How To Communicate About The Vaccine With Employees
As employers plan to navigate the legal risks and logistics of employee vaccinations, this article explores what, how and when to communicate about COVID-19 vaccines with employees.
Learn MoreAs employers plan to navigate the legal risks and logistics of employee vaccinations, this article explores what, how and when to communicate about COVID-19 vaccines with employees.
Learn MoreIntroducing Long-Haul Covid. In this episode learn how this has been affecting the workplace. Did you know employees that have lingering COVID symptoms after testing negative can be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act? Join Chris as he talks with John Yerger of MyHRConcierge about what employers should do when employees have these lingering symptoms.
Learn MoreEmployers now have even more extra time to submit equal employment opportunity (EEO-1) workforce data from 2019 and 2020, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on Aug. 18, 2021. The 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 reports were previously due These reports were previously due by Aug. 23, 2021, which was an extension from a previous […]
Learn MoreWe’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.
Learn MoreWith a growing percentage of the United States population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, many localities and, in turn, employers, have eased mask mandates and policies. However, due to the spread of an emerging variant of coronavirus known as Delta, these policies may still need updating, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now announced updates to its mask guidelines.
Learn MoreEmployer information about the third (booster) COVID-19 vaccine. On Thursday, August 12, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a third vaccine dose for immunocompromised individuals—roughly 3% of Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Learn More4 Lessons Learned From Open Enrollment During the Pandemic There’s no denying that the 2020 open enrollment season was unprecedented. It’s challenging enough most years to engage and educate employees to actively make decisions about their health care and other employer-sponsored benefits, and the prevalence of remote and hybrid workplaces added another level of complexity […]
Learn MoreYou Could Be Eligible For Tax Credits. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, the employee retention credit, a provision of the CARES Act, is available through June 30, 2021 to eligible employers who retained employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The IRS issued guidance in early March for the credit as it relates to qualified […]
Learn MoreHere’s how you could receive a tax break for hiring unemployed individuals. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit for hiring applicants from certain target groups who face significant barriers to employment—including individuals unemployed for 27 weeks or longer. With 9.5 million unemployed Americans in June, according to the Bureau of […]
Learn MoreWhile 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.
Learn MoreNew Direct Portal Makes PPP Forgiveness Easier The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced the opening of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Direct Forgiveness Portal, which is intended to simplify applications for loan forgiveness for the smallest PPP borrowers. The PPP, which was created in March 2020 by the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and […]
Learn MoreHow to Prepare for Off-site Project Work—are Your Crews Ready? Late summer means hurricane season, where many weather emergencies will arise. Conditions can sometimes create a need for crews to deploy to other areas to help, and we want you to be prepared. Many industries see this as an opportunity and proper screening meeting the […]
Learn MoreJuly, 2021 – On July 7, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revised its national emphasis program (NEP) for COVID-19. The revised NEP adjusts the targeted industries to those most at risk for COVID-19 exposure but still includes health care and non-health care, such as meat and poultry processing. The original NEP was […]
Learn MoreAs many Small Businesses (SMBs) re-open following the shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the struggle continues due to the lack of workers to fill positions. A March survey by the National Federation of Independent Business found that 42% of owners had job openings that could not be filled, a record high. Ninety-one percent of those […]
Learn MoreIn this episode, we talk with John Yerger of MyHRConcierge regarding ways to increase your success when contesting unemployment claims. We will review how to best document responses, procedures and other ways to ensure you are put in the best place to win your cases.
Learn MoreBurnout is a commonly discussed issue these days—particularly while many workforces are still working from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Being isolated, stressed and overworked puts employees in a difficult position and can lead to increased burnout. Oftentimes, it’s HR’s responsibility to help employees cope with burnout and its contributing factors. However, in many cases, […]
Learn MoreEmployers now have some extra time to submit equal employment opportunity (EEO-1) workforce data from 2019 and 2020, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on June 28, 2021. These reports were previously due by July 19, 2021. Employers now have until Aug. 23, 2021, to complete their submissions. The EEOC’s collection of this […]
Learn MoreChallenges To Re-Staff Businesses Post-pandemic Continue As many Small Businesses (SMBs) re-open following the shut downs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the struggle continues due to the lack of workers to fill positions. A March survey by the National Federation of Independent Business found that 42% of owners had job openings that could not be filled, […]
Learn MoreThe 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. […]
Learn MoreThis alert is of interest to all employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). Employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) should keep in mind the upcoming July 31, 2021 deadline for paying fees that fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). As background, the […]
Learn MoreUnderstanding Form 5500 is important to businesses with retirement plans. Among the many fiduciary responsibilities that must be reported on the Form 5500, plan sponsors must deposit employees’ salary or wage deferrals into their accounts as soon as administratively feasible, but no later than the 15th business day of the month following the month in which […]
Learn MoreThe COVID-19 pandemic is finally getting under control. As more Americans get vaccinated, states are gradually lifting restrictions, and life is returning to pre-pandemic normalcy. Finally, individuals can get to the tasks they’ve been postponing for more than a year. Unfortunately for employers looking to retain employees, some employees are now ready to find new […]
Learn MoreOur 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.
