Terminations: More Than Reality TV
At times, most managers have been frustrated to the point of wanting to scream, “YOU’RE FIRED!” And while that phrase made a TV reality show wildly popular, it actually isn’t reality. Terminations are a process, not a reaction. Although Texas is an “employment at-will” state, most companies avoid firing and employee without cause. There areContinue Reading
Form I-9: Do You Know the “Ins and Outs”?
The Form I-9 is a requirement for U.S. employers. By not completing and retaining Form I-9 properly, employers can find themselves penalized. Penalties for failing to produce a Form I-9 range from $110 to $1,100 per violation. With so much at stake, do you know the “ins and outs” of the Form I-9? Take thisContinue Reading
Harassment: It Could Cost You.
$168 million! The largest sexual harassment lawsuit on record is a judgment against Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, California. We read about cases like that and think, “That’s California! It won’t happen to me and my business.” A little closer to home… How would a ruling of $6.2 million against your company impact your business? Continue Reading
Heat Stress – There’s an App for That!
During hot summer months Workers’ Compensation claims spike with heat-related injuries, accidents, and deaths. In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports heat-related deaths outnumber flood-, tornado-, and cold-related deaths on average for the past 30 years. The NOAA and Center for Disease Control (CDC), along with other domestic and international partners haveContinue Reading
People and Diversity …Every Organization’s Greatest Investment
Whether you are a company of one or one thousand, each person you employ is your greatest investment. Getting the highest rate of return on your “people” investment involves another investment—embracing diversity. Demographic trends identified by Pew Research Center include racial and ethnic diversity in the United States on a continuous rise. By 2055, itContinue Reading
Start-Up Strong: PEOs Help Keep You Focused
Whether it’s a new start-up company, the start-up of a division or department, or the ramp up for a specific project, it takes a large commitment from management and operations. Enlisting the help of a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) can be the key to success. With the changing business climate, a large company made theContinue Reading
5 Steps to Succession Planning
Succession planning is a common topic in a family-owned business, like UniqueHR. It has been a long-term plan for Chris Bradford to carry on the business after his parents retire. Although Chris has worked in the business since high school, careful planning will ensure a smooth transition to the next generation. Chris’ son, Nick hasContinue Reading
Millennials: 6 Tips to Communicating Employee Benefits
It seems like we’ve been talking or hearing about Millennials for most of my career. Millennials are now in their 20’s and 30’s. It is estimated they will comprise 30% of the workforce by 2020, and many are entering management roles. Once characteristic touted as “millennial” is they perceive themselves invincible, although that has alwaysContinue Reading
Employer Liability for Work Eligibility Documentation
By Deanna Forbush For the last 30 years or so, the federal government has primarily enforced its immigration policies and laws by forcing employers, under the threat of criminal prosecution or exorbitant, business-crushing fines, to ensure that they hire only applicants with acceptable documentation of their eligibility for employment. The failure to properly complete and maintain I-9Continue Reading
New Year, New Taxes
Taxes are typically on our minds as we head into a new year. April 15th always seems to come sooner than we expect. This year, 2018 will prove to be no exception as we close out 2017 and turn our attention to what lies ahead in the new tax code. On December 20th Congress passedContinue Reading
2018: A Small Business Plan for Success
This time of year, business owners are wrapping up 2017 and looking ahead to 2018. A recap of 2017 shows you not only what happened, but what you did to make it happen. As you look to your strategic plans for 2018, ask yourself these four questions: What happened in 2017 that was NOT a resultContinue Reading
