Join Rob, Scott, and Jason in this month’s HR podcast as they discuss "Watch Me Get Fired" videos, a growing concern for employers nationwide. They explore what they are, best practices to follow, some of the legal implications, helpful termination techniques, manager training, the importance of using professionalism and respect, and more. Tune in to learn how to handle terminations effectively and mitigate risks in the workplace. Need further assistance? Reach out to hr@employco.com for personalized support and resources on manager training, performance improvement plans, and termination best practices.

Join Rob, Scott, and Jason in this month’s HR podcast as they discuss what happens when a business receives an EEOC charge of discrimination. They go over some best practices and employer guidance, from the moment the complaint arrives in the mail to your options when responding. It’s crucial to act timely! They also provide some insights on internal investigations, tips for negotiation, maintaining confidentiality, the importance of documentation, EPLI insurance, and more. Towards the end, they’ll also touch on the HR side of March Madness, including office brackets and building camaraderie. For an effective checklist on “Responding to an EEOC Charge of Discrimination” check out our blog. And, contact us for support with discrimination charges or our no-cost supply of updated labor law posters, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com.

Join Rob, Scott, and Jason in this month’s HR podcast as they delve into the latest developments in employment regulations. In this episode, they unpack the Department of Labor's new independent contractor rule, set to take effect on March 11th. They provide insights into its background, the changes forthcoming, tips for employers, and crucial preparation strategies for businesses. Listen in as they discuss the differences between independent contractors and employees, reviewing the six factors outlined in the new rule and some gray areas you should be aware of. Do you have questions surrounding the new rule or how workers should be classified? Reach out to Employco for proactive strategies to ensure compliance, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com

Join Rob, Scott, and Jason in this month’s HR podcast as they discuss workplace boredom and the key trends shaping HR practices in 2024. They take a look at a recent SHRM survey that revealed nearly 70% of employees feel disengaged or bored at work. They dissect potential causes, from communication breakdowns to the challenges of remote work, highlighting the importance of meaningful interactions and addressing employee well-being. They also provide insights into the HR landscape for 2024. From the impact of Artificial Intelligence on HR processes to the growing emphasis on skill-based hiring amid talent shortages, emerging trends that will shape organizational strategies, the evolving regulatory landscape, and more. Contact Employco for strategies to help reinvigorate your workforce and unleash the full potential of your team - hr@employco.com.

Join Rob, Scott, and Jason in this month's HR podcast as they delve into the details of the new Form I-9, a critical component of the hiring process. They also highlight HR and employment changes set to roll out in 2024. The new Form I-9 is now mandatory for all new hires. The team discusses some of the improvements, remote verification updates, internal and external audits, fines and penalties, document retention policies, and some insightful tips for employers navigating the I-9 process. As 2023 draws to a close, they also discuss some of the changes coming in 2024, including those related to pay transparency, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Contact Employco for expert guidance on navigating the evolving landscape of HR regulations and ensuring adherence to the new Form I-9. Whether you're dealing with remote verification updates or putting a plan together for an internal audit, our team can help - hr@employco.com.

Welcome to this month's HR podcast with Rob, Scott, and Jason, where we dive into changes brought by the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act, scheduled to take effect on January 1st, 2024. In this episode, we break down some of the key components of the law, which mandates up to 40 hours of paid leave for every employee, regardless of the reason. We also discuss the implications for businesses, the adjustments needed for compliance, the potential impact on various industries, and more. Even if your company is based in another state but has employees in Illinois, this will affect your business. With just under 60 days until this policy takes effect, it's crucial for businesses to gear up for compliance to avoid penalties. Contact Employco for guidance and support in implementing the changes required - we’re here to help, hr@employco.com.

Welcome to this month's HR podcast with Rob, Scott, and Jason. In this episode, we review the findings from our Work from Home survey, where we surveyed 3,000 business owners from a variety of states. We discuss the shifting landscape of office space, examine the future of remote work practices, and look at the impact on productivity and profitability. Next, we dive into open enrollment season, where Jason guides us through a series of tips to help you maximize your open enrollment strategy. Given the challenging landscape of plan renewals, we highlight the importance of effective communication, especially when significant changes and rising costs are involved. Contact us for open enrollment guidance, work-from-home insights, or future topic suggestions - we’re here to help: hr@employco.com

Welcome to this month's HR podcast with Rob, Scott, and Jason. As we approach the end of the year and Q4, we're diving into a hot topic that's on every HR professional’s mind: Performance Management. In this episode, we explore the crucial aspects of the performance management process, why frequent conversations are important (not just once a year), the importance of giving feedback to employees and in return soliciting feedback as a manager, how anonymous surveys can lead to honest input and meaningful changes, and more! So, if you're ready to enhance your performance management strategy and create a more engaged, motivated workforce, join us for this informative episode of Employco’s HR podcast! Contact us with any questions you may have or for future topic suggestions, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com

