As business closures increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are faced with questions about compensation and health benefit coverage for their employees. Government relief measures may provide compensation for businesses and individuals in certain situations. In other cases, existing rules on employee rights will apply. Paid leave may be required for some employees by…
Per the Virginia Employment Commission: “If you are a worker who has been totally or partially separated from your job due to Coronavirus, please note that no claim for unemployment insurance may be filed or processed until an actual lay off from employment has occurred, or until there has been an actual reduction in hours.…
This comprehensive glossary of human resource (HR) terms defines words and phrases frequently used by HR professionals. – A – Ability: A competence to perform an observable behavior or a behavior that results in an observable product. Action item: Specific activity initiated to achieve an objective. Adaptive device: Any tool that facilitates greater efficiency by…
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), announced a new final rule that clarifies how to calculate an employee’s regular wage rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule became effective on Jan. 15, 2020. Calculating the regular rate is an essential first step when determining an employee’s overtime compensation. Under the FLSA,…
On Jan. 7, 2020 the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued two opinion letters that clarify how the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) applies in specific situations. Opinion letters provide the DOL’s official opinion on how the law applies in specific situations. Employers that rely on opinion letters may be able to establish a “good…
Employers Must Begin Using the New Form Jan. 1 On Dec. 5, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service released an updated version of its W-4 form, also known as the “Employee’s Withholding Certificate.” Employers use IRS Form W-4 to determine each employee’s federal tax withholdings. The new form is intended to harmonize tax withholding declarations with…
SIMA will be closed on Wednesday, December 25 and Wednesday, January 1 in observance of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Your payroll must be processed a day earlier than normal by 12:00 pm to ensure timely processing. Is your pay date on Wednesday, December 25 or Wednesday, January 1? There will be no direct…
On September 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule to make 1.3 million American workers newly eligible for overtime pay. The final rule updates the earnings thresholds necessary to exempt executive, administrative and professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime pay requirements, and allows employers…
Like many businesses, you may be feeling the financial crunch these days and be tempted to use money you deduct for taxes and retirement plan contributions from employees’ wages. Failing to remit payroll taxes and retirement plan contributions in a timely manner is not only a violation of an employer’s legal obligation, it can also…
Final Rule Takes Effect Jan. 1 On Sept. 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new final rule that updates the salary thresholds that some individuals must meet in order to qualify for a minimum wage and overtime exemption under the federal Fair Labors Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule becomes effective…
