Quirky Question #286: Best Practices on Restroom Access and Terminology for Transgender Employees

by JoLynn Markison @ Quirky Questions

Mon Jul 25 12:39:19 PDT 2016

Question: There has been a lot of news coverage lately on restroom policies related to transgender employees.  Can you provide some guidance on how to structure our restroom-use policies to be both lawful and respectful of all employees?  More generally, can you help me understand the appropriate, respectful terminology in this area?  I certainly don’t want […]

FLSA FAQ: Pay Wages Late, and You’ll Be The One a Dollar Short

by Doug Hass @ The Day Shift

Fri Jan 08 05:55:19 PST 2016

Over the holidays, I read about a lawsuit against a now-shuttered Dallas hospital filed by a nurse who was among 150 or so employees who were told the morning that the hospital suddenly closed for good that they would not be paid because of an “unexpected funding issue.”  The former head of the hospital’s management company ...

listing an unfinished novel as a work accomplishment on your resume

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Mon Mar 19 10:59:11 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I’m a copywriter. It’s my first time hiring for a copywriter position. I don’t want to be petty or unfair to applicants, but I don’t want to hear about people’s unfinished novels on their resumes or cover letters. In my opinion, it comes off as either immature, self absorbed, or really uninformed […]

listing an unfinished novel as a work accomplishment on your resume was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

What Does Pay Frequency Mean?

by Michele Bossart @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Feb 21 05:10:38 PST 2018

When you have employees, you need to run payroll so they can receive their wages. Before paying employees, you need to decide on a pay frequency. Your industry, the number of employees you have working for you, the type of workers you have, and legal requirements determine your pay frequency. But first, what does pay […]

The post What Does Pay Frequency Mean? appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

How to Calculate a Raise

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Mar 14 05:10:09 PDT 2018

Employees have money on their minds. According to a Gallup poll, 59% of employees were not completely satisfied with their current pay. And, one SHRM survey found that 44% of respondents said they would leave their job to make more money elsewhere. To avoid losing their top employees, many businesses offer pay raises. Learn why employee […]

The post How to Calculate a Raise appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

my coworker is getting credit for my work

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Mon Mar 19 09:30:26 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I work for a medium sized company on a very small team. For all intents and purposes, it is just me and my colleague, “Joe.” Joe and I both started at the same time and work on the same types of projects. The similarities end there, as Joe is the type to take […]

my coworker is getting credit for my work was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

am I sabotaging my former intern’s job prospects?

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Thu Mar 22 10:59:20 PDT 2018

A reader writes: About two and a half years ago, I was hired by a cultural organization as their only staff person. While the job was not without its challenges, it was a great learning experience and I excelled in my role, which has greatly boosted my professional reputation in my area (it’s a small […]

am I sabotaging my former intern’s job prospects? was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

what to say when your boss is rude to a coworker in front of you

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Wed Mar 21 07:59:25 PDT 2018

A reader writes: What can/should I do when my boss is rude to another coworker? We’re a small, very early-stage start-up with no HR person. The coworker and I are both young, female, and new. My boss often puts her down (“God, you’re inattentive” or “if you can’t even do this task you should be […]

what to say when your boss is rude to a coworker in front of you was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

my beloved boss was fired, is curly hair unprofessional, and more

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Wed Mar 14 21:03:11 PDT 2018

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My beloved boss was fired My company has been going through a long, drawn-out restructuring that has been very painful and anxiety-provoking. For example, we were told in December that the department I work for was going to be restructured, and are finally scheduled to […]

my beloved boss was fired, is curly hair unprofessional, and more was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

Tennessee Unemployment Taxes to Decline in 2018

by Steve Scheu @ Time and Pay

Tue Jan 23 12:52:50 PST 2018

Tennessee Unemployment Taxes (SUTA) to Decline in 2018 The Tennessee Dept of Revenue notified employers that the State Unemployment Wage Cap will be reduced from $8,000 to $7,000, thus reducing the amount of state unemployment payroll taxes employers will pay in 2018. Good news! The Wage Cap is the amount of wages paid to employees that […]

The post Tennessee Unemployment Taxes to Decline in 2018 appeared first on Time and Pay.

my coworker thinks it’s funny to try to scare me

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Tue Mar 20 07:59:06 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I have been having a mild problem with a coworker since I started at this new company a little over a year ago. He tends to like to sneak up and scare us while we are working. We both wear earbuds while we work so it’s easy for us to not hear […]

my coworker thinks it’s funny to try to scare me was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

can I be paid in comp time instead of overtime pay?

