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Jul 20, 2021
Six Compliance Challenges & How to Conquer Them
Small business compliance has never been more complex. This eBook will introduce you to the leading challenges and solutions that will help you to stay on the right side of the law.
Six Compliance Challenges
& How to Conquer Them
Small business compliance has never been more complex. This
eBook will introduce you to the leading challenges and solutions that will help
you to stay on the right side of the law. It’s important to understand
regulations and create compliant processes. This way, you protect your
employees, customers, and your entire business. Managing compliance allows you
to focus on the work that matters, and to leave the worrying behind.
Table of Contents
- Family
Medical Leave, COVID Leave, and Paid Time Off
- Exempt vs
Non-Exempt Employee Classifications
- Minimum
Wage For Hourly Employees
- Meals and
Breaks Tracking
- Tracking
and Calculating Overtime
- Contractor
vs Employee Classification
FMLA, COVID Leave, and PTO
Occasionally, employees need to leave work. This can be for
medical emergencies, planned medical procedures, family support, or leisure.
Several laws govern the management of these kinds of leave, and they affect
most employers.
Managing multiple types of leave can become a full-time job
if you don’t have the right tools. Let’s break down the main leave laws:
Family and Medical Leave
The
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees to take unpaid,
job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with the
continuation of employer health insurance coverage.
In March
2020, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) which
includes The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA).
The FFCRA requires employers to provide paid leave through
two separate components;
●
The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA)
●
Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act
(Expanded FMLA)
The EPSLA is the second law contained in the FFCRA that
provides paid leave. Specifically, it provides full-time employees up to 80
hours (two weeks) of paid sick leave for basically the same coronavirus-related
reasons as outlined in the EFMLEA.
Paid Time Off
Paid time
off is offered by many employers. In most cases, employers allow employees to
accrue time off based on their work history. Typically, employers offer a
specified number of accruable hours for every week on the job. Tracking and
managing the number of hours accrued, and the number of hours the employee has
applied to time off is where employers can get tripped up.
Except
for the previous types of family and medical leave, there are no federal laws
that mandate employers provide paid time off. However, many states regulate PTO
to some degree.
24 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois,
Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota,
Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island (after one year of employment), Tennessee,
West Virginia, and Wyoming—and the District of Columbia have laws regarding
payment of accrued vacation time.
‘Use it or lose it’ policies are prohibited in
California, Montana, and Nevada. In addition, some cities regulate PTO. Check your state
and local departments of labor.
Case Study: Delta
Fabrication
Complying
with FMLA and COVID leave while administering company PTO is not a simple task.
Our example case shows how tricky leave compliance can be.
Delta Fabrication, a California-based sheet metal
manufacturer, paid $19,694 in back wages to 71 employees after a Department of
Labor (DOL) investigation. The company wrongly paid workers only two-thirds of
their regular rates when they took coronavirus-related sick leave, a violation
of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
DOL investigators found that Delta Fabrication first used
the employees’ available accrued sick days to compensate them, wrongly subtracting
hours from the workers’ accrued sick leave instead of providing the additional
leave provided by the act. https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20201124
Correctly administering leave is a compliance minefield for
even experienced HR professionals.
Common problems include:
●
Failure to notify employees of FMLA and
COVID-related leave rights
●
Failing to confirm when employees become
eligible for state or federal leave
●
Managers who don’t understand FMLA or EPSLA or
who neglect to inform HR when an employee takes leave
●
Failure to keep sufficient records including
separate documentation for FMLA and COVID leave
●
Penalizing an employee who takes protected leave
●
Failure to create a formal PTO policy
●
Failure to enforce PTO policies equitably
Solution: Automated
PTO and Leave Management
With Automated PTO and Leave Management, you simply set up
custom time-off categories. This allows you to allocate, accrue and track the
use of federal FMLA and COVID leave, state family leave, vacation, and company
PTO. Automatically.
Automated leave management benefits employees and managers
as well. Employees can check their leave balances and request time off using
any mobile device. Managers have all PTO requests in one location and can
approve, modify or deny.
In addition, managers can see employees on leave or
scheduled for leave as they build shift schedules.
Automated PTO and Leave Management streamlines PTO tracking
and ensures employers can see the big picture before approving or declining
time off. Automated time and attendance also provides historic data that can
make audits easy, productive, and worry-free.
Exempt vs Non-Exempt Classification
Employers must recognize the classification of their
employees. State and federal laws regarding overtime and variable pay schedules
depend on those classifications, and there can be trouble if records are
inaccurate or absent, altogether.
Employers who fail to classify non-exempt employees
correctly are on shaky ground when it comes to compliance.
What is an exempt employee?
The 'exempt' in exempt employee signifies that the employee
is exempt from the overtime protections in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
In other words, the employer doesn't have to pay overtime, generally
time-and-a-half their regular rate for weekly hours above 40.
What qualifies for exemption from overtime laws?
The Department of Labor lists several
categories of employees who are exempt from overtime laws. This is sometimes
called the 'white collar' exemption. To be exempt, employees must meet the
duties and wage test for all requirements. Remember that it’s the actual job
duties that count, not the job title. Note that the salary threshold increase
in 2020 did not affect the classification rules.
What is a non-exempt employee?
Any employee that doesn’t meet the salary and duties test
mentioned previously must be paid overtime. Most hourly workers are non-exempt.
This is far from straightforward. Even if the employer classifies correctly, if
they don’t track time properly, they can violate overtime laws. Pitfalls
include failing to track rest periods, illegal tip pooling practices,
off-the-clock work, and difficulty tracking time for mobile and remote
employees.
Case Studies
Zeigler
Auto Group paid $85,000 in back wages to 214 employees for misclassifying
non-exempt workers, failing to pay minimum wage and neglecting to maintain
accurate payroll records. https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20210331
One of the most famous cases of misclassification involved a
$50 million judgment against MetLife. The claimants were former Claim
Specialists. Up until 2013, these employees were paid hourly. As non-exempt,
they were also paid overtime when they exceeded 40 hours a week. According to
the plaintiffs, weekly overtime work was common. In 2013, MetLife reclassified
the Claims Specialists as exempt salaried employees. Since their job duties
didn’t change, MetLife was asking for trouble. The plaintiffs claimed that they
continued to work 45-60 hour weeks. The judge agreed that the employees were
due overtime pay.
Classification affects more than overtime laws. It can impact
benefits eligibility, minimum wage protections, and workers’ comp eligibility.
In addition, employers who fail to pay legitimate overtime could face state as
well as federal penalties.
The Solution: Automated Time and Attendance
There are three main steps for complying with classification
laws:
- Follow
the federal and state rules for classification,
- Track
every minute worked by all employees regardless of classification, and
- Save all
timecards and payroll records.
With Automated time and attendance, you automate employee
timekeeping. Employees punch in and out with a hardware clock or mobile app.
The software creates and saves virtual timecards so you don’t have to worry
about the recordkeeping requirements.
In addition, Automated time and attendance helps you avoid
the complicating factors that can trip up employers. These involve
meals/breaks, mobile employee oversight, tip tracking, and employee timecard
padding.
●
Meal/break prompts and early break clock-in lockout
●
Schedule enforcement
●
Geofencing for mobile employees
●
Missed punch alerts
●
Tamper-proof virtual timecards
●
Audit-ready timekeeping records
Meals and Breaks
While there is no federal law on work breaks, many states
have laws that apply to rest periods. Generally, the laws mandate a paid or
unpaid break for a minimum number of hours worked. Thousands of employers
violate these laws every year.
In many cases, the employer assumes employees are “cool”
with a lax policy. However, when challenges arise, the employer will always be
the one to be penalized if records aren’t in order.
Case Studies
A San
Diego company agreed to pay $35,000 to settle a lawsuit over meal breaks. The
court found the company automatically deducted 30 minutes from employees’ time
worked regardless of whether the employee took a break. The employer had to pay
30 minutes’ back pay plus penalties for each day an employee was improperly
docked time.
https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2004/03/01/meal-and-rest-periods-employers-settle-lawsuits-claimi
In April
2019, a jury awarded a class of 5,000 California-based Walmart fulfillment
center employees over $6 million in damages for multiple violations including
missed meal breaks which are required in California. The court found the
company failed to pay for all hours worked, pay overtime, provide meal periods,
provide rest breaks, pay final wages, and provide accurate itemized wage
statements.
https://www.californiaemploymentlawreport.com/2019/05/five-lessons-for-california-employers-from-6-million-verdict-against-walmart/ng-back-overtime-for-missed-breaks-know-the-rules-and-the-penalties/
The Solution: Automated Time and Attendance
Don’t let rest periods cause compliance problems. Each of
the items listed above can be solved with a fully automated time and attendance
solution. With this solution in place, you can rest assured that you have your
bases covered when it comes to break and mealtime compliance.
