Are you
familiar with E-Verify?
E-Verify is an internet-based system that is available in all 50 states and it compares information entered by an employer from an employee’s Form I-9, to records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm employment eligibility in the United States.
Do you know the financial penalties associated with incomplete I-9 Forms? Read More
Are you moving with the #MeToo Movement? Read More
It’s almost spring break time in Iowa, thank heavens! Which means longer days, warmer weather (hopefully) and students starting to look for jobs in anticipation of the spring/summer months. Read More
Workplace sexual harassment was a serious issue long before the recent national dialogue, but the spotlight on the issue has caused many organizations to take a fresh look at their anti-harassment training, policies and practices. Read More
Your employee handbook is an important asset for your company, providing new and even longtime staff members with the details on your corporate policies, office rules and company culture. Because this is an item that will be seen and utilized by everyone in the organization, it’s important to revisit and update your handbook on a regular basis. An outdated handbook can be a liability. The first of the year is a perfect time to revisit and revise.
The end of the year is a time for celebration and festivities. But it can also be a time when questions arise in the workplace about the appropriateness of gifts from vendors and clients. This is a good opportunity for managers to review gift policies with all employees.
Performance reviews encompass more than an individual employee’s career path. Read More
Benefit Open Enrollment meetings happen once a year and many employers go through this process bracing themselves for (what can be) dreadful news. Usually the message is, “your health premiums are going up”! Do you customize your benefits to fit the needs of your staff? Take the time to find out what your employees really want!
The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires employers to grant up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year to individuals recovering from a medical condition, caring for sick family members, or following the birth or adoption of a child under the age of 18. This act covers private sector companies with 50 or more employees. Although this law seems to be so confusing, many answers are found within the FMLA regulations found at www.dol/fmla.
You can do this as long as you are paying them overtime for those hours worked over 40. Calculating overtime in these situations can be tricky, therefore, I encourage you to contact your HR Consultant for guidance. Read More
With the changing of seasons comes changes in the workplace along with changes in dress code. This is the time of year when employees typically stretch the dress code policies to try new styles and wardrobe trends. Consistent and uniform enforcement not only reduces potential liability exposure, but also prevents the slow deterioration of your dress code policy in the workplace.
The Iowa’s statute regulating drug and alcohol testing for private sector employers has changed. For employers who conduct alcohol and/or drug testing… this impacts you! Please read on.
Personnel files should be treated as private company records belonging to you and your individual employees. You don’t want to allow just anyone in the company to rummage through the performance evaluations, salaries, and job applications of coworkers. Keep employee files in a locked cabinet. Make them available only to those people in your company who have a legitimate business need to access the files.