On this month’s HR podcast, Rob, Scott, and Jason are joined by world champion golfer Amy Alcott, Employco's Golf Ambassador, and business development expert John Carr. They discuss a few HR insights while Amy shares some great golf stories with the team, including how Amy got her start, her first professional tournament, her iconic jump at Mission Hills Country Club, some of her favorite courses she has played, what Employco is bringing to the golf industry, and more! You’re passionate about golf; we’re passionate about HR and insurance. Contact us today to help eliminate your business headaches, giving you the Power to Compete! https://www.employco.com/golf

On this month’s HR podcast Rob, Scott, and Jason tackle the challenge of making performance reviews less painful and more productive. Discover valuable tips, such as training supervisors on effective review techniques, fostering open communication throughout the year, and accentuating the positives rather than solely focusing on the negatives. Learn how to address raises transparently and avoid last-minute scrambles by scheduling reviews ahead of time. Don't miss this episode filled with practical strategies to enhance your performance review process and keep your employees motivated year-round! Contact us with any questions you may have or for future topic suggestions, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com

Join Rob, Scott, and Jason on this month’s HR podcast as they discuss rising EEOC charges, employee burnout, and the impact of AI. They review the 20% surge in EEOC charges, key claims, pending cases, hearings, settlements, and practical tips for employers. They also delve into the causes of employee burnout, including heavy workloads and lack of support, while providing employer strategies like encouraging time-off and fostering a supportive work environment. Contact us with any questions you may have or for future topic suggestions, we’re here to help: hr@employco.com

On this month’s HR podcast Rob, Scott, and Jason take a look at stay interviews in the workplace. They discuss what they entail, the cost of recruiting and onboarding, the importance of retention and culture, showing employees you care, actively listening, not treating this like a performance review, fixing issues, impacting change, and more! Contact Employco for support with your organization’s employee retention initiatives. We’re here to help!

On this month’s HR podcast Rob, Scott, and Jason are joined by special guest Gerri LeCompte, our Vice President of Payroll Services, who has been with Employco for over 20 years. They discuss current payroll trends, from remote workers and multi-state compliance issues to reciprocal agreements, employer liabilities, constantly changing tax laws, W-4 confusion, the shift to paperless, and more! From tight turnaround times to a dedicated payroll specialist to talk to, Employco can help alleviate the pitfalls associated with payroll. Contact us today to see how we can help!

On this month’s HR podcast Rob, Scott, and Jason take a look at ChatGPT. They discuss some background details, the pros and cons, how it relates to HR and businesses, how accurate the data is, some of the drawbacks, use case scenarios for HR professionals, the importance of review, if it takes state laws like pay transparency into account, workplace policies, future improvements, and more!

On this month’s HR podcast Rob, Scott, and Jason are joined by retired Navy Captain J.J. Cummings (Leadership Consultant). J.J. shares a number of leadership insights from his experience as a Naval advisor for the film Top Gun: Maverick to being the Commanding Officer of the USS Gerald R. Ford - the largest ship in the Navy fleet. They touch on how to approach different generations entering the workforce, the importance of onboarding and setting a positive tone from day one, explaining the “why”, the significance of LBWA (“Lead by Walking Around”), showing your employees you care, keeping an open door, making time, handwritten notes, employee engagement and feedback, anonymous surveys, implementing changes, and more! “Don’t tell them you care. SHOW them you care.” -J.J. Cummings (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjcummings2378/)

On this month’s HR podcast Rob, Scott, and Jason cover some of the top HR issues from 2022 and look ahead in 2023. They discuss the vaccine mandate, supreme court rulings, no proposed overtime rule, large company layoffs, quiet quitting, Dobbs (Roe v. Wade) ruling effects, and hiring problems. They also look ahead for 2023 and predict more layoffs, interest rates continuing to rise, minimum wage changes, getting employees back to the office, company handbook updates, and more!

On this month’s HR podcast Rob, Scott, and Jason are joined by special guest Scott Robinson (Managing Director of Robinson Resource Group and Founder of SearchWorks, LLC) to discuss leadership development and their outlook for 2023. They touch on executive coaching, developing high-performance leaders, finding the “blind spots,” focusing on company culture, skills and trends to watch for in 2023, a look into the crystal ball for next year, new workforce priorities, focusing on your employees, better retention, succession and development planning, and more! They also take a quick look at company holiday parties, from the do's and don’ts to team building and safety. Happy holidays, we’ll talk to you next year!

On this month’s HR podcast Rob, Scott, and Jason cover a variety of year-end HR topics. They discuss health insurance, renewal rates, open enrollment, cost containment, employee reviews, the importance of periodic conversations, supervisor training, bonuses and raises, regional compensation, the competitive labor market, upcoming events, and more!

On this month’s HR podcast Rob, Scott, and Jason cover independent contractors vs employees and what to look out for on the employer side. They discuss what the key differences are, tax liabilities, penalties, taking each situation on a case-by-case basis, unemployment, health insurance and benefits, attracting and retaining talent, unions, and more!

On this month’s HR podcast Rob, Scott, and Jason are joined by special guest Rob West (Vice President of Operations for Sho-Link) to discuss trade shows – where we’re at now and a look into the future. They touch on the big recovery, more attendees returning, shows filling up faster, the demand for good labor, going full throttle, and the challenges faced. They also look into their crystal ball and talk recession, inflation, budgets, how the industry continues to move forward, and more!