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  • Accidents happen, which is why workers’ compensation is a mandatory expense. Still, high rates can destroy your cashflow. 

    In my last post, I talked about how loss prevention strategies help prevent accidents in the first place, which can lower your rates. Today, I’d like to explain how an effective Cost Containment strategy can cut your costs, even if a claim is filed. 

    Risk management can benefit your business’ budget. Contact GMS to find out how a PEO can help.

    Cost Containment Services

    Many business owners consider worker’s compensation a cost of doing business. But professional employer organizations (PEOs) give you options to contain that cost.

    PEOs help you:

    • Choose the most appropriate workers’ compensation coverage for your group

    • Negotiate competitive programs with insurance providers

    • Implement a return-to-work program

    • Keep good records that can be used during the claims process, and more.

    Packaged together, these services make a huge difference in what you spend on workers’ compensation.

    More Than Just Cash Savings

    It is often said that your time is your most valuable asset. If you’re spending too much time fighting workers’ compensation claims, you aren’t focused on growing your business. 

    Many PEOs save you time by offering the following services:

    • Claims investigation

    • Claims certification

    • Hearing representation

    • And merit rate predictions

    We handle the details so you have the time to grow your business again.

    Better Cashflow Through a PEO

    We are extremely successful at fighting our clients’ workers’ compensation claims, saving them clients thousands of dollars in the process. If you’re tired of dealing with rising worker’s compensation costs, or simply want to know more let’s talk.

  • Cashflow is key for any business. That’s an easy concept. What’s more difficult to understand is how to effectively manage all the things that pose a risk to that precious cashflow.

    As a business owner, one of your biggest risks is workers’ compensation. According to the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, workers’ compensation cost business owners nearly $60 billion in 2012. That’s a lot of money!

    The good news is that you don’t have to accept rising costs – and a strained cashflow – as a fact of business life.

    Loss prevention can help limit workers’ compensation claims and lower your rates.

    Avoiding Claims

    It may sound obvious, but prevention is the best medicine. The safer the environment, the less likely you’ll have to deal with workers’ compensation. This is just one of many ways a professional employer organization (PEO) can help. 

    Specifically, PEOs can help your business implement loss prevention strategies that will reduce the risk of unfortunate incidents in the workplace.

    Some of these strategies include

    • Safety training programs

    • Development of safety manuals

    • Development of safety guidelines for employees

    • Workplace inspection and guidance on OSHA compliance

    • Development of drug-free and drug-testing programs

    Better Cashflow Through a PEO

    A study released by OSHA claims that a 15% reduction in injuries and illnesses from businesses that don’t have safety and health programs could result in a savings of $9 billion per year. On an individual level, that means more money that can be invested in the growth of your business.

    Have you thought about the potential impact loss prevention strategies can have on your bottom line? Ready to learn more? Contact GMS today.

  • The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has begun commission meetings under its new chair, Jenny R. Yang, this month. The newest commissioner was also sworn in at this time bringing the board back to its full strength of five members.

    This month, they have also begun hearings on workplace harassment. What they have learned from experts in the field is that workplace harassment is still a major problem.

    Workplace harassment is a major issue.

    According to a recent press release from the EEOC, they are developing strategies that focus on targeted outreach and education as well as systemic enforcement to promote broader voluntary compliance.”

    That sound you just heard was business owners slapping themselves in the forehead.

    In the EEOC’s Strategic Enforcement plan for FY 2013-2016, the Commission recognized that an outreach campaign aimed at both educating employers and employees is an important strategy to deter future violations. ‘Preventing harassment from occurring in the first place is far preferable to remedying its consequences,’ Yang said.”

    Of course, what the commission said is true. So true that they are going to form a task force to identify effective strategies to “prevent and remedy” these things. This can only be good, right?

    As a small-business owner, you probably know that harassment can be a problem, but you’ve already probably taken steps to address this from ever becoming an issue. If and when this problem arises, you’re ready for it. Or are you?

    Large companies already have strategies and programs in place to prevent these things from happening and remedying them if they do. They’re not waiting for the heavy hand of big government to dictate to them how to handle these things. They have internal HR departments to put these policies in place.

    However, a small business doesn’t have an HR department. You’ve got you, your attorney and, well, you. Unless of course you’ve opted to go with an outside resource like a Professional Employer Organization (PEO).

    PEOs provide small business owners with the same type of professional HR services that large companies employ without the cost of an internal HR department. In this case, a PEO can help you put together and implement policies that can address harassment issues and as importantly how to handle them if and when they become and issue.