Learn MoreProtect 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, […]
Learn MoreJune 16, 2021 – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced the release of new employment resources intended to educate employees, applicants and employers on the rights of all employees—including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers—to be free from sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in employment. These resources are not new EEOC guidance, […]
Learn MoreOSHA Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) On June 10, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS). The ETS was developed to protect health care and health care support service workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19 in settings where people with COVID-19 are reasonably expected to be present. The […]
Learn MoreAdverse employment action – in a nutshell. “Adverse action” isn’t a term most of us hear every day. An “adverse action” is either a denial of employment or any other decision that adversely affects any current or prospective employee. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires employers to provide a copy of the consumer report […]
Learn MoreAs the decision is made for employees to come back to the office, employees may begin to have remote work requests. Likewise, companies may be more accepting of those requests than prior to the pandemic. Some companies could even make their entire operations remote as a new way to manage facility costs.
Learn MoreMonitoring Remote Workers Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, more employees are working remotely than ever before. And, even as businesses begin to reopen across the country, remote work will likely remain popular for the foreseeable future. While remote work arrangements help keep employees healthy and safe in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they […]
Learn MoreIRS Draft Forms For 2021 ACA Reporting Released The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released draft 2021 forms for reporting under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. 2021 draft Forms 1094-B and 1095-B are draft versions of forms that will be used by providers of minimum essential coverage (MEC), including self-insured plan sponsors that […]
Learn MoreThe Status Of Unemployment Benefits Is Changing The Hiring Forecast There continues to be an increase in the number of states planning to end enhanced unemployment benefits, which were made available due to the pandemic. So where does this all stand? We hope to shed some light on the current state of hiring and unemployment […]
Learn MoreCan Employers Mandate Vaccination For Work? Many employers are struggling with whether they can mandate the COVID-19 vaccination for work. Employers Are confused as to what they can and can’t do as the COVID-19 becomes more prevalent and how to navigate new CDC guidance. Join us as we speak with Bill Gault with Nippes, Healy […]
Learn MoreMay 27, 2021 – Now that many federal and state officials have relaxed COVID-19 safety rules for people who are fully vaccinated, employers may want to ask workers for proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status. But employers should be careful not to ask for more information than is necessary. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity […]
Learn MoreMay, 2021 – All adults in the United States are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. With vaccine distribution reaching the general public, a growing proportion of the workforce is now vaccinated. In turn, many of these vaccinated employees have also received a vaccine card. It’s worthwhile for employers to understand what COVID-19 vaccine cards are […]
Learn MoreOn May 10, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a notice announcing that, effective immediately, it will now interpret and enforce the prohibitions on discrimination based on sex under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to include: Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; and Discrimination on the basis […]
Learn MoreHave you ever posted something on social media and then later regretted it? Most of the time, you can go back to delete it before anyone notices. Not everyone, however, is so lucky. Regardless of how many followers you have on social media, one wrong post and you could lose your job or be passed over for a new job. Many people from public-facing institutions and businesses have been sanctioned, demoted, suspended, or fired for inappropriate or concerning activity online in recent days.
Learn MoreIt is not unusual to peruse the social media of possible candidates, however, did you know there is an FCRA compliant way to do this? Performing social media screening correctly can mitigate adverse action legal troubles. The podcast below explains more on this trending topic.
Learn MoreDon’t Let The Rush To Staff Up Affect The Quality Of Your Next Hire. The Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the workplace and now we are seeing an influx in job needs and hiring. What will this look like for this next season of reopening? It is unsure. We know restaurants and other small businesses […]
Learn MoreMay is Mental Health Awareness month and a good month to reflect on the needs of our employees from a mental standpoint. The past year has been hard on us in many ways, but it is important to acknowledge the challenge that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed on us mentally. Many employees may have psychiatric […]
Learn MoreBurnout is a commonly discussed issue these days—particularly while many workforces are still working from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Being isolated, stressed and overworked puts employees in a difficult position and can lead to increased burnout. Oftentimes, its HR’s responsibility to help employees cope with burnout and its contributing factors.
Learn MoreThe IRS has released new resources explaining the tax credits available for employers who opt to provide paid family leave and paid sick leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through Sept. 30, 2021. The new resources consist of a fact sheet and a “snapshot” document […]
Learn MorePresident Biden announced a paid leave tax credit for small- and medium-sized businesses. This credit will allow eligible employers to fully offset the cost of paid leave for employees to get vaccinated and recover from any after-effects of the vaccination.
