Small Business HR Best Practices

To be at work or not to be at work? That is the question. While employees across the country face this dilemma daily, business owners should do everything humanly possible to reduce unexcused absences. And for good reason: Unplanned absenteeism significantly impacts morale and profitability. Before we go any further, ask yourself a question: Do... 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

You may be aware that the federal government’s Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires businesses with 50 or more employees (and in some states as few as 10 under state law) to provide unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons. But did you know that many states also have small necessities leave (SNL)... 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

Although the Form W-4 may be considered “routine” paperwork for new hires, it generates a lot of questions. Employees may hit snags when they’re filling out W-4s, and you may be uncertain of the specific requirements for employers. Chances are, you’re not alone with your questions and concerns. Here are the five most common W-4... read more