Paychex and HireRight are bringing COVID tests to companies in need

Amid the rise of the omicron variant, there’s a nationwide COVID test shortage — and for employers eager to reopen offices, it’s creating a major speed bump.

HR, payroll, benefits and insurance services platform Paychex partnered with job-screening service HireRight to offer rapid COVID-19 test kits to support businesses implementing workplace testing for employees, according to a press release.

The service enables Paychex clients to place bulk or small-batch orders of rapid COVID-19 test kits that can be easily distributed and administered to their employees, with results available within 15 to 30 minutes.

Read more: The omicron strain could be temporary but it’s impact on work may be permanent

Paychex clients can order competitively priced rapid COVID-19 test kits that will then be distributed and delivered through HireRight, according to the release. Once employees receive their test kit, they can self-administer the test with results uploaded to the HireRight system for employer tracking and auditing purposes. If an employee is required to comply with the OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Test Standard, they can either monitor the self-test or use an approved telehealth provider.

This is the latest installment in Paychex’s efforts to help employers bring employees back to the office, which includes their Flex Document Management tool to help track vaccination status, restrict access and maintain the confidentiality of information. The company’s Flex Live Reports help administrators track employee documentation like self-reported test results.

“We’ve helped to simplify the very complex process of employee COVID-19 testing with this new solution,” Tom Hammond, vice president of corporate strategy and product management at Paychex, said in the release. “We’re helping businesses address the critical safety issues impacting their workplace.”