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HR Pieces: December 2024 News


Dear Lynette,



Greetings from the HR Advantage team! In 2024, we were blessed to expand our team and capacity to continue walking alongside our clients, providing solutions to needs, big or small.


During the holiday season, we look forward to coming together in special ways with co-workers, clients, friends and families to count our blessings, show appreciation for one another and celebrate a year and job well done.


We wish upon each and every one of you, a season of hope, peace, joy and love.



From all of us at HR Advantage, blessings and happy holidays to you and yours.



Sincerely,


The HRA Team-


Lynette, Camille, Karla, Dana, Liz, Seth, Sarah, Erinn, Anita, Sharon, and Michelle

Lynette Weatherford MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, President

Email Lynette

877.894.0202 ext 4

Camille Knowles PHR,

SHRM-CP HR Advisor

Email Camille

877.894.0202 ext 3

Karla Callaway BS

HR Advisor

Email Karla

877.894.0202 ext 2

Dana Baldwin BS, SPHR,

SHRM-SCP, HR Advisor

Email Dana

877.894.0202 ext 1

Elizabeth Hurst MBA

Business Development Director

Email Elizabeth

877.894.0202 ext 5

Seth Bunn BS

Recruitment Advisor

Email Seth

877.894.0202 ext 6

Sarah Matthews BA

Business Development Manager

Email Sarah

(877) 894-0202 ext 8

t.

Erinn Johnson

HR Advisor Assistant

Email Erinn

Anita King MA, SHRM-CRP

Learning and Development Advisor

Email Anita

877.894.0202 ext 7

Sharon McElwrath BA

Administrative Support

Email Sharon



HR Hotline | Email | 877-894-0202 ext. 8

December HR News


  • Overtime Rule is Blocked
  • HR Guide to Navigating the Holidays
  • Year-End HR Checklist
  • MO Minimum Wage Increase
  • Career Opportunities

Overtime Rule is Blocked


The nationwide overtime rule, set by the Biden administration to begin on January 1, 2025, has been vacated. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas’ decision was based on the fact that the rule’s rise in the salary threshold level displaced the duties test for white-collar exemptions by being too steep. The automatic increase, which would have taken place every three years following Jan. 1, 2025, has also been struck down due to the finding that the notice-and-comment period requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act was violated.


Some employers may have already bumped their employees’ salaries to the threshold and should not lower the salaries back down for employee relations reasons. For employers who reclassified some of their employees to nonexempt status, it is reasonable to switch them back to exempt status but recommended to provide a slight salary increase, again for employee relations purposes. Prior written notice of the status change must be given and is required in certain states.


When considering the status change, all white-collar exemptions must be satisfied when employees fulfill the duties test. The court stated that the salary threshold is set at a low level specifically to account for regional differences and should not be used for an analysis of an employee’s duties.


Source & Image Source: SHRM


HR Guide to Navigating the Holidays


Last week ushered in the start of the holiday season! As we go throughout the next month, we need to keep in mind the challenges faced by leaders in order to balance the joy with the duties. Here are some things you can do to sail through the season and breeze past undue stress!


1.  Communicate Policies – Be clear on HR policies that include time off, remote work options, and special considerations for holiday-related events. Proactive communication enables you to navigate expectations and minimize misunderstandings.


2.  Foster a Festive Workplace Culture – Boost morale and a strong team spirit by encouraging a festive and joyful atmosphere. You can do this simply by decorating the workspace, organizing a holiday themed event, or spreading holiday cheer through a charitable giving campaign.


3.  Flexible Scheduling – Consider offering flexible scheduling options which demonstrate understanding and support of your employees’ need to successfully balance work and personal commitments.


4.  Employee Recognition – By taking the time to recognize and appreciate the hard work your employees have done to contribute to the team you are bringing about a sense of belonging while also motivating them for the coming year.


5.  Prepare for Year-End Processes – In all the hustle and bustle of the season, don’t forget to finalize payroll, conduct performance reviews, and start planning for the next year! Wrap up your success by organizing and communicating all necessary tasks to relevant stakeholders.


6.  Manage Stress and Wellness – Offer stress management workshops or wellness programs to focus on the well-being of your team and maintain a positive and healthy work environment. For some individuals, this season can sometimes become more of a stress than a time of celebration.



By remembering these tips, you can showcase your organizational and people management skills through thoughtful planning, clear communication, and employee well-being prioritization. 


Source: PeopleShare

Year-End HR Checklist


Here are some helpful HR reminders for as you prepare to wrap up the end of the year:


  • Verify the current address and contact information for all employees so that W-2s are mailed to the correct location. W-2s must be postmarked by January 31, 2025 for the 2024 income year.


  • Handbook review.


  • Plan an HR Health Assessment of your organization to review compliance and best practices.


  • Salary and Wage benchmarking: Missouri minimum wage will increase to $13.75 in 2025. Exemption is provided to retail or service businesses with annual gross sales less than $500,000.


  • Review Personnel File Retention Requirements.


  • Schedule Training: Preventing Harassment, HR for Supervisors, D&I.


  • Map out your HR strategy and initiatives for 2025!

Missouri Minimum Wage to

Increase for 2025


As per the passing of Proposition A, Missouri minimum wage will increase to $13.75 per hour in 2025 and again to $15 per hour in 2026. After 2026, the minimum wage rate for all private and non-exempt businesses will be based on the increase or decrease in the cost of living pursuant to the Consumer Price Index.


Employers engaged in retail or service businesses whose annual gross income is less than $500,000 are not required to pay the state minimum wage rate. Employers not subject to the minimum wage law can pay employees wages of their choosing. For more information, please contact the United States Department of Labor.


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Springfield, MO



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Employer inquiries, contact:

Sarah Matthews

sarah@hradvantageweb.net



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