HR Best Practices - Payroll Taxes

Wednesday, December 15, 2010 by Human Resources

PenaltyThe owners of a concrete company in California have been charged with 15 felony charges of payroll tax evasion and workers' compensation insurance fraud. The charges are based on allegations that the company intentionally under reported wages by disguising the funds as payments made to independent...

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Human Resources Administration – Mileage Rates

Wednesday, December 8, 2010 by Human Resources

DrivingMany employers reimburse their employees for mileage driven in an employee’s personal vehicle for business purposes. For 2010, the business mileage reimbursement rate set by the Internal Revenue Service is 50 cents per mile. Starting Jan. 1, 2011, however, these rates for the use of a car, van,...

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Why Use A Human Resources Outsourcing Service?

Monday, November 8, 2010 by Human Resources

Payroll and employee benefits administration. Management 2000’s employee benefits advisors can make sure companies comply with employment laws regulating payroll and benefits, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Recruiting and retention. The HR...

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Reinforce Positive Safety Behavior

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 by SAFETY
Reinforcing positive safety behavior can have enormous impact on your safety program. Instead of always focusing on the problems, focus also on the accomplishments. Identify milestones that deserve recognition and celebrate these with your workers when a milestone has been reached. Any leader who...Read More »

PPACA September Milestone Approaches

Thursday, August 12, 2010 by Andy Kuhn

As Employers look ahead to 2011 plan years, they're raising questions to understand the affect health-care reform will have on current and future employee benefits plans.  What changes, if any, apply to our group plan?  Do I have to may all changes now?  Is our plan Grandfathered; if so, does that...Read More »

Will Your 2011 Health Plan Compromise Grandfathered Status?

Thursday, August 5, 2010 by Andy Kuhn

Many employers are in the midst of planning for 2011.  When looking over operating costs, one area of concern is the expense of offering employee benefits insurance.  With the continued uncertainty in the economy and the mounting changes from healthcare reform, it can be a lot to consider. 

Many...Read More »

Human Resources Help - Managing Unemployment

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 by Human Resources

The economic downturn has driven employers' unemployment insurance costs to record levels. The good news is that employers can control these costs by maintaining sound HR procedures. This includes an effective selection process to avoid hiring poor performers or bad matches who often...

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Human Resources Help - Compensation

Monday, August 2, 2010 by Human Resources

According to a recent WorldatWork survey, employers plan a 2.5 percent average increase in salary budgets next year, with average raises of up to 0.7 percent projected for low performers, 2.4 percent for middle performers, and 3.7 percent for top performers.  Employee compensation is a critical...

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Employers Healthcare Costs Projected to Rise 9% in 2011

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 by Andy Kuhn

In a time of much uncertainty surrounding the healthcare reform, according to a June 14th PricewaterhouseCoopers, 'Behind the Numbers Report', employer costs are estimated to increase around 9%.  The good news is this is a drop of 0.5% from 2010 growth rate.  What are the primary contributors?

On...Read More »

HR Best Practices – Department of Labor Interpretation

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 by Human Resources

The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has issued a new interpretation of compensable time for workers changing into or out of protective clothing. This changes the prior interpretation that time employees spend donning and doffing protective clothing was not compensable under the...

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Grandfather Status - You've Entered the "Caution" Zone

Friday, June 18, 2010 by Andy Kuhn
On June 14,2010, The IRS, U.S. Department of Labor and HHS released guidance on what Grandfathered Plans.

Grandfathered plans are fully-insured or self-funded health plans that existed on March 23,2010. Many within the Benefits Community were waiting for guidance to how what changes, if any, could...Read More »

Grandfathering Impact to Your Health Plan

Friday, June 4, 2010 by Andy Kuhn

Section 1251 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), preserves the ability of consumers to maintain existing coverage by “grandfathering” existing group health  or individual plans where individuals were enrolled as of March 23, 2010. In addition, it allows: 

  • Addition of family...
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Regulations on Dependent Coverage

Thursday, May 20, 2010 by Andy Kuhn

The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury issued the Interim Final Rules for Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers relating to Dependent Coverage of Children to Age 26. This is what you need to know today.

 

Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, group...

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Benefits Alignment for Small Businesses

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 by Andy Kuhn


For employers, employee retention and increasing productivity have always been paramount to running a successful business. It became clear as early as 2004, that employee’s work satisfaction is tied in a large part to benefits. More directly, it is benefits linked to their health, work-life balance...

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Human Resources Administration

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 by Human Resources

Although the economy may be showing signs of improvement, employers remain focused on increasing efficiency and holding down costs.  This may include downsizing, eliminating pay raises, and even cutting pay for employees.  While these actions can be justified, employers must be careful.  Top...

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Human Resources Help – Temporary and Contract Help

Monday, May 10, 2010 by Human Resources

Using temporary employees or independent contractors can give an employer a flexible way to respond to changing work demands. Temporary employees can be found through temporary staffing agencies or by direct hire, while contractors are usually obtained directly by the company. Whether help is...

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Creating a Culture of Wellness Within the Workplace

Thursday, May 6, 2010 by Andy Kuhn
With the rising costs of health-care, small business owners are looking at ways to slash premiums and partake in federal incentives.  Have you considered implementing a Wellness program as part of your Employee Benefits Plan?

The Health care reform further embraces and rewards employers that offer...Read More »

HR Support - Payroll

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 by Human Resources

Payroll errors can be costly. Last month, a petroleum company in New Jersey entered into a settlement agreement under which it will pay $4 million in overtime pay, damages, interest, and penalties to more than 700 current and former employees. According to the Department of Labor, the company and...

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Human Resource Policies - PTO

Monday, May 3, 2010 by Human Resources

More and more employers are moving away from traditional vacation, sick and personal leave policies. Paid Time Off (PTO) policies provide a bank of time employees can use when they must miss work, whatever the reason might be. Fifty-four percent (54%) of employers recently surveyed offer this type...

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Administration of Flex Benefits

Thursday, April 29, 2010 by Andy Kuhn
One way that small business employers compete for talent is to offer comprehensive group health plans with flex benefits.  The challenge with these type of employee benefits plans is the cost and complexity of administration.  Key components for success are: 
  • Benefits Plan design
  • Employee Benefits...
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