Question:  We have two employees who don’t seem to like each other, and it is starting to affect their work. How do we help employees in conflict to work well together? Answer:  Getting employees in conflict to work well together can be challenging, but here are several steps you can take to improve the situation: Investigate the cause or causes of the conflict. It’s easy to jump to conclusions about what is happening. Speak to the employees involved and try to understand the tension between them. Is it a personality clash, a misunderstanding, or a difference in working style? Once ..read more

It might sound like something included in a benefits package alongside nap lounges and smoothie bars, but offering your employees unlimited PTO is not only totally doable, it could have a really positive impact on your organization and culture. So what is “Unlimited PTO”? Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) allows fully paid leave for whatever an employee may need without providing a specific number of days as an allowance. Paid leave for vacation, bereavement, sickness, or any personal reason would not be capped as long as it does not interfere with an employee’s performance, engagement, or ability ..read more

Question:  How do we know if we’re required to provide FMLA for our employees? Answer:  The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides covered employees job-protected, unpaid leave for family or medical related reasons, such as to care for a sick family member or the birth or adoption of a child. Private sector employers that have 50 or more employees for at least 20 workweeks (does not have to be consecutive) in the current or preceding calendar year are required to provide FMLA to eligible employees. When counting your employees, include any employee whose name appears on your pa ..read more

On Jan. 1, the minimum wage increased in 23 states. From a 23-cent increase in Michigan to an increase of $1.50 in Nebraska, people who earn minimum wage are celebrating in many places across the nation. Now, a major influence regarding the adjustments has been the increased rate of inflation that has swept the nation within the past year. This cause-and-effect situation was documented by Deirdre Kennedy, senior payroll analyst of data research firm Wolters Kluwer. Washington state Washington state has one of the nation’s highest base hourly rates, going from $14.49 in 2022 to $15.74 at the s ..read more

The Small Business Virtual Tax Workshop can help business owners learn how to navigate their federal tax responsibilities. This workshop is an easy and convenient way for both new and experienced small business owners to learn or review topics relevant to their business. Online at IRS.gov, it’s free and available 24/7. People can watch the video lessons in any order. The topics include: Federal taxes and your new business Schedule C and other small business taxes Filing and paying taxes electronically Business use of your home Federal taxes when hiring employees or independent contractors Man ..read more

Question:  What is the difference between a job description and a job posting? Can I just share the job description when advertising for a role? Answer:  While the job description and the job posting are similar, in that they both outline the duties of the role and the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform those duties, each has a different purpose. The job description is an internal document outlining the purpose of the role within the organization, the essential functions, and the necessary KSAs. It is often used to set the salary range, complete performance rev ..read more

Providing generous benefits for church employees is part of a strategy that is used to attract and retain key employees. Benefits vary greatly by the organization and can be as simple as health insurance for church employees to as complex as flexible work schedules or on-campus daycare. Benefit packages come in many shapes and sizes, depending on the industry and the organization’s size. The larger the organization, the more expanded and diverse the benefits become. In contrast, smaller organizations often lack the resources to offer expanded benefits packages – not to mention t ..read more

Businesses benefit when their employees engage in healthy lifestyle choices. According to the CDC, healthier choices: Lower healthcare costs for employers and employees Boost employee productivity Reduce absenteeism, and Improve employee morale.   What Is Global Employee Health and Fitness Month? Global Employee Health and Fitness Month (GEHFM) is an international event founded in 1989 and takes place each May. The intention is to promote the benefits of healthy living for employers and employees. Companies are encouraged to plan activities and programs to encourage healthy behaviors i ..read more

On Monday, May 29th, we will celebrate Memorial Day in honor of all the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country. As we prepare to remember our fallen heroes, Payroll Partners would like to remind you that since Memorial Day is also a banking holiday, you may need some additional payroll preparations. Both Payroll Partners and the Federal Reserve will be closed on Monday, May 29th. Ask your Payroll Specialist about the due date changes for payroll.  As always, our team is here to help with any questions you have about your payroll or check dates ..read more

The Internal Revenue Service recently suggested taxpayers who filed or are about to file their 2022 tax return use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to help update the amount of tax to have taken out of their 2023 pay. The IRS says now is a good time to use this online tool. The Tax Withholding Estimator, also available in Spanish, can help people adjust how much is withheld and could put more cash in their pocket or help them avoid a tax bill for 2023. The Tax Withholding Estimator offers workers, retirees and the self-employed a step-by-step guide to effectively tailor the amount of income t ..read more