Top Tips on How to Speed Up the Hiring Process Timeline

May 18, 2022

It’s just that competitive. With U.S. job openings at record highs, employers are facing each other head to head. (It’s like a talent pool Superbowl!) Employers are looking to...

Can You Tell Employees Not to Discuss Their Pay?

May 02, 2022

Discussing salaries can be a controversial topic in the workplace (but it doesn’t have to be!) These conversations are empowering for some employees. The problem is that when pay...

Can An Employer Deny A Vacation Request?

April 18, 2022

Vacation time can be a tug of war between employers and employees. Workers are entitled to request time off. But this can put employers in a tough position– especially...

What’s The Difference Between A 1099 Versus A W2 Employee?

March 18, 2022

It’s understandable for small business owners to feel overwhelmed by employee classifications. When the time comes to expand and hire employees, it’s crucial to know the difference between a...

Top HR Challenges In Manufacturing: Plus Tips For Solving Them

March 08, 2022

One industry that is evolving in their business structure is the manufacturing space. To swiftly adapt to these rapid changes, manufacturing company HR departments and personnel need to evolve...

HR Challenges For Marketing Firms

February 17, 2022

There are many functional components that are crucial to the success of your marketing agency. Sometimes, it can become overwhelming to maintain every single one of them thoroughly. This...

How To Return To Work Safely In The COVID-19 Era

February 15, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has truly changed the world. Businesses, in particular, have been hit hard — whether it’s being short-staffed due to employees getting the virus, moving to a...

​​Equal Pay Act And How To Ensure Your Business Is Following It

February 10, 2022

An ideal world was in mind when the Equal Pay Act was established, making it illegal for any organization to pay employees who perform the same work different pay...

Considering Mandatory COVID Vaccination? Here’s What You Need To Know

February 08, 2022

It’s a new world, and things have changed rapidly. While there have been arguments for and against it, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has stated that employers can...

How Do We Record A Gender-Neutral Employee For EEO-1 Reporting?

February 03, 2022

The United State’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requires covered employers to report detailed demographic and compensation data on their employees — including employees’ gender identity, on form EEO-1....

Federal Employment Law Compliance Checklist

January 31, 2022

Whether you’re a team of one or a business of 100 employees or more, we’ve broken down the list of federal employment law requirements in this handy downloadable checklist!

What You Need To Know About The FLSA White-Collar Overtime Exemption

January 27, 2022

It’s the best feeling in the world when you make a hire, and you finally get the employee that will take your business to the next level. They’ve signed...

How Outsourcing Can Help You Recruit & Onboard Effectively

January 25, 2022

Riddle of the day: What are the two areas of HR that affect retention and turnover plus, has had a lot of buzz recently? Any guesses? It’s hiring and...

What Happens If Your Employee Falls Ill Long-Term?

January 22, 2022

No employer looks forward to a worker having to take a medical leave of absence — long-term illness is not what anyone wishes for. Unfortunately, getting sick, encountering health...

What Documentation Can An Employer Require For Adoption Maternity Leave?

January 20, 2022

According to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employers are not permitted to request any medical certificates from an employee requesting maternity leave for adoption. Through the Family...

How To Observe Pronouns In The Workplace

January 18, 2022

The topic of diversity and inclusion can seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to the workplace. Don’t beat yourself up about it, with all its terms and acronyms, if...

When An Employee Loses Their Check, Should There Be A Reissue Fee?

January 13, 2022

We all lose items from time to time. When it comes to an employee losing a paycheck, unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on where you’re located and...

Employee Benefits For Recruiting Millennials

January 06, 2022

It’s no news that millennials currently run the workforce. In fact, they are so influential, that without understanding them, businesses risk being stagnant or not attracting and retaining top...

Five Common Payroll Mistakes & Their Solutions

January 04, 2022

Payroll is arguably the most essential yet taken-for-granted function in any organization. Just like air, a well-set payroll process is ubiquitous and not so noticeable. You only know something...

