News & Tips Archive

Jul 31, 2024

What Are the Legal Requirements to Start Work?

What do employees have to do to start a new job? Read through to learn the basics of verification.

Jul 30, 2024

Compliant Background Checks

Nearly all U.S. companies use background checks as a screening tool when hiring or promoting employees. But not all companies are compliant with applicable laws about the checks. Read through to learn how to do background checks right.

Jul 29, 2024

Tax Implications of Bonuses

You want to reward employee performance, but you also don't want to create tax issues. Read through for some advice on how to manage taxes when you give your employees bonuses.

Jul 05, 2024

Effective Employee Performance Reviews

When performance reviews are done badly, employees are unlikely to hear any good coaching you offer for better results in the year to come. Read through to learn how to design a performance review that will actually improve performance.

Jul 03, 2024

Understanding Changes in Leave Programs

More states are adding paid family and medical leave laws assure workers that some of their wages will continue even during a serious illness — either their own or a family member's. Read through for a review and a preview of proposed changes.

Jul 02, 2024

Completing the Form I-9

Form I-9 is a federal employment eligibility verification form. Use it to verify the identity and employment authorization of all hires — citizens and noncitizens. Read through to learn how it works and why it is so important.

Jul 01, 2024

How To Keep on Top of Payroll

Payroll systems are one way to ensure compliance with labor laws and state and federal regulations. Read through for pragmatic solutions to the complexities of payroll management.

Jun 06, 2024

Ransomware Is Targeting Small Businesses

Ransomware gangs feed voraciously on small prey. They seek firms large enough to pay something but small enough to avoid media and law enforcement attention. Read through to learn how not to be caught unaware.

Jun 05, 2024

COBRA: Make Sure You're in Compliance

Navigating the complexities of COBRA compliance can be daunting. Read through for an overview of your responsibilities.

Jun 04, 2024

How to Handle Tipped Employees

Should you pay tipped employees minimum wage? Can you benefit from any tax credits toward minimum wage obligations for employees who earn tips at work? Read through to learn how to process payroll for tipped workers while remaining compliant and avoiding penalties from the IRS.

Jun 03, 2024

What To Know About Overtime Rules

The federal overtime provisions contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act say that unless an employee covered by the FLSA is exempt, they receive overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours in a workweek. Read through for the essential details.

Apr 11, 2024

When an Employee Leaves

What do you do when an employee quits? Not only do you have to handle resignation logistics and ensure compliance, but you also have to maintain operations and employee morale during the transition. Read through to learn more about the processes to have in place.

Apr 10, 2024

How To Manage Time Sheets

When it comes to monitoring productivity levels and tracking hours spent working, remote employees pose a challenge for their managers. However, with time-tracking applications and time sheets, managers can request that team members track their own progress throughout the workweek. Read through to understand how you can establish a proactive approach to structuring daily work schedules for employees who work from home.

Apr 09, 2024

How Often To Pay Employees?

How often should you pay your employees? You have a number of choices, and each has its pluses and minuses. Read through to consider state laws and which schedule is most suitable for your business.

Apr 08, 2024

Recognizing and Overcoming Your Biggest Payroll Challenges

Managing payroll is a critical part of running a business. Everyone expects to be paid accurately and on time — and rightfully so. In the process of paying those who work for you in a timely fashion, you also need to keep penalties at bay while ensuring that you’re in compliance with relevant tax and labor laws. Read through for tips on how to keep everyone happy with the help of precise processing.

Mar 14, 2024

Honesty and the Resume

In today's competitive employment market, some job seekers feel compelled to exaggerate their past job experience to impress their potential bosses. In the scramble to land top jobs, many candidates are, shall we say, less than honest when writing their resumes. Read through for some thoughts on handling resume lies

Mar 13, 2024

What To Know About Onboarding New Employees

A new hire is starting at your firm. There are administrative tasks to be done, first-day orientation and maybe role-specific training, and perhaps shadowing another employee to foster integration with the team. Read through for onboarding advice to engage talent for long-term success.

Mar 12, 2024

Payroll Myths Exploded

As a small-business owner, it's highly likely that you've caught wind of payroll myths, and if you believe them without realizing they are mythical, then these nonfactual ideas might influence your approach to payroll. Read through to realize that it's possible to evade payroll myths instead of falling victim to these lies.

Mar 11, 2024

How NOT to Misclassify Employees

In how many ways can you misclassify employees? It's important to know given, since the rapid growth of an independent workforce means increased scrutiny from government agencies to ensure proper classifications. Read through for clarifications that will enable you to avoid legal risks and repercussions.

Feb 16, 2024

Recordkeeping for Tax Purposes

Good records do good businesses make. Records help you monitor the progress of your firm, prepare financial statements, identify sources of income, keep track of deductible expenses and prepare tax returns. Read through for some advice on recordkeeping.