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Mon Mar 26 10:59:42 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I work for a chapter of a national nonprofit organization managing several fundraising events. I am becoming increasingly frustrated with the way our organization handles overtime during our busy event season, and am wondering if it’s completely legal. At the end of 2016 with the pending overtime law, the organization decided to […]

can I be paid in comp time instead of overtime pay? was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

boss said she’d give me a great reference but she didn’t, jobs advertised for less than minimum wage, and more

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Tue Mar 20 21:03:16 PDT 2018

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My manager said she’d give me a great reference — but she didn’t After a second round interview with company A, I was asked to submit references. I typically would not include my current direct supervisor, who started working with my team six months ago, […]

boss said she’d give me a great reference but she didn’t, jobs advertised for less than minimum wage, and more was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

coworker’s expensive wedding registry, how can I help my heartbroken boss, and more

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Mon Mar 26 21:03:43 PDT 2018

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss wants us to buy a colleague expensive gifts from her wedding registry I generally know your feelings on this, but I’ve got another question about gifts flowing upwards. One of our senior level executives, Sansa, is getting married in a few months. Sansa […]

coworker’s expensive wedding registry, how can I help my heartbroken boss, and more was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

Winter 2015

by Bart Rydzewski @ Greater Metro Federal Credit Union

Fri Feb 20 07:15:29 PST 2015

New Greater Metro Plastics Board of Directors Elections EMV Chip Technology Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) Mobile APP The Annual Meeting CUC Mortgage A Redesigned Website Welcome New Members! Tax Refunds New Greater Metro Plastics – Coming Soon! Newly designed cards that were originally scheduled for delivery in the 4th Quarter of 2014 were delayed in... Read more »

coworkers talk about childbirth over lunch, employee is abusing candidate referrals, and more

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Mon Mar 12 21:03:20 PDT 2018

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My coworkers love talking about childbirth during lunch and it’s grossing me out My coworkers enjoy talking about childbirth at lunch. It seems like I can’t even eat my lunch without someone discussing a torn perineum. I’ve tried making jokes like “ha ha, I just […]

coworkers talk about childbirth over lunch, employee is abusing candidate referrals, and more was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

Summer 2014

by Bart Rydzewski @ Greater Metro Federal Credit Union

Wed Dec 17 11:06:05 PST 2014

Summer 2014 Online Banking Upgrade On The Horizon! Annual Meeting Check Ordering The Magic Minute The VA Branch Schedule Have You Seen Them? Holiday Closings As we head into the summer of 2014, your Credit Union continues to work towards making your “Banking” experience better than a “Bank” experience. Getting directly to a specific Greater... Read more »

knowledge swap! share your expertise with people here

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Thu Mar 22 07:59:59 PDT 2018

Are you good at something and willing to share that expertise with others here? Here’s what I propose for a change of pace: 1. In the comment section below, name something you’re really good at that you’d be willing to answer questions about. It could be Excel, or financial planning, or make-up recommendations, or resolving […]

knowledge swap! share your expertise with people here was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

What Is an FEIN?

by Mike Kappel @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Mon Feb 26 05:10:00 PST 2018

When you run a business, you must meet many IRS requirements. You might need an FEIN to identify your business on documents like payroll tax forms. What does FEIN mean? What is an FEIN? FEIN is an acronym for Federal Employer Identification Number, also known as an EIN. This unique, nine-digit number is used by […]

The post What Is an FEIN? appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

Check out our It’s Me 247 Bill Pay Service!

by Bart Rydzewski @ Greater Metro Federal Credit Union

Thu Mar 24 11:05:52 PDT 2016

Check out our It’s Me 247 Bill Pay Service! Did you know you can pay your bills through It’s Me 247 Online Banking? If you are not using it yet, you are just few steps away from getting started with our Bill Pay! On our It’s Me 247 Bill Pay you can:  – Pay bills online 24/7 from... Read more »

my boss told me to quit or be fired

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Thu Mar 15 09:30:51 PDT 2018

A reader writes: For the last six months, I’ve essentially been on “probation” with my supervisor, determining if this manager role is a good fit for me. His conclusion is that I do not possess the skills necessary for this role. Instead of terminating my employment, they offered me another position – a demotion to […]

my boss told me to quit or be fired was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

do I need to give interviewers a great reason for why I’m looking to leave my current job?

