Category: Employee Handbook

Year-End HR Compliance Checklist

It’s the end of the year and having a year-end HR compliance checklist is a crucial tool to ensure that your organization is meeting all legal and regulatory requirements related to human resources. Below is a checklist that covers various HR compliance areas for the end of the year. Employment Records and Documentation Make sure […]

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Supplementing Internal HR: Key to Human Resources Compliance

In the realm of business operations, the domain of Human Resources (HR) holds a pivotal role. For many businesses, there’s a tendency to manage HR tasks internally, believing that it offers more control, reduced costs, and a personalized touch. While these intentions are commendable, the truth is that the intricate landscape of human resources compliance […]

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New NLRB Standard For Handbooks Created By Stericycle Ruling

The recent landmark ruling by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on August 2, 2023 in the Stericycle case sets a new standard for employers’ handbooks and policies, requiring many to be reviewed and potentially revised. This momentous decision will impact countless workplace rules and applies to the vast majority of private-sector employers in America, […]

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Employee Handbooks vs. Policies

What Is The Difference Between Employee Handbooks And Policies And Procedures Manuals? An employee handbook is written with employees as the intended audience. It is most often written using a straightforward layout for easy referencing of company policies and procedures and is a vehicle for familiarizing employees with basic company policies and benefit programs, as […]

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Gen Z Is Making Noise In The Workplace

A Younger Generation Brings Challenges In Engagement Managers and HR professionals have probably heard of the engagement issues alleged to have infected Millennials and Generation Z in the workplace, as manifested in terms like “quiet quitting.” Of course, workers in any age group can and certainly do engage in quiet quitting and other symptoms of […]

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Employers Prepare for End of COVID-19 Emergency Status

As employers have anticipated the May 2023 end of the two federal COVID-19 emergency orders, they have some important new clarity on test and vaccine coverage and on how to unwind COVID-19–era extended deadlines, including for COBRA continuing healthcare coverage elections.

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Telework Policies for Your Employee Handbook

COVID-19 changed the face of the employment environment for the foreseeable future. A well-written employee handbook is essential for employers to define their remote work arrangements, streamline the process, establish expectations, and avoid legal entanglements.

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Pay Transparency Is on the Horizon

As the number of states that require pay transparency rises, it’s clear that the trend of pay transparency is not going away. Just because the state you’re operating in doesn’t yet require disclosing salary or pay equity information, it’s advised that you don’t wait until it does.

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Pay Transparency Expectations for Your Company

Employers Continue to Prepare for Pay Transparency As the number of places that require pay transparency rises, it’s clear that the trend of pay transparency is not going away. Just because the state you’re operating in doesn’t yet require disclosing salary or pay equity information, it’s advised that you don’t wait until it does. It’s […]

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Department of Labor Guidance on Telework and FMLA

DOL Eligibility Rules Under FMLA When Employees Telework The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has published a Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) that includes guidance on how to apply eligibility rules under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) when employees telework or work away from an employer’s facility. FABs provide guidance to DOL Wage and […]

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HR Priorities for 2023

Learn more about three top priorities for Human Resources in 2023: Employee Well-Being, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and remote work flexibility.

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Employer Information About Pay Transparency

Pay transparency is when an employer openly communicates pay-related information through established practices to current or prospective employees. Employers can provide this information through various channels, such as online job sites, job postings or during an interview. As a result of changing labor markets, more and more employees are demanding pay transparency. Further, some jurisdictions […]

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2023 ACA Compliance Checklist

ACA Requirement Changes Taking Effect in 2023 Changes to some ACA requirements will take effect in 2023 for employers sponsoring group health plans. To prepare for 2023, employers should review these requirements and develop a compliance strategy. Employers should ensure that their health plan documents, including the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC), are updated […]

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Form I-9: Don’t Make These Mistakes

Common Form I-9 Mistakes to Avoid Despite employers’ best efforts, complying with Form I-9 requirements can be difficult. Unfortunately, many employers leave their organizations’ Form I-9 operations to untrained staff or fail to dedicate sufficient time and resources to the process, resulting in numerous errors and untimely completion of Form I-9 tasks. Even small errors […]

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Are HR Compliance Requirements Increasing For Your Business? Work Smarter.

According to Ernst & Young’s Global Payroll Survey, keeping up with regulatory compliance changes was identified as the second-highest compliance challenge. But as your business grows, those compliance concerns you have today don’t go away — most often, they will multiply. Some of the biggest areas employers lose sight of as they grow include compliance with benefits […]

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A Checklist for Completing Form 1-9

Download This Form I-9 Checklist Federal law requires employers to hire only individuals who may legally work in the United States—either U.S. citizens or authorized foreign nationals. To comply with the law, employers must verify the identity and employment authorization of each individual they hire by completing and retaining the Employment Eligibility Verification form (Form […]

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How Employers Can Build Strength With DEI Initiatives In The Workplace.

Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Are “Buzzing” Around The Workplace. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a lot more than the newest buzzword in HR. It’s a critical element to success these days. Calls for diverse and inclusive workplaces are now becoming more common in many organizations due to major social changes. According to a 2019 […]

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Things to Know When Hiring In Other States

Hiring Across State Lines Means Multi-State Compliance These days as an employer, hiring looks different. The world is your oyster, meaning the recruitment pool is nationwide. We are no longer limited by location to find the talent that can help our business to become more successful. However, hiring in a post-pandemic world has many pros […]

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Post-Covid Long-term Effects Puts A Spotlight On Employee Wellness

While we recognize that COVID case numbers are down, researchers are just now to find out what COVID’s long-term mental health effects will be.  Though this is information that will continue to change within our working landscape, employee well-being is more important than ever and we can address some areas right now in the workplace. The following […]

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HR’s Role in Preventing Cyberattacks

By Training Employees HR Can Lead The Cybersecurity Fight Cyberattacks are a growing concern for employers across the globe but especially for those in the United States. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the number of reported U.S. data breaches rose 68% between 2020 and 2021, increasing to a record-setting 1,862 incidents. Of these […]

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Multi-State Employee Handbook Compliance for Remote Employees

If you are a small business owner with remote workers across multiple states, you have new HR compliance challenges. One is making sure your Employee Handbook is compliant to the state laws your workers are located. Avoid risking expensive penalties with ongoing Employee Handbook Compliance.

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Avoid These 10 ADA Compliance Mistakes

What can employers do to prepare for ADA and prevent liability? The burden has shifted, now more than ever, to employers to provide reasonable accommodations when possible and show care in handling disability-related issues in the workplace.

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More HR Challenges Ahead For 2022.

Riding the wave of “The Great Resignation” The staffing and talent shortage, often now referred to as the Great Resignation, is making it challenging for organizations to find quality employees to fill vacant roles. To mitigate the effects of this shortage, HR leaders must devise more effective strategies for evaluating talent.  Once hired, the challenge […]

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Common Questions About COVID-19 and the ADA

Businesses Should Become Familiar With These Common Questions About COVID-19 and the ADA On Jan. 6, 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to businesses and other entities under certain circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new FAQs mainly […]

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It’s Worth It. Why An SMB Should Outsource HR Tasks.

Work Smarter By Outsourcing HR Tasks Even if you have an HR professional(s) on staff, it is smart to outsource HR tasks to supplement your internal HR team. Laws and policies are changing more often than ever, due to recent current events, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The risk of compliance mistakes is increasing. Keeping up […]

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2021 ACA Violations & Penalties For Employers

Failing to comply with the ACA’s requirements can cause severe consequences for an employer. This ACA Overview (PDF) summarizes the penalties and excise taxes that may be triggered by an ACA violation. Click the document below to enlarge and print.

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At-A-Glance Guidance For Employers In Preparation For Biden Vaccine Mandate

President Joe Biden’s latest COVID-19 vaccination and testing mandate is one of the federal government’s most aggressive efforts yet. What’s more, we know it will directly impact many private sector workforces as well as federal employees and contractors. For more on the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) being proposed click HERE. We encourage you to […]

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Employers Deal With “Long-Haul Covid” And How It Affects The Workplace

We’re nearing the end of 2021 and we are beginning to see further effects of COVID-19 in those who have had the virus previously. As people begin to get back to work, we see that some have been affected by the COVID-19 virus with continuing symptoms. The CDC has begun to refer to this condition as having “long-haul covid.” As COVID “long-haulers” re-enter the workplace they may qualify for ADA accommodations.

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Does Your Business Need Guidance About A Vaccination Policy?

While many are still undecided about being vaccinated, numbers for the COVID-19 Delta Variant are continuing to rise. As an employer, should there be a vaccination policy in your employee handbook? This article aims to clarify that whether an employer requires vaccines or makes them voluntary, including it as a clear policy within your handbook could save you great risk.

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What Employers Should Consider When Moving to a Hybrid Work Model

The pandemic has resulted in thousands of employees working from their kitchen tables or living rooms instead of the workplace. However, as more Americans receive a COVID-19 vaccination and organizations develop or update their return-to-work plans, some employees may still be eager to continue working remotely even if just for a few days each week. […]

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He Said, She Said, We Said… Gender Sensitivity In The Workplace

Our workplace continues to change, with diversity and inclusivity in the forefront. One element of diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI) is gender identity and acknowledgement of an employee’s preferred pronouns. More employees are entering the workplace with gender identities and expressions that are different than what we may expect when we discuss gender, creating a need for more understanding.

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Are Your Post-Covid Work Policies Up To Date?

Protect Your Workplace In A Post-Covid Time. 8 Policies To Review For New Post-Covid Office Norms Returning to in-person work is a top priority for many workplaces. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lessens, employers are eager to get employees back in their buildings. But that comes with a series of complications. New policies, […]

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Employee Harrassment Should Be Taken Seriously

EEOC Harassment Findings and Recommendations for Employers According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), harassment is a form of employment discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, […]

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Employees May Resist In-Office Work Transition

Managers may be running into a common problem as employers advance their reopening plans: employees resisting transitioning back to working in an office full-time. Before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the merits and pitfalls of working remotely were often debated. As states went into lockdown to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, many workforces were […]

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8 Steps to Properly Terminate an Employee for a Policy Violation

Make sure you are compliant in your employee terminations and protect your business from costly litigation. Follow a prudent plan prior to terminating an employee. We’ve included an 8-step plan for properly terminating an employee below. You can also download this as an infographic. This graphic shows a high-level view of best practices for handling […]

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Steps for Dismissing an Employee

No one looks forward to having to let an employee go. But, when it becomes clear that it is time to dismiss an underperforming or contentious employee, it is best to have a plan in place that protects business owners from discrimination or wrongful termination lawsuits.

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The Shelby Report: Current Employee Handbook – A Must for Grocers

Editor’s note: HR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. Myth: Independent grocers really don’t need employee handbooks…no one reads them anyway. Reality: An employee handbook can help protect grocers who face lawsuits or discrimination charges if it’s up-to-date and well-written. Grocers of all sizes need a current employee handbook. If you […]

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