Love in the Workplace – 21st Century Style

Love in the Workplace – 21st Century Style

Office romances are more accepted than ever in the 21st century workplace.  Vault.com 2014 annual Office Romance Survey highlights workplace romances gradually becoming more acceptable among survey respondents! Vault’s Office Romance Survey was conducted in January...

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Are You Stressed Out At Work When You Are Gone?

Are You Stressed Out At Work When You Are Gone?

Gallup research reveals  two-thirds (2/3) of Americans report that the amount of work they do outside normal working hours has increased a lot because of mobile technology advances over the last decade. According to Gallup’s study, checking email frequently is...

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Confused about E Cigarettes in the Workplace?

Confused about E Cigarettes in the Workplace?

eCigarettes could be the new normal for employers! Employees who use eCigarettes want to know if they can use them at work, and employers have to decide whether to let them. Unfortunately, cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United...

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Top 10 Workplace Privacy Issues

Top 10 Workplace Privacy Issues

Employers are always concerned about how much latitude they have when it comes to employee privacy at work.  It is important to remember that employees have only a reasonable expectation of privacy. Employers can determine what is considered reasonable by developing a...

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U.S. Salary Increase: Survey Says…

U.S. Salary Increase: Survey Says…

The Aon Hewitt 2014 annual U.S. Salary Increase Survey results have some promising trends for both employers and employees. Here are the findings: Reference: Miller, S. CEBS (9/2/2014)Variable Pay Spending Spikes to Record High. Shrm.org

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What does the future of work look like? Here are the trends!

What does the future of work look like? Here are the trends!

A new report from consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers is giving business thinkers a lot to consider as they plan how to capitalize on the change to come.  The report “The Future of Work: A Journey to 2022” reflects the views of 10,000 people in China, India,...

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Health Care Update for 2015!

Health Care Update for 2015!

In one of its most significant findings, a recent survey revealed that the number of employers offering workers a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) as the only health benefits option is expected to surge by nearly 50 percent next year. The survey found that...

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LinkedIn Gets Fined 5.86 Million for FLSA Violations

LinkedIn Gets Fined 5.86 Million for FLSA Violations

LinkedIn agreed to pay $3.35 million in overtime back wages for FLSA violations and $2.51 million in liquidated damages to 359 employees working at company branches in California, Illinois, Nebraska and New York. The Wage and Hour Division found that the company was...

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Health care is projected to rise to 6.8% in 2015

Health care is projected to rise to 6.8% in 2015

Top Strategies to deal with the Health Care Rise: Cost-Shifting and Wellness Promotion Findings from PwC’s 2014 Health and Well-being Touchstone Survey of 1,200 employers from 35 industries, released in June show high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) continue to grow...

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New Executive Order: Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces

New Executive Order: Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces

President Barack Obama’s “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” Executive Order signed July 31, 2014, applies to new federal procurement contracts, will require those seeking government contracts to disclose their employment and labor law violations for the previous three...

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Pregnancy Discrimination Action (PDA) Questions Answered!

Pregnancy Discrimination Action (PDA) Questions Answered!

1) May an employer require a pregnant employee who is able to perform her job to take leave at any point in her pregnancy or after childbirth? No. An employer may not force an employee to take leave because she is or has been pregnant, as long as she is able to...

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What Is a Progressive Discipline Policy?

What Is a Progressive Discipline Policy?

A progressive discipline policy is one that has a clear progression of disciplinary actions that will be taken when an employee violates the work rules. For example, a typical progressive disciplinary policy might include steps like this: Verbal warning - A verbal...

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What is the difference between an HSA and HRA?

What is the difference between an HSA and HRA?

Confused between HSA and HRA? Consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs) typically combine a health insurance plan with a tax-advantaged account that enrollees can use to pay for medical expenses—most commonly a health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement...

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Tennessee is the first state to pass workplace bullying law!

Tennessee is the first state to pass workplace bullying law!

Anti-bullying legislation continues to gain momentum in state legislatures, with Tennessee becoming the first state to pass anti-bullying legislation. June 17, 2014 Tennessee made law the Healthy Workplace Act. This law right now just covers state and local government...

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Base Salary Forecast for 2015

Base Salary Forecast for 2015

U.S. workers can expect a median base salary increase of 3 percent in 2015 across all main employee categories and most industries, still below pre-recession levels, according to separate research findings by pay consultancy Hay Group and WorldatWork, an association...

