Unsung Employee Heroes by Kim Keene In every team, there’s often an unsung hero, a mentor, a leader without the title, often referred to as the “unofficial” leader, the first whip, or the senior person. While formal leadership positions are crucial, it’s the individuals who naturally assume leadership roles that play a pivotal role in

Black History Month -DEI Initiatives: How will you build an inclusive culture and embrace a diverse team? By Andrea Feinberg DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It’s a framework aimed at promoting a work environment where differences are valued, everyone has equitable opportunities, and all individuals feel included and respected. More than that,

Navigating Workplace Expectations in 2024 by Kim Keene As we step into 2024, the workplace continues to evolve, shaped by technological advancements, societal changes, and the lessons learned from recent global challenges. Navigating this dynamic landscape requires a nuanced understanding of emerging workplace expectations. Here are key aspects to consider in meeting and managing expectations

January 31st – Annual Required Reporting ~ W2’s due to employees & 1099’s to Contractors By Andrea Feinberg Contractor vs. Employee: Choosing the Right Workforce W-2 forms need to be given to your employees and 1099s to your contractors by the end of January. This might be a great time to consider all the ways

Lawsuit and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by Kim Keene The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released its 2023 employment discrimination lawsuit filings, and there is more than a 50% increase over 2022. The EEOC’s goal is to advance workplace opportunity by enforcing federal employment discrimination laws. Many changes have taken place at the agency

December 10th – World Human Rights Day By Andrea Feinberg World Human Rights Day was observed on December 10th. Although we like the idea of practicing it daily, this date commemorates the United Nations General Assembly having adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This document proclaims the inalienable rights to which everyone

Planning for the New Overtime Rule… by Kim Keene HR pros should know whether they will reclassify workers or raise wages should DOL finalize its proposal. The Department of Labor which oversees the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is proposing a pretty large increase to the FLSA’s overtime threshold. The change was proposed in August,

November 25th – Small Business Saturday; Shop Local By Andrea Feinberg We know you’ve already figured out how to take advantage of Small Business Saturday, this year on November 25th. It’s an excellent opportunity for small business owners to boost sales, engage with your community, and foster a sense of unity within your team. Here

Understanding Generational Differences by Kim Keene Generational diversity refers to the differences in experiences, values, communication styles, and work preferences among various age groups. By understanding these differences, we can foster a culture of collaboration and appreciation within our organization. Key Generations in the Workplace Traditionalists (born before 1946): Values loyalty, hard work, and

Human Resources and Documentation by Kim Keene Thorough documentation ensures consistency, efficiency and standardization when managing employee performances. Keeping records of job descriptions, feedback and results may help managers guide and coach employees. It might also inform decisions about promotions and personnel changes. It can also benefit employees who want to learn more about their

National Working Parents Day By Andrea Feinberg During September we acknowledge “National Working Parents Day”. And, while you may have a number of employees whose role as parents show up in a variety of ways daily, this annual awareness can be a thoughtful gesture to show appreciation and support for those team members with children […]

The Rise of “Employer Hostage” Situations: Understanding the Balance of Power by Kim Keene The balance of power between employers and employees has always been a dynamic and delicate dance. Historically, employers often held the upper hand, with vast pools of candidates ready and willing to step into roles as needed. However, in recent times,

National Book Lovers Day By Andrea Feinberg During August we celebrate National Book Lovers Day, a wonderful celebration of fiction, speculation, fantasy, history, romance, science, art, philosophy and all that comes from anyone’s brain and the experiences they’ve stored there. Using this holiday for your small business success and that of your employees can be

Too Hot to Work? What are Employer’s Obligations? by Kim Keene Do you have outdoor workers, or indoor workers that are in an area subject to heat? If so, are you aware of the heat index? There are no specific standards from OSHA concerning working in hot environments, but employers do have a duty to

By Andrea Feinberg World Emoji Day is an annual event celebrated on July 17th. It was created by “Emojipedia” to promote and celebrate the use of emojis. The date was chosen because it is the default date displayed on the calendar emoji on most platforms. How consistent! Emojis have become an integral part of digital

Tax Implications to Consider When Starting a New Business by Rhonda Anderson What type of business am I starting? Types of Business: Sole Proprietorship – Only Owner File Form 1040 – Schedule C Self-employment tax paid on net profit Partnership – Two or more partners File Form 1065 Profit or loss is passed through to

Salary Caps: How To Retain An Employee That’s Reached The Top of The Pay Scale by Christina Carmona Employees who are earning the maximum compensation for their pay range are often highly valued top performers and retaining them in today’s competitive market is challenging but critical. Start by ensuring that the employee understands the big

Keeping Connected With All Of Your Employees by Christine Muller Are you struggling to keep connected to employees? Are you wondering what they are working on and how productive they are being? Are you trying to keep connected to those distant or remote workers? Think of ways in which to regularly connect (daily, weekly, bi-weekly,

By Andrea Feinberg June 25th is ‘take your dog to work day’, an annual event that might cause fear in the owner’s heart and brain. Seems counter-productive, no? Certainly, at first glance, it seems disruptive. Let’s see how we can connect this fun holiday to improved workplace behaviors or norms. Allowing employees to bring their

Encourage Employee Wellbeing: Promote Taking Time Off for a Healthier Work-Life Balance by Kim Keene Research shows that many employees are thinking about skipping or at least shortening their vacation plans this year out of fear of being laid off or falling behind in their work. Others simply want to conserve their cash, given the