HRIS News & Blog
Read up on all things Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS). Optimum Solutions’ team of HRIS/HRMS experts offer tips, tricks, and other valuable information to help you streamline your HRIS processing, while navigating payroll, HR, and time & attendance updates.
Learn more about human resource management, as well as specifics like managing or processing employee information, federal and state law updates, employee training and more.
Have a specific HRIS software question? Email us at info@optimum-solutions.com and your question may be featured on the blog.
HRIS News, Articles, & Information
May Federal and State News
May 10 2012
Federal Updates
Form I-9 Website: Federal law requires every employer and agricultural recruiter/referrer-for-a-fee hiring an individual for employment in the United States to verify his or her identity and employment authorization through completion of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
State Updates
California
Supreme Court makes ruling on…
The Game is On - Employer v. Auditor
May 8 2012
Learn How to Beat the Auditor in Overtime
Over the past few years, overtime compliancy has become a hot topic and government audits are on the rise. Determining who is to receive overtime, what is included in overtime and how the rates must be calculated is no longer straightforward.…
Progress of the Mobile Workforce State Income Legislation
May 3 2012
The Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2011 (HR 1864) was introduced to the House by Rep. Howard Coble on May 12, 2011 and referred to Committee the same day. HR 1864 was then reported by Committee on November 17, 2011. The bill is aimed to lower administrative…
Benefits of Direct Deposit
May 1 2012
Although direct deposit has become a widely used payroll solution, questions regarding the payment option still arise. If there is a direct deposit debate in your office, the following advantages will help you eliminate questions and concerns on both the employer and employee side.
More Convenient Deposits
Using direct deposit, employees…
Senate Proposes Bill to Increase Federal Minimum Wage
April 26 2012
On March 29, a bill was proposed to increase the federal minimum wage and hour projections to the Senate.
The bill proposes to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to increase the federal minimum wage to $8.10 an hour, currently $7.25, for the first year and followed by a…
DOL Proposes 2012 Changes to FMLA
April 9 2012
On February 15, 2012, the Department of Labor released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in attempt to implement changes to the Family Medicare Leave Act (FMLA). The proposed amendment plans to expand FMLA as well as introduce a provision for the Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections…
April Federal and State News
April 1 2012
Learn the new requirements for posting Employee Rights under the National Labor Relations Act as well other federal and state government updates from Optimum Solutions.
Employee Retention Strategies - How to Keep Your Star Employees
March 29 2012
Imagine you are sitting at your company’s annual meeting, watching a member of your team give a presentation on future revenue - to all other employees, it seems like a typical presentation. Suddenly, it dawns on you…
Invest in Training New Employees
March 22 2012
Training employees is often considered a wasted expense when, on the contrary, it should be looked at as an investment in an asset. Time and effort have already been spent on hiring a good employee, now use the training process as an opportunity to develop them into a great employee. …
IRS Releases First Quarter 2012 Form 941
March 19 2012
The IRS has released yet another Form 941 effective 1st Quarter 2012 due to the continuation of the Payroll Tax Cut, which continues the Social Security portion of FICA remain at 4.2% for employee’s and 6.2% for employers. The form can be located on the IRS…
Tips on Hiring Great Employees: Before, During and After the Interview
March 15 2012
You have decided you need to hire a new employee. You have written a detailed and comprehensive job description. The goal is to now find a great, if not exceptional, employee to fill the role.
Now comes the hard part, deciphering between the good, great and bad candidates. Below…
March 26, 2012 Webinar: Monthly, Quarterly and Year End Balancing
March 13 2012
Year end can be a payroll department’s worst nightmare. But do not fear, Optimum Solutions is here to give you a few tips on calculations you can do throughout the year to make the year end processing simple and uncomplicated.
Join Optimum Solutions on March 26 for a webinar…
The Importance of Writing Comprehensive Job Descriptions
March 7 2012
Think about your job description. What is your title? What department are you in? How many hours a week are you expected to work? What licenses are you required to maintain? These may seem like mundane details of your job now, but at one point they were the characteristics that led you to your position.
March Federal and State News
March 1 2012
Federal Updates:
Two Percent Social Security Tax Cut Extended: The reduction in the social security tax rate paid by employees from 6.2% to 4.2% that was set to expire at the end of February 2012 has now been extended until the end of 2012.
IRS Release First Quarter 2012 Form…
Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Officially Extended Through 2012
February 29 2012
The Payroll Tax Cut Extension, originally set to expire February 29, 2012, has been extended through the end of 2012, following a February 15 congressional agreement. President Obama signed the bill into law on February 22, part of which repeals the recapture provision that was originally part of the two-month…
Six Ways to Minimize FMLA Abuse by Employees
February 22 2012
Employees have started to develop a new skill in the office - the mastery of missing work days. Employees are learning how to abuse FMLA policies, particularly when it comes to using intermittent leave, and the company is paying the price.
With this increasing issue, managers need to hold…
8 Ways To Avoid Job Discrimination Lawsuits
February 15 2012
In 2010, the United States saw nearly 100,000 employment discrimination claims were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Did you know that according to some laws, as a manager, you can personally be sued for employer lawsuits?
There is no way to eliminate the chance that a disgruntled employee…
Are You a Disciplined Saver?
February 8 2012
The recession taught us more than a few lessons, but one of the most important is to always be financially prepared. This means always being diligent in managing your expenses. The question arises, are you a savvy saver?
Take the time to plan ahead - start by asking questions…
2012 American Payroll Association Legislative Issues
February 1 2012
In 2011, the American Payroll Association supported multiple pieces of legislation that were introduced, but not accepted into law. In 2012, we should expect to see the APA fighting to have some of these bills reconsidered at both the state and federal levels.
Automatic IRA Act
The S 3760…
February Federal and State News
February 1 2012
Learn about the Employer’s Supplemental Tax Guide and other state and local payroll and tax updates for February 2012.
2012 Tax Deduction, Exemption, and Exclusion Increases
January 25 2012
The IRS has announced increases in 2012 for the Standard Deduction, Personal Exemption and Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. See how these changes may apply to you.
Payroll Tax Cut Temporarily Extended: 5 Important Facts You Need To Know
January 11 2012
In December, the payroll tax cut was extended to keep the two point reduction on the Social Security Tax. Learn how the tax cut may affect you.
Tips To Help With Time Management At Work
January 4 2012
Do you feel like you are already behind before you even arrive at work? If the answer is yes, you may not be managing your time at work as efficiently as you could be. Between emails, calls and other employees stopping by, it is easy to get behind. Implementing some…
January Federal and State News
January 1 2012
Learn the new standard mileage rate for transportation expenses, the standard rate for medical and moving miles, and the standard auto cost under a FAVR plan for 2012.
Prevention Methods to Stop Electronic Data Breaches
December 28 2011
Case sensitive passwords, firewalls, encrypted USB drives, biometric scans - these are all different methods companies will use to prevent electronic data breaches. However, these sophisticated prevention technologies are insignificant if your company does not have basic data security policies in place. Here are a few areas where your company…