Labor Union Agreements: How to Stay Compliant

March 12, 2024
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So, your workforce is in the process of forming a labor union or has already unionized…now what? There is much to understand about collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and labor law compliance regarding unions.  This is a delicate area where HR and leadership must make an effort to build positive relations with unionized employees, negotiate a… Read More »

5 Steps for Choosing the Best Payroll Software for Your Business

March 5, 2024
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The core purpose of a payroll system is to calculate payroll taxes and cut employee paychecks. It speeds up the process by mitigating time-consuming manual work, like wage deductions. Now, many platforms also offer robust capabilities, like filing payroll taxes and payments, year-end reporting, creating and sending W-2s and 1099s, mobile apps for employers, and… Read More »

Understanding the Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD) Form: A Guide for Massachusetts Employers

February 27, 2024

If you’re an employer in Massachusetts, you may have heard about the Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD) form. This form is essential for complying with state regulations, and understanding it can help you navigate your responsibilities effectively.  In this article, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions to help you grasp the basics of the HIRD… Read More »

Benefits of a Four-day Workweek + 6 Tips for Implementation

February 20, 2024

Henry Ford introduced the five-day, 40-hour workweek nearly 100 years ago when he discovered that working more only yielded a small amount of short-lived productivity. Although this was a big deal and a favorable step for workers’ rights at the time, we’ve come a long way in the past century—and workers want more.  While the… Read More »

7 Tips for Conducting Positively Memorable Virtual Interviews

February 13, 2024

Thanks to a *certain* pandemic, virtual interviews are now a regular part of the hiring process for many businesses. You may have decided to remain remote, go hybrid, or simply build a remote team from the start. Maybe you’ve even conducted numerous remote interviews and hired talent around the country or the world.  But when… Read More »

360-degree Feedback: What is It + How Can It Benefit Your Team?

February 6, 2024

Effective appraisals are an essential part of employee development. They provide employees with positive feedback and constructive criticism that can help define their path with your company and motivate them. That’s why gathering comprehensive feedback is crucial—and 360-degree feedback is one of the most robust solutions.  Although employers have many performance review methods and techniques… Read More »

Bad Managers vs. Good Leaders: Fostering Effective Leadership

January 30, 2024

Just because someone has exceptional technical skills and you’ve promoted them to a leadership position doesn’t make them a good leader. A 2023 Gallup survey found that only 21% of employees trust their organization’s leadership, indicating a decline in employee engagement and morale. After all, building a positive workplace culture is tough when employees don’t… Read More »

Navigating Workplace Gossip: Strategies for Employers & Managers

January 23, 2024
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Gossip in the workplace is like a wildfire—it can start from a tiny spark and quickly spread, leaving behind a trail of damage to employee relations and company culture. Whether it’s a casual comment at the water cooler or a rumor whispered in the hallway, workplace gossip can have significant repercussions if left unchecked.  Consider… Read More »

My Employees Want to Unionize. What Do I Do?

January 16, 2024
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So, you thought unions were a thing of the past—but then your employees started discussing unionizing. Perhaps they’ve even begun the process.  Before you panic, respond negatively, and harm employee relations, take a moment to breathe! Consider what it means that your employees want to form a union. Workers generally don’t organize unions with the… Read More »

A Complete Guide to the MA Paid Family & Medical Leave + NEW Top Off Legislation

January 9, 2024
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By now, most employers and employees in the Bay State are familiar with the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, which provides support for employees who need to take time off for family or medical reasons. However, new “top off” legislation went into effect on November 1, 2023, allowing employees receiving PFML benefits… Read More »