Effortlessly Add Employees in Gusto: A Guide for Assisted Living

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Running an assisted living facility means juggling many responsibilities, from caring for residents to managing staff. One of the most critical tasks is onboarding employees smoothly and efficiently. If you’re using Gusto, a payroll and HR platform, you’re already on the right track. Gusto simplifies hiring, payroll, and compliance tasks, freeing you to focus on providing excellent care for your residents.

This guide will walk you through how to add employees in Gusto, ensuring a seamless onboarding experience.

Check out the video, too:

Why Gusto is Perfect for Assisted Living Payroll

Gusto is designed to handle all your payroll and HR needs, making it a great fit for assisted living businesses. Here’s why:

  • Simple Onboarding: Streamlines hiring by handling tasks like tax forms and direct deposit setup.
  • Compliance Tools: Ensures your facility stays up-to-date with labor laws and tax requirements.
  • Flexible Pay Options: Supports hourly, salaried, and contract workers.

If high staff turnover or complex payroll processes are challenges you face, Gusto can help.


Step 1: Log In to Gusto

  1. Go to Gusto and sign in to your account.
  2. Navigate to the "People" section in the menu.
  3. Click "Hire and Onboard" to begin adding new employees.

Step 2: Add a New Employee

Follow these steps to add a full-time or part-time employee:

  1. Click “Hire a New Employee”: Select this option from the dashboard.
  2. Enter Basic Information: Provide the employee’s name, start date, and job title.
  3. Set Their Manager: Assign a direct supervisor to help streamline communication and task delegation.
  4. Send an Offer Letter (Optional): Use Gusto’s customizable templates to send a professional offer letter.

Step 3: Define Employment Details

After adding basic information, customize the employee’s setup:

  • Pay Structure: Choose from hourly, salary, or commission-based pay.
  • Employment Type: Specify whether they’re full-time, part-time, or seasonal.
  • Tax Exemptions: Mark any applicable exemptions to stay compliant.

For assisted living roles like caregivers, nurses, or maintenance staff, tailoring these details is essential for proper payroll processing.


Step 4: Onboard Your New Employee

Gusto’s onboarding process is designed to be simple and self-service for your team:

  1. Create a Profile: Gusto generates an employee profile with their details.
  2. Assign Onboarding Tasks: Include steps like setting up direct deposit, reviewing policies, or completing certifications (e.g., CPR training).
  3. Send Login Details: Employees can log into their Gusto profile to finish onboarding tasks independently.

This hands-off process reduces administrative work for you while ensuring accuracy and compliance.


Step 5: Add Contractors

If you’re hiring independent contractors for roles like consulting or facility maintenance, Gusto has you covered:

  1. Select “Add a Contractor” from the “Hire” menu.
  2. Input the contractor’s business or personal information, including their email.
  3. Specify their pay rate and how they’ll be compensated (hourly or per project).
  4. Contractors can use Gusto to access tax documents like 1099s.

This process ensures smooth onboarding and compliance with tax laws.


Step 6: Review and Finalize

Before wrapping up, double-check the following:

  • Payroll Schedule: Make sure pay dates align with your facility’s cash flow.
  • Tax Information: Confirm that federal and state tax details are accurate.
  • Task Completion: Use Gusto’s dashboard to monitor onboarding progress.

Once everything is set, your new hire is ready to hit the ground running!


Why Gusto is a Great Fit for Assisted Living Facilities

Managing an assisted living facility requires a strong, efficient workforce. Gusto simplifies the administrative side of hiring and payroll, allowing you to focus on resident care.

  • Automates tax compliance.
  • Reduces time spent on onboarding tasks.
  • Ensures a professional and smooth hiring process.

Whether you’re adding a caregiver, a nurse, or an administrator, Gusto streamlines the process so you can keep your facility running smoothly.

Final Thoughts

Adding employees in Gusto is quick and easy, saving you time and stress. With its user-friendly features, Gusto ensures you stay organized while maintaining compliance with payroll and HR regulations.

If you’re not already using Gusto, consider trying it today to elevate your assisted living business. With the right tools, you can spend less time on admin work and more time focusing on what truly matters: caring for your residents.

Take the Next Step

Sign up for a free trial if you want to start using Gusto. This trial lets you try out Gusto’s features without paying anything. When you sign up, both you and the person who referred you will get a Visa gift card. 

If you need help building a solid business plan, make sure you download our Business Plan Checklist. If you need help launching your business, apply to the Assisted Living Investing Mastermind program to get expert guidance on building your business plan, finding property, securing funding, obtaining licenses, and running and scaling your business.

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