    To learn more about how a PEO can help your business contact us today at 330-659-0100.

  • So you have that “bad apple” employee that you have to get rid of. He’s a pain in your side. Your management team spends an inordinate amount of time dealing with him and frankly, his co-workers don’t like him either. Sounds like a no-brainer, right?

    Wrong.

    When letting an employee go for cause, you need to make sure that you’re protecting yourself from the liability of:

    1. An unemployment claim that will drive your unemployment insurance up, cutting into your margins or putting you in a competitive disadvantage with your competitors
    2. A potential discrimination lawsuit filed by the employee
    3. A possible violation of either the FMLA or ADA that will have the federal government breathing down your back

    How do you avoid these pitfalls? As with all things, there’s an easy way and a hard way.

     

    Picture of a rotten apple. Think it's easy to fire bad employees? Make sure you're protecting yourself from employer liabilities.

    The Hard Way

    You do have tools that are available to you. According to a recent National Law Review piece, the three most underutilized tools to protect employers from liability are: the extra step, job descriptions, and the gut check.

    These harken back to the proper documentation and making sure that a systematic process is followed before terminating an employee for cause.

    That brings us to the definition of the “hard way”. You have to make sure that you have accurate, up-to-date job descriptions in place along with an established, documented protocol that you follow. You can easily address all of those things during your downtime (evenings, early mornings and weekends).

    The Easy Way

    The easy way is to find an inexpensive and cost and time-efficient way in managing your unemployment. The most efficient way of handling these things is through the use of a PEO (Professional Employer Organization). PEOs can look at your operation and put together a comprehensive employee management plan that protects you, your employees and helps reduce employee cost and liability.

    To learn more how a PEO can help your business, contact us today.

  • Choosing to partner with a professional employer organization (PEO) is a great decision for your business. If you’re like most business owners who are considering a PEO, you have done a lot of research and have tons of questions and concerns.

    Below, we’ve debunked four of the most common PEO myths to make your decision a little easier.

    Myth #1: Hiring a PEO means I’m going to lose control of my business.

    Fact: PEOs give you greater control of your business in a number of ways:

    • PEOs enable you to streamline communication across HR, payroll, risk management, and benefits, and frees up more of your time to focus on revenue-generating projects.
    • PEOs assign a team of HR professionals to you. The team can identify and find opportunities across back-office disciplines that can save you money and/or reduce financial risk.
    • PEOs improve cashflow through economies of scale. When you partner with a PEO, you may qualify for discounted rates on some business costs and lower premiums. This gives you more cash to invest in your business.

    To summarize, you call the shots. PEOs make it easier to make efficient, well-informed business decisions.

    Myth #2: I will lose control over hiring and firing decisions.

    Fact: Hiring and firing decisions are up to you.

    When it comes to hiring, PEOs can help you write job descriptions, review applications, and train new employees. This makes the recruitment process more effective and more efficient.

    If you want to fire an employee, PEOs protect you from rising unemployment taxes (should one be filed) by taking care of all the details.

    In short, you improve employee recruitment and limit financial risk…at a fraction of the time it would take to do yourself.

    Myth #3: PEOs supply workforce labor.

    Fact: PEOs are not temporary staffing agencies. When you partner with a PEO, you and that PEO agree to a co-employer relationship.

    In other words, you keep full control of your business and your employees. You make hiring and firing decisions. You are responsible for building a group that meets your company’s needs. The added benefit is that you can qualify for discounts and better insurance rates that you could not have gotten without a PEO.

    Myth #4: PEOs will change my company culture for the worse.

    Fact: PEOs don’t want to change your culture; they want to enhance it. If your employees like working for you now, imagine how much better it will be when they realize you’ve given them access to a Fortune 500 –level benefits package. Plus, once word gets out that your benefits are better than you competitions’, you’ll have a better chance at attracting interest from higher-quality talent.

    Do you have additional questions or concerns? Let’s talk! Give us a call at 1-888-823-2084.

    Complete Guide to PEOs

  • Losing weight is one of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions. After a holiday season filled with cookies, candy, and booze, it’s easy to understand why.

    Unfortunately, most people don’t stick to their resolutions. In fact, so many people fail at keeping them that January 17th has become known as National Ditch Your Resolution Day.

    How Does This Impact Me?

    It’s simple. Unhealthy employees cost more to employ. They are less productive, more likely to miss work, increase insurance premiums, and drive up workers’ compensation costs.

    Two women and one man at a spinning class.

