Perspectives
Perspectives Articles
US DOL Details New Minimum Wage Rates Connected to Federal Contracts
On September 16, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a notice detailing new minimum wage rates for employees who perform work on or connected to federal contracts. The rate will increase to $11.25 an hour for existing contracts on Jan 1, 2022. Starting...
Federal & MA COVID-19 Leave Laws Set to Expire September 30
As of September 27, 2021, both the federal and the Massachusetts COVID-19 leave laws are set to expire on September 30, 2021, and it does not appear that either the Federal or State legislatures will be extending these laws. Click here for information on the specifics...
The Importance of the Year-End Close – Our Year-End CHECKLIST
Closing the Year and Avoiding Costly Missteps The final quarter of the calendar year is a busy time for payroll staff. It's critical to maintain a year-end checklist to make sure everything is addressed properly. There are many moving parts that must be handled with...
Understanding When to Use a State W-4
What is a State W-4 Form? A state W-4 Form is a state-specific tax document that serves as a guide for employees to calculate their state tax withholding requirements that translates into a specific amount based on each paycheck to go towards state taxes. It works...
OSHA Guidance, FDA Approval and Vaccination Policy for the Workplace
OSHA guidance is clear that an employer is responsible to provide a safe work environment in the face of COVID-19. In a work environment, compliance can be complicated when there is a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people present. OSHA states that getting...
Protect your Business with Periodic Payroll Audits
For many small and medium-sized businesses, processing payroll presents the greatest risk for costly errors and the least protected financial activity when it comes to potential fraud. Both exposures can be well managed with a periodic payroll audit. Use the Symphony...
Connecticut Now Requires Disclosure of Wage Ranges
Connecticut addresses wage ranges with HB Number 6380 entitled "An Act Concerning the Disclosure of Salary Ranges," which goes into effect Oct. 1. Under the new law, an employer is prohibited from: Failing or refusing to provide an applicant for employment the wage...
ERC Eligibility and Your Business
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act authorized a credit called the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) to support employers hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since being created by the CARES Act the ERC retroactively improved by the Consolidated...
Providing Vaccination Incentives to Employees
With states reducing restrictions on isolation and gatherings, employers are exploring ways to provide incentives for employees to get their vaccinations. New guidance from the IRS makes clear thatemployers can qualify for credits that support incentives for employees...
ERC Update for Employers: Understanding Available Credits under Each Act
Many employers are confused by the multiple retro-active changes, expansions, and updates to the law. The credits can be applied retroactively if employers discover that they were eligible in the past and did not take advantage of the ERC program.
COVID Inspires Re-Evaluation of Where and How People Work
The past 15 months of COVID-19 turmoil with full and part-time “work from home” highlighted weaknesses in work infrastructure including business applications, communication, data sharing methods, data security, and project completion methods. Remote work overwhelmed...
Mask Policy for the Workplace – What You Need to Consider
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated their guidance to include that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks in many indoor and outdoor settings. Yet an employer may have cause to pause before eliminating masks in...
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