Horizon Payroll Blogs

You’ve probably weathered many changes to your company and staffing recently. And that includes staying compliant with new legislation that requires expanded paid leave. There’s a lot of detail to keep track of, but the good news is many employers are eligible for some relief in the form of tax credits. Here’s what you need to know.

If you’ve recently made the decision to furlough or lay off employees, or are in the process, you’re not alone. Nearly 50% of companies say they are at least somewhat likely to conduct layoffs over the next three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic according to CNBC. What’s more, the Economic Policy Institute estimates almost 20 million jobs will be lost by this summer (see a breakdown of the estimate by state here).

Far-reaching, fast-changing new stories in the digital age mean a deluge of coverage from many perspectives, coupled with millions of people adding their voice to the story. Right now, many of us are closely following the current global health crisis and its impact on business, employment, and the economy, but in the past other major news has caught the nation’s attention too. And make no mistake, there will be more big stories in the future. There’s so much information to absorb that it can be hard to filter what’s based in fact, what’s speculation or rumor, or what’s flat out wrong.

As we continue to take stock of our current situation and plan for the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring, we suggest doing a reality check of your business. Take control by applying these tips, Ten Tips to Do in Tough Times. Courtesy of Small Business Administration (SBA) and SCORE.       

In these trying times, one of the industries that has been most affected is the sit-down restaurant industry.  We often say that what sets us apart at Horizon Payroll Solutions, is that we’re more of a partner than just a vendor.  To that end, we thought we’d send out a list of our partners that are going to stay open for carryout/curbside or delivery or both.  Some of the restaurants that are doing delivery are using Doordash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub, and others are using some of their staff to do deliveries.  We hope that if you are looking for a meal either for your home or business, that you’ll consider one of our local partners and your local neighbors to patronize.  Stay safe everyone.  Let’s get through this together!!!

As our digital footprint expands, concerns of identity theft become more commonplace both at home and at work. In response to this, data protection is now a top priority for families and businesses. The Insurance Information Institute reported 14.4 million victims of identity theft in 2018. Though this was a decrease from the year before—of 16.7 million in 2017—identity theft is still a major issue in the majority of consumer’s lives.

It’s tax time, you probably have a payroll cycle ending soon, and don’t forget those redesigned W-4s you’re getting questions about. While you’re at it, have you noted any state or local minimum wage changes for this year? If you’re lucky, you have it all under control, but if not, don’t worry. You’re not alone.

Dependable timekeeping is one of the most important contributors to the financial health of your company. Not only does it build and maintain trust with your team members, but it also streamlines your payroll and scheduling process to avoid unnecessary and costly time spent on correcting errors. Since no two businesses are alike, your payroll system should be flexible and adaptable to fit the unique needs of your industry.

Welcoming a new employee comes with the necessary hurdle of onboarding paperwork. The I-9 form is often the launching point for documenting the arrival of your new team member. The form confirms the employee’s identity and eligibility for employment in the US regardless of their citizenship.

By now, you’ve probably heard the IRS has released a redesigned version of form W-4 for 2020, also known as the Employee’s Withholding Certificate. Most employees will need to fill out a new W-4 now and then, but how does this new form factor into the mix?

Sending employees out on the road has countless benefits. Quite often, it’s the best way to connect face-to-face with clients and partners or seek out training from experts in the field. In other industries, daily travel is simply part of the job. Maintenance and utility workers, for example, rarely work on their homebase without a trip to a customer’s home on a weekly, if not daily, basis. So, how do you compensate employees for travel, especially when they have nonexempt, hourly contracts?

Building and maintaining trust with your employees is always a top priority in your business. An easy and error-free payroll process makes employees feel supported in their work and eager to grow with your company. Statistics show that accurate payroll is one of the top retention tools for gaining employee trust. So, it‘s only understandable that you have fears about passing this crucial task to someone else.

Every business has one-of-a-kind payroll needs. A local coffee shop doesn’t require the same payroll schedule, timekeeping system or HR support as a 50-person marketing agency. 

If the words “payroll fraud” make you cringe, you’re not alone. Perhaps you’ve seen a recent story in the national news, but unfortunately, it’s not an isolated incident, as seen in Maryland and Indiana. If you’ve recently started to outsource this task or are just starting to consider it, you might be wondering if it’s a smart, and safe, decision.

If you’re like many employers, you’ve been following the developments about the DOL’s long-anticipated final rule regarding overtime eligibility. The law is critical to correctly classifying exempt and non-exempt employees, and many employers have been left in a holding pattern since updates were first suggested in 2016.

Updated March 29, 2020.

This blog post reflects the current state and local minimum wages in effect as of January 1, 2021, as well as future enacted increases. Read on to prepare to update your payroll and learn what you need to know.

After the recent management shift at the Department of Labor, experts are encouraging businesses to prepare sooner than later for upcoming changes to overtime laws. Many suspect that the white-collar exemption salary threshold could increase with only several months’ notice. What does this mean for businesses? Employees that meet certain job duties and fall within a specific salary range will be reclassified to non-exempt employees, making them eligible for overtime hours.

Managing an active HR office is demanding work on a typical day. When a new employee arrives for orientation, an already-hectic day gets a bit busier. So how can you simplify the onboarding process to handle these transitions with greater ease?

Employees depend on your payroll system to be concise and on time every pay cycle, but avoiding issues is not always easy. Business owners—especially of small and mid-sized companies—often have too much on their plate to double back and check their work or fix mistakes. Precision is not always possible without a little help.

Every new employee wants to make a strong impression on their first day. The HR team plays a key role in setting each new worker on the right track so they can succeed. At the same time, hiring managers rarely have the time to organize an official onboarding process. Doing so, however, could save significant time, energy and transition complications. It welcomes the new team member with a sense of efficiency and enthusiasm that would otherwise get lost without a plan.