News & Events

There is something magical about hiring your first employee. Armed with the optimism of running a small- to medium-sized business (SMB), it is easy to get swept up in the romance of expansion while ignoring the hundreds of state and federal guidelines that govern hiring and onboarding a new employee. Still, ignorance is not bliss when it comes to the law; making HR compliance a necessary part of operations in an SMB. But where do you start to create a compliant organization? And more importantly, how do you maintain that compliance in the long run?

In March 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that unemployment remained at 4.1 percent for the fifth consecutive month. This percentage equates to a total of 6.7 million Americans over age 16 involuntarily out of work. The 4.1 percent unemployment rate is less than half of the 10 percent rate of October 2009. Fortunately for American workers, the number has steadily declined to its current rate over the past nine years.

A new Austin paid sick leave ordinance that was set to go into effect on October 1 of 2018 was blocked just two months prior when Austin business groups filed a lawsuit claiming that the ordinance went against the state constitution.

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 exciting new HR trends coming in 2019 in the areas of recruitment, benefits, training and acquisition. Take a look at what’s coming so your company can get leverage all the new tools and techniques that are on the rise.

SUMMARY
Many business owners think of a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) as strictly an outsourced HR and payroll partner, but they can add much more value even on top of these core services. At Employer Flexible, our offering reaches far beyond the day-to-day HR and payroll functions and can even directly impact Management’s operations and communication.

Employer Flexible’s broad range of clientele doesn’t translate into a “one-size-fits-all” approach. In fact, it’s the opposite! With a wide array of industries and job functions represented, clients’ needs are met with custom solutions from consultants with all types of different experience.

Critics of the performance review have long pushed for its extinction. And it's easy to jump on the bandwagon. When implemented incorrectly, performance reviews can feel outdated, cumbersome, and outright disingenuous. But when handled strategically, the performance review can bring benefits that far outweigh the cost of the process.

Here are five key reasons to keep and perhaps upgrade the performance review for your organization.

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: