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Human resources are one of the most important components of any small business. However, the responsibilities often fall to the owner or an executive, as many small businesses don’t have the capacity for a designated HR department or full-time employee. Often, managing these HR functions in-house creates many challenges. 

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Who doesn’t love payday? For many employees, payday makes them feel better than Christmas. As a small business owner, you have the freedom to decide how to handle payroll at your organization. Talk about a huge responsibility. It’s important to get it right, as payroll done wrong can cost a small business owner time and money. 

There are a few different methods for distributing employee pay, but savvy business owners find that electronic payroll methods like direct deposit and payroll cards streamline the process and keep employees satisfied. We explored the different types of payment methods to help you determine the best payroll solution for your business.

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Changes in healthcare are prompting many small business owners to rethink the role of employee benefits like health insurance at their companies. A Guardian Life Insurance study found that providing employees with affordable benefits will be a top concern for small businesses in 2019, yet a majority struggle to provide the healthcare they need. Healthcare costs can greatly impact the profitability of a small business, so benefits strategies must reflect a company’s needs, goals, and values. Below, we explored some of the top health insurance trends that will impact small businesses and how you can adapt in the ever-changing benefits landscape.

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Managing the operations of a small business is costly and requires time away from more valuable projects. That’s why many small and mid-size businesses outsource human resources, payroll, employee benefits, and risk management services. A PEO (Professional Employer Organization) can help take these responsibilities off the plate of business owners, so they can focus on the growth and success of their business.

We’ve put together a guide to understand what PEO services entail and how to choose the right PEO for your business.

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Payroll forms can put a lot of pressure on business owners. When you’re in charge of a small business, it’s up to you to make sure that these forms are not only completed accurately, but on time as well. If you’re not careful, the penalties can range from $50 per faulty form all the way up to hundreds of thousands of dollars for notable violations.

One of the biggest struggles of managing payroll forms is simply knowing which forms apply to your business and what they do. We’ve compiled a list of payroll forms that you’ll likely need to know for your small business and how they work.

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Winter isn’t coming—it’s here. The falling snow and frigid air are good reminders to prepare your workplace for the winter months ahead. From power outages to workplace injuries, winter weather can have some chilling effects on your business operations. Read on to understand why workplace safety is important and the winter workplace safety measures your organization should take this season.

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Ever wonder the reasoning behind a paycheck? As in, why does one employee make a certain amount, while another earns more or less? It all comes down to an organization’s compensation philosophy. 

Does your organization have a compensation philosophy? A WorldatWork survey found that more than nine in 10 companies have a compensation philosophy; however, that doesn’t mean their compensation philosophies are any good. Nearly one in three compensation philosophies aren’t in writing, while about half of employees don’t even know or understand them. This presents a huge missed opportunity for companies, as there are many benefits to pay transparency. 

Intrigued? Read on to learn what compensation philosophy is and how your organization can benefit from having a good compensation strategy in place.

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Let’s face it; you’re not going to get along with every person you meet—and that includes the people you work with.

Conflict in the workplace happens at every organization and ignoring it can be costly. A study by professional training and coaching company CPP, Inc. found that 85 percent of employees experience conflict in the workplace. When it’s fight or flight, it’s easy to want to avoid conflict at all costs; however, your organization will surely pay the price by avoiding conflict management altogether. CPP’s research found that workplace conflict wastes nearly three hours per week, costing $359 billion in paid hours.

Because every employee possesses a unique set of attitudes, visions, and values that may differ from that of their co-workers, these differences can sometimes lead to conflicts in the office. We put together some conflict management tips to help you understand what can spark a conflict in the workplace and how you can put out the flames for even the hottest office tempers.

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Whether you’re trying to find a way to save time and energy by outsourcing payroll administration or your old payroll partner just isn’t cutting it, you’re going to have to deal with the process of switching to a new payroll system, also known as payroll conversion. A rough transition to a new payroll system can lead to serious issues, including IRS penalties for non-compliance. Fortunately, there are some ways to help alleviate some potential issues that can arise when you convert your payroll process to a new system.

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Going to work shouldn’t feel like, well, going to work.

Sadly, that’s how most workers feel. A Gallup study found that two-thirds of full-time workers experience burnout on the job. Yet, only 23 percent of companies offer burnout prevention programs, according to a 2017 Statista survey. It’s a huge issue for many companies and a major reason why talented workers leave for better opportunities.

However, employee burnout doesn’t have to be part of the job. Learning how to spot job burnout and understanding its effects can help employers not only reduce burnout and job stress, but also increase productivity and revenue. We put together some tips to learn more about what job burnout is, how job burnout is affecting your company and ways you can prevent (and even reverse) job burnout at your organization.

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