The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a directive changing the required fall protection systems for residential construction. This directive, effective June 16, 2011, requires the use of conventional fall protection systems in residential construction activities six feet or more above lower levels. Use of these systems is not currently required in residential construction.
The Safety and HR professionals at Management 2000, an Indiana PEO, have the knowledge and expertise to help employers comply with ever-changing employment laws. Whether the concern is safety, payroll or benefits administration, or any other human resource issue, Management 2000 provides the human resources help employers need to operate successfully. For more information about Management 2000’s human resource administration services, call (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.
On January 11, the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released a new guide to the Form I-9 process. I-9s are required of all employers to verify the employment of each new hire, and are used as part of audits to curb illegal immigration.
The HR professionals at Management 2000, an Indiana PEO, are experienced in the proper use and retention of I-9s. Employers can count on Management 2000 to handle all HR administration issues so they can focus on the business itself. For more information about the human resource management services Management 2000 provides, call (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.
The 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 contractors. This, in turn, illegally reduced the company's state payroll tax and workers' compensation expenses. If found guilty, the company would owe $230,000 in back taxes.
Without proper payroll policies, companies like this one face costly legal actions. The human resources consultants at Management 2000, a Professional Employer Organization, help employers avoid these problems. Whether it’s payroll, employee benefits management or human resources administration, Management 2000 provides the HR support employers need to stay compliant and profitable. For more information, call (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.
Many 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, pickup truck, or panel truck will rise to 51 cents per mile. Revenue Procedure 2010-51 contains additional information regarding the standard mileage rates.
Management 2000, an Indiana Professional Employer Organization, provides human resources, benefits and payroll assistance to small and medium size businesses throughout Indiana and across the country. Utilizing their vast array of HR management tools, the HR professionals at Management 2000 are able to provide effective HR strategies and support to client companies. Whether it’s current mileage rates, human resource issues, employee benefits administration or payroll processing, Management 2000 can help. For more information call (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.

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 covered by the ADA even though the employee’s cancer was in remission at the time of the adverse employment action.
Management 2000, a Professional Employer Organization in Indiana, constantly monitors federal and state laws and regulations related to human resources administration. With this information, the HR professionals at Management 2000 provide the human resources help employers need for compliance. Whether the issue is legal compliance, documentation and record retention, discipline, or training, employers can count on Management 2000 for accurate, timely advice. For more information call Management 2000 at (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.
Regular attendance at work is an essential function of most jobs. However, there are many legitimate reasons why employees cannot be at work every day. In order to help control absenteeism, employers should have a policy that addresses issues associated with attendance. These issues include tardiness, sickness, personal business, family and medical leave, and disability. Developing such policies, however, can be a time-consuming task for employers.
More and more, small and mid-size businesses are relying on Professional Employer Organizations for human resources administration. Management 2000, an Indiana PEO, provides the HR support these companies need. Management 2000’s HR professionals have extensive experience developing effective attendance policies as well as other HR policies and procedures. This is just one of the many ways Management 2000 can help take the administrative burden of personnel matters off employers.
For more information, contact Management 2000 at (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.

• 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 professionals at Management 2000 can manage recruiting and retention efforts to ensure success as well as compliance with federal, state and local laws.
• Policy development. Management 2000 can develop the human resource policies and procedures needed for internal control and guidance, again in compliance with employment laws prohibiting discriminatory labor practices.
• Recordkeeping and compliance. Management 2000 can help make sure companies comply with employee record retention requirements.
For more information about the many ways Management 2000 can help your company, call (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that companies develop workplace safety and health programs. Although OSHA does not require employers to have written safety and health programs, many states do. Creating an effective safety and health program can not only help employers reduce job-related injuries and illnesses, but also help reduce workers' compensation costs and improve employee morale.
The experienced HR professionals at Management 2000, a Professional Employer Organization, provide the human resources help employers need to implement appropriate safety and health programs. Management 2000 can also manage Indiana Worker’s Compensation programs, as well as Worker’s Compensation programs in other states. For more information, call Management 2000 at (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.

A fundamental principle in human resources administration is “if you don’t write it down, it didn’t happen.” Documentation is critical, in terms of evaluating employee performance as well as defending against allegations of unfair or discriminatory treatment. It may take a few minutes to document an event, but it is time well spent if problems arise in the future.
