Helpful Articles
Non-Insured Benefits Breakdown
Non-insured benefits are an inexpensive way to have access to additional health and wellness resources that could save you money.
Week In Review
Need a little weekend reading? Each Friday we will be posting a round up of posts from the week. July 20 - July 26, 2019
Overtime Rule May be on the Horizon
In its proposed overtime rule, the DOL projected the final rule would take effect by January 2020. If that’s the case, we might see the final rule by September or October.
Can I Change My Benefits Coverage?
When families have changes in their lives, it’s important to consider how these changes may impact your employer-sponsored benefits. Some of these life-changes may allow you to add benefits and some life-changes may allow you to cancel benefits.
More than Direct Cost to Work Comp Claims
If you think your insurance carrier is paying all costs associated with a workers’ compensation claim, think again. The insurance company is responsible for the direct costs of a claim but what about indirect costs?
Week In Review
Need a little weekend reading? Each Friday we will be posting a round up of posts from the week. June 15 - June 21, 2019
Employee Benefits FAQs
Some people enroll in employee benefit plans but never ask questions at their time of enrollment. Whether it’s your first time to enroll with benefits, or you’re already a pro, here is a list of FAQs that may help you somewhere down the line.
Benefits 101
Enrolling in your employee benefits plans may be one of the most important things you do for yourself and family as a new employee. Consider these questions during your benefits enrollment process and you’ll stay ahead of the game.
It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Self-funding
Health care premiums continue to rise, and employers are looking for innovative ways to curb costs. Self-funding of health insurance is common among large companies – those with at least a couple hundred employees. Yet, few smaller companies have had the opportunity to self-fund health care for their employees.
Benefits Glossary
The benefits world can be a confusing place. The best way to plot a successful benefits route is to understand the benefits terminology being used.
Managing your Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts are an easy way to set aside money from your paycheck to help you pay for qualifying medical or dependent daycare expenses, while saving you money on payroll taxes. But Flexible Spending Accounts can seem scary if you don’t understand the rules.
Employee Tips and Tricks for Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is that once-per-year opportunity to tweak your employee benefits plans to fit your needs for the upcoming benefit year.
Navigating HR Perils
Navigating your way through the employment maze is challenging. Marilyn Conyer, President/COO of Spirit HR, spoke at the Moore Norman Technology Center Grow Your Business Summit about some of the HR perils that require an employer’s attention.
Overtime Rules Surface Again
After waiting years for the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to address the overtime rules, the agency has spoken. On March 7, 2019, the USDOL released its proposed rule.
EEO-1 Positioned to Gather Pay Data
In a late-night decision on March 4, a federal judge reinstated a version of the EEO-1 report that requires covered employers to report pay information in addition to the historically required race, ethnicity and sex data.
The Daily Huddle
Today our guest blogger, Mike Bosley, gives us his insights on the value of sharing key performance measurements with his team on a daily basis. This “open book” method of management has worked well for him over the years and creates an environment of employee buy-in and pride in company achievements.
The KonMari Method in the Workplace
Can the main principles of the KonMari Method be used at work? How can you tidy up your policies and procedures? We take Marie’s six main principles and apply them to Human Resources.
HR Concerns for 2019
Each year has it’s own unique HR challenges. Workplace violence, the changing marijuana laws, data security, leave laws and workforce planning are among the top concerns for 2019.
5 Reasons to Outsource
There are many reasons why a company would outsource certain business functions. Outsourcing is a great way to improve your competitive advantage while controlling costs.
Are you a Boss or a Leader?
Good leadership within companies is a key element to increasing employee engagement. And, employee engagement is a key element in retaining talent.
Employee Development Plans Make Good Sense
Creating an employee development plan makes good business sense. It keeps employees engaged and helps the company meet its business goals.
Journey Mapping
A customer journey map is merely an illustration or diagram of all the places (touchpoints) your customers come into contact with your company, online or off. It provides a visual way to track the customer experience.
