A company or organization can only achieve success through the hard work and dedication of its employees. Those employees need to feel motivated and empowered to produce excellent work. Finding ways to inspire employees is one of the challenges of today’s managers. The conventional solution is to throw money at the problem in the form of bonuses. The best managers … Read More
“Ban the Box” Law Prohibits Inquiries of Criminal History
On June 1st, Connecticut Governor Malloy signed House Bill 5237, An Act Concerning Fair Chance Employment. This new law is referred to as the “Ban the Box” bill. Effective January 1st, 2017, Connecticut employers will be prohibited from asking about criminal history (including prior arrests, convictions and charges) on job applications. Connecticut is now the 19th state to adopt this … Read More
Giving Back: Charitable Giving Opportunities
Accomplished individuals often look for opportunities to express their values and give back through charitable giving. In fact, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet started an initiative called the Giving Pledge, which encourages the world’s wealthiest people to give away much of their fortune to charity. Over 100 notable contributors have made the commitment to dedicate the majority of their wealth … Read More
FLSA Overtime Rule Change
On March 14th, the new Final Regulations on the Fair Labor Standards Act were sent to the Office of Management and Budget for final review. The proposed U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) changes to the “white-collar exemption” in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) could make more than 5 million individuals eligible for overtime pay—individuals who currently aren’t eligible. This could … Read More
Creating a Healthy Workplace Challenge
Still trying to figure out how to kick off an employee wellness program? The latest trend is to come up with fun and highly motivating group wellness challenges that are not only a great way to increase morale, but that actually promote lifestyle and behavioral change through active participation in wellness goals or competitions over a multi-week period. A … Read More
Higher minimum wage means higher direct & indirect costs for business owners
The political pressure to enact a $15 federal minimum wage is growing stronger. It’s the stuff of nightmares for business owners, but it may yet become a reality. New York has already passed legislation, with the enthusiastic support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to raise the wage bar for fast food workers to $15. It seems inevitable that figure will soon … Read More
Help your employees get the most out of their benefits
Smart business owners know that to attract and retain quality employees, they must provide a congenial working environment where employees can find opportunity for growth, success, and professional satisfaction. Happy, healthy, productive employees make a business stronger and translate into profits and organizational success. Obviously, base compensation is a key recruitment and retention tool and must be competitive, but owners … Read More
Why your business needs a wellness program
Here’s a business ideal, not always easily achieved: Doing tangible good for others while doing good for your bottom line. You don’t have to be a flashy biotech firm or offer a solution to an intractable problem an ocean away to be improving the health of your fellow men and women. We all want our products and services to benefit … Read More
How to handle the challenges of an aging workforce
Take a look in the mirror…were those gray hairs there yesterday? Take a look around your office…could you be asking the same question? Nobody’s getting younger, not even me! But the American workforce is rapidly aging, creating a number of challenges for businesses of all types and sizes. The secular trend is stark: From 1976 to 2006, the percentage of … Read More
Make men’s health a conversation starter this ‘Movember’
Men are from Mars, women are from Venus, and gender stereotypes are for a different, less egalitarian era. But one stereotype about men really is true: as a whole, males are much more likely than females to avoid doctors, skip out on routine screenings, and pass on preventative care. Men often don’t see a doctor until real damage is done. … Read More