New Year’s Tips from Your Human Resources Professionals

The beginning of a new year is a great time to internally audit some of your HR-related practices. The following are a few tips to get you started:

Employee Handbook – It is not a bad idea to have an HR Professional review your handbook annually for compliance issues. Also, if there are any policies that you would like to edit, the beginning of the year makes for a clean break for new policy implementation. If you do not have a handbook, the first of the year is the perfect time to create and implement one into your organization.

Investigate Employee Complaints to Avoid Liability for Employee Wrong-doing

In the workplace, there may be employee complaints regarding harassment, fraud, theft, discrimination and other misconduct. When complaints are not handled appropriately, the company may experience increased exposure to employment-related liability. In the long run, there may also be financial loss, damages, and penalties issued (from regulating agencies). Every employer should take the initiative to investigate employee complaints to ensure a non-discriminatory and safe working environment.

There are many benefits in having an investigation procedure/policy in place, including:

Small Business Tax Credit under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

If you are planning on offering or currently are offering health insurance to your employees we would like to remind you that small businesses who provide health insurance coverage can receive a tax credit.

 

In 2012 and 2013 you may qualify for a tax credit of up to 35% if you:

1. Employ 25 or fewer employees.

2. Average annual wages are less than $50,000 per employee per year.

3. Pay half or more of the cost of health insurance premiums.

Beginning in 2014 that tax credit increases to up to 50%.

This tax credit was put into place in 2010. If you have not previously taken that credit you may be able to file for an amended return. Below is a link to the inevitable fine print on the IRS website to review with your tax professional.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Small-Business-Health-Care-Tax-Credit-for-Small-Employers

Workplace Perks: It’s more than Coffee and Doughnuts

January is a great time for making new resolutions and focusing on health and well-being. For some people, it may be a means to diminish the damage caused by the excessive imbibing during the holiday season, and, for others, it is a symbol of making a fresh start in a brand new year. Whatever the reason may be, an employer’s EAP or Employee Assistance Program is an effective tool in providing employees and their immediate family members with helpful resources. 

An Employee Assistance Program offers voluntary short-term counseling services on matters such as grief, stress and family relationship issues as well as free-of-charge referral services, advice on programs such as health club memberships, alcohol and substance abuse rehabilitation programs, mental health specialists and legal resources. These options and other beneficial sources provide a resource for employees and their immediate family members who may be in need of guidance regarding matters impacting their personal lives that potentially have an adverse impact on their work performance.

Payroll Tax Holiday EXPIRES

Effective January 1, 2011 employee’s have enjoyed a “tax holiday” on FICA (social security payroll taxes):

•“Holiday Rate” 4.2%

•“Regular Rate” returns back to 6.2%