Helpful HR Guidelines

If you’ve stepped off the conventional paper trail for faster, more efficient electronic recordkeeping, congratulations! You’ve taken a smart, timesaving approach to the type of “busy work” most small business owners and managers dread. But just because you’ve put paper in the past doesn’t mean you can ignore the rules. Shifting from paper to online... read more

During the hiring phase, federal, state or local laws can prohibit employers from asking applicants certain questions that may be considered discriminatory. Let’s look at the questions that can land you in hot water — and legal alternatives. If you’re ever in doubt as to whether a question is prohibited, visit the Equal Employment Opportunity... read more

One of your employees has called out “sick” for the second time in two weeks — and you’re concerned he’ll repeat the behavior. In most businesses, it’s not uncommon for employees to call out unexpectedly. But, excessive absences on short notice can create problems for your business — reducing productivity and increasing your stress. What... read more

Here’s a statistic that’s a tad surprising: Whoa. If you find yourself in similar shoes, just know this practice is akin to lighting wads of cash on fire. Not keeping accurate records encourages employees to work less and take unaccounted time off simply because you allow it. Just know if you don’t think it’s a... read more

Getting into a fender bender, dealing with a power outage or caring for a sick child are all valid reasons for tardiness or absenteeism, but how do you deal with employees who have chronic attendance issues? As a small-business owner, you have more important things to do than deal with employee attendance and punctuality. Yet,... read more

Proper completion of the Form I-9 is a must to satisfy workplace immigration laws — and to avoid government fines if you’re ever audited. But it’s not unusual for even the most conscientious employer to make mistakes. Here’s a handy checklist of what to fill out — and troublesome areas to doublecheck — to ensure... read more