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Thu Mar 15 10:59:58 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I’m looking to leave my current position. I’ve been lucky enough to receive positive responses on informational interviews I’ve gone on and applications I’ve sent out so far, but I’m curious about how important it is to have a great “reason” to want to leave for something else. I enjoy the industry […]

do I need to give interviewers a great reason for why I’m looking to leave my current job? was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

Consult This Employee Termination Checklist to Keep Things Running Smoothly

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Mar 07 05:10:00 PST 2018

Employees leave companies every day to pursue growth opportunities, accommodate personal lives, or experience change. As an employer, you hope employees won’t leave your business, but you know this is wishful thinking. When an employee resigns, you need to know what to do. The average annual overall turnover rate is 19%, according to SHRM. If […]

The post Consult This Employee Termination Checklist to Keep Things Running Smoothly appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

I interviewed Gretchen Rubin about happiness and work

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Wed Mar 21 09:30:44 PDT 2018

On this week’s episode of the Ask a Manager podcast, I talked with happiness expert Gretchen Rubin about happiness and work. Gretchen is a leading expert on the connections between habits, happiness, and human nature, and is author of multiple bestselling books, including The Happiness Project and, most recently, The Four Tendencies. We talked about […]

I interviewed Gretchen Rubin about happiness and work was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

I’m supposed to hide that I was a stay-at-home mom, rude receptionist, and more

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Thu Mar 22 21:03:33 PDT 2018

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I was told to hide that I used to be a stay-at-home mom I had a very strange review yesterday, where my boss shared some feedback that she received from another leader in our organization. Basically I was told that I should stop telling people […]

I’m supposed to hide that I was a stay-at-home mom, rude receptionist, and more was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

Will the Courts Accept a Jury Duty Excuse Letter If You’re in a Pinch?

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Mon Mar 19 05:10:23 PDT 2018

Sometimes, you or your employees’ personal responsibilities conflict with your business. For many small businesses, if you miss work or lose an employee for an extended period of time, there can be harmful effects on productivity in the workplace. But if you or an employee are called in for jury duty, you might not have […]

The post Will the Courts Accept a Jury Duty Excuse Letter If You’re in a Pinch? appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

Don’t Get Carried Away with the Pay Period Leap Year

by Doug Hass @ The Day Shift

Tue Dec 29 04:55:04 PST 2015

Yesterday, we discussed the Pay Period Leap Year and what it means for employers. If your first weekly paychecks would normally issue this Friday, January 1, 2016, you will have a fifty-third pay period on December 31, 2015. If your first bi-weekly paychecks will issue on Friday, January 1, 2016, you will have a twenty-seventh ...

Should You Offer a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan?

by Mike Kappel @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Mon Mar 26 05:10:00 PDT 2018

You know employees like employer-sponsored benefits. As an employer, offering benefits is advantageous for your business, too. A nonqualified deferred compensation plan is one type of benefit that both you and your employees can enjoy. Find out what a nonqualified deferred compensation plan is, why you might consider offering it, and how to set it […]

The post Should You Offer a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan? appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

open thread – March 23-24, 2018

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Fri Mar 23 08:00:39 PDT 2018

It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on anything work-related that you want to talk about. If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet*, but this is a chance to talk to other readers. * If you submitted […]

open thread – March 23-24, 2018 was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

The “N-word,” the “Black Monkey Girl,” and the “Confident, African American Male”: Workplace Language and Hostile Environment Claims

by David Y. Trevor @ Quirky Questions

Fri Feb 23 13:12:25 PST 2018

It is one of the nightmare scenarios for any HR Department or in-house employment counsel: A white employee directing crude, vicious, racially charged slurs at an African-American employee. Perhaps the most inflammatory of such racial epithets is so toxic that it is typically no longer even spelled out in judicial opinions; it is simply the […]

Mobile App and Remote Deposit Capture

by Bart Rydzewski @ Greater Metro Federal Credit Union

Tue Oct 03 13:26:27 PDT 2017

Download the Greater Metro FCU Mobile App from either Apple App Store, Android Google Play or Amazon Appstore on your device. In your store’s search, type in “Greater Metro FCU”, and you will find the free app. Remote Deposit Capture is part of the Mobile App and will allow you to deposit checks without visiting... Read more »

how can I stop resenting my friend who doesn’t have to work?