The Challenges of Being a Multi-state Employer
Growth is a good thing. But if your business has expanded to where you have employees in more than one state, you’re probably discovering the challenges of being a multi-state employer.
Test Your I-9 Knowledge
Your level of I-9 knowledge can affect your compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986. This federal regulation forbids employers from knowingly hiring individuals who are not authorized to work in the United States. Take this short quiz to see how your Form I-9 knowledge stacks up.
Independent Contractor or Employee?
It is critical to correctly determine whether individuals providing services are employees or independent contractors. Failing to properly classify a worker can cause exposure to possible fines and penalties. Before you can determine how to treat payments you make for services, you must first know the business relationship that exists between you and the person performing the services.
If I’m a Business Owner, Can I Be an Employee?
As a business owner, you wear many hats. As the owner, can you also wear an employee hat? That depends on your company’s legal structure.
National Payroll Week
Founded in 1996 by the American Payroll Association (APA), National Payroll Week (NPW) celebrates the partnership between America’s employees, the payroll professionals who pay them, and government programs and that our payroll system funds
Electronic Timekeeping Management
Small to large companies have seen the benefit of automating common payroll and HR functions like onboarding and benefits enrollment. However, one of the most important workforce-related functions – timekeeping management – is still done manually by many businesses.
Youth Labor Standards
As the end of summer approaches and school begins, it is important to review the youth labor standards. Youths that worked during the summer and you want to continue to employ may have hours restrictions. The guidelines below will help walk you through the basics.
Running a Business is Hard
Running a business is hard. Taking care of human resources without the necessary tools makes it even harder. You wouldn’t think of operating your core business without the right tools. You shouldn’t try to manage HR without the right tools either.
Who, What and How
The old adage says that the three most important things are location, location, location, but to us here at Spirit HR, it is who, what and how. Who we are, what we do, and how we help you.
5 Ways to Manage Overwhelm in Your Business
The electronic age was supposed to free up time through automation. Somehow technology has taken over and created an environment where we are now working longer to keep up with the speed at which things are coming at us. Smartphones keep us connected 24/7, email at our fingertips and non-stop social media are only a few of the things that consume our time. These suggestions will help you reduce your “overwhelm.”
NAPEO Confab
At the NAPEO Annual Conference in September, our COO Marilyn Conyer joined a round table discussion on the PEO Industry.
Top 3 Preventable Workplace Accidents
The backbone of a good safety program is prevention. As an employer, it’s important to assess potential hazards in your workplace and act to address them. It’s equally important for employees to take ownership of their own safety.
Protecting Workers from Heat Stress
For some of us, the heat is just an inconvenience, but for outdoor workers and those who work in hot environments, protecting them from heat stress is vital.
7 Steps for Developing a Disaster Response Plan
None of us want to imagine the consequences or aftermath of a disaster, but planning can mean the difference between managing the event in an organized and thought out manner or being consumed in complete chaos with no idea what to do next.
True or False: A safety program isn’t necessary in a white collar work environment.
Though most people think of dangerous blue collar jobs when they think of safety programs, even white collar employees are at risk for injuries at work.
Week In Review
Need a little weekend reading? Each Friday we will be posting a round up of posts from the week. May 18 - May 24, 2019
Week In Review
Need a little weekend reading? Each Friday we will be posting a round up of posts from the week. May 11 - May 17, 2019
Week In Review
Need a little weekend reading? Each Friday we will be posting a round up of posts from the week. April 27 - May 3, 2019
Week In Review
Need a little weekend reading? Each Friday we will be posting a round up of posts from the week. April 6-12 , 2019
Week In Review
Need a little weekend reading? Each Friday we will be posting a round up of posts from the week. March 24-April 5, 2019
Week In Review
Need a little weekend reading? Each Friday we will be posting a round up of posts from the week. March 23-29, 2019
7 Steps for Developing a Disaster Response Plan
None of us want to imagine the consequences or aftermath of a disaster, but planning can mean the difference between managing the event in an organized and thought out manner or being consumed in complete chaos with no idea what to do next.