Management 2000, an Indiana PEO, understands the importance of proper documentation. The HR professionals at Management 2000 work with their client companies to ensure that documentation is timely and accurate. For more information on the HR management services provided by Management 2000, call (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, “outside sales” employees are exempt from the overtime provisions in the Act. It would seem reasonable to assume, therefore, that pharmaceutical sales representatives who call on physicians would fall into this exempt category. The United States Department of Labor, however, disagrees. The Department recently submitted a brief in a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals case arguing that the job of the pharmaceutical sales representatives in that case was to persuade physicians to prescribe the company's products, but they did not "make sales" as required by the Act’s exemption for outside sales employees.
Management 2000, a Professional Employer Organization in Indiana, constantly monitors federal and state laws and regulations as well as other media related to human resources administration. With this information, the HR professionals in Management 2000’s HR Department can provide guidance and support regarding payroll policies as well as other human resource issues. For more information about the many human resource management services provided by Management 2000, call (317-549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.
Regular attendance at work is an essential function of most jobs. However, there are many legitimate reasons why employees cannot be at work every day. In order to help control absenteeism, employers should have a policy that addresses issues associated with attendance. These issues include tardiness, sickness, personal business, family and medical leave, and disability. Developing such policies, however, can be a time-consuming task for employers.
More and more, small and mid-size businesses are relying on Professional Employer Organizations for human resources administration. Management 2000, a PEO with offices in Indianapolis, provides the HR support these companies need. Management 2000’s HR professionals have extensive experience developing effective attendance policies as well as other HR policies and procedures. This is just one of the many ways Management 2000 can help take the administrative burden of personnel matters off employers.
For more information, contact Management 2000 at (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.
Hiring incentives, health care reform, rising unemployment costs and new protections for employees . . .these are but a few of the current human resources issues employers must address. Many employers, especially those with smaller operations, often do not have the time or resources to effectively deal with these issues. This can result in missed opportunities or monetary penalties.
Management 2000, a Professional Employer Organization in Indiana, constantly monitors federal and state laws and regulations as well as other media related to human resources administration. With this information, the HR professionals at Management 2000 provide the human resources help employers need to develop effective HR strategies. Contact Management 2000 at (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com for more information.
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 mean I can disregard the September 23, 2010 changes?
To answer the first question Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) applies to 'group health plans'. But that does not mean 'every' group health plan. PPACA applies to:
Major Medical plans, Mini-Med plans, Executive Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans, Government Medical Plans, and some Health Flexible Spending Arrangements.
Changes that become effective September 23, 2010 are as follows:
- Coverage of older children (Grandfathered plans prior to 2014 do not have to offer coverage to older children if child is eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored plan).
- New Appeals Process / External Review (does not apply to Grandfathered plans).
- Any Available Primary Care Provider / Pediatrician (does not apply to Grandfathered plans).
- Coverage of Emergency Services (does not apply to Grandfathered plans).
- Access to Ob/GYN Care (does not apply to Grandfathered plans).
- Limits on Pre-existing Conditions Exclusions (under age 19).
- No Lifetime Limits on Essential Health Benefits.
- Restricted Annual Limits on Essential Health Benefits.
- No Rescission.
- Preventive Health Coverage (does not apply to Grandfathered plans).
For a more in-depth understanding of these coverages and changes, consult with a Employee Benefit Advisor. Management2000 is a PEO Indianapolis based that offers Strategic Human Resources which includes Employee Benefits Administration. We would welcome the opportunity to provide our expertise.
When an employee leaves a company and owes the employer (i.e for uniforms, borrowed vacation or sick time, etc.), what’s an employer to do? Unfortunately, many employers believe they can simply withhold the amount owed from the employee’s final paycheck. In most states, however, that type of withholding can be illegal.
The good new is that the HR professionals at Management 2000, a Professional Employer Organization, can help employers find ways to legally recover money owed them by departing employees. This is but one of the many human resource management services provided by the Human Resource Department at Management 2000. For more information call (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.
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 employers want to know what changes will cause them to lose "Grandfathered" Status. As outlined in a previous blog, any change in insurance carriers or significant increases to existing plans will compromise your status.
Here are a couple of key elements for any plan that existed March 23, 2010. You will want to make note of the following dis-qualifiers:
- Co-payments. A greater increase of $5 or an increase higher than medical inflation plus 15 percentage points.
- Deductibles. An increase above medical inflation plus 15 percentage points.
- Co-insurance. Any increase in the rate after March 23, 2010.
- Out-of-Pocket Limit. An increase above medical inflation plus 15 percentage points.