Learn MoreEEOC 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, […]
Learn MoreGetting Prepared – What Employers Need to Know Before Implementing Continuous Screening Continuous employee screening, sometimes known as continuous employee monitoring or “infinity screening,” is the practice of conducting criminal background checks and drug tests for existing employees on a regular or intermittent schedule. Some companies, especially high-volume, high turnover, or those who employ gig […]
Learn MoreAs U.S. vaccination numbers rise,employers consider vaccination policies The vaccine effort in the United States has ramped up nicely. Recently we have seen dispersion as high as 2.5 million a day. The federal government will send out 27 million doses of vaccine soon — so the challenges of vaccination are going to change rapidly. The rapidly expanding vaccine […]
Learn MoreOn April 2, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published Notice 2021-23 to provide guidance for employers claiming the employee retention credit (ERC) for the first two quarters of 2021. The ERC was originally created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), and has since been modified and extended by other […]
Learn MoreManagers 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 […]
Learn MoreACA Special Enrollment Period Into August President Joe Biden’s administration recently extended access to the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to Aug. 15, from the previously announced end date of May 15. This direction comes after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opened this SEP for […]
Learn MoreWhy A Thorough Background Check Is Better than a Rush Job. There are many reasons why employees come and go, and in the rush of a competitive hiring climate, it is important that you get the proper background check, with a company that will get you the results as quickly as possible while following through […]
Learn MoreRecovering From 2020 in the Workplace After a year that was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, many aspects of the workplace have changed, including employer-sponsored wellness programs. Prior to the pandemic, employers were already making a shift to the way they viewed and implemented wellness initiatives at their organization. Some of these changes […]
Learn MoreThe Biden administration recently announced a 14-day period of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Payment Protection Program (PPP) when only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for relief.
Learn MoreThe IRS released a new Form W-4 on December 5, 2020. All of your employees must complete this form, the Employee’s Withholding Certificate, in order to begin employment. We answer some frequently asked questions for employers as well as employees about the new form.
Learn MoreThe COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for HR departments. Now, HR is expected to understand public health challenges swiftly and manage them efficiently. MyHRConcierge offers four ways that HR teams can prepare for future public health crises while coping with the current COVID-19 fallout.
Learn MoreDo I have to get the vaccine? Employee communications related to the pandemic have played a major role in keeping employees safe and healthy while navigating operational changes and challenges. Now, the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccines have become available after the Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for two vaccines. As initial supplies of […]
Learn MoreThe Landscape Of HR Looks Different COVID-19 affected nearly every workplace function last year, and that influence will linger into 2021 and beyond. We are seeing that entire departments are being reimagined and reevaluated. Businesses will need to continually adapt quickly if they want to compete in this innovative landscape. HR departments are given more […]
Learn MorePosting the required labor law posters is one of the most overlooked employer obligations. What are the consequences for businesses who fail to obtain and post their labor law posters?
Learn MoreExplore Virtual Workplace Holiday Parties At the end of the calendar year, workplace holiday celebrations are an experience that many employees look forward to as a highlight of the season. These celebrations are often a long-standing tradition allowing employees to celebrate with their colleagues—and sometimes family and guests. However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, […]
Learn MoreNew administration means changes to the HR landscape Each presidential transition brings changes to the HR landscape. When President Donald Trump took office in 2016, he overturned or revised many of his predecessor’s federal regulations, a common trend between administrations of opposing parties. It is also something likely to continue under President-elect Joe Biden. With […]
Learn MoreCoronavirus-related safety is serious business. Employers have a duty to keep workplaces free from known hazards—including coronavirus-related dangers—under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. OSHA announced on Nov. 6 that the agency has cited 179 worksites for coronavirus-related violations and proposed a total of $2,496,768 in penalties since the pandemic began, through Oct. 29. […]
Learn MoreSee our updated HR Checklist HERE. Out with 2020, in with the new year. In many ways, the final weeks of the year can be a little less demanding for most employees—a season of office parties, celebratory staff lunches, and vacation time. However, it’s one of the busiest periods for HR professionals. Before we can […]
Learn MoreAn employer may claim the WOTC for wages paid to these individuals during their first year of employment, as long as they are hired before Dec. 31, 2020, and work at least 120 hours for the employer during that first year.
Learn MoreAre you guilty of these background screening mistakes? Have you found yourself believing that you have found the perfect candidate only to discover that there was some information hidden? This is often very common and in the rush of recruiting and hiring, it can be easy to miss important background information details that could impact […]
Learn MoreAre the days of face to face interviews gone? So much has changed in the job market since COVID-19 arrived. In the area of recruiting, both recruiters and candidates have been forced to adapt to virtual platforms for interviewing, and even going through the complete hiring process from home. Many companies are unexpectedly finding that hiring […]
Learn MoreWith notoriously high turnover, as well as a high risk of workplace accidents, it makes sense for a manufacturer to continually screen employees.
