Legal

Spring is a great time to schedule a purging of files that have accumulated in your office that you may no longer need. While a good "spring cleaning" makes the office look neater and more organized, you want to be sure to retain documents for a period of time compliant with the law. According to a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) sample recordkeeping policy, the retention periods for terminated employees' and applicants' records and…

Every year, the mishandling of confidential documents costs companies millions of dollars in liability. The State of Georgia has potential fines of up to $10,000 for businesses that mismanage confidential information. All businesses have information that needs to be destroyed, according to Peg Hussing, owner of Alpharetta-based EcoShredding, Inc., including customer lists, pricing, contracts, banking information and HR documents such as employment applications and payroll. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to safeguard…

Women's reproductive rights have been headline news this year. Large corporations such as Wal-Mart and UPS have been thrust into the spotlight regarding their handling of employees who were pregnant or trying to get pregnant. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Jacqueline A. Berrien states that, "Pregnancy is not a justification for excluding women from jobs that they are qualified to perform, and it cannot be a basis for denying employment of treating women…

All of the holiday season's festivities can pack on the pounds and increase stress levels. Did you know that the average American gains six to eight pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's? This is a case where it's good to be below average! Here are some tips from certified health coach Jennifer Cook to help you navigate the cookies and candy at the office, celebratory meals out, cocktail parties and holiday buffets: Don't skip a…

That is the question. A recent Bank of America survey of small businesses found that 52% plan to give their employees a bonus this year. Of course, bonuses are discretionary and not an entitlement. They may be based on many different criteria such as the overall performance of the company or the individual performance of an employee, but all employees should be clear as to what those factors are. If your year-end bonus is a…

With the technological development of mobile banking, it has become more important than ever to balance your business' books to insure that your vendors and employees aren't depositing your checks twice. It is a simple mistake when made honestly, but it has also become an easy way for dishonest people to gain more money. You may have read about this issue in regards to some University of Georgia football players who were arrested for "double…

This time of year, employees that have accrued but not used paid time off (PTO) start asking if they have to "use it or lose it." Some expect to receive a check as compensation for any paid time they cannot use. In Georgia, as at the federal level, there is no requirement for employers to provide paid vacation, sick leave or personal time off, let alone carry it over or pay it out. As a…

Many employers make changes to their corporate employee policies over time but neglect to update their policy manuals or notify workers. Not only is this a bad business practice; it can also leave a company exposed to liability, depending on the nature of the policy change. Year-end is the perfect time to incorporate all policy changes (including any from previous years that were not incorporated) into the employee handbook. Depending on the extent of the…

It's amazing how many employees move or experience significant changes in their living circumstances without telling their employers. Now is the time to reach out to current and former employees and ensure you have correct addresses for sending W-2s. Marathon always mails its clients' W-2s in time for personnel to receive them by the deadline, but we need correct addresses to achieve that goal. The US Postal Service only forwards mail for six months unless…