While 2022 is still months away, it’s not too early to be thinking about health coverage for next year. While not every small business may have offered this employee benefit in the past (only 30.8% of firms with fewer than 50 employees did so in 2019) (the most recent year for statistics), the tight labor market virtually makes it a must now. However, the options for providing this benefit are numerous and can be tailored to your company’s needs. But you need to act now. Read More

Joni Mitchell only looked at clouds, love, and life in her 1966 song “Both Sides Now.” In today’s post-pandemic culture, there are so many issues to look at from different views. The following are some of the hotly debated matters which small businesses need to resolve in the pandemic recovery period. There are both sides to each of these matters, so ultimately, it’s up to the owner to decide, within the limits allowed by law. Read More

The time clock, which has enabled employers to verify the time employees start and leave the job, was invented in 1888 by Willard Bundy, a jeweler who used the mechanical timepiece to track employee hours in order to figure their pay. ...Today, time clocks are still in use in many enterprises and are readily available for purchase at Staples and other office supply companies. But times have changed. There’s new technology and new work arrangements. Here are some ideas about monitoring employee work hours beyond the old time clock. Read More

When the pandemic began, remote work arrangements were the only option for some companies to stay in business. Now, remote work arrangements—full-time or hybrid—have become the norm, with many companies deferring return-to-office policy until 2022. Telework, as it used to be called, offers benefits for both employers and employees. The pros and cons of remote work arrangements were explored in a blog that predates the pandemic; they remain the same. But there are risks that should not be overlooked. Read More

September 2021 saw unprecedented destruction due to wildfires in California as well as Hurricane Ida—which cut a path of tornados and flooding up through more than a dozen states. But disasters can happen at any time in any location. If a business has been impacted by a disaster, hopefully there is insurance to cover the loss. But in reality, insurance may not cover everything…especially if you have a high deductible on the policy. What can you do from a tax and financial perspective to “weather the storm?” Read More

As employees return to the office after more than a year of working from home, it’s inevitable that office rules will change. Things won’t return entirely to pre-pandemic routines. Here are some rule changes to consider: Read More

Usually, health insurance premiums are a one-way street; you pay them to the insurance company. But the insurance company may pay you—because of the rule on medical loss ratios (MLRs). It’s estimated that rebates paid to group health plan sponsors in 2021 disbursed in the Fall for the 2020 policy year are about $618 million. Additional amounts totaling $1.5 billion are payable to those enrolled in the individual market. Depending upon what you paid, the rebate may represent a nice infusion of cash for your business. What is the medical loss ratio rule and how to do you treat any rebate you receive from a tax perspective? Read More

September was National Preparedness Month, an observance created by the Department of Homeland Security. This year’s theme: "Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” With the hurricane season underway as demonstrated by Hurricane Ida and disasters in Tennessee and North Carolina in recent memory, now’s the time to take action. While the information on Ready.gov is geared to preparedness by individuals and families, it’s a good reminder for businesses to make plans too. Read More