Learn MoreWith the recent lift of coronavirus restrictions, more businesses are opening, but the number of cases are still rising. Masks are being advised or mandated in many states to slow the spread.
Learn MoreHow employers can help mitigate bias and discrimination at their business by acknowledging bias, establishing open dialogue, and evaluating current workplace practices.
Learn MoreHave you ever wished you knew something important before you made a mistake? Important parts of the hiring/re-hiring and management component of a company include background checks and screening. Being thorough about checking into your workforce and continually monitoring, can make a difference. Being diligent about screening can often help your business avoid complex HR […]
Learn MoreFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MyHRScreens™ Strengthens Team With An Expert Hire in Screening Services Ridgeland, MS— June 23, 2020 — MyHRScreens™ is proud to announce and welcome Kim Lewis as Client Development Manager. MyHRScreens™ is a background check and screening company and is a sister company to MyHRConcierge®. Lewis will develop and spearhead initiatives for […]
Learn MoreMaking the Smart Hire Makes Sense Hiring the right employee is a challenge in any small to medium size business. Hiring has never been easy, but the current business trends are more challenging than we may have predicted. As a business owner it is important to adapt to the trends and to implement systems within […]
Learn MoreLearn why you should invest in a custom Employee Handbook for your business, the Pros and Cons of Employee Handbooks, and tips on writing yours.
Learn MoreOutsourcing HR needs is a smart answer for the new and more complex workplace Let’s face it, the workplace has changed. It’s our job as employers and human resource providers to adapt with it. Outsourcing HR is a smart option. In today’s environment of regulations and litigation, it is important to ensure that your company […]
Learn MoreHR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. Making the decision to let an employee go can be difficult at best, and can expose grocers to legal action and fines at worst. However, employees that consistently violate policies or underperform are bad for business and the morale of […]
Learn MoreThe U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) proposed a new ruling last month that affects whether employees are deemed eligible for overtime or not. The DOL has estimated the change will make more than 1 million employees eligible for overtime that are currently defined as exempt. If the ruling passes, some of the more important […]
Learn MoreNo 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.
Learn MoreCredits Milestone to Commitment to Personalized Customer Service Ridgeland, Mississippi (03/13/2019) – MyHRConcierge (MyHRC) announced its 10th anniversary as a leader in human resources compliance and administration services. Chris Cooley and John Yerger founded MyHRC in 2009 because they saw a real need among U.S. small to medium-sized business (SMB) owners for a simpler, more […]
Learn MorePending Regulation Would Make More Americans Eligible for Overtime Pay After months of speculation, the U. S. DOL has proposed an increase of the threshold for employees who are eligible for overtime pay. Currently, the Fair Standards Labor Act (FSLA) states that salaried employees, such as managers and other specialized employees, are exempt from being […]
Learn MoreHR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. Our company recently performed an HR survey, and 25 percent of the survey respondents noted a concern with their lack of a handbook or the compliance of their current handbook. Most grocers understand that it is important to have an […]
Learn MoreAdds HR Compliance Offering to Ease Burden for Independent Grocers MyHRConcierge (MyHRC), a leader in human resources management and administration services in the independent grocery industry, has partnered with United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) to expand its business service offerings to UNFI’s customers across the U.S. UNFI will offer its customers an affordable way to […]
Learn MoreRedesign Improves Access to Industry News and HR Solutions RIDGELAND, Miss (02/06/2019) – MyHRConcierge (MyHRC), a leader in human resources compliance and administration services, announced today the launch of its newly designed website at myhrconcierge.com. The completely redesigned website features enriched content and improved functionality to guide users who are in search of solutions to […]
Learn MoreHR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. Most of us experienced or witnessed bullying on the playground as kids, but many small and medium business owners are unaware of how prevalent bullying currently is in the workplace, and how corrosive it can be to the work […]
Learn MoreHR & Benefits News: Key To Success – Hire & Keep The Best People HR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. It’s no secret, hiring and keeping workers has significant impact on independent grocers. Its impact is second only to “competition from other retailers” say independent grocers […]
Learn MoreWe hear three common myths about employment regulations as we work with independent grocers. Believing these myths could sink a small to medium-sized business. This “myth busters” chart can help independents recognize and avoid employment practices that put them at significant financial risk. Read more at: HR & Benefits News: Myth Busters—Avoid Risky Employment Practices
Learn MoreEditor’s note: HR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. Stories of accused sexual harassers like Harvey Weinstein, Charlie Rose, Bill O’Reilly, Matt Lauer and others appear daily in the media. More than ever before, grocers are at risk if they don’t have the right sexual harassment policies […]
Learn MoreEditor’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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