Protect yourself with:
●
Time clock prompts for unpaid
breaks
●
Manager alerts for missed break punch-outs
●
Real-time manager oversight of
mobile employees on break
●
Automated recordkeeping of shift
punches including rest periods
Minimum Wage
A minimum wage law sets the lowest hourly rate an
employer can pay employees who are covered by the law. The current federal
minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. It was enacted July 24, 2009. 29 states and the
District of Columbia have a minimum wage above the federal level.
Most state-level minimum wage laws increase
incrementally over several years. The upward adjustments generally occur on
January 1, but some states don’t stick to the calendar year. It’s critical to
know the specifics of your state’s minimum wage law!
In addition, it’s crucial that employers understand
that when the state and federal minimum wage laws differ, employers are
obligated to pay the minimum wage that is most favorable to the employee. In
other words, if your city passes a minimum wage of $14/hr, you can't pay the
federal minimum wage of $7.25.
What about workers who receive tips?
The federal law allows an employer to pay a tipped
employee not less than $2.13 an hour in direct wages as long as all three of
the following conditions are met:
- If
$2.13 per hour (or hourly rate above this) plus the tips earned equals at
least the federal minimum wage
- The
employee is allowed to keep all earned tips
- The employee customarily receives more than $30 a month in
tips
If an employee's tips combined with their direct wages
(at least $2.13/hr) do not equal the federal minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.
Note that the federal minimum wage doesn't apply to all
young workers and full-time students. Get details on these exceptions on the Department of Labor website.
Minimum Wage and Overtime
Wage and hour laws, especially those involving minimum
wage don’t exist in a vacuum. When you violate one law, there is a domino
effect.
For example, suppose you use paper timecards and one of
your managers isn't strict about employees recording their time. At the end of
the pay period, she gathers the timecards and notices several missed punches.
She's too busy to ask each employee when they worked,
so she estimates the shift times. Then she sends the completed time cards to
the payroll manager. When the checks are deposited, a minimum wage non-exempt
employee gets a paycheck that's based on inaccurate hours. The employee had
actually worked 43 hours that week but the timecard listed 38.
At this point, you have violated both minimum wage and
overtime. When you divide the check total by the time the employee actually
worked, the hourly rate had fallen below minimum wage, PLUS, you owe the
employee overtime for the 3 overtime hours.
Case Studies
Businesses that violate minimum wage laws routinely face
hefty fines. For example,
two Connecticut restaurants paid $137,465 in back wages and liquidated damages
to workers after the DOL ruled that they violated both minimum wage and
overtime.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20210405
Off the Clock Work is Illegal
A Florida
restaurant had to pay $19,000 in back wages and penalties when they failed to
pay servers for their entire shift. The investigation found that the company
didn’t compensate for time worked prior to when the servers’ first customers
arrived.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20210324
The Solution: Automated Time and Attendance
Automated time and attendance assures that your employees
are logging their hours and recording breaks and overtime.
With automation in place and multiple punch-in options for
your employees, automated time and attendance can help keep you clear of any
future trouble regarding minimum wage issues.
The following features protect you from violating minimum
wage laws:
●
Biometric
time clocks with schedule enforcement
●
Configurable
pay rates
●
Tip
tracking
●
Meals/breaks
prompts
Overtime
The Fair Labor Standards Act has been around since 1938.
Regardless, thousands of employers fail to comply (either knowingly or unknowingly)
with the FLSA overtime rules. Some violators are well-known multi-million
dollar corporations.
When is overtime pay mandatory?
Employers must pay overtime when hours worked by a
non-exempt hourly worker exceed 40 in a defined work week. The overtime pay
rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must be at least time and
one-half the employee’s regular rate of pay. No limit is imposed on the number
of hours worked in a workweek for those over age 16. Overtime pay is not
required for work on weekends, holidays or regular days of rest, unless the
employee has exceeded the overtime hours limit in the workweek. State, local,
union and industry-specific laws may also apply.
Case Studies
Overtime violations usually result from either
misclassifying non-exempt employees or failing to track all employee time.
A Las
Vegas plastering company had to pay $137,174 in back wages owed to 156
piece-rate employees who weren’t paid overtime.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20210319
An Ohio-based home health agency was fined $327,848 for
multiple violations including not paying overtime when travel time between
clients pushed aides over a 40-hour workweek.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20210316-0
The first line of defense against overtime violations is to track all employee time for every shift!