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Using the “F” word = Fired! Termination Tips for Employers

Using the “F” word = Fired! Termination Tips for Employers

Here are five critical termination tips for employers Do not terminate on the spot or in public Oftentimes the supervisor terminates an employee when they are angry and state “that’s it, you are out of here-now!” On the spot terminations are not appropriate for...

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New COBRA Notices!

New COBRA Notices!

The Obama administration announced updates to model notices that employers must provide to employees, informing workers of their eligibility to continue health care coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Most employers do not...

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Are You Bullied at Work? 27% of U.S. Workers Say Yes!

Are You Bullied at Work? 27% of U.S. Workers Say Yes!

According to a 2014 National Survey report by the Workplace Bullying Institute, 27% of U.S. workers are either experiencing abusive conduct at work now or did so in the past, and 21 % have witnessed someone being bullied at work! That means a total of 65.6 million...

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Top Rated Employee Benefits for 2014

Top Rated Employee Benefits for 2014

What are the top rated employee benefits for 2014? Benefits make a real difference in attraction and retention of applicants and employees. Here are the highlights of the HR Daily Advisor 2014 Perks Survey of over 2000 employers: The #1 perk is paid holidays Also in...

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What Can Be Done with Tattoos in the Workplace?

What Can Be Done with Tattoos in the Workplace?

Did you know according to a Harris Poll (2012) that 1 out 5 adults have a tattoo? Visible tattoos have caused some organizations to adopt policies that prohibit or place restrictions on tattoos and other body art (piercings, etc). Organizations are concerned with...

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Employee’s Trust of Employers Affects Job Performance!

Employee’s Trust of Employers Affects Job Performance!

The American Psychological Association (APA) survey for 2014 Work and Well-Being Survey includes both good news and bad news for employers. According to David W. Ballard, head of the APA’s Center for Organizational Excellence, “Trust plays an important role in the...

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I-9 Mistakes – What are they?

I-9 Mistakes – What are they?

The most common I-9 mistakes are: The employee fails to sign and date the attestation. The employer fails to have the employee complete Section 1 by the first day of employment (that is, the first day for pay). The employee doesn’t check the box indicating status...

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New Whistle-Blower Protections For the Food Industry

New Whistle-Blower Protections For the Food Industry

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued new whistle-blower protections and established new procedures for handling retaliation complaints for food industry workers as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act. The act  calls for protection...

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What does At-Will Employment Mean?

What does At-Will Employment Mean?

Many employers rely heavily on  “at-will employment” to terminate unsatisfactory employees. In theory, if at-will employment applies, you can fire a worker at will, which means for a good reason, a bad reason, or no reason at all. At-will employment has definite...

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Employee Performance vs. Discipline

Employee Performance vs. Discipline

It is helpful to remind employers the difference between employee performance issues and discipline issues. Below is a quick reference: Performance Management Disciplinary Action Based on standards for acceptable performance Based on standards of conduct (i.e....

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Using Employee Strengths to Drive Productivity

Using Employee Strengths to Drive Productivity

Employees who use their strengths every day are six times more likely to be engaged on the job. That's just one big finding from decades of Gallup research into human behaviors and strengths. That research has established a compelling connection between strengths and...

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FMLA Checklist

FMLA Checklist

General Issues: Do you have a medical leave of absence policy? If you have an employee handbook or other benefit book, does it contain your medical leave of absence policy and the FMLA General Notice? Is one person or one department responsible for: Administering...

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Four Types of Workplace Violence

Four Types of Workplace Violence

Reducing Workplace Violence Starts with Understanding the 4 Types In order to mitigate the risk of violence in your workplace, it’s critical for you to understand the four main types of workplace violence that could compromise employee safety.

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You Have a Right To Brag!

You Have a Right To Brag!

Maintaining an updated resume in this rapidly changing career environment is essential for everyone! Whether you are a recent college graduate or a tenured 20-year business professional, ensuring your resume resonates with your current or target company's needs is a...

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Are Your Contractors/Temps REALLY Employees?

Are Your Contractors/Temps REALLY Employees?

There has been recent focus on the whole questions of whether CONTRACTORS and/or TEMPORARIES are really EMPLOYEES and it is currently being audited by Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as well as the Internal Revenue Service...

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What is Retaliation and How Do You Protect Your Company?

What is Retaliation and How Do You Protect Your Company?

To protect themselves against retaliation claims, companies should have documentation that the true reason for the adverse employment action was a legitimate and a non-discriminatory reason. The employee must prove three prongs: They engaged in a protected activity...

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Top 10 Sins Managers Commit!

Top 10 Sins Managers Commit!