Can We Tell Employees To Quarantine After Travel?

January 03, 2022

COVID-19 has brought some unexpected developments in local, state and federal laws, especially around quarantine after travel. While there are some protocols to follow now, the appropriate approach for...

Twas’ the Night Before Business (EmPower HR Edition)

November 30, 2021

‘Twas the night before enrollment, when all through the house, Did I add my dependents or even my spouse? The payroll was calculated with taxes and care, In hopes...

OSHA’s COVID-19 Temporary Standard On Vaccination & Testing

November 29, 2021

This checklist may be used as a guide for organizations with 100 or more employees committed to complying with the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), that went into effect on...

How Private Equity Back Office Outsourcing Helps Firms Scale

November 18, 2021

The back office is the pivotal support center where financial, technological and human resource functions are carried out. As private equity firms acquire new businesses, ensuring their foundations are...

A Guide To Employer Payroll Taxes

November 08, 2021

Payroll taxes can be a pain to understand and wrap your head around — and although we may have mixed feelings about them, they do serve a purpose. Our...

OSHA Releases COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard On Vaccination And Testing

November 05, 2021

On November 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its COVID-19 Vaccination Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). The ETS is effective immediately upon publication in the Federal...

Can An Employee Change A Pre-Tax Benefits Plan After Open Enrollment?

October 14, 2021

The ins and outs of pre-tax benefits plans can be pretty confusing. Pre-tax plans are not the same as health or any other kind of insurance, so make sure...

Your Guide To Building A Dog-Friendly Workplace

October 13, 2021

It doesn’t take intense research to know how beneficial allowing dogs at work can be. From lower stress levels to better employer branding and higher job satisfaction, the benefits...

Can We Reduce Pay For COVID-19 Related Economic Slowdowns?

October 13, 2021

It all started with the restricted office visits and extra precautions. Then came temporary lockdown and last but not least, mass layoffs by companies trying to make it through...

The Pros And Cons of Payroll Outsourcing

October 11, 2021

Are you contemplating whether or not payroll outsourcing is right for your company? Your decision likely rests on two key factors: What’s going to make the process straightforward and...

Understanding The Different Types Of Payroll Services

October 11, 2021

From simple do-it-yourself platforms to high-end systems and experienced experts, the payroll industry has come up with a diverse range of creative solutions to the payroll process. Having so...

How To Manage Inappropriate Online Employee Statements

October 05, 2021

We’ve always been told growing up that if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Unfortunately in 2021 society, that rule can often be...

How Many Employees Are Needed For Group Health Insurance?

October 04, 2021

The appeal of group health insurance is that it’s often cheaper than individual plans which offer the same benefits and coverage options. The thing is, not everyone qualifies for...

Employee Assistance Programs: What Are They & Should You Offer One?

October 01, 2021

Employee Assistance Programs, also known as EAPs, have often been compared to office therapy. A safe haven for employees with personal difficulties who are looking for dedicated assistance that...

Remote Hiring Guide

September 30, 2021

Hiring your first remote employee? Explore our guide to remote hiring and get advice from our team of experts. EmPower HR is your trusted counsel when it comes to...

Cybersecurity Checklist

September 30, 2021

You can be the first line of defense when it comes to protecting your company from security breaches. Help ensure that your data, both personal and professional, stays safe...

Recruitment And Retention: A Symbiotic Relationship Amidst A Crisis

September 28, 2021

The way we work has changed significantly since the unwelcome arrival of COVID-19, and so have the concepts of recruitment and retention. Here are a few tips to redirect...

Why Employee Engagement And Culture Are Important

June 25, 2021

Over the past decade, employee engagement has become a buzzword that not many business owners have been able to get away from. This is because employee engagement has become...

Traditional vs. Contemporary HR

June 25, 2021

In business, they say, “the only constant is change” and as the business world has evolved and changed around us in various ways, the exciting world of human resources...

Identifying The Right Diversity & Inclusion Training

June 25, 2021

If you feel overwhelmed with diversity and inclusion training, trust us, you are not alone. It’s common for businesses to be confused about where to start and how to...