In addition:
- Make sure
overtime-exempt employees meet FLSA duties test
- Make sure
independent contractors meet the IRS
criteria
- Don’t
require off-the-clock work
- Know
overtime laws regarding piece-rate work
- Know tip
laws
- Compensate
correctly for “call-in” shifts or “on-call” work
- Know
meals/breaks laws
- Pay
employees for training time, putting on uniforms and traveling between job
sites throughout the day (traveling from home to the first job site or
client is not generally compensable time)
Unplanned Overtime Costs You Big Time
While we’re on the subject of overtime, it's worth pointing
out how unplanned overtime impacts your labor budget. A recent Deloitte study of over 800 U.S. employers
revealed an average of 31 unplanned overtime hours each week, per company.
Let's do the math: if your company has an overtime wage of $25, 31 hours a week
would add up to a yearly cost of over $40,000.
By limiting unplanned overtime, you not only reduce the risk
of a violation, but also save your labor budget.
Automated Time and Attendance Works Overtime to
Keep You Compliant
Automated time and attendance can help you track employee
time and provides alerts and notifications when an employee is approaching
overtime status. With automation in place, you have more control over your
budget and all the right information for an accurate audit.
Automated time and attendance provides the following tools
for overtime compliance:
●
Alerts for overtime hours thresholds
●
Meal/break early punch lockout
●
Overtime calculation by job code
●
Tip reporting
●
Flexible scripting for state or local overtime
laws
●
Audit-ready recordkeeping and reporting
●
Mobile location management
Contractor vs Employee Classifications
Do you employ independent contractors? Are you sure they
qualify as “independent?” The DOL estimates that between 10% and 30% of
employers misclassify their employees and independent contractors.
Misclassification can result in minimum wage, overtime, and FMLA violations.
You can find the duties tests here: US Department of Labor.
Case Study
Companies often misclassify employees because of the
additional costs and expenses typically related to employees. However,
misclassifying employees leaves the employer open to litigation, a tarnished
reputation, and costly fines.
An investigation by the DOL found Minnesota-based Cable Equipment
Services violated FLSA overtime, minimum wage, and recordkeeping requirements
when they failed to pay 41 market contractors and drivers overtime and minimum
wage. The company treated the workers involved as independent contractors
instead of employees. However, investigators found that the workers met the
definition of employees. The defendants agreed to pay $350,000 in back wages
and liquidated damages.
Employers should carefully review their independent
contractors to determine if any of the workers should be classified as
employees.
The Solution:
Automated Time and Attendance
Automated time and attendance minimizes much of the
administrative and regulatory burden of classifying workers, tracking work
time, and maintaining compliant records.
Tools include:
●
Employee classifications
●
Automated timekeeping
●
Audit-ready recordkeeping
Automated Time and Attendance for Compliance
Confidence
Our time and attendance solution provides an easy and effective
way to maintain compliance with a variety of challenges that cause trouble for
many employers.
Ready to up your game when it comes to compliance? Give us a
call.
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New Independent Contractor Rules: Do They Affect Your Employees?
The Department of Labor's final rule for employee or independent contractor classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act rescinds the 2021 Independent Contractor Rule. Read through to make sure you remain compliant.
Dec 21, 2023
What To Know About FSAs for 2024
The IRS recently announced some good news for those contributing to flexible spending accounts. If you aren't already contributing to one, there is now an even better reason to start. Read through for the latest on these valuable tools.
Dec 20, 2023
Get Ready To File in 2024
After the holiday decorations are packed away until next year, it's time for taxpayers to take part in another annual tradition — getting ready to file their tax returns. Read through for updates on the steps you should take before you file.
Dec 19, 2023
Employee Retention Credit: What's Happening Today?
In response to misleading aggressive marketing campaigns, the IRS is sending letters to inform the recipients that ERC claims are being disallowed. Read through for the full story on this significant but complex tax break.
Dec 18, 2023
IRS Changes Mileage Rates for New Year
The federal government has issued the 2024 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for certain purposes. Read through for the details on the new rates to see how you're affected.
Nov 29, 2023
Travel Expense Reports Are a Dreary Task
Expensing business travel is an art and a science. Companies may use either standard per diem rates or itemized expense reports to reimburse employees for business travel costs. Read through for a look at your options and the rules you must follow.
Nov 28, 2023
IRS Publishes Numbers for 2024
The IRS has already calculated numbers for filing for the 2024 tax year. Don't be confused: The tax year 2024 adjustments described here generally apply to income tax returns filed in 2025. Read through so you can start planning now.