Sin #1. Making Unlawful Pre-employment Inquiries That’s an interesting accent you have. Where were you born? Do you have any children? If so, will you have any daycare problems? Action: Watch inappropriate questions during interviews and other pre-employment...

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Employers Beware of English Only Rules at Work!

Employers Beware of English Only Rules at Work!

Anti-discrimination laws apply when workers are treated differently because of ethnicity, culture, accent or English proficiency. English-only polices in the workplace must be carefully scrutinized in light of their tendency to create hostile work environments....

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New State Minimum Wage Increases

New State Minimum Wage Increases

Employers get ready! Minimum wage increases will affect numerous states across the country in January 2014. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. But the FLSA does not supersede any state or local laws that are...

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The Top 10 Employment Laws Every Business Should Know

The Top 10 Employment Laws Every Business Should Know

Below are the top 10 federal employment laws you should review. Employers also need to review their state laws to ensure compliance as well. 1. Job discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits you from discriminating in hiring, firing or pay...

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New Affirmative Action Rules for Veterans in 2014

New Affirmative Action Rules for Veterans in 2014

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’ (OFCCP) announced the new affirmative action requirements for veterans. These requirements significantly changed the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act or VEVRAA. VEVRRA...

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Generation Z:  Who are they and why should companies care?

Generation Z: Who are they and why should companies care?

Many Organizations have spent a lot of time managing differences among the various generations in their workplaces. Now, we must prepare for the new group of workers who deserve immediate attention: Generation Z. Generation Y or the Millenials are the largest cohort...

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Mental Parity – Why is it important to Employers?

Mental Parity – Why is it important to Employers?

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAE) was signed into law by President George Bush in 2008. The long awaited rules have just been issued by Health and Human Services. This law requires group health plans (both self- insured and fully insured plans...

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Got Conflict? Help Managers Know What To Do

Got Conflict? Help Managers Know What To Do

It’s a rare workplace that seldom experiences conflict. In fact, a 2008 global study on workplace conflict found that 85 percent of employees in the study experienced conflict at some level, and 36 percent of U.S. employees said they had to deal with conflict always...

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Automatic Gratuities Now Subject to Withholding

Automatic Gratuities Now Subject to Withholding

Starting in January 2014, the Internal Revenue Service will begin classifying automatic gratuities, which restaurants often add to the bills of large parties, as service charges to be treated as regular wages subject to payroll-tax withholding. Service charges differ...

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Get Ready For New HIPAA Regulations!

Get Ready For New HIPAA Regulations!

Employers should begin getting prepared to implement the new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA, regulations went into effect September 1, 2013. Steps to take in order to comply: Amend (or, if necessary, adopt) written breach notification...

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Companies Should Review Employment Applications Annually!

Companies Should Review Employment Applications Annually!

Employment applications collect employment history and educational information on potential candidates, but can also be used to inform applicants of the company’s equal employment opportunity and at-will employment policies.  Even if an employer requests that...

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Model HIPPA Privacy Notices Issued

Model HIPPA Privacy Notices Issued

September 23, 2013 was the deadline for distributing revised HIPPA Notices of Privacy Practices and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published model Notices for providers and health plans. HIPPA requires covered entities, including group health plans,...

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Engagement – What is engagement and why should employers care?

Engagement – What is engagement and why should employers care?

You’d like to think the employees in your organization are rule followers. Of course a few willfully violate policy, a few more occasionally slip up by accident, but most abide by the manual and keep out of trouble. At least they think they’re following the rules.

It’s common for employers to implement a hard and fast rule that all employment references be issued from the HR department. Also, HR is likely to limit the information they release to job title, dates of employment, and ending salary. Going beyond such a neutral reference makes many employers nervous that they could be sued for defamation if a poor job reference keeps an applicant from getting a job.

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Women Still Do Not Get the Same Pay as Men in America!

Women Still Do Not Get the Same Pay as Men in America!

It has been 50 years since the Equal Pay Act (1963) was enacted and women still earn less than men!

When the law was enacted women earned approximately 59 cents on every dollar that a man earned. Today, women earn approximately 77 cent on every dollar a man earns! Oh and by the way, if you are a minority like a Latina or Black female, your pay is quite less! Women of color earn less than white women, Black women earn approximately 70 cents and Hispanic women approximately 60 cents for every dollar earned by a non-Hispanic white man, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data; and 64 cents for black women and 56 cents for Hispanic women, according to census data.

