According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending August 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 395,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 402,000. The 4-week moving average was 405,000, a decrease of...
Tip of the Week: The Anti-Harassment Policy Checklist
Every business should understand the implications of workplace harassment. Businesses should also understand the proper response if harassment occurs. Establishing and effectively communicating clear guidelines will help enable a safer work environment for all...
US Department of Labor Provides Funding to Assist Workers in Somerset, Pennsylvania
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced a $670,000 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to approximately 145 former workers of FTCA, Inc. (FTCA) who were affected by layoffs at the company’s plant in Somerset, PA. FTCA closed the...
New Hampshire Unemployment Wage Base to Increase for 2012
The New Hampshire Department of Employment Security has announced an increase in the taxable wage base for 2012. The wage base will increase from $12,000 for 2011 to $14,000 for 2012. Third Consecutive Year the Wage Base Has Increased This is the third consecutive...
Michigan Offers Rebate for Expected Credit Reduction
According to the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) of the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in Fact Sheet 139, the FUTA tax credit reduction rate will increase from 0.6% in 2010 to 0.9% in 2011. Since the determination will not be made...
Question of the Week: How Does the Connecticut Tax Law Change Affect My Withholding?
This week’s question comes from Sean, a company president. Connecticut has passed an income tax increase retroactive to January 1, 2011. How does the Connecticut tax law change affect my withholding? Answer: The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services has issued...
Unemployment Rate Fell to 9.1 Percent in July
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 117,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 9.1%, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in health care, retail trade, manufacturing, and mining. Government employment...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for July 30, 2011
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending July 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 400,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 401,000. The 4-week moving average was 407,750, a decrease of...
Tip of the Week: The US Department of Labor’s Free Smartphone App for Your Employees
On May 9, 2011, the US Department of Labor (DOL) announced the launch of its first smartphone application, the “DOL-Timesheet” designed specifically for employees. In a DOL news release that same day, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis stated that by leveraging...
New York Issues Guidance on Withholding from Same-Sex Married Employees
Due to the recent enactment in New York of the Marriage Equality Act, The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has updated information for same-sex married employees and their employers. Employers Should Not Withhold on Certain Benefits New York employers...
Vermont Wage Base to Increase for 2012
Pursuant to legislation passed in 2010, the taxable wage base in Vermont will increase for 2012. The wage base will increase from $13,000 for 2011 to $16,000 for 2012. Third Consecutive Annual Increase This is the third consecutive year that the wage base will...
Eliminate Buddy Punching by Adding Biometrics To Your Time Clock
How would you like to save 5% per year on your employee labor costs by doing one simple thing? The American Payroll Association estimates that “buddy punching” accounts for up to 5% of gross payroll costs each year. For a company with a yearly labor cost of $300,000,...
North Carolina Reforms Unemployment Insurance Law
The state of North Carolina legislature, over the veto of Governor Beverly Perdue, enacted Senate Bill (SB) 532, “An Act to Reform the Employment Security Laws of North Carolina by Creating the Division of Employment Security Within the Department of Commerce,...
Question of the Week: What Is a Qualifying Person for a Dependent Care FSA Reimbursement?
This week’s question comes from Eileen, an office manager. I read that one of the tests for an expense to qualify for reimbursement by a dependent care flexible spending arrangement (FSA) is that the care must be for one or more qualifying persons. What is a...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for July 23, 2011
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending July 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 398,000, a decrease of 24,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 422,000. The 4-week moving average was 413,750, a decrease of...
Tip of the Week: How to Protect Against Wage and Hour Retaliation Claims
Employers must ensure that any adverse employment actions are completely unrelated to claims an employee might make in terms of wage and hour issues. Learn about steps to avoid disastrous wage and hour class actions. Six Steps You Can Take Today to Minimize Your...
IRS Announces Intention to Discontinue High-Low Substantiation Method
In Announcement 2011-42, Discontinuance of High-Low Method for Substantiating Travel Expenses, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced its intention to discontinue authorizing the high-low substantiation method. No Comments Received on Proposed Change In Rev....
US Department of Labor Provides Funding to Assist Workers in Spearfish, South Dakota
The US Department of Labor today announced a $379,500 National Emergency Grant to provide training and employment services to about 200 workers affected by the closure of the Premier Bankcard call center in Spearfish, SD. The company announced in May that it would be...
New Jersey Unemployment Wage Base to Increase To $30,300
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has announced the wage base for New Jersey unemployment insurance, temporary disability insurance, and family leave insurance will increase from $29,600 for 2011 to $30,300 for 2012. 2012 Rate Year Rates...
US Department of Labor Provides Funding to Assist Workers in Rochester, New Hampshire
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced a $248,878 National Emergency Grant to provide training and re-employment services for about 60 workers affected by layoffs at Thompson/Center Arms in Rochester, NH, which began in January and will continue through...
Question of the Week: What Are the Tests for Reimbursement of Expenses by a Dependent Care FSA?
This week’s question comes from Brent, an HR Director. I read about employees being reimbursed through a dependent care flexible spending arrangement (FSA) for summer camp costs and need more information. What are the tests for reimbursement of expenses by a dependent...
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report Update for July 16, 2011
According to the US Department of Labor, in the week ending July 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 418,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 408,000. The 4-week moving average was 421,250, a decrease of...
Tip of the Week: Twelve FAQs About the New York Interest Assessment Surcharge
As previously announced, New York has assessed most employers an Interest Assessment Surcharge (IAS). The New York Department of Labor has posted the following twelve FAQs about the IAS. 1. Why is the IAS being assessed? Due to the high rate of unemployment, New York,...
New York Assesses Interest Assessment Surcharge for 2011
The state of New York has announced the assessment of an Interest Assessment Surcharge (IAS) for 2011. The surcharge will be used to pay approximately $95 million in interest on loans to the federal government by September 30, 2011. New York Must Pay Interest on More...
Rhode Island Changes 2012 Unemployment Taxable Wage Base Calculation
As part of the recently enacted fiscal-year 2012 state budget (article 4), Rhode Island changed the way in which the unemployment taxable wage base is calculated in §28-43-7 of the General Laws in C. 28-43. 2012 Will Be the First Year the New Formula Is Used Beginning...
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