An Ounce of Prevention AND a Pound of Cure: Lessons from CrowdStrike’s Epic Error 150 150 Alicia East

An Ounce of Prevention AND a Pound of Cure: Lessons from CrowdStrike’s Epic Error

Last Saturday, I had coffee with a friend who had certainly earned her morning pick-me-up. As one of the many thousands of travelers delayed by downed Microsoft machines the day before, she finally reached her destination a full 7 hours after expected. At 2 AM, the airport was still bustling and chaotic. It reminded her…

Audit-Proof Your Business: Essential Practices for Compliance 150 150 Alicia East

Audit-Proof Your Business: Essential Practices for Compliance

Companies have a great responsibility. Not only do they need to manage growth and profitability, they have to do it all while also ensuring that day-to-day operations comply with various laws and regulations. Compliance topics encompass everything from onboarding to pay transparency as well as a handful of HR topics in between. Like a lot…

Understanding the 2024 Overtime Rule Changes Plus 6 Steps to Compliance 2560 1667 Alicia East

Understanding the 2024 Overtime Rule Changes Plus 6 Steps to Compliance

The latest overtime rule, finalized by the Department of Labor (DOL) with one noteworthy exception introduces significant changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regarding overtime pay exemptions for executive, administrative, and professional employees.  Key Changes to Overtime Rules Salary Threshold Increase: As of last week (July 1st), the salary threshold for overtime exemption…

Who’s in the Hot Seat for Misclassification Now? Hint: It’s a Big One 2560 1707 Alicia East

Who’s in the Hot Seat for Misclassification Now? Hint: It’s a Big One

There has been a reckoning in recent years around misclassification–especially with delivery drivers at many large companies. The latest to hit the headlines is Amazon—one of the world’s largest and most influential companies in the world. The mammoth is currently facing scrutiny over its worker classification procedures. The issue revolves around whether Amazon’s delivery drivers…

Contingent Workforce Management: Simple Steps to Ensure Compliance 150 150 Alicia East

Contingent Workforce Management: Simple Steps to Ensure Compliance

In today’s economy, engaging a contingent workforce is a common practice for many businesses. However, the complexities of classification, documentation, and compliance can pose significant risks if details are not managed properly. For human resource (HR) departments, ensuring that workers are engaged legally is crucial to avoid hefty fines, legal disputes, and reputation damage.  8…

Ghostbusters: Preventing Payroll Fraud 2560 1707 Alicia East

Ghostbusters: Preventing Payroll Fraud

Most big companies have multiple checks in place to prevent payroll fraud, but even the big dogs are not immune from nefarious practices seeking to compromise information or steal money. If you’d rather not have a jealous employee swindle your fruitcake factory or a payroll administrator use other people’s personally identifiable information for their own…

Nail Onboarding For Compliant Companies and Successful Workers 2560 1170 Alicia East

Nail Onboarding For Compliant Companies and Successful Workers

It’s important to get onboarding right. Not only does it set the tone for a contract worker or new hire’s experience, but it also is an area of business ripe with opportunities for compliance missteps and related fines. A solid system for the onboarding process ensures that new hires can get to work (which is…

Combating Scammers and Cyber Criminals: Solutions to Help You Sleep Better 2560 1707 Alicia East

Combating Scammers and Cyber Criminals: Solutions to Help You Sleep Better

If an individual’s personal information gets compromised, that individual suffers. When a company or organization’s data is compromised, on the other hand, the cascading repercussions can be catastrophic. The collateral damage extends to innocent customers, clients, and even patients–as is the case in breaches of healthcare systems. For that reason, such entities bear a much…

The Talent Crunch: 5 Strategies to Overcome a Shortage 2560 1709 Alicia East

The Talent Crunch: 5 Strategies to Overcome a Shortage

In today’s job market, many industries are experiencing acute shortages of qualified talent. Factors such as rapid technological advancements, demographic shifts, and changing workforce expectations are making it increasingly difficult for businesses to find and retain skilled talent. This talent shortage is particularly challenging for anyone who engages contract workers, such as human resource departments…

Are Your Contract Workers Getting Stolen? The Cardinal Rule For Retaining Talent 2560 1647 Alicia East

Are Your Contract Workers Getting Stolen? The Cardinal Rule For Retaining Talent

The very best contract workers are in high demand and retaining top talent is a persistent challenge. High turnover rates not only inflate costs but can also undermine client/customer satisfaction. This issue often stems from factors such as job insecurity, limited career development opportunities, inadequate compensation, and poor communication. Any company that engages contract workers…

