By Mike O’Brien bio Jan. 1, 2020 was the deadline to comply with new FLSA overtime rule. At the end of September the Department of Labor issued its long-awaited final rule updating the salary level test for white-collar overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Under the new rule, the minimum salary level for exemption is raised from $455 a week to $684 a week, … [Read more...] about New overtime rule now in effect
Employee benefits
Pay rates, vacations while recovering, gig economy
By Mike O’Brien bio Department of Labor enters final stage of update to ‘regular rate’ rule under FLSA. As we have discussed previously in these updates, the Department of Labor has been working to update the definition of “regular rate” of pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The regular rate is used to calculate overtime pay. The rule has not been updated in half a … [Read more...] about Pay rates, vacations while recovering, gig economy
The importance of recognizing your employees’ hard work
Happy Administrative Professionals Week! What have you got planned to acknowledge your hard-working support staff? If you've decided to do nothing this year, you may want to rethink that. According to a survey conducted by staffing firm OfficeTeam, two-thirds (66 percent) of workers surveyed said they'd likely leave their job if they didn't feel appreciated. In contrast, just … [Read more...] about The importance of recognizing your employees’ hard work
3-point retention strategy
By Julie Ellison bio Great law offices are built with great people. In today's competitive employment market, it's hard enough to recruit those great people, but the real challenge is getting them to stay. Traditional retention strategies haven't worked so it's time to take a fresh look at how to keep the best people you have. Benefits vs. retention We often confuse … [Read more...] about 3-point retention strategy
3 tips for selecting a health and benefits advisor
By David C. Fortosis bio The responsibility of selecting, designing, financing, and managing employee benefits is a critical task in today's law office business. Retirement and medical benefits are subject to more and more legislation and require adherence to legislative mandates. In addition, the combination of retirement and health and welfare benefits … [Read more...] about 3 tips for selecting a health and benefits advisor
Mind-map your way toward creating a great employee handbook
Sitting down with pen and paper and freely jotting down ideas may not sound like the best path toward creating a well-crafted employee handbook, but it's a great place to start. That free-flowing process, called mind-mapping, unleashes the creative part of your brain and is far more effective than writing a content outline for your handbook, according to writing coach and … [Read more...] about Mind-map your way toward creating a great employee handbook
3 bonus formulas that boost staff productivity
What bonuses should the office give, and how can it design the bonuses to increase productivity? As to the amount to give, a few consultants recommend setting aside as much as 17 per cent to 21 per cent of the monthly profits for staff bonuses. Most, however, recommend less. Whatever amount the office opts to allow, here are some ways to mete it out. Formula 1 The traditional … [Read more...] about 3 bonus formulas that boost staff productivity
5 simple (and inexpensive) ways to bring a breath of fresh air into your law office
By Nicole Groshek bio Providing employees with a change in scenery helps keep them inspired and productive. According to a recent survey, majority of office workers wish their office would consider an upgrade; younger adults especially care more about a workplace look and feel. As law offices work to attract and retain younger talent, it's important to find ways to … [Read more...] about 5 simple (and inexpensive) ways to bring a breath of fresh air into your law office
Why you might want to give your employees the summer benefits they want
What do your employees want this summer? In a recent survey from staffing firm Accountemps, employees said the best summer perks their companies could provide to them are flexible schedules (52 percent) and early departure on Fridays (27 percent). But which perks are employers actually offering? Fifty-four percent of senior managers said flexible schedules, and only about one … [Read more...] about Why you might want to give your employees the summer benefits they want
Why employers often get worker wellbeing wrong and how to get it right
A report from the Campbell Institute indicates not all employers are getting worker wellbeing right, and it could be affecting the sustainability of their business. While many organizations today are focused on wellbeing programs that tackle smoking cessation, weight loss or nutrition—not bad programs in and of themselves—the Campbell Institute report indicates a more … [Read more...] about Why employers often get worker wellbeing wrong and how to get it right