Latest posts six columns

I recently had a client reach out in a bit of a panic. One of her customers had accused an employee of theft — and not just a vague complaint, but a serious claim that something had gone missing. My client was understandably hesitant. She said, “Isn’t this just hearsay? What if I get in...

By Kathryn Mayer   Several changes are coming to health savings accounts (HSAs) that will expand the HSA footprint and impact employers and their health care benefits, industry experts said.   President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending package, which Congress passed before he signed it into law July 4, contains changes that will expand...

The tax man cometh and he taketh away. I had a client ask me, “how often can an employee change their income withholding taxes?” In other words, providing another W4 to change their deductions on their paycheck. Technically, whenever the employee wants to. So it’s whenever they have, they wanna make a change. But what...

July 24th is National Drive-Thru Day, and while we may not serve burgers and shakes, People First Inc. does deliver something just as satisfying: Quick, dependable business support that keeps your company moving forward.   Much like a good drive-thru, our payroll, bookkeeping, and HR consulting services are all about:   ✅ Speed without sacrifice...

I recently had a conversation with a client who was doing a great job building her team—but found herself completely overwhelmed when it came to organizing employee records. She called and said, “Barbara, I have no idea what goes in which file. I just know I’m not supposed to keep everything in one place!” She...

By Kathryn Mayer   At a time when employees are worried about retirement savings, new research indicates that female workers are faring even worse. Research from the Nationwide Retirement Institute (NRI) reveals a gender disparity in retirement confidence and readiness among current U.S. workplace savers as more women than men report challenges.   NRI’s survey...

Workers’ comp is a race against the clock. Wanna win? Listen up. So I had a client who called me the other day and asked about an employee who was driving to a client’s location and they were in a car accident and they were injured. And my client asked, “does that fall under workers’...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words—and on World Emoji Day, we’re surrounded by smiling faces, thumbs-ups, and shining stars. But when it comes to hiring the right person for your business, you need more than emojis to tell the full story.   At People First Inc., we love a good 😊 as...

Not too long ago, I got a call from a client who was in full-on panic mode. “Barbara,” she said, “I don’t understand what’s going on. Our bookkeeping report shows a profit this month, but our checking account took a huge hit. How can we be profitable if our bank balance is so low?”  ...

By Roy Maurer   Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has issued a stark message to employees: Artificial intelligence will reduce the company’s corporate workforce in the coming years. In a blog post shared internally and later made public, Jassy explained that as Amazon rolls out more generative AI and autonomous agents, the nature of work will shift significantly...

Worried that your next hire’s gonna leave you on the hook? So I had a client who said to me, “I don’t need to do background checks. You never get the right information anyway.” Well, I got news for them and I told them, you can still get in trouble because there’s what’s called negligent...

🐾 Purr-fectly Happy? Tell the World! Celebrating National Kitten Day with Your Reviews It’s National Kitten Day—and we’re paws-itively thrilled! 🐱   At People First Inc., we know there’s nothing quite like the feeling of being in good hands—just like a kitten snuggled up in a warm blanket. For 25 years, we’ve aimed to provide...

One of my favorite things about what I do is helping business owners feel confident and informed—especially when they’re brand new to running a business in the United States. Recently, I had the opportunity to work with a new client who was just opening their first business. Not only was this their first experience as...

By Roy Maurer   Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing employee recognition programs by making them more personalized and data-informed, spawning a variety of use cases beyond traditional applications. Employers are leveraging AI to analyze performance metrics, communication patterns, and employee preferences in order to deliver tailored recognition that resonates. By identifying unsung heroes and predicting when...

That skeleton in the closet can cost you. Listen in. I have someone who is now hiring employees who are going to be going to clients’ homes. That’s very important to make sure that that employee is not gonna do anything that can cause you headaches down the road because of something they may have...

In today’s competitive market, businesses strive to provide exceptional products and services to keep their customers happy. But while positive reviews and repeat business are great, the highest compliment you can give a business you love is a referral.   Why Referrals Matter   Referrals go beyond a simple “thank you” or a five-star review....

Recently, I completed an HR audit for a new client—an established business with great people and a strong reputation. But like many busy business owners, they hadn’t had a chance to take a close look at their employment practices in a while.   As I went through my checklist, a familiar pattern emerged. I uncovered...

By Roy Maurer   Communication, education, and transparency will help build trust in using artificial intelligence at work. HR can help explain the technology, provide training on how to use it effectively, and develop ethical guidelines for its implementation.   “There are many risks that AI poses for HR,” said Charlene Li, founder and CEO...