QUESTION: We are a small company, and I serve customers as well as run the business. I am having a hard time managing the needs of the customers, the staff, and the business as a whole. Something always seems to be falling through the cracks. I’ve thought about how I might get more help in […]
QUESTION: Every year I throw a year-end holiday party at my home for my staff, their families, a few vendors and external partners. I provide everything, all the food and beverages – including adult beverages. Last year, my newly hired assistant was totally trashed by the end of the evening. Her husband had to carry […]
QUESTION: My inbox blew up last week with announcements about the recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling on paid sick time. I admit that while I’ve heard mention of this legal battle in the past, I’m not well-versed in what this decision really means for a small company like mine. I already offer my employees paid […]
QUESTION: I heard that there might be some changes coming to overtime rules and I’m not sure what that’s about. I have one salaried employee who is currently making $800/week and I’m wondering if this rule will affect her. Can you help clarify so I can make sure we are complying with the law? ANSWER: […]
QUESTION: I have a small business with only three employees. With such a small company, why do I need an employee handbook and what are the minimum policies I can get away with? ANSWER: If you have one employee or 20 employees, you need an employee handbook. This is the best tool to communicate […]
QUESTION: We have an employee who gained access to confidential employee information. How should we respond to the employee and prevent this from happening again? ANSWER: When thinking about data security, we often think about protecting customer or patient data, including adhering to HIPAA or FERPA regulations, depending on the industry. Businesses sometimes don’t […]
QUESTION: I recently implemented a 401(k) plan for my staff. I used an inexperienced agent and found out later that the plan was missing some important components required by law. Before I could have it corrected, one of my staff contacted the Department of Labor and filed a complaint. I was extremely angry at her. […]
QUESTION: I have a long-time staff member who is really good at her job…when she’s here. It doesn’t matter how much paid time off (PTO) she’s granted each year; she burns through it by the 3rd quarter of the year and then has no cushion left for unplanned absences (which she ends up taking without pay). […]
QUESTION: I’m a new to human resources (HR) and I am trying to learn all I can. Can you share some common mistakes that HR professionals make and how to avoid them? ANSWER: At HRM Services, we’ve worked with organizations on their HR needs for well over a decade. Throughout the course of these […]