If you are a regular at your local gym, you'll know that January is the worst. Throngs of people either sign up or remember their forgotten membership as they vow to make this year the year they finally get in shape. Once you have lived through a few years of the January influx, you learn to grin and bear the New Year's Resolution crowd, knowing 80 percent of resolutions fail, most by mid-February. The question then becomes, why do we think resolutions for our businesses will be any different?

The natural response to a recession is to stop spending on human resources (HR) entirely. However, such a unilateral decision only harms your chances of weathering a downturn in the economy. A better approach is to understand your spending limitations and use the resources you do have to obtain the greatest benefit for your company. The strategy for investing in HR during a recession should include hiring, training and retention.

Both Dallas and San Antonio recently passed city laws mandating paid sick leave. However, the status of these municipal ordinances remains unclear. Austin attempted to pass a similar sick pay ordinance in 2018 that was ultimately shot down.

Wellness programs have become increasingly popular. In the past, only a handful of large companies gave out employee perks such as gym memberships. Now, wellness programs have proliferated into companies of all sizes. In fact, it’s more common than not to find some kind of wellness program included as part of a company’s benefits package.

It might seem far-fetched to think about children currently only eight years old entering the workforce, but those born in 2010 are at the tail end of Generation Z. This generation, which starts with those born in 1996, is made up of young Americans who have never known a time without cellphones or the Internet. Those at the younger end have never known a smartphone-free world. It is safe to say that this generation takes Wi-Fi for granted.

There are many advantages of a dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) for working caregivers. If you have someone who resides in your home whom you are able to claim as a dependent on your tax return, you may be able to utilize the benefits of an FSA to save money. Here are six big advantages of operating an FSA through your employer.

The healthcare flexible savings account (FSA) is one of the most overlooked and advantageous tax havens and personal protections you can use. Whether you are gainfully employed under the safehaven of a huge company or taking on the world as a self employed entrepreneur, a healthcare FSA can help you tremendously.

A new job means a fresh start, but it also means filling out tax forms again. And even if you're not starting work someplace new, the IRS still recommends that you revisit your withholding form intermittently, as well as anytime you have a significant life change, such as a marriage or birth. This is especially important during years when important tax changes have taken place. The IRS even offers a free withholding calculator that makes it easier to estimate just how much needs to come out of your paycheck every pay period. 

Traditional pensions have gradually died away like long-lost dinosaurs of the retirement savings world with 401k plans emerging as the primary way Americans are saving for their golden years. What was once a secondary option for retirement savings with a lot of employers is now much more prevalent. According to ForUsAll:

When you’re negotiating the terms of a new job, the first thing you’ll likely look at is the annual salary. Nevertheless, it’s important to understand that employee benefits are equally important, as they can impact both your finances and your overall wellness. However, if this is your first job, then you might not be familiar with the phrases used to describe employee benefits. The following glossary can help: