zenefits state and federal compliance alerts
The compliance engine monitors labor law changes at the federal and state level and pushes alerts to administrators when action is required. Alerts cover minimum wage changes, leave law updates, posting requirements, and filing deadlines. The system is US-only.
Zenefits HR Advisory service and scope
The $8 PEPM HR Advisory add-on includes unlimited email and phone access to certified HR advisors. Advisors help with employee handbook creation, termination guidance, workplace investigation protocols, and state-specific compliance questions. Response times are typically within one business day.
Zenefits performance reviews and compensation management
The performance module supports configurable review cycles with manager evaluations, self-assessments, and goal tracking.
The performance module supports configurable review cycles with manager evaluations, self-assessments, and goal tracking. Reviews can be annual, semi-annual, or on a custom cadence. The module is functional for basic review needs but lacks the depth that performance-focused platforms provide.
Compensation management lets administrators set pay bands, track salary history, and manage merit increases. The tools are basic compared to HiBob's compensation cycle planning or Lattice's compensation module, but they cover the essentials for small businesses that want compensation data in the same platform as HR and payroll.
Zenefits review cycle configuration
HR administrators configure review templates with custom questions, rating scales, and evaluation criteria. Review cycles can be launched for the entire company or specific departments. Automated reminders keep the process on schedule, and completion tracking shows HR which managers have outstanding reviews.
Zenefits compensation tracking and salary bands
The compensation module stores salary history, tracks pay changes over time, and lets administrators define pay bands by role and level. Compensation reports show distribution by department, tenure, and demographic segments. The tools are useful for basic pay equity monitoring but lack the merit-cycle planning depth of dedicated compensation platforms.