Nov 27, 2023
How Do Taxes Work With Bonuses?
It would seem obvious: A bonus is income and gets withheld and taxed just like the money in the regular paycheck. But in reality, it's more complex than that. Read through for details so no one faces unpleasant surprises at tax time.
Nov 24, 2023
Is This Your Situation: Confused About Time and Attendance Rules
Do you want to make sure you're following federal rules when it comes to paying your employees? Read through for a summary of Department of Labor rules.
Oct 19, 2023
IRS Puts Brakes on ERC Processing
Amid rising concerns about a flood of improper Employee Retention Credit claims, the IRS has announced a moratorium, effective from Sept. 14 through at least the end of the year, on processing new claims. Read through to see how this may affect you.
Oct 18, 2023
IRS Extends a Roth Catch-Up Requirement
A new rule had made it harder for certain older high-net-worth workers to save money on retirement contributions. But the IRS has extended the application of the rule. Read through to find out exactly what has changed, and how you may be able to take advantage.
Oct 17, 2023
Is This Your Situation: Confused About How to Track Attendance
Tracking the time of your hourly workers in an effective way might be the most important thing you do as an employer. Read through to see how technology can streamline the process and improve accuracy.
Oct 16, 2023
How To Create a Payroll Policy
Your written payroll policy should define the nuances of your payroll function — wage definition, payment calculation, workweek and overtime computations, and more. Read through for some insights into how to organize the payroll policy at your company.
Sep 20, 2023
Setting a Policy for Marijuana Use in the Workplace
There are practical, legal and emotional concerns regarding the use of marijuana. How should workplaces address this rapidly changing and potentially polarizing topic? Read through for an overview of marijuana laws and suggestions for the best practices to call for in a professional setting.
Sep 19, 2023
Is This Your Situation: Considering Pay-As-You-Go Workers' Comp Insurance
Workers' comp insurance is essential for most businesses, but as an employer, you may have more options than you realize. Read through for an introduction to the pay-as-you-go model and the advantages of outsourcing it.
Sep 18, 2023
Watch Out for 'Restricted' Social Security Cards for Form I-9 Purposes
Businesses must have all employees fill out a Form I-9 to ensure they are eligible to work in the United States. A Social Security card can be part of the proof, but not in all instances. Click through to avoid making a serious mistake.
Sep 15, 2023
Is This Your Situation: You're Confused About Overtime
Not everyone in your office will qualify for overtime pay, but how do you determine employee classification? Read through to learn more about overtime and who qualifies.
Aug 23, 2023
Top Cybersecurity Issues For HR
The rise in HR technology poses a number of cyberthreats to the human resources function. Are you ready to counter them? Read through for some of the most prevalent cybersecurity concerns so that you can guard against them.
Aug 22, 2023
Compliance Risks with AI and Automated Employment Decision Tools
Are you reviewing your procedures regarding artificial intelligence and automation? If you're updating your hiring processes and background screening programs, this is important information to know. Read through to see how regulators and lawmakers at the federal, state and city levels are focusing on AI in employment.
Aug 21, 2023
The Many Wonders of Direct Deposit
Direct deposit makes payday easier for employers and employees alike, but a lot of smaller businesses do not pay via direct deposit under the guise that it is too complicated. Read through to better understand the practice and benefits of direct deposit, digest the drawbacks and set up direct deposits for either you, your employees or both.
Aug 18, 2023
Staying Current on Payroll Rules
Being and staying compliant with all labor laws, payroll rules and tax requirements is essential when you hire employees for your small business. Read through for an overview of the key rules so you start off on the right foot.
Jul 26, 2023
AI Provides No Excuse, Says EEOC
You can't blame the robots. That's basically what the EEOC is saying in new guidance that clarifies how longstanding rules apply to modern recruitment methods. Read through to make sure you're in compliance in this new world.
Jul 25, 2023
Integrated Timekeeping: A Strategy for Preventing Payroll Errors
Are you capturing your employees' time and processing their wages via separate systems? This is a recipe for payroll errors because the two systems need to communicate with each other. Read through to see how integrated timekeeping can help.
Jul 24, 2023
Payroll Compliance: The Essentials
Payroll compliance is about meeting your payroll obligations as required by law. Read through to learn how your organization can stay compliant.
Jul 21, 2023
New Form I-9 To Be Released
USCIS has announced a new Form I-9, effective Aug. 1. The Form I-9 is used to check employment eligibility verification. Read through to find out more about the new release and how it may affect you.
