Latest posts six columns

Oh my goodness, using data and analytics to drive HR decisions,that’s, I guess I’m an analytical person, but, that’s how you make your decisions. You determine what your costs are, what your labor costs are, what your cost of benefits are, and you analyze that to determine what benefits can we offer within our budget....

Reasonable suspicion for conducting a drug test refers to specific, objective, and documented observations of an employee’s behavior, appearance, or performance that indicate possible substance use or impairment. It requires more than a hunch or rumor and must be based on facts that can be articulated clearly. Here are the key elements of reasonable suspicion:...

By Annabel Pollioni/SHRM   Takeaway: This case shows that an employer can avoid liability on a failure-to-accommodate cause of action if the employee making the request is seeking a second chance to prove they can perform the essential functions of a position instead of an actual accommodation.   The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals...

The benefits of outsourcing HR functions are, with any outsourced function, is that you don’t have to employ somebody who’s not going to be as productive. The cost of having somebody on payroll, benefits, PTO, all of those things cost more money than if you outsource and you do pay as you go. There are...

How do we address the skills gap in our workforce is a really good question. A lot of employers now are working with local schools. They’re actually working internationally to get the schools to start teaching the skills that are missing. At one point, we had issues with nursing. We couldn’t find enough nurses. We...

Conducting random background checks requires careful consideration of legal and ethical guidelines to avoid violating employee rights and exposing your business to legal risks. Here’s what you need to know:   Legal and Ethical Considerations   Employee Consent: In most jurisdictions, you must have the employee’s consent to conduct a background check, even for random...

By ADP® HR Tip of the Week   Many new and/or expanded employment laws and regulations have been adopted over the last year, affecting the way employers hire, pay, treat and provide benefits to their employees. One of the trends among these changes is states and local jurisdictions requiring greater pay transparency. Here is a...

What are some of the strategies in workforce planning? Well, your first step in workforce planning is know who you currently have, know what their skills and abilities are, know who’s coming and going. You know, you don’t always know specifically, but you, you might have a head of marketing who’s 70 years old, you...

The number one HR compliance issue that companies miss are properly paying their employees. They think they can have somebody be an independent contractor where they don’t take taxes. They think that they can pay somebody a salary and not pay overtime and really that is the most common issue I have. The most phone...

Conducting random background checks requires careful consideration of legal and ethical guidelines to avoid violating employee rights and exposing your business to legal risks. Here’s what you need to know:   Legal and Ethical Considerations   Employee Consent: In most jurisdictions, you must have the employee’s consent to conduct a background check, even for random...

By Allen Smith, J.D.   Despite the spread of remote work, clear inclement weather policies can reduce workflow disruption and ensure wage and hour compliance for many businesses.   “All employers with brick-and-mortar facilities should consider establishing inclement weather policies, especially if there is any requirement to work in the office,” said Joe Mulherin, an...

What is the number one mistake companies do on their onboarding process? You need to have a system. You need to have something. You can’t just hire somebody and have them sit at a desk, come Monday morning or whatever day they start, and say, okay, have at it. The best, most successful onboarding programs...

Recruiting, I, I would say you need to really think outside the box. It is hard to find people now. Most folks are employed, so when you are recruiting, you are technically wanting to provide a better opportunity for someone who is already working. There are not many people out there who are unemployed, and...

The extent of a background check should depend on your industry, the specific role you’re hiring for, and the potential risks associated with the position. Here’s a guide to help you determine the level of background screening your business should consider:   Consider the Role and its Responsibilities Entry-Level or Low-Risk Positions: Basic checks may...

By Kathryn Mayer   Global health care costs are expected to rise by double digits for the third consecutive year, new data finds.   Insurers are projecting global medical costs to increase by 10.4% in 2025, matching this year’s hike, according to the WTW Global Medical Trends Survey. In North America, costs are projected to rise...

To help that virtual workforce, what we have done, and it’s a recent thing, but it’s working really well is, and you can use teams, you can use zoom, you can use Google meet. We happen to use Google meet, but from eight in the morning until five at night, we are connected on Google...

The benefits of being virtual are that you can recruit nationwide. My most recent hire is in New Hampshire, who may be moving to London, and I can still employ her because she can work remotely. She’ll have to work from nine, from one in the afternoon to nine at night, to be working during...

Conducting background checks for your business is an essential step in mitigating risks and ensuring a safe and productive work environment. Here are the key reasons why background checks are important:   Improve Hiring Decisions Verify Qualifications: Confirm that candidates have the education, certifications, and experience they claim. Identify Red Flags: Spot inconsistencies or concerns...