Blog
We’re the people behind payroll.
Payroll Management is a family-owned and operated independent payroll processing, HR, time and attendance, and tax support services provider for small and medium-sized businesses that want personalized service from real people.
Employer Law Alerts You Should Know About
Check out the latest federal and state employment law updates for Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire—so your business stays protected and compliant.
When is it appropriate to use a performance improvement plan versus a disciplinary action?
Performance improvement plans (PIPs) are best suited for performance issues, such as an employee not hitting their required sales goals or failing to complete projects on time. Employers often use them to underscore the seriousness of the performance issue and give...
Can we deduct from an exempt employee’s salary when they’re on intermittent FMLA leave?
Yes. If no paid leave laws apply and you don’t offer any paid time off, you can deduct from an exempt employee’s salary for leave designated as Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), even if that leave is taken intermittently. FMLA leave is one of the instances in which...
How do I calculate overtime when an employee takes PTO and gets paid for more than 40 hours in the workweek?
You’re only required to pay overtime when a nonexempt employee works more than 40 hours in a workweek. Paid time the employee didn’t work—such as vacation, paid holidays, or sick leave—doesn’t count towards hours worked for overtime purposes. A couple of examples: If...
We will be conducting a layoff due to our financial situation. Any tips for reducing risk?
Start by figuring out how much you’ll need to reduce headcount to get your financials to where you’d like them to be, and where that headcount will be coming from. Will you be eliminating a certain number of positions, a certain percentage of payroll, or using some...
Can I track hours worked by exempt employees?
You can, but we generally recommend not tracking unless you’ve got a legitimate business reason for doing so. Most exempt employees don’t expect to have to track their hours and will likely bristle at the idea. After all, not having to punch a clock is considered one...
Can we terminate someone for taking FMLA leave during a major project they committed to helping with?
No. When a leave of absence is “job protected,” like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), it means you can’t terminate or demote the employee or take away any benefit they earned or were entitled to because they took that time off. Upon their return, you generally...
What does it mean when a discrimination claim is filed with the EEOC?
When a claim is filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), it means that an employee, a former employee, or a job applicant is alleging that they were discriminated against by the employer because of their race, color, religion, sex,...
We are struggling to find applicants. How can we more effectively get the word out about our open positions?
Getting job postings in front of the right audience can be a challenge. We recommend casting a wide net, tracking results, and then narrowing your efforts to focus on the avenues that have provided the best results. Here are some ways to consider sharing your...
I just made my first job offer over the phone, and the candidate accepted immediately. What do I do next?
Congratulations on your first hire! The time between now and their first day of employment will be filled with anticipation, excitement, and paperwork. Here are key things to get done before their first day: Send a written offer to the candidate so they can review and...
What do we do if we find a discrepancy in a background check?
It depends on the seriousness of the discrepancy. You probably don’t need to make an issue of a minor variance like a candidate telling you they started a job in the month of April when their background check says they began in May. However, a major difference, such...
How many hours must an employee work to be considered full time?
Generally, employers are free to decide how many hours an employee needs to work to qualify as “full time.” Many employers choose to make 40 hours per week their standard for full-time employment, but 35 and 32 hours per week are fairly common as well. Full-time and...
We have employees located across the country. How can we encourage them to work asynchronously so they make effective use of their time and don’t feel pressured to work outside their scheduled hours?
Asynchronous work is often essential for teams, especially when they’re spread out over multiple time zones. But it can also lead to delays, uneven workloads, and pressure to work outside of one’s scheduled hours. Here are our tips for making asynchronous work smooth...
Payroll Management, Inc.
550 Center Street STE 1210
P.O. Box 1837
Auburn, ME 04211-1837
