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.
One of our employees informed us that she’s menopausal and experiencing symptoms in the workplace. What can we do to support her and others in her situation?
Answer from Lisa, PHR: Menopause (the time that marks the end of the menstrual cycle) and perimenopause (the time just before) can come with a host of symptoms. Anxiety, brain fog, burnout, menstrual changes, cognitive changes, depression, hot flashes, sleep issues,...
Should we have a COVID section in our employee handbook?
While COVID will continue to affect our workplaces for some time, we generally recommend not adding COVID policies directly to your handbook. Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to evolve, and federal and state laws related to...
What are the basic steps of a harassment investigation?
Answer from Rachel, SHRM-SCP: When an employer receives a harassment claim, they have a legal obligation to examine the claim by conducting a thorough investigation. This includes the following steps: Select an interviewer. Typically, this person would be an impartial...
Avoiding Burnout When You Work in HR
If you work in HR, you know that employee burnout remains pervasive. You also know that the task of supporting overly stressed employees often falls on your shoulders. But you’re exhausted too. Burnout isn’t just a problem you have to help others solve; you also have...
Do managers need to be classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act?
Answer from Kyle, PHR: No, it’s fine to classify managers as nonexempt. You are under no obligation to classify any employees as exempt, even if they meet the criteria under the Fair Labor Standards Act. You could have an entire workforce of nonexempt employees, right...
If a holiday like New Year’s Eve falls on a weekend when we’re closed, and we typically give employees that holiday off, do we have to offer employees an alternative day off?
Answer from Emily, MBA, SPHR: No, the way you designate holiday closures is largely up to you. No federal law requires you to offer holidays off or offer alternative days off if you’re closed on a holiday (Massachusetts and Rhode Island both have laws that address...
When can we deduct from an exempt employee’s pay?
Answer from Eric, SPHR, SHRM-SCP: In general, if an exempt employee performs any work during the workweek, you must pay them their full salary amount. Deductions are allowed, however, for legally required withholding and benefit elections. There are a handful of other...
When does the Form I-9 need to be completed?
Answer from Monica, SPHR, SHRM-CP: All new employees must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 on (or before) their first day of employment. Then, within three business days following their start date, they must submit acceptable proof of their identity and eligibility to...
The Rewards of Trust and How to Get Them
Why do people stop trusting in one another? And what happens to a team when trust disappears? To answer these questions, let’s start with a fable. About a year ago, Abigail began her first day on a new job. She was a software engineer, new to the workforce, and eager...
Now that we’ve become a “remote first” company with most of our employees working from home, we’ve started hiring remote employees in other parts of the country. We’re covered by FMLA because we have more than 50 employees—even at our headquarters alone. Will our remote employees be eligible for FMLA leave once they’ve worked the required amount of time?
Answer from Marisa, SPHR: Yes, these new remote employees will likely be entitled to take leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), but not just yet. To be eligible for leave under the FMLA, an employee must have worked for your company for at least...
What is an exit interview?
Answer from Celine, SHRM-CP: An exit interview is a conversation with a departing employee about their time at the company and the reason for their departure. It’s completely optional, but some employers conduct them to learn about workplace issues they may want to...
Federal Contractor Minimum Wage and Final Tip Rules
Minimum Wage Beginning January 30, 2022, the minimum wage for work performed on or in connection with covered federal contracts will increase to $15.00 per hour. The minimum base wage for covered tipped employees will be $10.50 per hour. 80/20 Tip Credit Rule Restored...
Payroll Management, Inc.
550 Center Street STE 1210
P.O. Box 1837
Auburn, ME 04211-1837
