Author: Margie Reed

Time sheets come in an array of formats. From handwritten papers and punch cards to typed spreadsheets and automated time clock systems, you have options. All that matters is that you find a time sheet style that is clear and concise for your company. This...

The ways to pay employees — especially as money continues moving into the digital sphere — have proliferated. You have options. Choose the one that best fits your business. You may want to peruse the different methods to see which makes the most sense for...

Question:  We’ve generally been tolerant of harmless pranks, but recently, an employee placed a suggestive picture on a coworker’s workstation and another employee saw it and complained. How should we respond? Answer:  It sounds like this prank could have crossed the line into harassment, even...

How do you say goodbye well?  While it's not the most fun part of team management, the need for occasional employee correction is inevitable. Whether employees are not meeting expressed expectations, have not improved after warnings or coaching, or have blatantly behaved in a way...

Paying overtime is not just a matter of paying employees the standard 1.5 times their normal pay rate when they work more than 40 hours in a week. Overtime payment errors can occur if you miss a payment: When employees work during break times. When...

Question:  Do we need to pay our summer intern? Answer:  Generally, yes, though it depends on who benefits most from their work. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has adopted the “primary beneficiary test” to determine whether a worker is an employee (who must be paid in...

Tax credits and deductions change the amount of a person’s tax bill or refund. People should understand which credits and deductions they can claim and the records they need to show their eligibility. Tax credits A tax credit reduces the income tax bill dollar-for-dollar that a taxpayer...

A whistleblower is an employee who reports wrongdoing (dangerous, illegal, or unethical activity or practices by the company or its employees) either directly to the employer or to an outside authority. Many laws, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act, consider whistleblowing a protected activity, meaning you...

An updated 1099 Contractors rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor went into effect March 11, 2024. The rule considers six overarching factors in a “totality of the circumstances” analysis to determine whether workers are either dependent on the employer for work or in...