How To Set Up Your HR Foundation For Growth

June 25, 2021

Growth is an exciting phase of any business. Even when a company encounters tough times that can be riddled with uncertainty, meaningful experiences and opportunities are born, making that...

4 Ways To Build An Inclusive Work Culture

June 25, 2021

Diversity and inclusion (D+I) best practices have become a mainstay in the HR space over the last few years. These principles have become a significant priority as many organizations...

4 Key Workplace Safety Concerns

June 25, 2021

Many businesses mistakenly think they only have to be concerned about workplace safety when they’re working with heavy machinery or hazardous materials. No matter how safe and easy a...

Why HR Shouldn’t Be A ‘Backstage’ Operation

June 25, 2021

There has been an age-long stereotype of the HR department being the “red tape” department and this couldn’t be farther from the truth in this day and age! HR...

Sample Policy For A Drug-Free Workplace

June 22, 2021

If your company is considering implementing a drug-free workplace, the following sample policy can be used as a blueprint for best practices in building out that program.

A Guide To Managing A Remote Workforce

June 22, 2021

According to Gallup, the number of days employees worked remotely doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some companies have even considered making a remote work arrangement permanent. This guide can...

Workforce Reduction: Alternatives, Tips And Best Practices

May 24, 2021

When economic indicators point toward a recession, employers may need to take measures to reduce costs and increase operational efficiency. Workforce reduction is one of the measures some employers...

The Difference Between Furloughs And Layoffs: Which Is Right For Your Business?

May 24, 2021

Sometimes employers have to make decisions to improve or protect their business’ bottom line. This may mean they might need to consider laying off or furloughing some of their...

How Company Culture Affects Employee Engagement

May 24, 2021

It’s no surprise that there is a direct correlation between a strong organizational culture and employee engagement. High-performance cultures tend to have more engaged employees who are positive, driven...

Does Employee Engagement Really Drive Results?

May 24, 2021

Engaged employees are the strength of any business, and it’s no news that they have a positive impact on organizational success from satisfied customers and higher productivity to greater...

Building High-Performance Organizational Culture

May 24, 2021

More businesses are now understanding how vital their company culture is to retaining the most valuable employees. Leaders should not underestimate the impact of bad reviews left by former...

10 Ways Leaders Influence Organizational Culture

May 24, 2021

Leaders have a lot of influence on setting their company culture because, as they say, ‘It All Starts From The Top.’ However, it has become commonplace for leaders to...

6 Strategies For Employee Engagement

May 24, 2021

You don’t want to imagine how catastrophic disengagement can be to your business. Things can quickly take a negative turn for the worse, from lower productivity to a dip...

4 Strategies For Customer Service Excellence

May 24, 2021

Nothing encapsulates a great forward-thinking company more than quality customer service. Top-notch customer service signifies a company knows how to retain customers. It is spoken of highly in the...

How To Prepare For The Worst

May 24, 2021

Whether there’s a pandemic, interruption to your supply chain, or even if everything is going along just like every other day — if you are a business owner, you...

How To Be A Good Leader

May 24, 2021

A leader can make or break an organization, so learning to be the right leader—a good leader—is very important. But how do you become the leader your organization needs?...

Why Customer Satisfaction Starts With HR

May 24, 2021

Gone are the days when customer satisfaction is viewed as the sales team’s job. This notion is outdated, and presently, successful companies acknowledge the influential role HR plays in...

Smart SMB Talent Strategies For A Narrowing Talent Pool

May 24, 2021

You may have already heard the news — the world of talent acquisition and talent management is changing as a result of COVID-19. As a small to medium-size business...

Creating A High-Performance Business By Outsourcing HR

May 24, 2021

The HR department is arguably the most crucial department within your business. It is the pillar of employee management and stewardship. Think about it; the employee experience begins and...

How Does HR Contribute To An Organization’s Success?