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Tue Mar 27 07:59:05 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I have a good friend, Arya, who has been taking some time off work for a few years now. Basically, she doesn’t need to work to get by like you and I do. Her spouse makes really good money at an international company, and his salary affords them a generous lifestyle of […]

how can I stop resenting my friend who doesn’t have to work? was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

client pressured me into buying lingerie, employee thinks “thanks” is positive feedback, and more

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Mon Mar 19 21:03:50 PDT 2018

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My client invited me to lunch — and then pressured me into buying lingerie I’m a freelance worker. One of my clients has been with me for several years, and I greatly appreciate her loyalty. Recently she put me in a very awkward situation, and […]

client pressured me into buying lingerie, employee thinks “thanks” is positive feedback, and more was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

The FLSA and Inclement Weather: Paying Employees During Weather-Related Shutdowns

by Doug Hass @ The Day Shift

Thu Jan 07 04:55:04 PST 2016

Over the holidays, a number of areas of the country experienced severe weather, from blizzard conditions to thunderstorms and tornadoes.  Blog readers and HR contacts in the industry have been sending questions, posting on social media, and calling with questions that go something like this: Q.  We had some severe winter weather here that was ...

The growing gig economy, and what that means for electronic payment

by rapid! PayCard @ rapid! PayCard

Fri Aug 04 11:09:31 PDT 2017

Millions of Americans have jobs with little security, no benefits and irregular pay — and they love it. The gig economy is a booming business model that has changed the way employees make money. Gig work translates entrepreneurial spirit into earnings with no strings attached — whether that is to break into a new field, earn extra income for saving and investment, or make some weekend spending money. Nearly a third of the working population have a gig, according to Investopedia. Either as a primary means of income, or as a supplementary job, gigs allow flexibility in employment for a generation characterized by adaptability. This model is especially attractive to... Read More

our employee is taking nude photos in our office and posting them to Facebook

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Wed Mar 14 07:59:09 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I am the office manager of a small (two additional employees, two doctors, and one therapist) health practice. One employee, who I will call Jane, has worked there for over 10 years and handles billing, front desk, and bookkeeping. Jane is recently divorced and seems to be going through a mid-life crisis […]

our employee is taking nude photos in our office and posting them to Facebook was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

open thread – March 16-17, 2018

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Fri Mar 16 08:00:12 PDT 2018

It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on anything work-related that you want to talk about. If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet*, but this is a chance to talk to other readers. * If you submitted […]

open thread – March 16-17, 2018 was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

I’m being mentored against my will by a dude who’s my peer

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Mon Mar 26 07:59:09 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I’ve been in my chosen career for about 10 years now. About three years into my career, I struck up a collegial friendship with someone who worked for a competitor. He’s maybe five years older than I am, but we were at a similar point in our careers. Fast forward to the […]

I’m being mentored against my will by a dude who’s my peer was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

It’s time payment systems caught up with the demands of the gig economy

by rapid! PayCard @ rapid! PayCard

Tue Feb 13 16:10:28 PST 2018

Is your payment system ready for the gig economy or are you just a big wannabe? According to a Forbes article, 35 percent of the workforce have a gig, and collectively they earned $1 trillion from ad hoc work last year. But, freelance workers, who have come to expect payment as instantaneous as their work, are turning their noses up at outdated companies that can’t keep up. If you’re still mailing checks, might as well be using the Pony Express as far as tech-savvy gig workers are concerned. We are on the precipice of a major sea change, and the traditional employment model is quickly becoming as outdated as the... Read More

what can I say to job candidates who are stalking me outside of work?

