Press "Enter" to skip to content

Tag: compensation

Tools and Resources for Small Businesses Without HR Departments

Published by Guest Author

woman managing business

Contributed by Sophia Conti

Small businesses are used to running on the bare essentials – and too often, those essentials do not include streamlined and well-planned human resources functions. Even larger businesses fail to establish HR protocols and standard operating procedures, believing it to be too expensive to implement for the minimal purpose it will serve. This often stems from a limited understanding of what human resources can accomplish and the benefits it yields for employer and employee alike.

Continue readingTools and Resources for Small Businesses Without HR Departments
Leave a Comment

Partial Unemployment Benefits for Hour and Pay Cuts

Published by Peggy Emch

unemployment claim form on an office table

Most people probably aren’t even aware that such a thing as partial unemployment benefits even exist but, in fact, unemployment benefits aren’t so black and white – lose your job, get assistance. There are benefits available for employees whose hours are cut or whose pay is decreased as well and, as a business owner, you should know this.

Continue readingPartial Unemployment Benefits for Hour and Pay Cuts
Leave a Comment

Do You Have to Pay Employees for Unapproved Overtime?

Published by Peggy Emch

Overtime prohibited

Many employers don’t even ask the question. They simply outline in the employee handbook that unauthorized overtime is not allowed.

The stipulation might read something like this: We do not pay for unauthorized overtime. Approval must be obtained prior to starting any work over 40 hours. If overtime is not approved, it is not our responsibility to pay you time and a half for it.

But watch out if you have a rule like this in your employee handbook! Just because it’s in the book doesn’t mean it’s valid.

Continue readingDo You Have to Pay Employees for Unapproved Overtime?
4 Comments

On Call Time – Paid Or Unpaid

Published by Peggy Emch

Man waitingWhen we wait around for something to happen –  waiting for someone to show up, standing in a long line, counting down the minutes till we leave for an appointment, or being on call – we seem to do a little less with our time than we otherwise would. It’s like we can’t get too involved because our activity might get cut short.

Waiting can be annoying, but being on call can interfere with life in a more serious way. If half your week’s schedule is on call, as is the case in many retail environments these days, it can be very hard to move forward or make plans.

Continue readingOn Call Time – Paid Or Unpaid
Leave a Comment

The Last Paycheck – When Terminated Employees Need to Be Paid

Published by Peggy Emch

The exact date at which employees need to receive their final paycheck upon termination is a mystery to many small business owners. The fact that there are laws surrounding the issue at all vexes many who are responsible for paying employees. And it’s not surprising. State laws are complicated and the fed has no laws about it at all.

Continue readingThe Last Paycheck – When Terminated Employees Need to Be Paid
1 Comment

Business Math: Paying Employees a Living Wage

Published by Peggy Emch

Business man breaking open piggy bank savingsWith all the talk about raising the Federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, business owners are thinking about living wages and how to ensure that they are paying their employees enough money to satisfy their basic needs.

Coming up with a blanket “living wage” might be a good start for helping lift millions of Americans out of poverty, but I think it’s worth noting that a living wage is personal and will vary from person to person.

Continue readingBusiness Math: Paying Employees a Living Wage
2 Comments

Exempt Employee Pay Deductions – What Is Permitted?

Published by Peggy Emch

In general, employers cannot deduct pay from an exempt employee’s paycheck. The amount of money an exempt employee makes is not based on the number of hours she does or doesn’t work.

An exempt employee must receive the full salary for any workweek in which the employee performs any work, regardless of the number of days or hours worked. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however.

Continue readingExempt Employee Pay Deductions – What Is Permitted?
2 Comments

Vacation Payout in California is Mandatory but Offering Vacation Isn’t

Published by Peggy Emch

This might sound contradictory at first. Why would you have to pay out vacation if you don’t even have to offer vacation to begin with?

Well, if you choose to offer vacation, you have to follow some rules. You don’t actually have to offer vacation in California at all if you don’t want to (although, it is a perk that employees find desirable so maybe you should!) but if you do decide to implement some vacation benefits, you’ve got to stick to it till the end.

Continue readingVacation Payout in California is Mandatory but Offering Vacation Isn’t
6 Comments

Wage Theft Prevention Act

Published by Peggy Emch

It’s February, and if you’re in New York, that means you must now be compliant with the new Wage Theft Protection Act. On April 9, 2011, the New York State Wage Theft Prevention Act went into effect, becoming fully active on February 1, 2012.

The Wage Theft Prevention Act gives greater protection to workers and requires employers to provide notification of pay rates and yearly pay notices.

Continue readingWage Theft Prevention Act
Leave a Comment