Human Resources

As Cases Rise, Face Mask Restrictions Are Coming Back

Heads up, employers. Just as we thought the COVID-19 pandemic was turning a corner, mask mandates are making a comeback. Eight states have recently announced all are required to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Those states are: California Hawaii Illinois Nevada New Mexico New York Oregon, and Washington Puerto Rico also has a...

06 January, 2022

From the HR Support Center: What is a workweek? Is it just our hours of operation?

A workweek is not the same thing as your hours of operation. Rather, it defines the 168-hour period (i.e., seven 24-hour days) in which you track your non-exempt employees’ time to determine whether they’re owed any overtime premium pay. The workweek can start and end whenever...

30 December, 2021

How To Hire in a Tough Market

As a manager, you know how to promote your products. In a tight labor market, it may help you to view your job postings in the same way. Think of candidates as clients whose journey must be moved from awareness to consideration to loyalty —...

23 December, 2021

From the HR Support Center: When does the Form I-9 need to be completed?

All new employees must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 on (or before) their first day of employment. Then, within three business days following their start date, they must submit acceptable proof of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. As for your...

16 December, 2021

Is This Your Situation: Considering Pay-As-You-Go Workers’ Comp Insurance

Pay-as-you-go workers' compensation insurance is designed to smooth out the premium changes that occur during the year as employees come and go. Premium payments are made at the end of each payroll cycle and are based on the actual payroll cycle, so there's no need...

09 December, 2021

From the HR Support Center: One of our employees has taken on a second job, and I’m concerned the additional work might hurt his performance or interfere with his work for us. What do you recommend?

If you haven’t had previous issues with this employee’s performance, I wouldn’t worry too much about his taking a second job. Side jobs are common, and many people manage them just fine. You can certainly reiterate your performance expectations, whether that’s completing assignments on time,...

02 December, 2021

From the HR Support Center: What are effective ways to manage remote employees and monitor their work?  

Managing remote employees can certainly be a challenge. Here are some of the practices we recommend: Set measurable goals around quality of work. Whether employees get their work done to your satisfaction is more important to your bottom line than whether they’re always at their workstation. Make all the resources necessary for employees to...

25 November, 2021

From the HR Support Center: An employee worked unauthorized overtime. Do we have to pay them the time and a half for these hours?

Yes. We recommend communicating with the employee about work expectations outside of their scheduled workday, making it clear that the company does not expect or permit employees to work unauthorized time and that working without permission is subject to disciplinary action. Any overtime worked by...

18 November, 2021

OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standard on Coronavirus

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced a new emergency temporary standard to protect workers from the spread of the coronavirus on the job. The emergency temporary standard covers employers with 100 or more employees – firm or company-wide – and provides options for compliance. The...

11 November, 2021

From the HR Support Center: What Questions Should an Employer Avoid Asking During the Recruiting and Interview Process?

You should avoid questions that are not job-related or that cause an applicant to tell you about their inclusion in a protected class. These would include questions about race, national origin, citizenship status, religious affiliation, disabilities, pregnancy, sexual orientation or gender identity, past illnesses (including...

04 November, 2021