Temp- tation      
                                                                           June  2019 
In this issue
Maine Mandates PTO
Connecticut Passes Paid FMLA
Fun Facts
Internships Done Right
Summer Energy Saving
Recipe
Maine Mandates PTO for any Purpose
A new law recently signed by Gov. Janet Mills makes Maine the first state to mandate employee paid time off (PTO) for any purpose. (A Maryland law enacted in 2018 had mandated paid leave, but only to cover time off due to illness.)
 
Under the Maine law, set to take effect on January 1, 2021, employers in the state with 10 or more employees that work at least 120 days in the year must pay 1 hour of PTO for every 40 hours worked. PTO accrual is capped at 40 hours per year.  
Connecticut Passes Paid FMLA  
Connecticut recently passed legislation, which the governor has promised to sign, providing 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave for workers in the state. The bill also mandates an additional two weeks of paid leave for a serious health condition during pregnancy which results in incapacitation. The leave will be funded by a .5% increase in the payroll tax.
 
Workers will be eligible if they have worked at least 3 months for their employer immediately preceding their request, and there is no requirement for a minimum number of hours worked to be eligible. Once signed into law, employees would be eligible for the paid leave as of January of 2021.
Anniversaries
      
Tanya Vollendorf
Branch Manager
Stevens Point
20 years
 
Karen Yelmene
Staffing Specialist
Manitowoc
3 years

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Wisconsin
Fun Facts  
The popular Fox sitcom That '70s Show, which aired from 1998 to 2006, was set in the fictional town of Point Place, Wisconsin, but only one cast member actual hailed from the Badger State.
 
Actor Kurtwood Smith, who played Red Forman, was born in New Lisbon, Wisconsin. He is also well known for his role as Clarence Boddicker in the original 1987 film Robocop.   

(And Peter Weller, who played Robocop, was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin!)     

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Celebrating Over 45 Years of Staffing Excellence!
 
Summer Internships Done RIGHT

Summer internships can greatly benefit both the company and the student employee.  The company gets much needed help with their special projects, and the intern gains valuable real-world experience.  There are, however, certain things to consider if you're planning on using an intern this summer...  
 
Unpaid internships are perfectly legal, provided certain criteria are met.   Courts have used the "primary beneficiary test" to determine whether an intern is really an employee under the FLSA, and entitled to compensation.  This test uses 7 factors, such as the extent to which the intern and the employer clearly understand that there is no expectation of compensation, and the extent to which the internship provides training that would be similar to that which would be given in an educational environment.  For a complete list of the 7 factors, visit the Department of Labor's website (click here). 
 
Use caution if you're contemplating classifying an intern as an "independent contractor." If the intern receives guidance and direction (including training) from the company, as most interns do, it's likely that an employer-employee relationship exists, and the intern can not be classified as an independent contractor.    
 
Paid internships are most common, but there are a few potential drawbacks.  For some companies, onboarding a new employee is an involved process.  Depending on company policy and how their benefit plans are written, it may be necessary to enroll even short-term employees in the company's insurance, profit sharing, or other benefit plans.  This may not be practical, especially when the intern is going to work less then three months.  
 
The best and easiest way to utilize the services of an intern this summer is by bringing them in as an employee of Flex-Staff.  Let Flex-Staff find you a qualified student intern, or if you've already selected an intern to work for your company this summer, Flex-Staff can act as the employer of record for paychecks, withholding, worker's comp and unemployment comp insurance, I9 completion and E-Verifcation, benefits, and year-end W2s.
 
To learn more, contact your local Flex-Staff office today.  

7 Summer Energy Saving Tips
 
Seal and insulate -  Take some time to inspect your home for air leaks and poor attic insulation.  For the most thorough assessment, consider scheduling a professional energy audit in which technicians use infrared heat mapping to pinpoint your home's thermal weak spots.
Keep your vents clear -  Your air conditioner can't work efficiently if your vents are blocked by rugs or furniture.  Check all of your vents to make sure they're open, free of dust and directing air toward the center of the room.
Block out the sun -  Keeping the shades or blinds drawn on sun-facing windows is essential to keeping your home cool.  Some window treatments work better than others, like reflective shades, blackout drapes and honeycomb blinds.
Use ceiling and pedestal fans -  Fans allow you to raise your thermostat up to four degrees without any reduction in comfort, according to the Department of Energy.  Just make sure your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise for summer, and that you don't leave fans running in empty rooms.  Fans don't cool air - just people!
Learn to love your microwave and grill -  Outdoor grilling and microwave cooking are two ways to prepare food without heating up the house.  When only baking will do, consider making smaller portions you can pop in a toaster oven, or counter top convection oven.
Curb daytime use of big appliances -  Some appliances - dryers and dishwashers in particular - can put out a good deal of unwanted heat.  Wait until after dark to run these and other large appliances.  
Upgrade to LED light bulbs -  LED light bulbs stay cooler to the touch while drawing a fraction of the power used by incandescent and fluorescent bulbs.

  Josh Crank - directenergy.com   
Recipe
Million Dollar Dip 
 
Ingredients
5 green onions, chopped
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1½ cups mayonnaise (to reduce calories, use part non-fat Greek yogurt)
½ pound bacon, cooked and crumbled (about ½ cup)
½ cup slivered almonds

Instructions
Add green onions, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, bacon bits, and slivered almonds to a small bowl. Mix until combined and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve with your favorite crackers, or with pork rinds for a keto-friendly snack!
     
Alyssa Rivers - therecipecritic.com
 
  

 

Inspirational Quote
The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory.  - Aldo Gucci