    How Can I Help My Employees?

    One of the best things you can do is implement a workplace health program. These programs are structured to provide the support your employees (and you) need to stay on track, including:

    • Setting realistic and specific goals
    • Creating a plan to reach those goals
    • Tracking and measuring progress
    • Building a rewards system to keep you motivated, and more.

    Take a look at the following articles for more tips on ways to keep New Year’s Resolutions:

    You can also share these great apps with your employees:

    What Other Benefits Do Wellness Programs Offer?

    Because wellness programs are linked to higher morale, they can help you reduce employee turnover and retain quality employees.

    Wellness programs can also be set you apart from your competition. They can make your benefits package more attractive, which helps you recruit higher quality talent.

    What Are My Next Steps?

    There is no “right way” to build a wellness program. You have to create something that works for your group. Get creative and you’ll start seeing positive results sooner than you think.

    And of course, if you’re not sure where to start, contact GMS at 888-823-2084 today.

  • Facebook is about more than checking to see what your online friends are doing. Numerous businesses maintain an official page to help expand brand awareness and drum up new leads.

    However, with all of the users and businesses currently on Facebook, you’ll need to spend some time on your page in order to build your audience. Here are some tips to help you get your business page noticed.

    Using Facebook for business

    Use Photos and Videos

    In a sea of potential posts, visual media can help your content stick out. According to a study from social media analytics site Quintly, videos and photos earn more interactions on average than other types of posts.

    By keeping some of your posts shorter and utilizing images and videos, you can get the point of your post across quickly and effectively. 

    Targeting and Timing is Important

    Facebook gives you the ability to target your content to a specific crowd. If you have a post that would only apply to a certain cross-section of your audience, you can narrow down your targeting by age, location, and other details. The same goes for Facebook advertisements, which can also be a powerful selling tool.

    Posting your content when your audience isn’t on Facebook will lead to less engagement and exposure. Time your posts to go out when your followers are most active, such as right at the end of the work day and in the evening. If you’re not sure when your audience is online, you can find data in your Page Insights on Facebook that will provide the information in a simple chart.

    Promote Your Platform

    Once you’ve established a presence on Facebook, you should continue to promote it. Placing social media buttons and calls to action on your online properties will direct people to your official Facebook page and other social platforms. Calling out your social platforms in emails and newsletters can also direct your current audience to go and support you on Facebook as well.

    Growing Your Business

    With over 1 billion active users each month, Facebook has plenty of potential for businesses. However, building up a social presence takes time. Group Management Services can help you grow your business by managing HR functions while you focus on growing your company. 

    Contact us today to see how partnering with a Professional Employer Organization can benefit you and your business.

  • SlideShare may not have the same notoriety as Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, but the social platform can still be a valuable tool for businesses. As a visual medium, SlideShare gives you the opportunity to show people your message in addition to giving them something to read. Here are some tips to help you use SlideShare as a social selling tool for your business.

    Using Slideshare for business

    Entice Readers with How-to Guides, Lists, and Industry Information

    People like reading easily digestible content, which is why lists work so well. Slide presentations are a great format for how-to guides and lists, as you can use each slide for a different step or number. This way your audience can easily read your presentation one part at a time and won’t feel overwhelmed.

    Useful industry information is something many businesses will actively search for. If you make it easy for your audience to find what they want, you’ll increase your chances of finding a potential new customer or client.

    Make it Look Great

    This is a point that seems obvious, but it’s worth stressing. SlideShare is a very visual platform, so you want to make an effort to have your slides look good. If you notice that parts of your slides could be improved with small adjustments, take the time to make sure that everything is in the right place.

    Don’t be afraid to try something new as well. An eye-catching design is a lot more intriguing than the same old slide formats that people have seen time and time again. Visually striking imagery and bold looks can get someone to give your slides a chance, which is all you’ll need if the content is appealing.

    Try and Get Featured

    Getting on the front page is a surefire way to boost the amount of exposure your slide presentations will receive and help your following grow. While it may not seem all that likely, an enticing, well-made presentation can make its way to SlideShare’s front page.

    SlideShare hand picks every featured presentation, so by following some guidelines for your slides, you’ll improve your shot of getting picked by the platform. We’ve already pointed out how a visually-impressive presentation with engaging content is key, but here are some other elements SlideShare looks for in a featured presentation:

    • Write an attention-grabbing headline

    • Create a powerful cover slide

    • Fully communicate your message without going too long

    • Create a presentation related to a recent news item or trending topic

    • Don’t be afraid to start a trend in either content or design

    Growing Your Business

    Your time should be spent on projects that can help you grow your business. Group Management Services works with you to provide proper HR management. Contact us today to learn more about how our experts can make your business simpler, safer, and stronger and while you can focus on growing your business.