May 24, 2021

Tedious paperwork and compliance can be a drag, and a lot of times, it feels like it’s impossible to keep up. As a small to medium-sized business (SMB), if...

Reducing The Risks Of Employee Termination: Part 3 — How EAPs Can Help

May 24, 2021

Do you have an employee who is struggling with performance? If you find that you’ve taken official steps and gone through your company’s documented process of corrective action, but...

Reducing The Risks Of Employee Termination: Part 2— Corrective Action Memos & Meetings

May 24, 2021

No business looks forward to addressing an employee’s behavior or work when it doesn’t meet company standards, but there are times when it can’t be avoided. In these instances,...

Reducing The Risks Of Employee Termination: Part 1—Corrective Actions

May 24, 2021

We’ve heard it said that most employee termination always comes with risk — but what does that mean? It means there’s always a risk that a terminated employee could...

What Is A PEO?

May 24, 2021

A Professional Employment Organization, PEO for short, provides employee management solutions in two main ways. First, they can act as co-employer, or second, they can be the Employer On...

Streamlining HR Outsourcing And Payroll Management

May 24, 2021

HR Consultants have unsurprisingly mastered the art of multitasking while kicking butt on everything from employee relations management, HR operations to even more specialized areas like payroll management. And...

4 Ways Your Employees Benefit From Outsourced HR

May 24, 2021

To run a successful and productive Small to Mid-sized Business (SMB), you need a team of efficient HR consultants. These consultants can effectively manage the whole spectrum of the...

Managing And Maneuvering In Times Of Uncertainty

May 20, 2021

Small and mid-sized businesses come with their own distinct challenges: attracting talent, engagement and training, awareness of government regulations, cash flow and more. The COVID-19 pandemic added an entirely...

HR Compliance Solutions: How To Make Compliance Work For You

May 19, 2021

HR compliance is like your annual dental check-up — it’s an unpleasant experience that we dread. There is often some pain, but in the end, you are grateful that...

People Risk Management: Taking Employee Risk Out of Your Business

May 19, 2021

Establishing effective human resources (HR) practices is a good way to manage the biggest asset in any business: the people who work there. If People Risk Management (PRM) is...

Employee Relations: Accommodating Religion In The Workplace

May 19, 2021

Making accommodations for an employee’s religious beliefs is important when it comes to building an atmosphere where everyone feels supported and respected. More so, companies should devote care and...

Safeguarding Against Religious Discrimination in the Workplace

May 19, 2021

As an employer, you want to ensure that your workplace feels safe and supportive for its employees. Guarding against religious discrimination by setting expected standards and developing clear procedures...

Soft vs. Hard Costs Of Outsourcing HR

May 19, 2021

Many decisions and conversations go into the process of bringing on an outsourcing HR partner. One of the vital conversation points is the costs to get that extra support....

Commonly Outsourced HR Functions

May 19, 2021

The dimensions of HR outsourcing can seem mystical, and although we wish for a playbook, unfortunately, there isn’t one. The decision path to engage with an HR outsourcing partner...

What Is The Difference Between PEO And Payroll?

May 19, 2021

As a smart business owner, you are constantly looking for ways to find efficiencies within your business operations to ensure you are mindful of costs and processes. In your...

The Pros And Cons Of A PEO For Small Business Insurance

May 19, 2021

Health insurance is one of the essential and necessary benefits businesses provide their employees. With the job market being fierce, benefits can be a deciding factor if an employee...

Hiring Tips For Businesses Struggling To Fill Job Openings

May 19, 2021

If you’re finding it difficult to hire employees, you’re not alone. In an April 2021 article, Bloomberg reported that many small businesses are struggling to find people who currently...

Outsourced HR For Small Business

May 19, 2021

HR demands can be an overwhelming and daunting area for small businesses, given their limited time, resources, and expertise in this area. For many small businesses with increasing staff...

Starter Guide For Effective Interviews

May 11, 2021

Recruiting and hiring the right people is pivotal to the success of any business. As a hiring manager, some of the most important tasks to effective candidate selection include...