Jul 20, 2023
New Business? Start With Payroll
You started a business. Now you're ready to hire some employees. How do you set up payroll? There are essential steps you need to follow. Read through to manage the process, from acquainting yourself with tax and wage laws to covering payroll expenses.
Jun 29, 2023
Are You Ready for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act?
The PWFA is active as of June 27, and it changes — on a federal level — the way companies must deal with pregnant employees. Read through for the details to make sure you are in compliance with this important new law.
Jun 28, 2023
How to Manage a Payroll Schedule
When it comes to paying employees, you don’t want to shortchange or pay them late. Payroll is one of the most expensive and important components of your business — you have to get it right. Read through to create a payroll schedule that gets it right from the start.
Jun 27, 2023
How to Recognize a Scam
A recent report found there was more than $10 billion lost to online scams in 2022. Anyone can be vulnerable, and everyone should be aware of the red flags that should cause them concern. Read through to learn how to protect yourself.
Jun 26, 2023
Independent Contractor: A New Definition?
How will a Department of Labor rule proposal affect your business? For many small businesses, independent contractor hires have significantly outpaced employee hires. Read through to consider whether your reliance on independent contractors will need to change.
Jun 09, 2023
IRS Announces HSA Limits for 2024
The government has granted unusually high inflation adjustments for the coming year. Read through for the details so you can spend the next few months making long-term plans based on the new numbers.
Jun 08, 2023
Cybersecurity Training for Your Remote Employees
Did you know that remote employees are especially vulnerable to cyber threats? Due to this fact, employers should take the time to train their remote team regarding cybersecurity risks. Doing so will help your remote workers stay as protected as those in the office. Read through for the key steps.
Jun 07, 2023
Inherited IRA Rules Altered by the SECURE Act
A stretch individual retirement account strategy is used to help clients pass IRAs along to their desired heirs. However, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 has since limited the tax-deferring powers of inherited IRAs significantly. Read through for suggestions when working with the lack of stretch IRAs and the new estate planning problem this change has caused.
Jun 06, 2023
The IRS Is Pushing Its ID.me Accounts
To access the IRS going forward, taxpayers will need to create an ID.me account, a private security system that can be used for a variety of sites. Read through to learn more about the use of biometric verification to confirm your identity with the tax agency.
Jun 05, 2023
Minimum Wage Changes — What's Happening and What's Coming
The federal minimum wage is not currently scheduled for change. However, at the beginning of the year, a total of 23 states had already increased the amount of their minimum wage, which has positively benefited upward of 8.4 million Americans across the country. Read through to discover which states and cities are planning to do the same in the months ahead.
May 12, 2023
Form I-9 Flexibilities Ending
Check Documents by August 30
Apr 21, 2023
Watch Out for Fake ERC Plans
The IRS warns about Employee Retention Credit claims in which aggressive promoters make offers that are too good to be true. Click through to be aware that much of this marketing exists solely to collect your personally identifiable information in exchange for false promises.
Mar 10, 2023
EEOC Issues New Nondiscrimination Poster
Employers need to display a new poster, issued in October 2022, outlining workers' rights under antidiscrimination statutes. Read through to see what the poster explains to make sure you're following EEOC guidance.
Mar 09, 2023
New Law Ushers in Major Retirement Changes
In the waning days of 2022, President Biden signed a bill that improves the retirement situation for a wide range of Americans. Read through for a first look at these changes, which affect almost every worker and the companies that employ them.
Mar 08, 2023
Know Your Employee Injury Responsibilities
Depending on what kind of business you run, you may have to keep some detailed records for OSHA about employee injuries. Read through for an introduction to the requirements and OSHA's important Form 300A—whose deadline looms.
Mar 07, 2023
Wage Transparency in Job Ads: A New Trend?
Employers have to abide by a variety of federal, state and local rules when hiring, and more rules may be coming; California and New York City are mandating additional job ad information. Read on to see what the future of job ads may involve.
Mar 06, 2023
Supreme Court Rules HCEs May Be Eligible for Overtime
It seems contrary to long-standing policy and even common sense, but in a recent ruling, the Supreme Court decided that in certain situations, highly paid employees can earn overtime pay. Read on to see if you're affected.
Feb 10, 2023
Cybersecurity and Remote Work: 6 Steps To Protect Your Business
In 2020, the FBI reported 1.4 million cybercrime complaints, mostly identity theft, up from 651,000 in 2019. The cost to victims is estimated at $5.9 billion. Here are six low-cost steps to take to protect your business.