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SHRM Essentials of HR Management Class Oct. 10-11, 2013

SHRM Essentials of HR Management Class Oct. 10-11, 2013

HR Management Class in Fort Worth Register Today! Quality Preparation is the Key to Success. Begin with Tarrant County College Northwest Campus' SHRM® Program. Learn the basics of Human resource roles and responsibilities to improve valuable on-the-job effectiveness....

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United States Base Pay Projections for 2014

United States Base Pay Projections for 2014

The United States base pay increases are projected to average around 3 percent across industries and positions in 2014, with increased pay differentiation for high performers, say new forecasts by WorldatWork, Mercer, Hay Group and others. Below is the projected 2014...

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Medicare Notices Required for Prescription Drug Coverage

Medicare Notices Required for Prescription Drug Coverage

If your company health plan offers prescription drug coverage, you are required to provide an annual notice before October 15th of each year. This notice is to all Medicare eligible employees that the prescription drug coverage is “creditable”. This written notice is...

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DOMA – What Employers Need To Know

DOMA – What Employers Need To Know

On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court, in United States v. Windsor, found that section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional. This section prohibited the federal government from acknowledging marriages between same-sex couples. Same-sex marriages were recognized as legal by 12 states and the District of Columbia at the time of the ruling.

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Employer Alert! Health Care Law (PPACA) Postponed Until January 2015!

Employer Alert! Health Care Law (PPACA) Postponed Until January 2015!

President Obama announced a one-year delay (January 1, 2015), in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) employer mandate. Employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees (employees who work 30 or more hours per week) must provide health care coverage or pay steep penalties.

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The Potential of Workplace Violence

The Potential of Workplace Violence

Workplace violence or occupational violence refers to violence, usually in the form of physical abuse or threat, that creates a risk to the health and safety of an employee or multiple employees. The following article outlines the scope of potential workplace violence...

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Workplace Stress: Are Your Employees Performing?

Workplace Stress: Are Your Employees Performing?

The 2013 Work Stress Survey, (Everest College, April 2013), found that 83 percent employees surveyed are stressed by at least one thing at work. That’s up 10 percentage points from the same survey released in 2012. Major stressors found in the survey: Pay For the...

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2014 IRS HSA Contribution and Out-of Pocket Limits

2014 IRS HSA Contribution and Out-of Pocket Limits

 The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced higher limits for 2014 on contributions to health savings accounts (HSAs) and for out-of-pocket spending under high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) linked to them. A comparison of the 2014 and 2013 limits is shown below:...

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Understanding Legal Use of Credit/Criminal Background Checks.

Understanding Legal Use of Credit/Criminal Background Checks.

Background/Credit Checks are covered by two federal laws: Title VII and the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Some states also have their own laws regarding the background/credit checks so employers need to understand the implications between the federal and...

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Legalized Marijuana: A Workplace Nightmare!

Legalized Marijuana: A Workplace Nightmare!

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have now legalized medical Marijuana use. The state laws vary greatly and present employer with a workplace nightmare! Employers and Human Resources professionals are finding themselves rewriting their employment policies...

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What are Examples of Reasonable Accommodations under ADAAA?

What are Examples of Reasonable Accommodations under ADAAA?

On May 15, 2013, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) provided specific types of reasonable accommodations for people with cancer, diabetes, epilepsy and intellectual disabilities. The EEOC also noted that since Congress enacted the ADA Amendments Act of...

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Employers Should Prevent Bullying in the Workplace!

Employers Should Prevent Bullying in the Workplace!

Here are guidelines for preventing bullying in the workplace: 1. Culture Be sure that respect is a core value. Teach/reward deliberate acts of kindness and decency. Zero tolerance for bullying at top levels of management Walk the talk—Do not reward bad behavior....

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SHRM ESSENTIALS® OF HR MANAGEMENT

SHRM ESSENTIALS® OF HR MANAGEMENT

Sharpen Your HR Skills! The SHRM Essentials® of HR Management course can help employees and companies increase HR knowledge that is critical to overall business success. Attain knowledge and practical HR skills to effectively approach challenging HR issues. Gain...

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New Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9

New Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has published the new Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 with new revision date of 3/08/2013. The new I-9 form was published on March 8, 2013 and should be used beginning May 7, 2013, at the latest. The key changes...

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New Patient Privacy Rules For Employers

New Patient Privacy Rules For Employers

New rule protects patient privacy, secures health information. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) strengthened the privacy and security protections for health information established under the Health Insurance Portability and...

