8 Reasons pre-screening employees is just smart business

Matt BauerBusiness Insurance, Employee Benefits, Human Resources, Risk Management

I spend my workday helping Sinclair clients manage risk, avoid hidden pitfalls, and implement initiatives that give them the best chance to be prosperous and successful. I do this work happily, it gives me great joy! That’s why I am such a strong advocate of making sure organizations have a structured, consistent approach to pre-screening employees.  It floors me that … Read More

Franchise owners: 5 secrets to managing your Workers’ Compensation rates

Matt BauerBusiness Insurance, Employee Benefits, Human Resources, Workers Compensation

Nothing is worse than having an employee injured on the job. As a franchise owner you know injuries can happen. But when one occurs you’re left doing a balancing act, caught between assuring your employee gets the best care while trying to keep your workers’ compensation costs from spiraling out of control. The stress can be overwhelming. Here are 5 … Read More

Job Descriptions: Many businesses overlook this key HR must have – do you?

Marty SheaBusiness Insurance, Human Resources, Risk Management

Job descriptions are an essential component of any organization. Not only is it important that they are thorough and accurate when first crafted, it is also vital that they are kept up-to-date, as employees’ job functions may evolve. Inaccurate or outdated job descriptions can also negatively affect recruiting and productivity, are a detriment to the employer-employee relationship and pose serious … Read More

Franchise owners: The secrets to managing Millennials!

Matt BauerBusiness Insurance, Human Resources, Risk Management

It’s no secret that one of the challenges of launching and maintaining a successful fast food franchise is attracting and retaining quality employees. Turnover in the restaurant business is rampant. Half of a fast food restaurant’s staff will leave within a year, and casual dining establishments don’t fare much better at 44%. Combine this already tough landscape with the particular tendencies … Read More

Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law effective July 1, 2015

Shannon HudspethEmployee Benefits, Health Insurance, Human Resources

On Nov. 4, 2014, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot measure, known as the “Massachusetts Paid Sick Days Initiative,” to provide earned paid sick leave to employees.The Earned Sick Time Law is effective July 1, 2015, and generally covers all employers in Massachusetts. However, employers must comply with existing collective bargaining agreements or contracts that have more generous leave provisions. On … Read More

Connecticut Business Risk Management: Workplace Violence

EditorBusiness Insurance, Human Resources, Risk Management

Connecticut Business Risk Management: Workplace Violence  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 17% of all workplace fatalities are a result of workplace violence, higher than all other workplace casualty causes except transportation. Workplace safety awareness efforts regarding mechanical and hazardous substances have dramatically reduced the number of workplace accidents as shown in the statistical findings. As a result, the … Read More

Massachusetts HR Legislation: Will Paid Sick Leave Become Mandatory?

EditorHuman Resources

Massachusetts HR Legislation: Will Paid Sick Leave Become Mandatory? In January 2012, Connecticut became the first state in the nation to mandate a paid sick leave policy for service workers. The Paid Sick Leave Act requires employers with fifty or more employees to provide up to a maximum of forty hours, or five days, of paid sick leave to eligible … Read More

Boston HR Consulting: Asking the Right Interview Questions

EditorHuman Resources

Boston HR Consulting: Asking the Right Interview Questions As a business owner, it’s important to know that federal and state laws prohibit prospective employers from asking certain questions that are not related to the job they are hiring for. Questions must always be job related and not used to find out personal information. This is one HR issue that is … Read More

Connecticut HR Consulting: Promoting Good Work Ethics

EditorBusiness Insurance, Human Resources

Connecticut HR Consulting: Promoting Good Work Ethics In a survey reported by Forbes.com, it was found that 38% of teens polled reported feeling that they needed to cheat in order to get ahead. As a business owner, this should make you wonder how this attitude changes or progresses into adulthood. As Barry Salzberg, CEO of Deloitte LLP, states, “we in … Read More