6 Benefits Of Outsourcing HR Functions

May 11, 2021

No longer just in the realm of daring, trendsetting companies — outsourcing HR is increasing in popularity as it has gained momentum both locally and overseas. Imagine being an...

Does Outsourcing HR Consulting Services Reduce Costs?

May 11, 2021

Being a business owner is not an easy role. Stress doesn’t even begin to describe the never-ending list of responsibilities that need to be managed in a day, the...

HR Compliance: A Guide For Small Business Owners

May 11, 2021

HR compliance is the business of ensuring your organization’s policies and practices meet legal and regulatory requirements. These requirements can vary based on your daily business operations and industry....

Developing And Sustaining Employee Engagement

May 11, 2021

If you ask one hundred small to medium-sized business (SMB) owners what the number one HR metric they look at in order to determine what their workplace culture is,...

The American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021

May 11, 2021

On March 10, 2021, the final version of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was approved by Congress. The American Rescue Plan was signed into law by President...

6 Tips to Creating A Diverse Workplace

May 11, 2021

A diverse workplace with employees of different ages, race, religion, gender orientation, and life experiences can enhance the rich culture of any business. However, “diverse” and “diversity” can sometimes...

Optimizing Your Workforce From Home: Managing vs. Micromanaging

May 11, 2021

A lot has changed in the world of work since spring 2020. There have been many challenges to the employee-employer dynamic. As the employer, how can you make sure...

What Is Employee Benefits Outsourcing?

May 11, 2021

When a small business starts scaling, the HR function becomes increasingly challenging to manage. From meeting customers’ demands and applying best practices to hiring and remaining compliant with complex...

People Risk Management (PRM): Is It Right For Your Business?

May 11, 2021

If you have employees, you have employee-centric exposures, also known as people risks. As these risks rapidly increase and evolve, effective people risk management (PRM) is more important than...

Involuntary Termination Checklist

May 11, 2021

Almost all employee termination comes with risk. However, there are definitely ways to minimize it and ensure a smoother transition. Download our checklist for some common best practice guidelines...

Employee Onboarding Checklist

May 11, 2021

Download our employee onboarding checklist to ensure that you collect all necessary information and your new team members have everything they need to succeed in their new role.

A Guide To Crafting An Anti-Discrimination Policy

May 11, 2021

Workplace discrimination can be damaging to a business both financially and reputationally. It can affect your bottom line as well as your employment brand, employee engagement and company culture....

Back-to-School FAQs About Leave Under the FFCRA

August 25, 2020

Back-to-School FAQs About Leave Under the FFCRA 1. If children and their parents can choose between in-person schooling or online schooling, can we deny leave to employees who choose...

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Significant Changes In New York

August 12, 2020

A federal court in New York recently invalidated four key provisions of the Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) final rule related to leaves provided by the Families First Coronavirus Response...

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Guidance

June 22, 2020

The EEOC’s new guidance is the latest installment in the EEOC’s ongoing effort to provide clarity for employers on the application of the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and other...

Dependent Care FSAs While Working From Home

April 28, 2020

There have been quite a few questions that have come up recently on whether people can continue using their Dependent Care FSAs for child care expenses if working from...

FFCRA Employee Paid Leave Rights

April 01, 2020

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights All information is directly from the U.S. Department of Labor. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain...

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FCRA) FAQs

March 26, 2020

All of the below information came directly from the U.S. Department of Labor As provided under the legislation, the U.S. Department of Labor will be issuing implementing regulations. Additionally,...

COVID-19 Benefits FAQs

March 20, 2020

During this fluid time, EmPower HR looks to continue to provide our clients, prospects and partners with relevant up-to-date information. Below are some important questions and answers around Benefits...

COVID-19: Taking Care Of Your Business And Employees

March 16, 2020

COVID-19 – Taking Care of Your Business and Employees As guidance from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and WHO (World Health Organization) regarding the COVID-19 virus...

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers

January 20, 0004