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Apr 12 2018
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Is It Time to Retire Your Mechanical Time Clock?

By HR
"Punching the clock" has long been a euphemism for “going to work,” since it comes from the practice of personnel “punching in” by sliding timecards into a mechanical device. Salaried employees may not need to “punch in and out,” but for hourly employees, it’s the only way to measure their time and ensure they are paid accordingly. However, older mechanical time clocks aren’t always accurate and are susceptible to “buddy punching.” Additionally, processing their time…
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Apr 05 2018
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Social Media Is Putting People and Companies at Risk. Is Your Position Clear?

By HR
As the bad news grows regarding Facebook’s imprudent treatment of user information, you may be wondering if privacy violations are endangering your company or its personnel. At Marathon, we believe it is certainly possible. We recommend prudence as the best course of action. All organizations should have a clearly defined social media “posture” supported by firm policies regarding the use of social media. Companies in industries that involve vulnerable populations, such education, home healthcare (e.g.…
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Mar 22 2018
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Contractor or Employee—Has a “Business Friendly” Administration Relaxed the Rules?

By HR, Legal, Recruiting
Last year, President Trump withdrew two Obama-era Department of Labor (DOL) “Guidance Letters,” one of which had made it more difficult for companies to safely classify workers as independent contractors. Some national organizations hailed withdrawal of the guidance as “pro-employer,” but Marathon recommended companies continue to be very cautious with their determinations. Now, we are reiterating that stance. With the withdrawal of the guidance letter, a 2015 “multi-factor test” was no longer relevant. However, the…
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Mar 06 2018
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US Dept. of Labor Issues New Guidance on Interns, Increasing Employer Flexibility

By HR, Legal, Recruiting
In January, the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) rolled out new guidelines that make it easier for companies to use unpaid interns, but some labor experts are warning the guidance is not a panacea. The update, published in a DoL guidance document on its website, sets a more flexible standard for employers than previous guidance. Now, interns must be the “primary beneficiaries” of the program—in other words, the programs must benefit the intern more than the…
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Feb 27 2018
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How Will the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Impact Your Workers’ Taxes?

By HR, Legal, Payroll
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has taken effect and you and your employees may have noticed a change in take-home pay. This happened because the marginal tax rate dropped for the average individual, but that doesn’t mean they can keep the extra money. If most of your employees received an increase in their pay, it might be prudent to caution them not to celebrate, just yet. An increase in take-home pay will not necessarily…
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Dec 19 2017
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Sexual Harassment Training: More Important than Ever

By HR, Legal
With famous individuals falling like dominoes as allegations of sexual misconduct or harassment continue, business owners should be evaluating their corporate stance on sexual harassment. One problem that confronts business owners is defining exactly what does, and doesn’t, constitute sexual harassment. Fortunately, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has published guidance on this issue, and offers an innovative training program, "Respectful Workplaces," which teaches skills for employees and supervisors to promote and contribute to respect in…
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Sep 21 2017
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Make Technology Work for You

By HR
In our last article, we offered strategies for managing personal technology use at work. Employee use (or abuse) of technology in the workplace, while detrimental, is not the only concern for business leaders. Firms must also help workers better manage their time using technology for valid business purposes, both inside and outside the office. Here’s a bit more practical advice. Help Workers Help Themselves: Many office workers report that the volume of business email and…
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Sep 04 2017
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Why Don’t We Labor on Labor Day?

By HR
Our news usually deals with business topics, but today, we thought it would be interesting to look at the history and origination of our beloved "end of summer" holiday: Labor Day. This day might better be called "Workers' Day," because that is who it celebrates—the American worker and the trade and labor groups that support them. Encouraged by the labor movement, Labor Day's first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed in 1885 and 1886,…
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Aug 17 2017
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The Trend Toward Workplace “Body Art” − What You Can Do

By HR, Legal, Recruiting
With Millennial workers (and many workers from other eras) increasingly adopting non-traditional body art (officially called body modifications), business owners are grappling with how to address this issue. Per a February 2016 Harris Poll, 47 percent of Millennials and 36 percent of Gen X respondents have at least one tattoo, and that percentage is only going to rise. Tattoos and piercings may be fine for businesses that want to be perceived as “edgy,” but what…
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Jul 25 2017
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Will a Higher Minimum Wage Result in Fewer Jobs—and Small Businesses?

By HR
Earlier this month, the governor of Missouri announced he was lowering the state’s minimum wage from $10 back to $7.70. The reason? He had heard from numerous small-business owners who said they couldn’t afford to pay the wage and stay in business. Although California and other states have committed to raise minimum wage to $15 an hour, small and midsized business (SMB) owners with limited resources appear to be struggling to meet higher wage requirements.…
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