The Challenge
HR and compliance complexities plagued US expansion
Founded in 2015, Liner operates an AI‑powered research search engine backed by US$29 million from investors such as InterVest, Atinum Partners, and Samsung Ventures. When the team, headquartered in South Korea, opened a small office in California, they ran head‑first into US payroll, benefits, and tax rules they’d never encountered at home. California in particular proved challenging, with some of the most complex labor laws in the US—demanding local expertise.
Initially, Liner managed American team members as contractors through Deel. But as the headcount grew, the company needed employee‑grade benefits and airtight compliance—without hiring extra staff or piecing together local accountants and lawyers.
"Deel’s local Korea team walked us through every step in English and Korean, so nothing was lost in translation. The platform allowed us to centralize employment operations supporting our global expansion." —Eunyoung (Clara) Lee, US HR Manager, Liner
解決方案
Centralizing payroll and compliance
Switching to Deel PEO in May 2025 replaced three external vendors—tax and accounting firms for payroll, and legal advisors for HR compliance— with one people‑first platform, reducing costs. Payroll now runs automatically each month with real-time visibility, contracts stay up to date with US and Californian labor law, and employees download payslips or tax forms themselves—no email chains needed and no operational complexity.
“Deel’s ability to manage payroll, HR, and compliance all in one place significantly simplified our internal processes. It’s not just faster—it's far more transparent for both HR and employees. This is especially helpful in places like California where the local labor laws can be exceptionally complex.” —Eunyoung (Clara) Lee, US HR Manager, Liner
Instant answers, confident HR
With Deel’s built-in AI chat and direct access to in‑house payroll and compliance specialists, Liner’s HR team now gets guidance in minutes, not days.
- AI‑powered answers in context: Whenever the team asks about overtime rules, California meal‑break obligations, or contractor versus employee classification, Deel AI surfaces the relevant federal or state requirement right inside the platform.
- Human expertise on tap: For nuanced scenarios—like equity tax withholding or final‑pay calculations—Liner can escalate to a dedicated payroll specialist who replies the same business day.
- Real‑time resolution: Questions that previously lingered for several business days with external vendors are now typically resolved within the hour, freeing HR to focus on onboarding and engagement.
“Most questions are solved within the hour. The time we win back goes straight into supporting our people.” —Eunyoung (Clara) Lee, US HR Manager, Liner
The Result
Built to scale
With five California employees live on Deel PEO, Liner is already planning the next phase:
- 福利管理： Launching competitive U.S. health and retirement plans
- Deel IT equipment management: Automating laptop and accessory shipping for remote staff
- Advanced HR workflows: Rolling out automated time‑off, onboarding, and self‑service tools
“Deel lets us add features when we’re ready, so HR can scale side‑by‑side with the business.”
—Eunyoung (Clara) Lee,
US HR Manager, Liner
