Latest posts six columns

By Leah Shepherd   HR professionals will need to keep an eye out for new regulations coming soon from federal agencies. Among those expected in the near future are the final rules on the overtime pay exemption, independent contractor status and joint employer standard. Federal officials also may move to clarify the legality of corporate...

By Leah Shepherd   Employers will need to think carefully about how to defend some of their corporate policies, such as ones about cameras at a worksite, social media use and appropriate workplace conduct, in light of a recent decision by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Legitimate business interests will need to justify any...

ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA, COBRA. What do they all mean? These are all employment laws. Do you know which ones you must comply with? It’s critical to develop a compliance strategy to ensure that you’re meeting all legal requirements related to benefits administration. Having an HR professional on your team would be a great help and...

Educate employees on wellness initiatives, promote wellness initiatives, and educate employees on how to improve their health and well-being. This may include offering fitness classes, providing healthy snacks, or offering mental health resources. I’ve seen employers offer programs like Jazzercise, Weight Watchers, First Aid Training, and Smoking Cessation, to name a few.

By Nicole Lewis   Employers that are establishing upskilling and reskilling programs to support digital transformation efforts should make the most of the opportunity to drive employee engagement and career growth while also embedding a culture of continuous learning. Belcorp has learned that lesson well. Belcorp, which produces beauty and personal care products, began its...

By Roy Maurer   A workplace phishing campaign armed with malicious QR codes has been spreading for months, according to the cybersecurity firm that uncovered it. The campaign, discovered by Cofense in May, spoofs Microsoft security alerts directing employees to update their account’s security settings. The QR codes and redirect links send users to a phony...

Regularly review and update your benefits package to ensure that it remains competitive and meets the evolving needs of your employees. This may include adding new benefits or adjusting existing ones. Having an expert insurance agent on your team is key.

Develop a comprehensive benefits package that meets the needs of your employees and is competitive with other employers in your industry. This may include health insurance, dental and vision coverage, retirement plans, and more. You want to work with an experienced agent who can work with you to obtain the best benefits that you can...

By Leah Shepherd   The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new proposed rule to broaden who can be authorized to accompany Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance officers during workplace inspections. Under the proposed rule, released on Aug. 29, employees may authorize an employee or a non-employee third party, if the OSHA compliance officer...

By Kathryn Mayer   As employers begin to predict what next year holds in terms of pay raises and health care costs, a new analysis predicts even steeper hikes for health care than other estimates. Average costs for U.S. employers that pay for their employees’ health care could increase 8.5 percent to more than $15,000...

Clear communication is essential for an effective, successful business. How many times have you heard an employee state something that is not true because the rumor mill has gone rampant with transparent and open communication? You can eliminate the rumors which can be damaging to your business.

Review financial reports regularly to track business performance, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions about future investments and growth. I recommend reviewing your financials on a monthly basis. I also recommend having another set of eyes review those financials. They may see trends that you are too close to your business to see.

By Leah Shepherd Employees with disabilities sometimes struggle to use bathrooms at the workplace, even if the bathroom meets Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Common complaints about workplace bathrooms include stalls that are too small or narrow to allow a wheelchair to turn around, counters and sinks that are too high, missing grab bars,...

By Andrew Deichler   Summer is nearly over, and students are heading back to school. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for workers in many school districts. Since the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools have faced an unprecedented labor shortage. Many teachers, nurses, food service workers and especially bus drivers have left the...

Let’s face it, if your expertise was bookkeeping, you would’ve started a bookkeeping business. That’s why you should consider hiring a bookkeeper to manage your finances. This can help you avoid mistakes and ensure that your finances are in good hands. Even if you know and understand bookkeeping, do you really have the time to...

Be aware of tax requirements for your business and stay up to date on changes in tax laws. This will help you avoid penalties and ensure that you’re properly reporting income and expenses.

By Dave Zielinski   A core requirement in a recently enacted New York City law governing the use of artificial intelligence in employment decisions promises to impact how HR leaders choose, contract with and oversee technology vendors for years to come. The law, which took effect July 5, requires employers in New York City to conduct...

By Leah Shepherd   Extreme heat waves this year have intensified pressure on U.S. regulators to finalize a national standard for heat illness prevention in the workplace. In 2021, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a proposed rule on workplace heat standards, but a final rule hasn’t come out yet.   In the meantime,...