Payroll

Is it illegal to pay an employee with 91,000 pennies?

04/15/2021

When Andreas quit his job at a Georgia auto body shop, the annoyed owner delivered his final $915 of wages due in a very unique way … 91,500 greasy pennies dumped in a pile on Andreas’ driveway. Is that legal?

Pay employees for pre-shift COVID screening

04/15/2021

To decide if you must pay employees for their pre- or post-work activities—such as putting on uniforms, waiting in a time-clock line, etc.—take a look at the Fair Labor Standards Act. The main issue is whether the pre- or post-activity is “integral” and “indispensable” to the employee’s principal activity.

DOL releases guidance on the COBRA subsidy

04/08/2021

The Department of Labor has dedicated a web page to the American Rescue Plan Act’s 100% COBRA subsidy. It’s also released a ton of guidance on the subsidy, and just in time. The 100% subsidy kicked in April 1. There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s get started.

Help newlyweds make new names official

04/08/2021

Expect an outbreak of wedding bells among your employees later this year. HR and payroll should start preparing now to process name changes.

First Friday in April: A little of this, a little of that and a serving of humble pie

04/02/2021

Let’s look at what’s payroll-related in President Biden’s infrastructure plan, among other issues (but first, the all-important designated hitter debate continues).

Fix common pay errors before DOL investigates

03/11/2021

Managing restaurant employees isn’t easy. And unless HR provides frequent and accurate guidance, front-line managers may be tempted to devise their own questionable methods for simplifying scheduling and paying staff. Don’t let that happen.

Friday wrap: Forms, the end of PAID and other fun stuff

02/05/2021

While all eyes are on Congress and the giant reconciliation bill we anticipate any day now (we’ll probably be saying this next week, too), let’s see what else happened in Payroll Nation this week.

DOL ends PAID program, which granted employers FLSA amnesty

02/02/2021

Launched in 2018, PAID let employers self-report federal minimum-wage and overtime violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act to avoid litigation, penalties or damages.

DOL adjusts penalties for 2021

02/02/2021

The Department of Labor has announced the 2021 inflation adjustments to penalties for employers that violate of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the FMLA and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Remote work goes national: Do you adjust pay?

01/28/2021

As the remote work trend becomes more permanent in the coming years, employers will take a more national-based approach to their recruiting. But that quickly raises a key question about salaries: “Do you pay a remote sales rep in Boston the same as someone based in Boise?”