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.
Our company is closing today due to inclement weather. Are we required to pay employees for this day?
Answer from Kyle, PHR: The answer depends on whether the employees are exempt or nonexempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Exempt employees must still be paid when you close due to inclement weather. Nonexempt employees, however, only need to be paid for actual...
The American Rescue Plan Act is Signed into Law
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which is the latest bill to address the ongoing economic impacts of COVID-19, has been signed into law. Most aspects of the law do not directly affect the HR function, but those that do—optional extension of sick and family leave...
How Important is an Updated Employee Handbook?
Does your employee handbook have a coating of dust on it? Was it last printed in 2008? If so, it’s probably time for an update. This important company asset is distributed to new employees during their onboarding and orientation, but it may be beneficial to you and...
Is There a Better Way to Pay Workers’ Compensation?
There is a better way to pay your workers’ compensation insurance premiums than being hit hard with a sizable one-time sum. You’ve heard murmurs around the metaphorical watercooler of a “pay-as-you-go” method of workers’ compensation payments—rumors that it can’t be...
I’ve heard that OSHA released new COVID-19 workplace guidance. Are there any new requirements?
Answer from Kara, JD, SPHR: Technically, no. OSHA’s new guidance is advisory in nature and creates no new legal obligations. However, one of President Biden’s first acts after being sworn in was to sign an Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety that...
Do I need to include an EEO statement in our job postings?
Answer from Margaret, PHR, SHRM-CP: Unless you are a federal contractor, you are not required to have an EEO statement in your job postings. Some employers who are not federal contractors opt to include an EEO statement as a sign to applicants that they take diversity...
How do I determine whether a requested accommodation would be an undue hardship?
Answer from Kyle, PHR: The basic definition of an undue hardship is an action that creates a significant difficulty or expense. There are no hard and fast rules governing what significant means, but the bar is intentionally set high in order to encourage employers to...
How to Help Employees Communicate More Effectively
In an ideal world, communication would be easy. We’d immediately know exactly what to say or write. Emails, Slack messages, and reply threads would practically write themselves. And there’d be no confusion about what anyone meant, ever. Of course, communication never...
What are some typical examples of employee discipline? Are there any you recommend?
Answer from Monica, SPHR, SHRM-CP: Discipline should reflect the severity of the behavior, attempt to correct it, and be applied consistently. You’ll want to consider how you addressed certain behaviors in the past and the precedent you want to set for the future. For...
Is there a downside to screening the social media accounts of job candidates?
Question: Is there a downside to screening the social media accounts of job candidates? Answer from Kyle, PHR: There can be downsides, yes. First, screening social media accounts creates extra risk. You could be exposed to information about a candidate’s protected...
How should we handle returning personal belongings to a terminated employee? Can we pack them up for the employee?
Question: How should we handle returning personal belongings to a terminated employee? Can we pack them up for the employee? Answer from Monica, SPHR, SHRM-CP: You may pack personal belonging for the employee or ask that they come in and collect their items. My...
An employee of ours had a brief coughing fit today, but she says she just had something caught in her throat. As far as we’ve seen, she hasn’t experienced any symptoms associated with COVID-19 other than this one time. Do we need to send her home just in case?
Answer from Kyle, PHR: No. If you’ve confirmed that she isn’t experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, I would recommend treating this instance of coughing as a one-off event and not indicative of the virus. You can remind her and other employees to stay home if they are...
Payroll Management, Inc.
550 Center Street STE 1210
P.O. Box 1837
Auburn, ME 04211-1837