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HR Policies

How to Handle Late or Absent Employees

Since the invention of the time clock, employers have obsessed over their employees’ time and attendance.  Why are employees late to work or absent? Personal duties outside of work, primarily childcare. Transportation issues such as heavy traffic or mass transportation delays. Physical issues, such as illness or injury. Rules resisters. Written policies are meant for others. Internal clock issues, often…Continue readingHow to Handle Late or Absent Employees

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HR Policies

Do You Need an Employee Handbook?

An employee handbook is one of the most important documents your business needs.   1.  The employee handbook establishes your company’s policies clearly and effectively.  “What is the dress code?  “What is the paid time off policy?”  “What are the performance standards?”  “My manager is harassing me.  Who do I complain to, or should I…Continue readingDo You Need an Employee Handbook?

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Compliance

Are Unpaid Interns Legal?

If your company uses interns, then you need to think through your policies on how (or whether) you pay them. Failure to do so could expose you to a potential lawsuit. Let’s say that you bring in a college student as an unpaid marketing intern for the summer. She is eager to gain professional experience…Continue readingAre Unpaid Interns Legal?

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Managing Employees

Is Your HR Running at 100%

I have never seen a company that is running at 100% effectiveness. Let me tell you why. A company, or any organization, is a complex integration of people and systems. Organizations start as dreams and plans, but are built in fits and starts, to address immediate problems and opportunities. Companies never look exactly as planned.…Continue readingIs Your HR Running at 100%

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HR Policies

12 Must Have Policies for Your Employee Handbook

A typical employee handbook can have 90 or more policies.  But what are the 12 policies that you MUST have? Start with a statement of what your company is all about Policy #1:  This may seem surprising, as many assume that a handbook is focused on legal clauses. But the most important thing to communicate…Continue reading12 Must Have Policies for Your Employee Handbook

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Compliance

How to Protect Your Business From Employee Lawsuits

Complying with complex employment laws and policies is confusing and time consuming.  Failure to do so can lead to lawsuits and other costly risks. Every company should conduct an annual compliance review of their handbook, general policies, procedures and documents.  Any questions that come up can be resolved and policies updated accordingly.  At Aspire, a…Continue readingHow to Protect Your Business From Employee Lawsuits

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COVID-19 HR Policies

COVID-19 Return to Work Issues and How to Handle Them

With “return to work” happening for many, issues will arise, and we should be prepared to address them when bringing employees back to the office. Many employees are concerned for their health and safety.  Therefore, it would be a good practice to start gradually, by introducing small number of employees to the office.  Consider staggered…Continue readingCOVID-19 Return to Work Issues and How to Handle Them

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HR Policies

Tips on Writing a Streamlined Employee Handbook

Every business with employees should have an employee handbook. But what policies should you include? There are literally dozens to consider (I’ve used up to 95!). I favor a streamlined approach – only include what is necessary, in language all employees understand. Here is what I consider the essential policies for any handbook: How We…Continue readingTips on Writing a Streamlined Employee Handbook

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COVID-19

12 COVID-19 Actions to Take Now

Many of my clients have asked me about the appropriate actions to take regarding their employees. Best Working Options Flexible worksites (if applicable) Flexible work hours (i.e. staggered shifts) to increase the physical distance among employees Work from home Identify essential business functions, essential jobs or roles required to maintain operations.  Make a plan for how…Continue reading12 COVID-19 Actions to Take Now

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Compliance

7 Things You Need to Know About NY Paid Family Leave

Effective January 1, 2018, all companies with employees who work in New York State are covered under the Paid Family Leave (PFL) program.   PFL is designed to provide a substantial new benefit for employees.  At the same time, there are many legal compliance and administrative details to the new program.    Here are the 7…Continue reading7 Things You Need to Know About NY Paid Family Leave