Workers Are Getting Paid to Relocate: The One Change You Can Make to Retain Your Best Talent 2560 1707 Alicia East

Workers Are Getting Paid to Relocate: The One Change You Can Make to Retain Your Best Talent

Several cities in the United States–from Topeka to The Shoals, Alabama– are offering incentives to attract new residents–particularly those who can work remotely. These programs often have specific eligibility requirements, such as income thresholds and employment conditions. If your workers are eligible to work remotely, they may want to take advantage of these incentives. There…

Non-Competes Are Banned: What to do NOW to Protect Your Business 2560 1920 Alicia East

Non-Competes Are Banned: What to do NOW to Protect Your Business

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has banned non-compete clauses for the vast majority of workers. Such employment contracts exist across various industries and the new rule will significantly alter the employment landscape in the United States. Non-compete agreements traditionally prevent employees from joining competing firms or starting similar businesses within a specified time after leaving…

Impact of California’s PAGA Cases Ruling on HR (Plus Proactive Measures for Compliance) 2560 1630 Alicia East

Impact of California’s PAGA Cases Ruling on HR (Plus Proactive Measures for Compliance)

In a pivotal legal update, the California Supreme Court has ruled that lawsuits filed under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) cannot be dismissed on the basis of unmanageability. This judgment reaffirms California’s dedication to upholding labor laws through PAGA, enabling employees to sue employers for breaches of compliance. For HR professionals, it’s essential to…

Impact of California’s PAGA Cases Ruling on Staffing Agencies and Proactive Measures for Compliance 2560 1630 Alicia East

Impact of California’s PAGA Cases Ruling on Staffing Agencies and Proactive Measures for Compliance

In a significant legal development, the California Supreme Court has determined that Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) cases cannot be dismissed on the grounds of unmanageability. This decision underscores the state’s commitment to enforcing labor laws through PAGA, which allows employees to file lawsuits against their employers for compliance violations. Understanding this ruling’s implications is…

US Staffing Agencies: Have You Tapped Into This Potential Goldmine? 2560 1707 Alicia East

US Staffing Agencies: Have You Tapped Into This Potential Goldmine?

For US staffing agencies, the Canadian market represents a compelling expansion opportunity. For those looking to expand operations beyond the US, Canada is a natural next step because of the shared cultural norms, lower language barriers, and familiar industries. This post explores why US-based staffing agencies might want to consider venturing into the Canadian market…

The Future is Now: Challenges and Growth For Staffing Agencies 2560 1707 Alicia East

The Future is Now: Challenges and Growth For Staffing Agencies

If you’re reading this, you already know: Staffing agencies are facing challenges right now and agencies must adapt to the ever-evolving labor market, technological advancements, and economic fluctuations or risk falling behind. As always, where there are challenges, there are opportunities. Let’s talk about both.  Current Challenges for Staffing Agencies Economic Uncertainty: Economic cycles significantly…

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Understanding the Updated U.S. Labor Policy: A Path to Compliance 2560 1708 Alicia East

Understanding the Updated U.S. Labor Policy: A Path to Compliance

The latest amendments to U.S. labor legislation have introduced a layer of complexity and ambiguity to the task of accurately classifying workers. It is important for all businesses–particularly those for whom contract workers are essential to operations–to adopt a forward-thinking strategy to reinforce their classification processes. Failure to do so could lead to inconsistent worker…

Navigating New Labor Policies: The Path to Compliance for Engaging 1099 Workers 2560 1707 Alicia East

Navigating New Labor Policies: The Path to Compliance for Engaging 1099 Workers

The recent federal update to U.S. labor policy has introduced complexities and ambiguities into the process of classifying workers correctly. Every company that engages workers–especially those for whom such workers are key to operations (such as staffing agencies) – must take a proactive approach to shoring up their practices. Otherwise, they risk applying inconsistent determinations…

Press Release: PayReel Expands Operations into the Canadian Market 2560 1707 Alicia East

Press Release: PayReel Expands Operations into the Canadian Market

PayReel–a long-time trusted provider of workforce management solutions– is excited to announce its entry into the Canadian market. With extensive experience in various industries, PayReel is well-equipped to assist Canadian businesses in managing the evolving workplace landscape. PayReel offers custom solutions for contingent workforce management and helps clients effortlessly hire, manage, and pay contract workers.…

Care About Your Company’s Reputation? Do This 2560 1920 Alicia East

Care About Your Company’s Reputation? Do This

For human resources (HR) departments, having systems in place to address worker classification helps avoid significant penalties–including back wages, taxes, legal fees–as well as preventing harm to the company’s reputation. HR teams should conduct frequent internal audits of worker classifications, educate relevant employees on labor laws, employ strict compliance systems, and remain informed about labor…

