Early in my career when I was working in corporate America, I did a favor for a friend in the insurance business and set-up an opportunity for him to meet with the key decision-makers in my company. After the meeting, he followed up with a thank you letter which wound up on my next with [...]
Continue Reading: New App Helps Small Business Owners Perfect Their Writing →Are you sure which of your employees are entitled to overtime compensation? It only takes one disgruntled worker to launch a lawsuit or government audit. With so many staff reductions and layoffs these days, there is an explosion of alleged overtime suits taking place as well as claims of wrongful termination. Plaintiffs’ attorneys are adding claims [...]
Continue Reading: Overtime Violations May Cost You More Than Time and a Half →The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported small businesses are beginning to add jobs — employment grew by 0.14 workers per firm last month, a bit slower than the pace in March but still the fifth straight month of gains. Are you thinking it’s time to add to your team? Making the decision to [...]
Continue Reading: Thinking About Hiring? New Resources Help Small Businesses Make Smart Choices →Do you provide mobile devices to your employees? Most workers today are connected to their jobs 24/7 — blurring the line between work hours and personal time. In many respects, it’s hard to get away from the job. But how much time does the average worker spend checking emails or taking work-related calls after hours? Some employees feel it’s significant and they’re striking back.
Continue Reading: Checking Messages After Hours May Warrant Overtime for Your Employees →The increased use of social media platforms may be affecting your company’s morale. A recent study from AVG Technologies finds the mis-use of social media infiltrating the workplace with negative effects. Over half of those employees surveyed believe their company is responsible for online behavior of co-workers, but 25 percent say they aren’t protected from cyber-bullying within existing company policies.
Continue Reading: Employers Beware of Cyber-Bullies in the Workplace →One of the biggest assets a business can have is talented, loyal employees who understand the importance of customer service. I beam with pride when someone compliments one of my team members. It confirms what I already know: I’m fortunate to have the best and the brightest working with me.
As business owners, we place trust in our employees that they will represent the company well in all public interactions. But have you ever thought about what could happen when a customer overhears your employees talking to each other. Do you know what they are saying? Your customers do and they are listening.
A recent ruling by the National Labor Relations Board may have significant consequences for businesses of all sizes. In a ground-breaking case, the NLRB accused a company of illegally firing an employee for comments she made about her supervisor on Facebook. The Board considered her criticisms of the company and her bosses as being “protected activity” under the National Labor Relations Act. The Act provides for a number of protections, among them it gives workers a federally protected right to form unions, and it also prohibits employers from punishing workers — whether union or nonunion — for discussing working conditions or unionization.
Continue Reading: National Labor Relations Board’s New Ruling May Affect Your Small Biz →During this cold and flu season, everyone is focused on ways to keep their teams healthy. According to new research from Gallup, employee engagement may be the best medicine. The study found employees who are engaged lead healthier lifestyles — exercising more and eating healthier.
Continue Reading: Engaged Employees are Healthier →If you have employees and/or you worked with independent contractors last year, you have until January 31, 2013 to issue W-2 and 1099 forms. That’s a deadline you don’t want to miss. The IRS closely monitors W-2 and 1099 returns to ensure accuracy and compliance, and the agency is strictly enforcing penalties for those who don’t comply. A little procrastination could hit your bank account hard. Should you fail to file or file inaccurate information, the penalties are more severe. For small businesses — companies with gross revenues of under $5 million the past three years — the maximum failure-to-file penalty is $500,000. You can find additional information and assistance via the IRS website.
Continue Reading: Don’t Miss Upcoming W-2 and 1099 Deadlines →
Click here for a free 60-Day Trial!
The Social Media Dilemma: Managing the Business Benefits vs. Personal Risks
By now, if you don’t understand the huge impact social media is having on our society today, then you must be living under a rock. For millions of Americans, social media is a prevalent part of their personal and professional lives. And many small businesses are learning to expertly leverage social media as an effective [...]
Continue Reading: The Social Media Dilemma: Managing the Business Benefits vs. Personal Risks →