  • In January of 2016, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will begin to directly impact businesses with between 50-99 employees. While health insurance rates have been impacting business owners since the start of the ACA several years ago, those companies with 50-99 employees haven’t had to offer healthcare or face a fine. That’s changing in a couple of months.

    The interesting thing about the ACA is that the very people it is supposed to help, low income workers, seem to be the ones least interested getting their healthcare, even when it’s offered by their employers.

    Offering coverage and the Affordable Care Act.

    How the Affordable Care Act Affect Low-income Workers

    In a recent article in the New York Times, Billy Sewell, the owner of 26 Golden Corral restaurants talked about the problems he has had getting his employees to take on his health insurance.

    When this law was first passed, many businesses began scaling back their employees’ hours to get them below the 30-hour workweek threshold requiring coverage. However, others chose to offer it to their employees for a variety of reasons (retain and attract good employees, take care of their company’s “family” of employees, etc.). What they were finding was that different people had different definitions of “affordable.”

    According to the article, Sewell offered his Golden Corral employees coverage through a plan that was only offered to salaried management before. Even though he was going to pay 65% of the employees’ healthcare premiums, he found few takers. It turns out that people who work primarily on tips weren’t willing to even pay the $140 per month for a high deductible health insurance plan.

    This is a problem that isn’t unique to the restaurant industry. There are many industries with employees working at minimum wage or slightly better that either can’t afford the coverage or don’t want it. What’s an employer to do to protect himself/herself from fines tied to the law? There are some safe harbors built into the law allowing for spouse’s income, etc. However, how does a business owner know what the laws are and how they apply to them?

    How Group Management Services Can Help

    If you’re offering healthcare, looking to expand who you cover or are looking to begin offering it, you should talk to some people. If you have a broker, reach out to them or you can do what more and more businesses are doing and speak with a professional employer organization like GMS. By tying together payroll, human resources, and benefits, a PEO may be able to provide you multiple options that you may not be able to get on your own.

    Contact us today to see how partnering with a PEO can provide you and your business with beneficial options.

  • Unlike other massive social networks like Facebook or Twitter, LinkedIn is dedicated to professionals. Over 40 million users in a variety of industries have profiles on the network, giving you potential access to several new business leads.

    Using LinkedIn for business.

    Build Your Profile

    Before you start reaching out to other professionals, you’ll want to make sure your own profile is up to snuff. Take some time to completely fill out your profile, with detailed experience listings and an inviting avatar photo. The people you connect with on LinkedIn will want to look at your profile before doing business with you, so a professional presentation will reinforce the idea to them that you’d be a good potential business connection.

    Grow Your Network

    An easy way to build up your connections is importing your address book and finding people you know. Your friends, coworkers, and business associations are more likely to accept your invitation to connect and could lead to other, less obvious connections.

    Once you’ve established a base of connections, you can use advanced search to find other potential leads. This tool allows you to narrow down your search to find professionals that are more likely to turn into a lead. If your company mainly deals with a specific level of employee, you can search by job title. If you’re trying to find a contact at a specific company, search the company name to find relevant people at that business.

    Find Your Groups

    LinkedIn groups are a great way to find potential business leads. A quick search can result in several groups for just about any industry you can think of. 

    Group insights can show you important details about a group, including how many members it has, the average level of seniority, and a breakdown on locations. If you are a member of a professional association offline, which can even include something like your alumni group, there’s a good chance that you can find that group on LinkedIn.

    Contribute to the Conversation

    A big benefit of LinkedIn is the ability to share content with your network. Writing a regular blog post about your industry and sharing it on LinkedIn can add to your influence. Building your audience and providing useful information can help set you up as a thought leader, which can help put you in a position to draw in potential business connections.

    Once you find a few groups that appeal to the audience you are trying to reach, don’t be afraid to contribute to the group as well. Jump into conversations that you feel you can contribute to and share relevant content with your group. You never know just who in that group may check out your profile and reach out to connect or even ask about your services.

    Free Up Time For Your Business

    Your time is best spent on ways to grow your business, but you still need to dedicate a lot of time to proper HR management. Group Management Services can partner with you to make your business simpler, safer, and stronger while freeing you up to focus on building your business. Contact us today to talk to our experts about how GMS can benefit you.