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Employers and the Aging Workforce

Employers and the Aging Workforce

Businesses have been slow to plan for the United States aging population but we need to begin to plan now. Unemployment is high now, but as labor markets tighten, especially in Europe and Japan, companies will soon have little choice but to welcome older employees....

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Employers Beware – Cost of Litigation is High!

Employers Beware – Cost of Litigation is High!

In 2012, United States companies indicated they spent over $100,000 excluding the cost of settlement! “Stricter regulations” was the number one reason for these increases in litigation. Below are the biggest potential for employer suits.   Below is the most...

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New Federal Posters required by March 8, 2013

New Federal Posters required by March 8, 2013

Changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) required a revised poster to display. The law was changed in 2009, but the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) updated the poster. Several of these changes go into effect on March 8. The new poster...

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Fox News Career Accelerator Interview

Fox News Career Accelerator Interview

On March 12th Adam Shapiro, host of Fox News' Career Accelerator interviewed Di Ann Sanchez on how to create an effective office romance policy. Click here to watch the interview. 

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How does the “Fiscal Cliff” impact employers?

How does the “Fiscal Cliff” impact employers?

Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act, preventing the U.S. from going over the impending “fiscal cliff”. What does this law mean for employers? Below is a quick reference guide as to the changes the new law made: Does not include an extension of the 2...

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New W-2 Reporting

New W-2 Reporting

By January 31, 2013, most employers had to include the value of their health care coverage in Box 12 of the W2.  Cobra reporting should include the actual cost, not including 2% premium charges.  Below is a quick reference guide for employers: Form W-2 Reporting of...

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Top 10 Myths Employers Should Know About FLSA!

Top 10 Myths Employers Should Know About FLSA!

Here are 10 myths (+one bonus myth) widely believed by many employers. However, according to the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act), NONE of the following myths are true! Myth #1—Employees must be paid overtime for more than 8 hours a day or for weekend work or holiday...

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How to Create an Effective Office Romance Policy

How to Create an Effective Office Romance Policy

See quote by Di Ann Sanchez on the Entrepreneur. com online magazine. Every love story is different, but there is one thing office romances have in common: From inappropriate displays of affection to concerns about sexual harassment, they can be a headache for...

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What to include in a Love Contract

What to include in a Love Contract

What's love got to do with it, anyway!? Did you know... 59% of workers have participated in an office romance; 19% have dated their supervisor. 41% has an on-going but casual relationship with a co-worker. 35% have had a “random hook up” with a co-worker. 30% have had...

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What Can Employers Expect In 2013

What Can Employers Expect In 2013

Now that we know President Barack Obama will remain in office for the next four years, what can employers expect from a second-term Obama Presidency? Department of Labor (DOL) - Expect to see an increase in activity from these sub-agencies of the department: Wage and...

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2014 HR Compliance Requirements for Businesses

2014 HR Compliance Requirements for Businesses

Mark your calendars today to make sure you don’t miss any of these important HR deadlines! Date   Compliance Requirement 01/01/2014   Review State Laws for effective dates and changes to employment protections. 01/01/2014   IRS: Employees need to fill out 2014 W-4...

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SHRM Essentials of Human Resources Course

SHRM Essentials of Human Resources Course

If you’re new to human resources or desire to strengthen your employee management skills, this program is for you! Learn the basics of HR to improve valuable on-the-job effectiveness, protect your business from needless litigation, and help advance your career.    ...

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Health Care Premiums Projected to increase in 2013

Health Care Premiums Projected to increase in 2013

In 2013, the average health care premium increases are projected to increase by 6.3 percent. Aon Hewitt's analysis showed that in 2012: The average health care cost per employee is projected to be $11,888. . The employees' portion of the total health care premium is...

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E-Verify Extended Through 2015

E-Verify Extended Through 2015

On September 28, 2012, President Obama signed into law a bill that reauthorizes E-Verify. E-Verify is the government's voluntary, Web-based electronic eligibility verification program offered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the U.S. Citizenship...

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Survey Says: Bullying is Occurring in the Workplace

Survey Says: Bullying is Occurring in the Workplace

A new study conducted by CareerBuilder in 2012 found that 35% of respondents stated they felt bullied at work. This is up from 27% in 2011. What is disturbing in this new study is that 16 percent indicated that they suffered health related problems as a result of...

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The #1 Employer Audit Reason in 2012

The #1 Employer Audit Reason in 2012

What was the #1 Employer Audit this Past Year? Wage & Hour! I am very pleased that many of you have found my blog posts both interesting and applicable to your business. Many of you have written to me about topics you were interested in and desire advice. The...

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