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Mon Mar 12 10:59:18 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I work for a company known for its unbelievable perks and benefits. Every time a job opens up, we get thousands of applications. Candidates are becoming increasingly aggressive to stand out. Hundreds of them (literally) have purchased Facebook ads or LinkedIn promoted posts to get their information in front of current employees. […]

what can I say to job candidates who are stalking me outside of work? was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

I slept through an entire day of work

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Tue Mar 20 10:59:20 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I started a new senior position in a new city about two months ago and I was killing it. It was just such a great fit of the job matching my abilities- I moved several integral projects forward and took some business trips in my first few weeks. Everyone was saying it felt […]

I slept through an entire day of work was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

OSHA 300 Needs to be Posted by Feb 1

by Steve Scheu @ Time and Pay

Fri Jan 19 10:30:57 PST 2018

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that all employers with more than 10 employees—except those in exempt low-risk industries—must maintain a record of work-related injuries and illnesses. Those who are required to maintain these records use OSHA’s Form 300- Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses,  or an equivalent or state-specific form. A summary […]

The post OSHA 300 Needs to be Posted by Feb 1 appeared first on Time and Pay.

rapid! PayCard Green Dot Announcement

by rapid! PayCard @ rapid! PayCard

Tue Jan 31 14:03:14 PST 2017

Green Dot to Acquire UniRush, LLC, Operating Company for RushCard and Rapid! PayCard Transaction Expected to Generate Significant Strategic and Financial Synergies PASADENA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Green Dot Corporation (NYSE:GDOT) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire UniRush, LLC, and its operating businesses RushCard, a leading online direct-to-consumer general purpose reloadable prepaid card provider, and Rapid! PayCard, a leading corporate payroll card provider. The acquisition, which maps to “Step Five” of Green Dot’s “Six Step Plan” to enhance shareholder value, materially expands Green Dot’s scale with the addition of the RushCard and Rapid! PayCard installed customer bases, while establishing Green Dot as a formidable player in the growing... Read More

A Look at Federal, State, and Local Minimum Wages

by Mike Kappel @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Mar 21 05:30:00 PDT 2018

You can’t just pay your employees any amount you want. You must follow federal, state, and local laws that set minimum wages. What is minimum wage? Minimum wage is the lowest amount you can pay an employee per hour of work. You can pay more than the minimum wage, but you should never pay less […]

The post A Look at Federal, State, and Local Minimum Wages appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

my coworker keeps cooking for me, colleague tried to steal from a bereavement fund, and more

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Sun Mar 25 21:03:20 PDT 2018

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My office gave out thank-you gifts … with strings and deadlines I work for a private firm in a very deadline-driven business. We are extremely busy now and are having a stressful year because we are short on staff. A few days ago the professionals […]

my coworker keeps cooking for me, colleague tried to steal from a bereavement fund, and more was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

coworker is too aggressive about enforcing rules, colleague selling free stuff from work, and more

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Sun Mar 18 21:03:17 PDT 2018

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker is too aggressive about keeping our lab clean My colleague, who is my peer, recently got a responsibility he treats very seriously. That responsibility is focused around improvement of tidyness of the laboratory with a focus of reducing the risk of contamination. These […]

coworker is too aggressive about enforcing rules, colleague selling free stuff from work, and more was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

I overheard my boss complaining about me

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Mon Mar 26 09:30:32 PDT 2018

A reader writes: The higher-ups in our company regularly have private meetings, which are usually very hush-hush behind closed doors. During a recent meeting of theirs, the door was left open and we (the rest of the team) could hear bits and pieces of their conversation-not purposely, of course, and not that it was worth […]

I overheard my boss complaining about me was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

an affair is causing work drama, I feel slighted by my work anniversary gift, and more

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Tue Mar 27 21:03:54 PDT 2018

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. An affair and tons of drama at work I have worked for a small company in the midwest for about seven years. I generally like my job and I am good at it. About four years ago, we hired a salesperson named “Jane.” Her role […]

an affair is causing work drama, I feel slighted by my work anniversary gift, and more was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

is “secretary” a demeaning title?