Ensuring Compliance and Success: The Critical Role of Accurate Worker Classification in Staffing Agencies 150 150 Alicia East

Ensuring Compliance and Success: The Critical Role of Accurate Worker Classification in Staffing Agencies

For staffing firms, accurate worker classification is critical to avoid hefty penalties, including back wages and taxes, legal fees, and reputational damage. Firms should regularly audit worker classifications, train staff on labor laws, implement rigorous systems for compliance, and stay updated on labor regulations. The alternative to doing these tasks internally is to engage a…

How HR Can Leverage an Employer of Record to Streamline Contract Worker Engagement 2560 1709 Alicia East

How HR Can Leverage an Employer of Record to Streamline Contract Worker Engagement

Engaging temporary workers is a complex process even under the best of circumstances. For human resource departments, the challenge of navigating state-by-state and federal compliance, alongside the regular burden of onboarding temp workers, can be daunting. This is particularly true when engaging temporary or contract workers for last-minute projects. The time constraints amplify the challenges…

Maximize Temp Worker Success: The KEY Strategy for Recruiters & Staffing Agencies 2560 1707 Alicia East

Maximize Temp Worker Success: The KEY Strategy for Recruiters & Staffing Agencies

Engaging temporary workers is a nuanced process under the best of circumstances. Juggling state-by-state and federal compliance with the regular burden of onboarding temp workers is one of the many reasons agencies traditionally focused on direct hires stay out of temp staffing. When temporary or contract workers are brought on for last-minute projects, those challenges…

Unlock the Power of Temp Staffing: How the Right Strategic Partner Can Change Everything 2560 1440 Alicia East

Unlock the Power of Temp Staffing: How the Right Strategic Partner Can Change Everything

Venturing into the realm of temporary staffing can seem like a daunting leap for agencies traditionally focused on direct staffing, especially when considering the hefty investment and complex infrastructure needed to get started. Engaging the right partner can lower those barriers to entry. An Employer of Record (EOR) mitigates the substantial upfront costs and compliance…

HR Departments: Prepare for it to Feel Like California Everywhere 2560 1707 Alicia East

HR Departments: Prepare for it to Feel Like California Everywhere

I’m sorry, though, I’m not talking about the Golden State’s weather. The upcoming changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) are about to make it feel like it’s as hard  to engage employees nationwide as it is in California. January’s federal ruling–which goes into effect in a matter of days (March 11th!) has significant…

Great Access Means Great Responsibility: Do Right by Your Contract Workers 2560 1442 Alicia East

Great Access Means Great Responsibility: Do Right by Your Contract Workers

In the era of digital transformation, data security has become a paramount concern, especially for companies that handle Personally Identifiable Information (PII). PII, which includes details that can be used on their own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context, is a valuable…

The Game of Workforce Management is Changing: Three Topics Making News 8256 5504 Alicia East

The Game of Workforce Management is Changing: Three Topics Making News

The current employment landscape in the U.S. is shaped by several critical topics, reflecting ongoing changes and challenges in the workforce. Let’s talk about the three employment topics we’re seeing right now. Three Current Employment Topics and What They Mean for Business 1. The Great Reshuffle: Initially termed as ‘The Great Resignation,’ this phenomenon saw…

Engaging a Contingent Workforce: The Strategic Advantages and Drawbacks 2560 1920 Alicia East

Engaging a Contingent Workforce: The Strategic Advantages and Drawbacks

Throughout the labor shortage that has plagued businesses in recent years, many have turned to new strategies to fill roles and ensure continuity and growth. One such strategy is engaging a contingent workforce to fill the gaps. Everyone from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies like Google have leveraged this approach to drive success. While…

Employee or Contract Worker? Making the Right Hiring Decision for Your Business 2560 1707 Alicia East

Employee or Contract Worker? Making the Right Hiring Decision for Your Business

Accurate worker classification is a big deal. Full stop. Still, in light of a recent federal ruling, making the right decision is about to be more important than ever. Making the decision to classify a worker as in independent contractor versus an employee requires an in-depth understanding of the differences. The decision affects more than…

Compliance Concerns? Take These Three Essential Steps 2560 1707 Alicia East

Compliance Concerns? Take These Three Essential Steps

Whether it’s a restaurant denying employees overtime pay or a staffing firm misclassifying workers, companies make headlines every day for various compliance missteps. Labor laws vary from state to state and also change over time as new decisions get passed and old laws get revised. This makes staying in line with compliance laws an “up-at-dawn,…

