In IR-2011-085, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that interest rates for the fourth quarter of 2011 would decrease from the third quarter. The rates are as follows: Three (3) percent for overpayments [two (2) percent in the case of a corporation]; Three...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
Tip of the Week: Restaurants Should Obtain a Signed Tip Credit Notice from All Tipped Employees
On April 5, 2011, the US Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule that affects employers who have tipped employees. The rule amended a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulation. All employers are required to provide certain required information to all tipped...
Tip of the Week: Five Top Tips for Benefit Plan Communications
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is a federal law establishing minimum standards for employee health benefit and retirement plans. While an employer is not required to establish a plan, ERISA does require those who establish and administer plans to...
Tip of the Week: FUTA Tax to Decrease This Friday
Most employers nationwide will receive an employment tax reduction July 1, 2011 when the temporary FUTA surtax expires. The temporary surtax was enacted in 1976. The standard FUTA tax rate will decrease from 6.2% to 6.0%. Standard Credit Rate is 5.4% for 2011...
Tip of the Week: Notice 2011-28 Limits Which Employers Must Report Health Insurance
As previously reported, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Notice 2011-28, Interim Guidance on Informational Reporting to Employees of the Cost of Their Group Health Insurance Coverage. Notice 2011-28 Applies To Large Employers Notice 2011-28 exempts...
Tip of the Week: Ensure That OSHA Form 300A Is Properly Posted
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers post Form 300A, Summary of Work Related Injuries and Illnesses be posted by all establishments covered by Part 1904. This summary page must be posted from February 1 to April 30 of the...
Tip of the Week: Is Cat’s Paw Liability Scratching at Your Door?
A few employers may be familiar with a recent US Supreme Court ruling on March 1, 2011, regarding the case of Staub v. Proctor Hospital, No. 09-400, and how “cat’s paw” liability played a part. Cat’s paw liability involves an employer being held liable for unlawful...
Tip of the Week: Guidance on Form W-2 Reporting for Health Coverage Issued
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released Notice 2011-28, Interim Guidance on Informational Reporting to Employees of the Cost of Their Group Health Insurance Coverage. Notice 2011-28 Does not Cause Excludable Employer-Provided Health Care Coverage to...
Tip of the Week: How Social Media Can Change Your Company’s Leadership
With social media’s expanding influence, many companies have been quickly shifting to more open methods of managing the business and their employees to share ideas and get things done. Social Media Technologies that Can Change the Nature of Business Relationships The...
Tip of the Week: Taking Control of Workplace Violence
According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), homicide is the fourth-leading cause of fatal occupational injury in the United States. Workplace violence such as intimidation, verbal threats, physical attacks, and property damage includes,...
Tip of the Week: Massachusetts Announces New Interest Rates
In Technical Information Release 11-2, the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) announced higher interest rates on overpayments and underpayments of tax. Interest Rates Had Decreased for First Quarter For all of 2010, interest rates on overpayments had been 3%,...
Tip of the Week: Worker Misclassifications and How to Avoid Them
Substantial enforcement developments from government agencies focusing on worker classification compliance are putting employers on notice. Learn about the issues affecting businesses nationwide and the key steps to take immediately. Five Questions About Worker...
Tip of the Week: Second Quarter Interest Rates Increase
In IR-2011-017, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that interest rates for the second quarter of 2011 would increase from the first quarter. The rates are as follows: Four (4) percent for overpayments [three (3) percent in the case of a corporation]; Four...
Tip of the Week: Multi-Factor Authentication Starts February 17, 2011
Effective February 17, 2011, Vision Payroll will partner with RSA, the Security Division of EMC, to bring multi-factor authentication to its Online Employer portal. Authenticated Device Will Be Required to Sign-on In addition to a username and password, users will now...
Tip of the Week: IRS Releases 2011 Spanish Language W-4
The 2011 Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate was released last month. The Spanish equivalent, 2011 Formulario W-4(SP), Certificado de Exención de la Retención del Empleado, is now available. February 16, 2011 Is Filing Deadline Employees claiming...
Tip of the Week: Time to Conduct Your Contractor Classification Check-ups
Employers may unknowingly trigger risks of labor violation penalties and fines by improperly classifying individuals as independent contractors. By doing so, employers may also be denying workers certain employee benefits (e.g., overtime and the federal Family Medical...
Tip of the Week: IRS Releases 2011 Publication 15-A
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released an updated version of Publication 15-A, Employer’s Supplemental Tax Guide (Supplement to Publication 15 (Circular E), Employer’s Tax Guide) for use in 2011. Publication 15-A contains information on the following areas:...
Tip of the Week: Best HR Practices for 2011
Employers, especially small and mid-sized companies, need to stay in compliance to flourish in the New Year. By knowing the business-critical HR practices that can help, employers can take the big first step toward staying in compliance. Five Hot Areas Employers Must...
Tip of the Week: Top 5 Employee Handbook Policies to Reface
Every business should consider providing or updating their company employee handbooks to reflect current trends that are highly relevant in today’s workplace. The perception that employee handbooks are bland stacks of standard policies lead some employers to become...
Tip of the Week: IRS Releases 2011 Form W-4
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the 2011 Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate. Form W-4 is used by employers to calculate the amount of federal tax to be withheld from an employee’s paycheck. Employees Claiming Exempt Status Must File...
Tip of the Week: Strategically Connecting Your Talent Needs To Your Business Goals
Over the past years, numerous economic changes have reshaped the business landscape. In turn, companies must look more closely at their current talent, their needed talent, and how to motivate the right talent towards satisfying their business goals. Three Questions...
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