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Tue Mar 13 07:59:15 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I work in the tree care industry at a company where the hierarchy is the owner and manager (“Will”), his assistant on the field providing estimates, then me, the owner’s secretary, then the tree workers (who have their own hierarchy). I work in the office by myself taking calls from clients for […]

is “secretary” a demeaning title? was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

What You Need to Know About a Qualifying Life Event

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Mon Mar 12 05:10:40 PDT 2018

Employees have a window of time each year to sign up for certain types of employer-sponsored insurance. Although this open enrollment period takes place at the end of each year for all employees, an employee can add or remove coverage at any time of the year if they have a qualifying life event. What is […]

The post What You Need to Know About a Qualifying Life Event appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

coworker calls me his “work wife,” error in my offer letter, and more

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Wed Mar 21 21:03:05 PDT 2018

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker calls me his “work wife” A couple of months ago, I joined a new team at work, in a role that is somewhat isolated from the rest of the group. So I was glad when another junior staff member who had joined the […]

coworker calls me his “work wife,” error in my offer letter, and more was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

my old boss still assigns me work, coworker doesn’t wash her hands when leaving the bathroom, and more

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Thu Mar 15 21:03:29 PDT 2018

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My old boss is still assigning me work Recently I came back from FMLA leave to discover that my boss had been (willingly??) demoted and quickly replaced with an outside hire. It turns out I rather like the new boss. I am the lead assistant […]

my old boss still assigns me work, coworker doesn’t wash her hands when leaving the bathroom, and more was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

I hate the idea of networking — it feels slimy

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Tue Mar 13 09:30:58 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I’m a college student, so I’m very early in my professional career, but so far I’ve already had trouble overcoming my aversion/distaste/ineptitude for networking. I’ve only done one summer internship, but I’m always hearing that the only real way to get jobs and find success professionally is through “networking”—a challenge for me, […]

I hate the idea of networking — it feels slimy was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

my employee works from home too much

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Wed Mar 14 09:30:57 PDT 2018

This week on the Ask a Manager podcast, I talk with a manager who gives her staff a lot of flexibility when it comes to working from home, and she’s concerned one employee is using that flexibility in a way that isn’t quite working for their team. Here’s the letter she sent to me, and you […]

my employee works from home too much was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

OSHA Weighs in on Retaliation and Drug Testing

by Rebecca Bernhard @ Quirky Questions

Thu Sep 15 15:29:13 PDT 2016

QUESTION: We conduct drug testing whenever an employee is injured at work or in involved in an accident. I recently read that this may violate OSHA’s anti-retaliation rule. How can that be? I would think OSHA would want employers to drug test to keep workplaces drug-free and safe. Short Answer: Drug testing raises complex issues, […]

Schedule a Check-up for Your Financial Life

by rapid! PayCard @ rapid! PayCard

Fri May 05 09:13:33 PDT 2017

Most of us are diligent about maintaining the various aspects of our life. We swap out the batteries on our smoke detectors with regularity; we schedule annual physicals, and get our car’s oil changed based on the manufacturer’s mileage recommendation. Still, many of us tend to take better care of our cars than we do our financial life. The irony being, an un-tended financial life can break down just as assuredly as an under-serviced automobile. It can run out of gas, but it can also seize up and need a roadside tow. In short, a well-examined financial life is worth exploring. 1. Schedule. Set a recurring point in time for... Read More

interview with a nanny for a famous psychic

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Thu Mar 15 07:59:53 PDT 2018

Occasionally I do interviews here with people who have had particularly interesting jobs. Recently a commenter here mentioned that she used to be a nanny for a famous psychic, and I wanted to know more. She kindly agreed to be interviewed, and here’s our conversation. Note: This interview contains references to the interviewee’s spiritual beliefs, […]

interview with a nanny for a famous psychic was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

Time & Pay Implements New Withholding Tax Rates

by Steve Scheu @ Time and Pay

Fri Jan 19 11:11:34 PST 2018

Time & Pay Implements 2018 Payroll Withholding Tax Rates? On Dec 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that will, as determined by the Tax Policy Center, cut income taxes for 143 million Americans. The law went into effect January 1, 2018. On Jan 11, 2018 the IRS released the new tax tables […]

The post Time & Pay Implements New Withholding Tax Rates appeared first on Time and Pay.

should I point out job applicants’ mistakes to them?

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Tue Mar 20 09:30:30 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I supervise a summertime internship program at my job, which attracts mainly college-age applicants. A huge component of the internship is attention to detail. This week I received five applications for the internship. Three of those have included detail errors, some minor and some major. For example: 1. The first applicant stated […]

should I point out job applicants’ mistakes to them? was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

IRS Issues New W-4

by Steve Scheu @ Time and Pay

Fri Mar 02 07:40:30 PST 2018

IRS Initiates Paycheck Check-Up Week, March 26-April 1  The IRS has issued the new W-4 for 2018 taking into account the new Tax Act which went into effect in January.  (The Advi$or notes that what used to be a 2 page document is now 4 pages!) Along with the new W-4, the IRS has also advised […]

The post IRS Issues New W-4 appeared first on Time and Pay.

should I work for a tiny organization?