Contract Worker-Focused Business Models: Mastering the Seismic Shift 2560 1440 Alicia East

Contract Worker-Focused Business Models: Mastering the Seismic Shift

For many companies, the traditional business model–centered around full-time W-2 employees–is gradually being upended by a shift toward contract workers. This transition is changing how companies approach their workforce strategies, particularly in terms of culture and engagement. To make matters more complicated, companies must walk the fine line between including contract workers in company culture…

Pop Quiz: Is Your Industry Likely to Be Affected by Last Week’s BIG Federal Ruling? 150 150 Alicia East

Pop Quiz: Is Your Industry Likely to Be Affected by Last Week’s BIG Federal Ruling?

If your industry or business engages independent contractors, the short answer is yes! Your industry will be affected by last week’s ruling (which tightens worker classification standards). The misclassification of employees (i.e. labeling them as independent contractors instead of employees) has been a significant issue for years and has only continued to heat up as…

⚠️ A MAJOR Shift in U.S. Labor Policy is Coming: Are You Ready? ⚠️ 2560 1707 Alicia East

⚠️ A MAJOR Shift in U.S. Labor Policy is Coming: Are You Ready? ⚠️

Do you think your business has legally legitimate independent contractors? A groundbreaking change in U.S. labor law requires you to think again. With the new rule set to hit the ground running in March, the U.S. Department of Labor has unleashed a colossal upheaval to the way we all do business. Its impact on companies…

Regulating AI: What Are Companies and Governing Bodies Doing to Make AI Work For Everyone? 150 150 Alicia East

Regulating AI: What Are Companies and Governing Bodies Doing to Make AI Work For Everyone?

The Writers’ Strike dominated 2023. It lasted almost half of the year and one of the major points of contention was the use of artificial intelligence in writing. In some ways, this battle is the canary in the coal mine–an indicator that defining how businesses can use AI will be a hot topic well beyond…

So You Think You Might’ve Misclassified a Worker. Now What? 2560 1707 Alicia East

So You Think You Might’ve Misclassified a Worker. Now What?

In today’s evolving business landscape, the distinction between W2 employees and independent contractors has become increasingly significant. This differentiation not only affects the benefits workers receive but also has a substantial impact on a company’s financial obligations. Some businesses manipulate these classifications intentionally to save money, but others simply lack of understanding of the regulations.…

“It’s a Wonderful Life”: What This Almost Forgotten Film Teaches About Resilience and Success 2560 1706 Alicia East

“It’s a Wonderful Life”: What This Almost Forgotten Film Teaches About Resilience and Success

Every year during the holidays, my mom starts hunting for a movie companion. The memories around this ritual stand out to me because my mom is allergic to sitting still. This, of course, presents an obstacle to family movie nights. For my mom, that meant that as she was setting up “It’s a Wonderful Life,”…

Santa Issues Warning: Here’s Your Surefire Ticket to The Naughty List 2560 2054 Alicia East

Santa Issues Warning: Here’s Your Surefire Ticket to The Naughty List

The most effective leaders lead by example and Santa Claus has made it a point to make his worker classification process transparent. He hopes to inspire anyone who believes in the Christmas spirit to do the same. Since the jolly fellow is so busy overseeing his workshop and delighting children all over the world, he…

You Can’t Afford to Skip These PII Security Measures 💻🔒 150 150 Alicia East

You Can’t Afford to Skip These PII Security Measures 💻🔒

In an age where data is king, safeguarding personally identifiable information (PII) is paramount. Companies entrusted with their employees’ sensitive data must implement secure storage solutions both to be found compliant and also to protect workers’ privacy. Protect Your Business With These PII Security Measures ENCRYPTED CLOUD STORAGE: ☁️🔐 Utilize cloud storage services with robust…

Do You Direct Source Talent? This One Thing Might Make You Want to do a Happy Dance 2560 1707 Alicia East

Do You Direct Source Talent? This One Thing Might Make You Want to do a Happy Dance

While some companies prefer to outsource their talent search and the related details, others rely on their own internal systems to find talent (i.e. direct sourcing). This means a company or organization recruits and hires temporary workers without the involvement of traditional staffing agencies or intermediaries. The company takes on the responsibility of identifying, recruiting,…

🚀🔥 Black Friday Tech Roundup! 🖥️📱 2560 1694 Alicia East

🚀🔥 Black Friday Tech Roundup! 🖥️📱

Tech enthusiasts, this is your moment! It’s Black Friday and your dream gadgets and accessories have never been more accessible! Make Your Tech-Loving Heart Skip a Beat With These Savings For the gamers 🕹️, now is the time to score deals on the latest PlayStation and Xbox consoles, accessories, games, and laptops. If you’re looking to…

