Can I Use a Non-Compete Ban In My Workplace?
Do you know how to handle non-competes in your workplace?
Tag Archive for: Hr How-To
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What Is the Difference Between FSAs and HSAs
FSAs and HSAs are designed to help individuals and families save money for medical expenses. Here are 5 key differences between FSAs & HSAs.
Succession Planning: How Can We Prepare for Exits of Key Employees?
The exit of a key employee can certainly result in turbulence within a business. Lack of preparation in filling such an important role can fuel skepticism about the future of the company among both internal employees and external stakeholders. Organizations can help temper such concerns and instability through succession planning.
Do I Have to Provide Employees Time Off to Vote?
Voting is a basic right in the United States, but do employers have to provide time off to allow employees to exercise that right? As with many answers in human resources, “It depends.”
What Role Should HR Play in Benefits Open Enrollment to Ensure Success?
There's no doubt that employee benefits brokers play a vital role in any benefits enrollment process. They know what benefits programs are available, which vendors can provide them, and how benefits are priced.
How To Follow ACA Reporting Requirements & Avoid Penalties
Many organizations struggle to understand if they are following the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting standards correctly while others are not aware that they need to report in the first place. If you aren’t in compliance with ACA reporting requirements, each employee represents a potential fine. These fines can range from hundreds to millions of dollars—easy enough to bankrupt a smaller organization.
What is HR’s Role in the Mergers & Acquisitions Process?
Mergers & Acquisitions are a complicated process affecting every facet of an organization – most importantly, its people. Because employees are the key to ensuring the success of any organization, it is critical to develop a thoughtful and strategic human resources-focused approach in the process. This requires HR leaders to be involved from the beginning.
Helping Employees Work Together – Conflict Management
With the help of a few good tactics and a great HR partner, it is possible to address conflict in work relationships and help employees find functional strategies for moving forward and working well together.
What To Do In An Active Shooter Incident
Active shooter incidents are an unfortunate reality facing us all. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and can evolve quickly. It is important to provide your employees with the information needed to help prevent and prepare for the unthinkable.
Civility in the Workplace
How can your organization define and reinforce workplace civility standards—distinct from harassment and discrimination—to proactively prevent toxic behavior and improve employee retention?
How Can I Manage Candidate Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Recruiting Process?
HR Question: As we work to use AI responsibly in our talent acquisition process, can you offer suggestions on how to manage candidate use of AI in the recruiting process?
What Are Some Resources and Strategies to Recruit Veterans?
HR Question: In trying to expand our recruiting efforts, we are interested in reaching out to veterans as possible applicants. Can you recommend resources and strategies to recruit veterans?
The Top Seven Handbook Policies to Include This Year
We recommend reviewing your handbook at least once a year to ensure that your policies are up-to-date, inclusive, and reflective of the environment in which your organization operates. Here are some policies to consider adding to your handbook this year.
What Questions Should I Ask During An Exit Interview?
HR Question: We’ve decided to start conducting exit interviews but aren’t sure of the right questions to ask. What are some key questions to ask during an exit interview?
How To Set Up An Employee Bonus Plan
HR Question: I am having trouble motivating my employees to do more than just the fundamental functions of their job. Could an employee bonus plan help? And if so, how do I set this up?
How Do I Write and Deliver a Written Warning?
HR Question: I have an employee who is not following company policy. I have given them several verbal warnings, and I know my next step is a written warning. How do I write and deliver a written warning?
How Can I Improve My Recruitment Processes?
HR Question: We’re in desperate need of the right talent, but I can’t seem to attract or engage the number of candidates I need! How can I improve my recruitment processes to attract more candidates?
Specific Ways HR Can Cultivate an Inclusive Workplace
Learn about specific ways you can cultivate an inclusive workplace.
How Long Should We Keep Resumes and Applications?
We’re doing some end-of-year filing and record cleanup. How long do we need to keep resumes and applications?
What Should I Include in the First 90-Day Introductory Period?
HR Question: Many of our new hires seem to be leaving within the first few months of employment. We need to tackle this head-on! What are the best practices for ensuring new hire success?
What is the Cost of a Bad Hire?
The data surrounding the cost of a “bad hire” range from 30% to upwards of three to four times the employee’s annual salary. Whatever the actual dollar amount, hiring the wrong person for the job can lead to substantial losses for an organization. The true cost of a bad hire will depend upon the position, your industry, and frankly your culture.
Hiring Tips: How to Prevent a Bad Hire
HR Question: I know the cost of a bad hiring decision can be very expensive. What can I do to prevent a bad hire and make sure I select the best candidate into my organization?
How Do I Manage a Disrespectful Employee?
HR Question: I have a member on my team who consistently exhibits disrespectful behavior toward me. They interrupt me in meetings, gossip about me, and do not follow my directives. How do I effectively manage a disrespectful employee?
How Can I Support Employee Well-Being Beyond the EAP?
While many organizations have implemented an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as an important way to support their employees' mental health, that is only one component of well-being. There are many ways HR can play a direct role in supporting employees' overall well-being. In this article, we'll discuss what well-being is, how it impacts individuals and organizations, and offer specific examples of how you can support employee well-being in your organization.
How Do I Handle Missing or Incorrect I-9 Forms?
HR Question: My company recently began reviewing our I-9s and found that we have some missing or incorrect I-9 Forms. Can we ask the affected employees to fill out another I-9 if it is missing? If so, how do we do it correctly? And if it was incomplete, can we update it on the old form?
