Tag Archives: UniqueHR news

While many workplaces are settling into a COVID-19 groove of social distancing, face masks, and hand sanitizer, we find ourselves on the cusp of flu season in the United States. Employers should start preparing now for what could be a difficult workplace winter. Common Flu Peaks Between December and February Although flu season is hardContinue Reading

Payroll Protection Program (PPP) portal resumes January 11, 2021 to accept applications for First Draw PPP Loans.  Second Draw Loan applications are accepted January 13, until March 31, 2021.  The Payroll Protection Program is a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their employees on payroll. Loans have 1% interest rate. Loans issued before JuneContinue Reading

As COVID-19 spreads around the globe, cybersecurity and data privacy risks are expanding for employers. Read on to learn some simple steps you can take to address and mitigate the dangers. 2 Key Areas of Opportunity for Cyberthieves Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the pandemic in two ways: First, they’re launching phishing campaigns to lureContinue Reading

by Jennifer Sims If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it 2,020 times: “That’s 2020 for you!” The past year has certainly taught us to expect the unexpected. After all, when is the last time employers encountered a nationwide pandemic, mass economic shutdowns, and a hotly contested presidential election, much less all in the sameContinue Reading

The U.S. Congress passed a $892 billion COVID-19 relief act December 21, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.  President Trump reluctantly signed the bill into law Sunday, December 27, 2020, demanding Congress increase stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000 per individual.  The House passed the  stimulus increase to $2,000 per individual.  The bill heads to theContinue Reading

The more questions to which you answer “yes,” the more complete your policy is regarding vacations and holidays. General Do you have a policy: Regarding vacation days? Regarding holidays? Are these policies in writing? Do you have a system for tracking when vacation days and holidays are used? Do you use a computer system forContinue Reading

Two things are eminently clear as the 2020 election season ramps up: (1) Everyone has an opinion, and (2) they aren’t shy about sharing it. So, what’s an employer to do when an employee likes or shares an inflammatory article on Facebook or uses his 280 characters on Twitter to start a battle with aContinue Reading

European countries like France and Germany are reinstating lockdowns amidst the second wave of Coronavirus.  Here in the United States, Texas continues on the path to reopen its economy.  One of the latest measures comes from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) reinstating the state work search requirements effective November 1, 2020. Work search is aContinue Reading

Most companies are receiving employee benefit renewals.  In order to avoid benefits communication errors, it is wise to periodically review communications that employees have received in the past to gauge their perception and understanding.  Ask yourself the following questions: Were these communications meant only to fulfill ERISA compliance regulations, and do they comply with currentContinue Reading

By Emily Muhoberac, COO, Sapper Consulting Have you reevaluated your employee benefits package since social distancing was implemented? It’s likely that your pre-pandemic perks, plans, and promises won’t hold up after COVID-19 passes. You’ll need new, creative benefits to retain talented employees and snag new superstars. How your company reacts and realigns during this crisisContinue Reading

By Amanda Utevsky, PhD As employers reevaluate employee benefits following the labor shock of 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic, they must look at ways to both shore up financial health and help reduce potential future stressors. Evidence shows that having enough savings on hand is one of the largest predictors of financial well-being, making employee financial health programs focusedContinue Reading

By Steve Sanders Any event like the COVID-19 pandemic is accompanied by increased risk of cybersecurity threats. Unfortunately, cyber criminals are adept at taking advantage of the increasing vulnerabilities stemming from remote work environments. During this time, it is critical that you and your institution’s employees exercise caution and remain nimble in your cyber defensesContinue Reading