Who pays for employee training?

Your company needs to remain competitive and one way you do that is by educating your employees. That might mean attending conferences, seminars, classes, and more to stay current on changing technologies, new skills, and new ways of thinking. But who pays for employee training? Does training count as “hours worked” under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)? There are four key points you must consider when determining if an employee’s training is compensable. Find out what they are by reading Jon Hyman’s “Do you know? Pay for Employee Training Time” by clicking here.

Chronic complaining in the workplace

Do you have employees that suffer from Chronic Complainitis? Symptoms include complaining about pay, their responsibilities, other employees, you – the boss… the coffee you make available free of charge… You name it and they’ve got a problem with it. And even worse, their bad attitude is contagious.

However, if you discipline the employee for being disruptive, it could come off looking like a personal attack, opening up the floodgates for claims of discrimination and harassment. What you need is a comprehensive code of conduct in your employee handbook. Once this is in place, you will have a fair standard to hold people to and deal with complainers quickly and decisively. Learn more about it by reading “Managing Whiners and Complainers: How to Handle Disruptive Employees” by our partners at Fisher & Phillips LLP. Click here to read the article.

Shopping on company time

Online shopping has never been easier or more convenient. At your fingertips is everything you could possibly want. And really, everyone needs a break now and again. We can’t be expected to work all day, non stop, right?

True. Everyone needs a break. But according to a recent survey, employees are planning on spending more than fourteen hours shopping online at work this holiday season. That’s nearly two full work-days. Not to mention, one in ten employees will spend more than thirty hours looking high and low for that perfect gift.

This is a great time to remind your employees of your computer use policy. You might also benefit from focusing more on results – as long as your employees are completing their work and it meets your standards, let them enjoy their freedom. Every company and manager is different, so use your personal touch to keep things on track this holiday season.

To read more about the study discussed, click here.

Online shopping at work is so prevalent, you’ll even find humorous e-cards on the topic. Click here to check it out.

IRS to perform widespread audit in 2010

Beginning in early 2010, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will start one of the most widespread audits in recent history. They will be giving special focus to three areas:

1. misclassification of independent contractors
2. mistakes regarding payroll taxes
3. improper disbursement of fringe benefit and executive compensation.

Some industries have been a particular focus of audits in the past (such as transportation, healthcare, and financial services) but any company could become a target (even not-for-profits!). The attorneys at Cozen O’Connor  have written “IRS Begins Major Initiative to Audit 6,000 Companies” which includes in-depth information and action steps you can take to reduce your exposure. Click here to read the article.

Recommended reading

If you’re looking for a few helpful hints on how to better your business, the New York Times has a few recommended readings for you to check out. Here are a few quick tips from the books listed:

• Let people know what’s going on, and thank them for their efforts.

            – Sylvia Ann Hewlett in “Top Talent: Keeping Performance Up When Business is Down”

• If you give your workers maximum autonomy, they will lead your business to higher productivity, profits and growth.

            – Brian M. Carney and Isaac Getz in “Freedom, Inc.”

• Before you set off to find a solution, make sure you are focusing on the right problem.

            – Ian I. Mitroff and Abraham Silvers in “Dirty Rotten Strategies”

• Business is all about adaptation.

             – Keith McFarland in “Bounce”

To get a more in-depth look at these insider tips, read Paul B. Brown’s “Helpful Hints from the Printed Page” by clicking here.