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Tue Mar 13 10:59:19 PDT 2018

A reader writes: My husband works in the public school system (not a teacher) and is considering a job offer with a one-person nonprofit. He and the CEO will be the only employees aside from volunteers. He’d be working virtually and he hasn’t negotiated the offer yet, but I thought I’d ask you and your […]

should I work for a tiny organization? was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

Why every business should consider switching to electronic payroll

by rapid! PayCard @ rapid! PayCard

Thu Oct 05 05:37:57 PDT 2017

Due to advancements in technology, utilizing payroll checks is becoming an outdated form of payment. Automated payment through direct deposit saves time and money, enhances security1, 2 and can make payday easy for employers and employees. Yet, resistance to modern banking solutions like direct deposit and paycards prevent many businesses from progressing in the 21st century. Paycard technology is growing in popularity, and as the benefits of switching to electronic payroll compound,  it becomes more difficult for businesses to avoid trying out alternative payment methods such as the rapid! PayCard. Still not convinced? Here are 3 reasons why paycheck holdouts are making the switch to a more convenient, modern, and... Read More

someone I’ve known for years lied to get me to hire someone terrible she wanted to get rid of

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Wed Mar 21 10:59:55 PDT 2018

A reader writes: “Arya” and I were classmates in college. We were in the same year and did the same major. We’ve known each other for 16 years and have worked together twice; one time she was my manager and the other time I was hers. We often attend the same work-related conferences and exchange […]

someone I’ve known for years lied to get me to hire someone terrible she wanted to get rid of was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

Quirky Question #287: “Cat’s Paw” Claims – How could an employer violate antidiscrimination laws, even though the decision-making manager has no discriminatory bias at all?

by David Y. Trevor @ Quirky Questions

Fri Aug 05 12:00:39 PDT 2016

Question: We just went through a five-person layoff, and one of the individuals laid off (an African American) has hired a lawyer and is threatening to sue for racial discrimination. I have enormous confidence in the fairness of the individual manager making the layoff selections, and those selections were based on years of performance ratings.  However, […]

weekend free-for-all – March 17-18, 2018

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Fri Mar 16 23:30:12 PDT 2018

This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. (This one is truly no work and no school.) Book recommendation of the week: The Newlyweds, by Nell Freudenberger. A Bangladeshi woman comes to the U.S. to marry an American man, and ends up caught between two […]

weekend free-for-all – March 17-18, 2018 was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

my ex won’t leave our company after our break-up, I cried in front of my boss, and more

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Tue Mar 13 21:03:06 PDT 2018

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I got my partner a job at my company, we broke up, and she won’t leave My partner of eight years and I just split up. We are not legally married. We are both female. Recently, I helped her get a job at my longtime […]

my ex won’t leave our company after our break-up, I cried in front of my boss, and more was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

my office is moving … to my boss’s house

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Thu Mar 22 09:30:55 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I work for a small company with two full-time employees, two part-time, and a weekly bookkeeper. My boss is wealthy, mercurial, and often out of the office or traveling. Recently, he announced that he has decided to move our office from our (already small) space into his duplex apartment, which is supposed […]

my office is moving … to my boss’s house was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

will it hurt me to apply for multiple jobs at the same company?

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Wed Mar 14 10:59:03 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I’ve been trying to start a career at the entry-level in a difficult industry to break into for quite some time. I wasn’t as tenacious as I should have been in my initial round of applications nearly a year ago, but now I’m finally ready to jump on every listing that fits […]

will it hurt me to apply for multiple jobs at the same company? was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

I’m afraid to show any weakness at work

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Tue Mar 27 09:30:36 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I’m a director at my company, responsible for four staff members and my own department. I have been in this director role for about 16 months, and prior to this I was an assistant director responsible for two people … but I had someone above me who shaped the department and basically […]

I’m afraid to show any weakness at work was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