Feb 09, 2023
401(k) and IRA Limits Rise for 2023
The IRS has announced that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2023 has increased to $22,500, up from $20,500 for 2022. This also applies to 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan.
Feb 08, 2023
A New Hire Checklist
Bringing new employees into your company should be about more than filling out Form W-4. It's about creating an atmosphere where they feel welcomed and integrated into the team.
Feb 07, 2023
IRS Establishes Mileage Rates for 2023
In June 2022, the IRS made a rare midyear adjustment to mileage deductions because of rising gas costs. It's increased the number again for 2023. Here are the details so you can take full advantage of higher rates.
Feb 07, 2023
Staying Current on Payroll Rules
Being and staying compliant with all labor laws, payroll rules and tax requirements is essential when you hire employees for your small business. Here is a checklist for welcoming new hires. Here is an overview of the key rules so you start off on the right foot.
Jan 03, 2023
New & Noteworthy
Here are the latest developments in the personal finance, tax and business worlds. Click through for links to current reports from leading news sources.
Aug 19, 2022
Worker Classification 101: employee or independent contractor
It is critical for business owners to correctly determine whether the people providing services are employees or independent contractors.
Aug 08, 2022
BACKGROUND SCREENING MADE EASY
Background checks can be confusing if you are not sure how to approach them. Here are some best practices to make the process easier.
Jul 20, 2022
New Mexico Paid Sick Leave Is Effective Now
New Mexico Paid Sick Leave (Healthy Workplaces Act 2021) is a law requiring all private employers in New Mexico to allow employees to accrue and use a benefit called earned sick leave.
Jul 19, 2022
Scam Warning For PA Businesses
Scam Warning From PA Department Of Revenue: Be Aware - Scam Artists Impersonating Department Of Revenue In Letters Targeting Pennsylvania Businesses To Try To Get You To Turn Over Your Accounting Records!
Oct 29, 2021
It’s a great time to check tax withholding
The final quarter of 2021 is the perfect time to remind employees to submit a new W4 if they want to change their Federal withholding for 2022.
Oct 05, 2021
Federal COVID Leave Ended on September 30, 2021
The Tax Credits for Paid Leave Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 have ended.
Sep 29, 2021
The IRS's "Cannabis/Marijuana Initiative”
Providing Resources to Help Cannabis Business Owners Successfully Navigate Unique Tax Responsibilities
Sep 27, 2021
State-mandated retirement programs are coming, are you ready?
Which states are mandating participation?
Aug 13, 2021
4 Important Reasons To Immediately Document Performance Problems
The importance of documenting performance problems as they occur cannot be overstated.
Aug 04, 2021
Cannabis Laws Affecting Employers: State Laws and Employer Guidance
As medical and recreational cannabis laws evolve, and with federal law currently in opposition to many state laws, employers face challenges when developing workplace drug policies and understanding their limitations in the area of drug testing. Use the enclosed best practice recommendations and chart to see how YOUR business may be affected!
Aug 02, 2021
9 Reasons to Immediately Review Your Handbook
While your employee handbook should receive a regularly-scheduled review to ensure compliance with state and federal law, there are some events that may require additional policies or updates to be added to your employee handbook sooner than your next scheduled update. Click the link below for the 9 reasons !
Jul 27, 2021
Intuit Quickbooks Online Payroll Users – Last Few Days to Stop Data Share With Equifax
Act Now to Stop Data Share With Equifax
Jul 23, 2021
Five 1099 Contractor Classification Myths
The last thing your business needs is an IRS audit - don't get caught uninformed!
Jan 12, 2021
My Employer on the GO Tutorial: Employee Onboarding
A walkthrough showing employees how to complete the onboarding process available through My Employer on the GO!
Oct 05, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: HR Time-Off Requests
A walkthrough detailing how to process time-off requests within the Employer on the GO software!
Oct 02, 2020
Fact Sheet: Pennsylvania Overtime Rule
Changes to Pennsylvania's overtime regulations are coming soon - stay up-to-speed on the latest information!
Sep 25, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: HR Forms and Documents
A walkthrough showing how to upload and access important forms and documentation using Employer on the GO's human resource system!
Sep 21, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: Using the HR Org Chart
A walkthrough showing the organizational chart function of Employer on the GO's human resource system!
Sep 17, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: HR Employee Tasks
A walkthrough detailing how to assign tasks to members of your team with Employer on the GO!
Sep 14, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: Entering HR Information
A walkthrough showing how to view and edit employee HR information with Employer on the GO!
Sep 10, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: HR Performance Management
A walkthrough showing the functions of the Employer on the GO performance management system!
Sep 07, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: HR Company Announcements
A walkthrough showing how to post and view company announcements with Employer on the GO!
Sep 03, 2020
Initial Guidance: Employee Tax Deferral Executive Order
New language from the White House offers a temporary payroll tax deferral - should you take advantage of it?
Aug 28, 2020
Back-To-School FFCRA Guidance
The "when," "where," and "how" on returning to school aren't set in stone just yet - here are a few answers to questions you may have in the meantime.
Aug 17, 2020
At-Will Employment: What Does it Mean?
You've heard the term - let's dig a little deeper!
Jul 23, 2020
Potential New FFCRA Rules from the Department of Labor
The guidelines surrounding employee leave due to COVID-19 are still evolving - stay on top of it all!
Jul 10, 2020
Q&A: COVID-19 Employer Guidelines
Managing employees is different than ever before - what should you be prepared for?
Jun 26, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: Payroll Journal Access & Summary
A walkthrough detailing the contents of your payroll journal in Employer on the GO!
Jun 25, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: Approve Payroll & Notify Provider
A walkthrough showing how to finalize your payroll and inform your provider with Employer on the GO!
Jun 24, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: Preview & Process Payroll
A walkthrough showing how to preview your payroll before processing using Employer on the GO!
May 26, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: Enter Payroll Hours using the Enhanced Pay Grid
A walkthrough showing how to enter payroll hours using the Enhanced Pay Grid from Employer on the GO!
May 19, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: Navigate Enter Payroll Setup Menu
A walkthrough showing how to edit and understand the Enter Payroll Setup menu with Employer on the GO!
May 07, 2020
Should You Rethink Paid Leave?
Don't demonize paid time off - celebrate it!
Apr 28, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: Access and Manipulate Payroll Detail Reports
A walkthrough to access and customize your payroll detail reports as an Employer on the Go user.
Apr 27, 2020
IRS Unveils 'Get My Payment' Feature
Curious about your eligibility for COVID-19 stimulus payments? Check out this new tool from the IRS!
Apr 24, 2020
Employer on the GO Tutorial: Payroll Document Access and Details
A walkthrough to access and understand your payroll documents package as an Employer on the Go user.
Apr 22, 2020
9 Advantages Of Automated Time Tracking
Take advantage of automated time tracking to optimize your workforce.
Apr 15, 2020
The Importance of Time-Off Management
Paid time off can be a great tool to improve employee morale and productivity.
Apr 13, 2020
Employer on the Go Tutorial: Quarterly Report Access/CARES Act Report
A walkthrough to access quarterly reports packages as an Employer on the Go user.
Apr 09, 2020
TimeWorksPlus Has Geofencing!
If you need to know whether or not your employees are working in the correct location, you need Geofencing.
Apr 07, 2020
Scam Warning: Fraudsters Using New Tactics to Steal Personal Data During COVID-19 Pandemic
Unfortunately, even in times of crisis, there are those who seek to benefit at the expense of others.
Mar 20, 2020
Why Is Taxation Related To Cannabis Businesses So Complicated?
Beware: 2020 Could Be A Banner Year For IRS Audits Of Cannabis Businesses
Feb 23, 2020
3 of 4 Business are Underinsured – Is Yours Protected?
Insurance often feels like an unnecessary cost - until you need it.
Dec 31, 2019
Six Payroll Problems To Keep In Mind
Getting a grip on your payroll can ease the burden on cash flow and help your company remain afloat.
Dec 30, 2019
Solutions To 7 Frustrating Employee Scheduling Problems
Employee scheduling doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore. TimeSimplicity is your solution.
More News & Press can be found in our Archive.
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Staying resilient from malicious threats, cyber and physical, is critical in providing the exemplary value our clients expect from us. To do this, we integrate the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework that ensures our security procedures, policies, and infrastructure are up to the highest standard possible. Financial institutions, infrastructure management, defense, healthcare, and other heavily regulated industries that rely on stringent information safeguards use the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. We review our security policies and procedures frequently to ensure newly identified threat and vulnerability information is incorporated. Our network infrastructure and physical locations are continuously monitored for anomalies and uninvited guests. Additionally, our incident response and business continuity plans are tested frequently to minimize the likelihood of backup failures.
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