How Can HR Play a Strategic Role in My Organization?
The days of transactional human resources departments are dwindling as the function must move to play a strategic role within the organization it serves. Involvement in strategic planning conversations leads to transformational change that is felt by all staff to meet companywide goals. In order to make sure these discussions are made with staff front of mind and driven by human capital data, human resources must be part of these conversations and included in the decision-making process.
What Employers Need To Know About Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA)
On February 21, 2025, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4002 into law, amending the state's Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA). These changes have significant implications for employers operating within Michigan as they include revisions to accrual rates, carryover rules, and compliance deadlines.
How Can I Use Salary Benchmarking As a Recruitment Strategy?
HR Question: Like many companies, we're struggling with recruiting right now. I've been tasked with doing salary benchmarking to see if compensation is part of the problem, but I'm not sure how to go about doing it. Can you advise me on how to tackle the benchmarking process?
How to Manage Creditable Coverage Reporting and Notices
HR Question: I am getting ready to report “creditability” of my prescription plans in March of this year, but I just sent a notice in October. Are these the same notices? And if so, why do I need to send them out twice?
Barriers To Effective Training and Development
There are a number of factors that may cause a training session to be a triumph or a “try again next time.” Rather than becoming overwhelmed by all of the variables that create successful training, we'll break it down simply to identify the barriers to avoid during the planning stage, the delivery, and the follow-up of a training session.
How to Simplify Your Work Life
HR Question: I often feel in a state of overwhelm at work. It's frustrating to not be as effective and productive as I'd like to be. Can you recommend a good approach to simplify my work life?
How Can I Get My Team More Engaged in Training?
HR Question: Retaining our top talent has become a huge concern at our organization. In a recent survey, our employees said they don’t feel like they have opportunities for training. We’ve offered training but get pushback from employees who don’t want to go. There’s clearly a disconnect between what our employees want and what we’re offering. How can I get my team more engaged in training?
Three Ways Employers Can Promote Work-Life Balance
It has become more important than ever that employers listen to and understand the motivations of their employees in order to best attract and retain them. Many employees have made changes that better support family life, financial security, and their lifestyle through flexible work situations, including flexible work options. Many are realizing that work-life balance is not a “nice to have,” but rather it is a necessity.
What Are Employee Pulse Surveys And How Can They Increase Retention?
HR Question: We are exploring ways to increase our employee retention and engagement, and someone suggested doing an employee pulse survey. Can you explain what that is and how to best use it to drive engagement?
Do I Need a New I-9 Form for a Name Change?
HR Question: I have an employee who recently changed their name. Do they need to complete a new I-9 Form for their name change?
Do I Have to Give Performance Bonuses to Employees on FMLA Leave?
HR Question: It’s almost time for bonus calculations and payments, but one of my employees has been out on approved FMLA leave for the past six weeks. I don’t want to penalize the employee for being out, but it doesn’t seem fair to my other employees if I give this individual their full bonus. How should I handle performance bonuses during FMLA leave?
What are the Best HR Practices for the End of the Year?
HR Question: I know there are several year-end human resources activities that should be done, and I'm worried I will miss a step. What are some of the best HR practices for the end of the year?
What to do if the IRS notifies you of Affordable Care Act (ACA) penalty fees
HR Question: How do I know if my company needs to submit Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting to the IRS? What are the potential ACA penalty fees if we do it wrong?
How to Conduct an Internal I-9 Audit
Leveraging our experience completing countless I-9 audits for our clients, we will share recommendations to help you through an I-9 audit and the correction process if you discover Form I-9 mistakes.
How To Conduct A Workplace Harassment Investigation
A workplace harassment investigation must be conducted swiftly and thoroughly upon receiving a complaint. Here are steps for HR to follow.
What are the Latest ACA Reporting Changes and Deadlines?
ACA update - employers with 10+ forms will be required to report through electronic methods. Here are the ACA reporting forms and deadlines.
How Can My Company Choose Between Different Types of Recruitment Services?
There are 4 key types of recruitment services - all operate & charge differently. Here's how to choose the best fit for your company's needs!
Are Evacuation Drills Mandatory to Meet OSHA Training Requirements?
When planning for workplace emergencies and evacuations, does your company follow OSHA Training Requirements as part of their annual training?
How Do I Prepare for an HR Leave of Absence?
Preparation is the key to managing an HR leave of absence. Here are steps to handle a planned leave as well as an unexpected one.
How To Handle Expired Prescription Drug Use In The Workplace?
HR Question: We recently had a situation where a longtime employee, with no prior incidences, took an expired prescription drug that was inhibiting her performance. After her drug test, she tested positive with it in her system and the script was older than one year. What should I do?
What Can We Do to Make Onboarding Training Stick?
Wondering why your onboarding training doesn't seem to make an impact? Check out these four easy tips to make your onboarding training stick!
Steps Toward a Successful Recruitment Process
Do you know what goes into a successful recruitment process? Or how to recruit in a candidate's market? Read on to find out!
What Are The Top 5 Commonly Missed Records In Employee Personnel Files?
Are you missing any key records in employee files? Avoid these common mistakes to protect your organization and improve HR compliance.
Can I backdate FMLA paperwork?
Under certain circumstances, you can backdate FMLA paperwork. The key is following the right process to be compliant. We'll explain how!
Tips for Getting the Most From Your HR Audit
Worried about your HR function? Maybe you need an HR Audit. We'll explain how to prepare for an effective HR Audit and why it's important!