Your Guide to Direct Deposit During the Holidays

by rapid! PayCard @ rapid! PayCard

Thu Nov 16 05:07:27 PST 2017

The holiday season is around the corner, which for some means eggnog and lights on display, but for others it means payroll delays. Automated payment through direct deposit is proven to be more efficient, secure and cost-effective than paper checks. Still, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when switching over to electronic payment — especially around the holidays. The holiday season is a double-edged sword: it’s likely the most expensive time of the year, but is also full of banking holidays which can affect the timeliness of direct deposit. Here’s why. What is the ACH and why does it matter? The Automated Clearing House is an electronic... Read More

Refusal to Transfer an Employee as an Adverse Employment Action; or, How Life Imitates 1950s Movies

by David Y. Trevor @ Quirky Questions

Thu Sep 28 14:48:55 PDT 2017

In the classic 1955 movie, Mister Roberts, Henry Fonda plays Doug Roberts, a frustrated Naval officer aboard a supply ship in a backwater area of the Pacific during World War II. Roberts desperately seeks a transfer to a combat ship more directly involved in the war, but he is continually – and maliciously – turned […]

weekend free-for-all – March 24-25, 2018

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Sat Mar 24 07:00:39 PDT 2018

This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. (This one is truly no work and no school.) Book recommendation of the week: The Amateur Marriage, by Anne Tyler. A multi-generational saga, all stemming from a marriage that probably shouldn’t have happened.

weekend free-for-all – March 24-25, 2018 was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

we give our interns free housing — and there are problems

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Mon Mar 19 07:59:47 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I train and manage a team of young (22-25) paid interns who, as part of their compensation, have free housing in a shared living space owned by my organization. Recently, one of my female interns told me (in tears) that the male interns repeatedly use the word “bitch” in their shared living […]

we give our interns free housing — and there are problems was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

Answers to 18 Payroll Questions You Are Dying to Ask

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Mon Mar 05 05:10:18 PST 2018

For some business owners, running payroll might be like learning a foreign language. You are a master of your business idea, not the administrative responsibilities that come with it. Because you might not be familiar with these responsibilities, you might have some payroll questions. Payroll questions and answers When you become an employer, you need […]

The post Answers to 18 Payroll Questions You Are Dying to Ask appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

win a copy of the new Ask a Manager book

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Mon Mar 12 09:30:58 PDT 2018

Want to win a copy of the new Ask a Manager book? My publisher is giving away 25 free copies to readers of this site, and you can enter to win one here. Ask a Manager: How to Navigate Clueless Colleagues, Lunch-Stealing Bosses, and the Rest of Your Life at Work will be published by Random House/Ballantine on […]

win a copy of the new Ask a Manager book was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.

Correcting Employment Taxes: What to Do If You Withhold the Wrong Amount

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Feb 28 05:10:52 PST 2018

It’s easy to make mistakes, especially when you have a million and one things on your plate. One error you could make is deducting the wrong amount from employee wages. Correcting employment taxes is necessary if you withhold too much or too little from your employees’ paychecks. This article provides an overview of employment taxes […]

The post Correcting Employment Taxes: What to Do If You Withhold the Wrong Amount appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and Payroll

by Steve Scheu @ Time and Pay

Tue Dec 26 11:10:32 PST 2017

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – What Does It Mean for Your Payroll? On Dec 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that will, as determined by the Tax Policy Center, cut income taxes for 143 million Americans. The law goes into effect January 1, 2018. This new tax law will obviously effect […]

The post Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and Payroll appeared first on Time and Pay.

FLSA Minimum Wage, Overtime Lawsuits Set New Record in 2015, Filing Growth Continues

by Doug Hass @ The Day Shift

Mon Jan 04 04:55:54 PST 2016

Welcome back! If you missed them over the holiday week, you will want to check out our series on 2016’s Pay Period Leap Year from last week.  You might need to take some immediate action to get payroll ready for this year. Now that 2016 has arrived, it is time to look back at the number ...

how to answer job candidates’ questions about salary when I don’t have a range to provide

by Ask a Manager @ Ask a Manager

Tue Mar 27 10:59:21 PDT 2018

A reader writes: I work in HR for a small company and typically am involved with the phone screen and in-person interview portion of the hiring process. During these phases, we are not provided any information with regard to salary. Our CEO generally provides that information to me upon hiring and handles determining pay rates […]

how to answer job candidates’ questions about salary when I don’t have a range to provide was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager.