Maintaining accurate employee records and legal compliance is critical for all employers. Failure to do so can result in hefty penalties, as demonstrated by a Texas company that failed to maintain accurate time and payroll accounts and did not properly pay employees for overtime hours worked. As a...

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals with a physical or mental disability that affects a major life activity. This is true even if the condition is not visibly apparent or is in remission. This is evidenced by a recent federal court ruling in Indiana that an employee was...

• 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...

September 30 is the deadline for employers to file EEO-1 reports.  In general, employers with 100 or more employees, or those with 50 or more employees and at least $50,000.00 in government contracts must file this annual report. Proper record keeping throughout the year is essential in order...

Small business owners often find it difficult to keep up with the various laws and regulations governing employment practices.  Hiring, payment of wages, promotions, maintaining employee records and rest/meal breaks are but a few of the issues impacted by state and/or federal laws. Compliance is...

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...

Beginning in June, 2011, the Social Security Administration will begin changing the way nine-digit numbers are issued for Social Security cards. 

The numbers will be chosen randomly and the first three digits will no longer designate where a Social Security card is issued. Card numbers can start...

Cell phones continue to be a popular means of communication. However, if employees use a cell phone while driving and are involved in an accident, their employers could be liable for significant legal damages. Courts have already imposed huge judgments against drivers allegedly distracted by cell...

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...

Every company whose employees have E-mail access should include E-mail use in its human resources policies. This policy should include the employer’s right to monitor E-mails, be signed by the employee, and retained in individual employee records. Additional tips employers should consider...

• An introduction to managers, human resource personnel, supervisors and...

Employers often wonder what human resource policies they should implement.  The topics range from discipline, to employee medical benefits, to how long they should retain employee records.  Developing these policies can be a time consuming, difficult task, especially for small employers who are busy...

While many people think of OSHA – the Occupational Safety and Health Act – as governing hazardous materials and dangerous occupations, virtually every employer has responsibilities under the Act. The General Duty Clause required employers to ensure that their workplaces are free from recognized...

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) now prohibits texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large trucks, buses and vans. Covered drivers who text while driving commercial vehicles may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750. 

The DOT took this step, in part, based...

With few exceptions, companies today rely heavily on computers and a variety of software in their day-to-day operations. Everything from inventory, to sales records, to customer and employee information is managed and stored on computers. Even if protected from outside intrusion, this information is...

One of the ways employers can help avoid making poor hiring decisions is to conduct background checks on candidates they are considering for hire. Employers must be cautious, however, since relying on background check information, particularly criminal history information, can result in...