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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.
We have a longtime employee who’s no longer meeting expectations. The owner is afraid to hold them accountable because they’re over 40 and therefore in a protected class. What can we do?
In general, you shouldn’t let an employee’s protected class status deter you from holding them accountable to your performance expectations. After all, everyone belongs to protected classes. Being in one simply means you can’t be treated differently because you’re in...
We are looking to implement formal training programs. What types of training would you recommend we have for all employees?
Employee training is going to vary from industry to industry, but there are some types of training we recommend for all employers: Harassment prevention training explains what harassment is and how to avoid it, how to recognize inappropriate and unlawful behavior, and...
Are there questions or topics we should avoid during the hiring process? How can we be sure we don’t accidentally get into one of those topics?
Answered by the HR Experts You should avoid asking questions that could be viewed as discriminatory or that infringe on a candidate’s privacy. Essentially, you want to avoid any questions that are not directly related to the candidate’s ability to perform the job....
What can we do about an employee who is taking too many restroom breaks?
Answered by the HR Experts Start by asking yourself if the employee’s restroom breaks are genuinely causing problems. Focus on the employee’s productivity and performance (as well as any coverage issues) rather than the amount of time spent in the restroom. If the...
We’re planning to close the office a few days a week to save money. Do salaried exempt employees still get their full pay during these furloughs?
Yes, salaried exempt employees must be paid their full weekly salary if they do any work during your designated seven-day workweek, including tasks as quick as checking work email or voicemail. As your goal is to save money, be sure the furlough covers the full...
Federal Law Alert: DOL Increases Exempt Employee Minimum Salaries
On April 26, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published the much-anticipated final rule that will increase the minimum salary for many exempt employees. The increase will take effect in two steps. If you’d like to review the regulations yourself, they are...
We’ve generally been tolerant of harmless pranks, but recently, an employee placed a suggestive picture on a coworker’s workstation and another employee saw it and complained. How should we respond?
Answered by the HR Experts It sounds like this prank could have crossed the line into harassment, even though the person who was offended wasn’t necessarily the intended target. As an employer, you have an obligation to prevent and deal with harassment complaints...
Do we need to pay summer interns?
Answered by the HR Experts Generally, yes, though it depends on who benefits most from their work. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has adopted the "primary beneficiary test" to determine whether a worker is an employee (who must be paid in accordance with federal...
Does the National Labor Relations Act apply to my business if we don’t have a union?
Answered by the HR Experts It does! Congress enacted the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in 1935 to protect the rights of employees and employers, to encourage collective bargaining, and to limit certain labor and management practices that can harm the general...
Federal Law Alert: Federal EEO-1 Reporting Opens April 30
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced that the 2023 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection will open April 30. The deadline to file the report is June 4, 2024. The EEO-1 Component 1 report is a mandatory filing for private employers with 100 or...
Federal Law Alert: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act – Final Regulations Published
The final rule for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which applies to employers with 15 or more employees, has been published and takes effect June 18, 2024. With over 100 pages of preamble, regulations, and interpretive guidance, there’s obviously a lot to...
Navigating AI: A Guide for HR Professionals
Are you using an AI tool to help you with your work tasks? Have you considered doing so? If so, read on. There are advantages to be had and risks to note. According to a Glassdoor report, in the year after the launch of ChatGPT, usage of that tool or those like it by...
Payroll Management, Inc.
550 Center Street STE 1210
P.O. Box 1837
Auburn, ME 04211-1837
