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leader

Leaders: Connect with Your Employees (without Oversharing)

According to research, our brains respond positively to those we feel a personal connection with, causing us to try harder, perform better, and act kinder toward colleagues and leaders with whom we connect. Though leaders should connect with their employees and convey emotion and vulnerability to increase positive employee responses and build trust, they must […]

Why Are They Leaving?

You’re probably asking yourself why there are millions of jobs available when over 8 million people remain out of work. People are disgruntled. They want more from their employers, and they’re tired of being underpaid for the work they do. With 86% of people feeling that their workplace does not hear people fairly or equally, […]

Benefits

Trump’s New Tax Law Contains Important Implications for Employers

On December 22, 2017, President Donald Trump signed the highly touted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) into law. Among other things, the TCJA is intended to reduce tax rates for businesses and individuals and simplify income tax preparation by increasing the standard deduction and family tax credits, reducing the alternative minimum tax for individuals, […]

Arizona and Flagstaff Minimum Wage Rises Again on January 1, 2023

On January 1, 2022, Arizona’s minimum wage increased to $12.80 per hour, making it the sixth highest among the 50 states (according to the minimum wages posted on laborlawcenter.com). While we continue to see an increase in state and local minimum wage statutes, according to minimum-wage.org, 21 states either had no minimum wage laws or had adopted […]

Karma in the C-Suite: What Goes Around …

Oswald, CEO of BLR, offered his thoughts on karma and leadership in a recent edition of The Oswald Letter. Here’s what he said: “Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.” […]

Why 2025 will be a Pivotal Year for Benefits

The relationship between employees and companies is in the middle of a fundamental transformation — and this transformation will only gain momentum in 2025. Employees are demanding to be treated as unique individuals with their own concerns, financial goals, and professional aspirations. They want holistic support that covers everything from work-life balance to financial well-being. […]

commission

6th Circuit Court’s Decision Provides Guidance on Draw-on-Commission Policies

In a recent decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit—which covers Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee—held that an employer’s week-to-week, commission-only pay system was generally valid. However, it was illegal for the company’s policy to state that employees had to repay immediately upon termination draws that had been given during employment.

onboarding

Onboarding Remote Team Members for Small Businesses

What is onboarding, and why is it important? Onboarding is the process of integrating new team members into a business with the goal of familiarizing them with the company, as well as expectations, processes, procedures, and guidelines. It may also include additional paperwork that needs to be completed before training begins to get new hires […]

HR for the Holidays

(To the tune of “Jingle Bells”) Dashing to and fro, HR’s work is never done. Holiday parties are not really all that fun. When things have gone too far, paperwork abounds. Promptly investigating claims when mistletoe’s around.