- Annual Limit. Any decreases in annual limit that was in place on March 23, 2010 or adoption of one that did not exist at that time. Exception is if lifetime limits may be replaced with a annual one.
- Employer Contributions. A decrease of more than 5 percentage points below the existing employer rate.
For an in-depth list see the interim final rule on grandfathered plans. To ensure that you maintain compliance with existing and future regulations, consider employing the services of a Small Business PEO. Management 2000 provides Human Resources Outsourcing Service and Employee Benefits Administration. We will welcome the opportunity to manage your employee benefits, so you can run a business.
Most employers have numerous policies and rules of conduct for their employees. However, many either enforce them inconsistently or not at
all. This can become a problem when an employer decides a particular employee is not performing up to expectations or demonstrates inappropriate conduct. If this employee has not been disciplined for prior infractions, or the employer has let other employees “slide” for similar infractions, any adverse action by the employer could result in litigation.
Management 2000, an Indiana PEO, provides the human resources help employers need to develop and enforce appropriate HR policies and procedures. In addition, the HR professionals at Management 2000 provide ongoing HR support, including supervisor training, so employers maintain the control over their workforce to ensure smooth, efficient operation. For more information on the HR management services provided by Management 2000, call (317) 549-2000 or visit www.management2000.com.
On-line social media, such as social networking websites and blogs, can be highly effective business tools for sharing ideas and exchanging information. However, they can present challenges for employers trying to balance the
responsibility to monitor and respond to employee misuse of social media with employee privacy rights. To address these issues, employers should develop and implement specific polices to set guidelines for employee use of on-line social media.
Helping employers develop effective HR practices is but one of the many services provided by Management 2000, a Professional Employer Organization. The HR Professionals at Management 2000’s offices in Indianapolis, Indiana provide HR support to employers regarding a variety of HR issues, including discipline and discharge, compliance, recruiting and retention, and training. Contact Management 2000 at (317) 549-2000 or at www.management2000.com for more information.
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 the encouraging side, there are three areas expected to deflat or hold medical costs:
- Pre-managed care design that increases deductibles and replacing co-pays with co-insurnance.
- Drugs costs cooled by expansion of generic drug portfolio. High volume drugs such as Lipitor patents expire in 2011.
- COBRA costs expected to level off. (side note: Congress has introduced an extension of the subsidy, legislation (S. 3548), that would reinstate through 11/30/2010).
The primary drivers for the inflating costs will be:
- Hospitals and Physicians move costs from Medicare to private payers/employers. This will be the top reason for higher costs.
- Care-provider consolidation. Private practices will decrease while groups emerge.
- 2011 Stimulus funds will launch electronic hospital records implementations to avoid 2015 Medicare penalties. This will be a billion dollar invest in to technology.
Although the primary drivers are out of employers control, your ability to maximize on the deflators is not. If you are a small to medium size employer contact Management 2000, a PEO Indianapolis. Let our team of Employee Benefit Advisors and Human Resource Consultants put in place a benefits plan administration that will ensure your success and control costs.
PricewaterhouseCoopers' report is available at www.pwc.com/us/medicalcosts2011.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently proposed a number of regulatory revisions. OSHA’s goal in requesting these revisions is to remove or revise requirements that are confusing, outdated, duplicative, or inconsistent. These proposed changes include a number of revisions to its "general industry" standards, which apply to most businesses.
Management 2000, a Professional Employer Organization with offices in Indianapolis, Indiana constantly monitors federal and state laws and regulations related to human resources administration. With this information, the Safety and HR professionals at Management 2000 provide the human resources help employers need for compliance. Whether the issue involves OSHA compliance, safety audits, or general HR administration, employers can count on Management 2000 for accurate, timely advice. Contact Management 2000 at (317) 549-2000 or at www.management2000.com for more information.
Regular attendance at work is an essential function of most jobs. However, there are many legitimate reasons why employees cannot be at work every day. In order to help control absenteeism, employers should have a policy that addresses issues associated with attendance. These issues include tardiness, sickness, personal business, family and medical leave, and disability. Developing such policies, however, can be a time-consuming task for employers.
More and more, small and mid-size businesses are relying on Professional Employer Organizations for human resources administration. Management 2000, a PEO with offices in Indianapolis, provides the HR support these companies need. Management 2000’s HR professionals have extensive experience developing effective attendance policies as well as other HR policies and procedures. This is just one of the many ways Management 2000 can help take the administrative burden of personnel matters off employers.
For more information about the services Management 2000 provides, call (317) 549-2000, or visit the website, www.management2000.com.