Working With Independent Contractors? Minimize Last-Minute Tax Headaches With These Tips 2560 1707 Alicia East

Working With Independent Contractors? Minimize Last-Minute Tax Headaches With These Tips

The tax implications that come with hiring independent contractors require special considerations–both when you hire and pay workers as well as when you’re preparing for tax time. Making the right moves up front and throughout the process can minimize last-minute stress. Minimize Last-Minute Headaches by Following These Tips When Engaging Independent Contractors Make Accurate Worker…

Combating Scammers and Cyber Criminals: The AI Threat and Cybersecurity Solutions 150 150 Alicia East

Combating Scammers and Cyber Criminals: The AI Threat and Cybersecurity Solutions

Gone are the days when the “Nigerian prince” is our greatest scam threat. While previous attempts to breach company security measures have been laughable, scammers are now using AI to make increasingly sophisticated and believable attacks. In our increasingly digital world, scammers and cybercriminals are continually evolving their tactics to infiltrate companies, compromise sensitive data,…

Looking For a Haunted Future? Misclassify Your Workers 2560 1707 Alicia East

Looking For a Haunted Future? Misclassify Your Workers

If you engage a contingent workforce and would rather not be haunted by fines, jail time, and damage to your reputation, this post is for you. When the Biden Administration rolled out a proposal that would make it harder for companies to classify workers as independent contractors, he solidified his commitment to making accurate worker…

Watch Out For This Hazard of The Remote Work Revolution 2560 1707 Alicia East

Watch Out For This Hazard of The Remote Work Revolution

As workers disperse into new areas, it has reshaped the way businesses operate. While the arrangement offers benefits to businesses and workers alike, it also brings new challenges in terms of payroll and compliance because it requires a greater level of resources to monitor and comply with multiple regions’ compliance standards. In this post, we’ll explore…

Take Charge of Your Career Success With These In-Demand Skills 2560 1707 Alicia East

Take Charge of Your Career Success With These In-Demand Skills

Bonus: No college degree required. You can acquire any of these in-demand skills through alternative means. Here’s a look at some of the most sought-after skills in today’s market. They don’t require a college degree and we’ll talk about how you can put them to use in your career as well. 5 In-Demand Skills Digital…

Safeguarding Your Business: Understanding Vulnerabilities and Cybersecurity Measures 2560 1442 Alicia East

Safeguarding Your Business: Understanding Vulnerabilities and Cybersecurity Measures

As every aspect of our lives continue to be more and more connected digitally, our vulnerability to cyberattacks increases. Companies of all sizes rely heavily on technology to operate effectively. Technology evolves quickly and cybercriminals are evolving right behind. This makes it imperative for businesses to understand their vulnerabilities and implement robust cybersecurity measures. Here,…

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Take Our Quiz: Do You Really Understand the Difference Between Employees, Gig Workers, and Independent Contractors? 2560 1710 Alicia East

Take Our Quiz: Do You Really Understand the Difference Between Employees, Gig Workers, and Independent Contractors?

Companies have various options when it comes to hiring talent. While some take the “what’s in a name?” approach and classify based on their own convenience and cost considerations, the classification happens to be of great consequence to the Department of Labor. So let’s compare three common categories of workers (employees, gig workers, and independent…

You Work Too Hard to Let This Cost Your Business 2560 1707 Alicia East

You Work Too Hard to Let This Cost Your Business

Most companies go to great lengths to set up ethical and legally sound practices for nearly every aspect of their business. They’ll have lawyers involved in their contracts and accountants monitoring every penny that passes through their channels. Still, there’s one area where we often see otherwise-diligent companies fall short because they mistakenly think it’s…

Protecting Your Business: 5 Essential Measures to Reduce Workers’ Compensation Risks 2560 1920 Alicia East

Protecting Your Business: 5 Essential Measures to Reduce Workers’ Compensation Risks

Anyone with employees needs workers’ compensation insurance. Yep, everyone. Workers’ compensation provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment. Just like any other insurance, you hope you’ll never need to cash in on it. But if you do end up needing it, it’ll save your butt a million ways.…

What California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) Means For You 2560 1707 Alicia East

What California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) Means For You

California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) is a critical piece of legislation with far-reaching consequences for labor rights and business operations. With PAGA, employees have power to enforce labor laws and directly hold employers accountable for violations. We’ll discuss what this significant piece of legislature means for employees and businesses. What’s in a Name? The…