[Source: Bob Evnen, Woods & Aitken LLP, 2017 | Keywords: New Hires, Employee Eligibility] As of January 22, 2017, all employers are required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to use the new Form I-9 with a revision date of “11/14/2016 N.” Form I-9 is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of...…
[Author: Lesley Sifers, Tax Favored Benefits, Inc., 2011; R-2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, Wages] I have written about this topic several times, but it seems there are still many employers making serious mistakes in wage administration; mistakes that lead to hefty fines when a company is audited by the Department of Labor (DOL) or state and local...…
[Source: Seigfreid, Bingham, Levy, Selzer & Gee, P.C., 2007; R-2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, FLSA, Wages] For the first time in decades, the U.S. Department of Labor has significantly changed the rules regarding overtime pay for millions of workers throughout almost every industry in the United States, including the employees of equipment dealers. The new rules,...…
[Author: Lesley Sifers, Tax Favored Benefits, Inc., 2012; R-2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, Wages] In case my articles haven’t tortured you enough, I thought it was time for a pop quiz. I have written many, many times about the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the nuances of overtime pay. So, I thought it was time...…
[Author: Lesley Sifers, Tax Favored Benefits, Inc., 2012; R-2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, Recruiting, Hiring] I don’t know if the economy is really getting better or not. However, I do know that many companies have been running with less-than-comfortable staffing levels. While there are a lot of good candidates out there, in the past few years...…
[Author: Bob Evnen, Woods & Aitken LLP, 2015 | Keywords: Human Resources, Contractor, Wages] The federal and state governments are cracking down on independent contractor arrangements when the government thinks the independent contractors are really employees. What the government is getting at: Who is an employee? Most workers who perform services for businesses are treated as...…
[Author: Julie Taylor, Accountant/Human Resources Coordinator, 2015 | Keywords: Human Resources, Recordkeeping] As an employer, poor recordkeeping could cost you serious penalties if you do not have accurate records of your employees’ work time. Read on to discover what records you are required to keep and for how long. While many employers may not think of...…
[Author: Lesley Sifers, Tax Favored Benefits, Inc., 2012; R-2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, Recruiting, Job Description] In the August issue, I provided you with tips on how to collect and organize information about the positions in your company. Now, it is time to actually begin writing your job descriptions. Job descriptions should be uniform in appearance and...…
[Author: Lesley Sifers, Tax Favored Benefits, Inc., 2010; R-2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, Personnel Files] When I was a kid, my dad played a trick on me with a little device made from a rubber band wound around a paper clip. He put this little gizmo in an envelope and told me to open it. As I...…
[Author: Lesley Sifers, Tax Favored Benefits, Inc., 2012; R-2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, Job Description] To be honest, I HATE writing job descriptions. It’s a lot of work to collect the information, actually write the description properly, and “sell it” to employees and managers (in addition to reviewing them periodically to ensure they are up-to-date). However, in...…
[Author: Lesley Sifers, Tax Favored Benefits, Inc., 2012; R-2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, Job Description] In the last issue, I wrote about the many ways job descriptions can help you manage your business and the advantages of creating them. You must be very excited about beginning this project! Where do you begin? Step #1: Identify the various...…
[2012; R-2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, Substance Abuse Drugs and alcohol do not belong in the workplace. The numbers are staggering – drug abuse is estimated to cost U.S. employers nearly $276 billion a year. From lost productivity and injuries, to increased health insurance and workers compensation claims, employee alcohol and drug abuse is an...…
[Source: Federated Insurance Co., 2012; R-2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, Hiring] Business owners frequently ask, “What can I do to avoid a wrongful termination charge by an employee?” The easy answer: “Don’t hire the wrong person for the job.” The reality is, one day every business owner will face the unpleasant task of having to terminate an employee...…
[Author: Bob Evnen, Woods & Aitken LLP, 2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, Liability] Thanksgiving marks the start of not only of the holiday shopping season, but the company party season as well. These company events are intended to be festive, a chance to reward employees and celebrate the season. Good intentions and good cheer should be...…
[Author: Bob Evnen, Woods & Aitken LLP, 2014 | Keywords: Human Resources, Manager] When should you hire a Human Resources (HR) Manager for your dealership? There is no pat answer for this question, such as “when you have X number of employees,” or “when you have $X in annual sales.” Adding any new position to your business...…
[Source: The Business Journals, 2015 | Keywords: Human Resources, Sick Time] A company with employees who are physically present at work but not functioning at their full potential because of an illness or other medical condition may have a “presenteeism” problem. Presenteeism is one of the largest threats to productivity, and its impact can rival...…
[Author: Lesley Sifers, Tax Favored Benefits, Inc., 2010; R-2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, Retirement] There’s no doubt, times are tough and a lot of people, even those with steady jobs, are having trouble paying the bills. Perhaps a spouse has lost his/her job so the household income is lower. In general, things like gas and groceries are...…
[Source: Burr Alert, RWEP, 2016 | Keywords: Human Resources, Cell Phone] It is likely that most, if not all, of your employees bring a personal cell phone to the office. Determining when it is/isn’t acceptable for them to use cell phones at work requires a careful balancing act. If you haven’t revisited your cell phone...…
[2012; R-2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, Management, Personnel, Employee Skillset] Human Resources (n.) People, especially the personnel employed by a given company, institution, or the like. Who coordinates employee benefits at your business? Do you have an employee handbook? How about job descriptions and performance evaluations? Who makes sure your business is legally compliant for...…
[Author: Doug Crable, Kiernan Benefit Solutions, LLC, 2013 | Keywords: Human Resources, COBRA] The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, commonly known as COBRA, is a federal law that requires employers of 20 or more employees with group health plans to offer employees, their spouses and dependents a temporary period of continued health care coverage if...…
