Consultstu LLC provides
fractional HR support to small/mid businesses. We develop and deliver customized solutions to meet each companies' budget and needs. Our team will support your HR needs, keep you in compliance and share new trends and solutions. Stay up to date with the latest HR, risk management, safety, recruiting and benefit news.
|
| Workers' Compensation rates going up 14.5%
Companies should act now to prepare for increasing rates
|
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - After reviewing the workers' compensation insurance rate filing submitted by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) and public comments, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has issued an Order that gives contingent approval to an overall combined average statewide rate increase of 14.5%.
Quick notes:(1) revised rate will take effect for new and renewal policies on or after December 1, 2016; (2) no change for rates in rates for current in-force policies; and (3) need to wait for specific class code rates.
|
Government Contractors: Paid sick leave rules final
Applies to contracts entered after January 1, 2017
|
WASHINGTON DC - Attention companies with Service Contract Act (SCA) and Davis Bacon Act (DBA) contracts. The U.S. Department of Labor just issued its Final Rule on Thursday, September 29, 2016, implementing a 2015 Executive Order requiring federal contractors to provide at least seven days of paid sick leave annually. Under the Final Rule, government contractors are required to give employees at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of work and to permit employees to accrue at least 56 hours of sick leave per calendar year. "Hours worked" under the Final Rule denotes time spent working and does not include hours on paid time off status.
Read more.
The
Department of Labor published a variety of resources to assist government contractors with understanding the new rules and how to revise existing leave policies to comply with the mandates. Consultstu clients will receive customized assistance to modify existing policies to comply with the new rules.
|
New I9 Form coming in late November 2016
Fillable form will have drop down lists and field validation requirements
|
Washington DC.- On Aug. 25, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved a revised Form I9, Employment Eligibility Verification. As a result, the USCIS must publish a revised form by Nov. 22, 2016. Employers may continue using the current version of Form I-9 with a revision date of 03/08/2013 until Jan. 21, 2017. After Jan. 21, 2017, all previous versions of Form I-9 will be invalid.
Read more.
Check out the
Form I9 Desktop Widget. With one click of this desktop widget you can go to an online, fillable Form I-9, right from your computer's desktop.
|
| Section 1557 - ACA Medical Non-discrimination rules
October 16 deadline for Non-discrimination notices and language services
|
Washington DC - Section 1557 is the non-discrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in certain health programs or activities. The
final rules were effective on July 18, 2016. Read the
HHS press release.
Under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), covered entities are required to post notices of nondiscrimination and taglines that alert individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) to the availability of language assistance services.
Sample notices.
HHS Office of Civil Rights has created training materials for covered entities to train staff.
Click here.
|
2016 Employer Health Benefits Survey - Kaiser
Average deductible rises 12% to $1,478 Annually
|
|
In 2016, the average annual premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance are $6,435 for single coverage and $18,142 for family coverage. The average family premium rose 3% over the 2015 average premium while the increase in the premium for single coverage was not statistically significant. The average premium for family coverage is lower for covered workers in small firms (3-199 workers) than for workers in large firms (200 or more workers) ($17,546 vs. $18,395). The average deductible for covered workers is higher in small firms than in large firms ($2,069 vs. $1,238).
Read the entire Press Release by
clicking here.
Read the Summary of Findings by
clicking here.
|
Modern Pay for Performance and Incentives
Develop KPIs and link performance and results with pay
|
Performance management is definitely a hot topic with business owners today. In the 2016 Compensation Best Practices Report published by
PayScale, 44% of respondents agreed that the biggest shift in HR for the year is moving away from the annual performance review to more real-time feedback. Did you know that 42% of millenials prefer to get performance feedback on a weekly basis? With real time feedback, comes the opportunity to better link performance with pay.
Looking for a new approach to improve results? Consider moving your company away from a subjective annual performance review to a review format that uses specific performance goals, linked to company objectives. Identify 3 to 5 simple, easy to understand objectives, quantify the standard, communicate with employees and track the data. After training and coaching employees to succeed, stand back and see what happens.
Read more.
|
|
Finding an Effective Construction Subcontractor
Proper Selection and Risk Control Process is the key
|
Many contractors rely on subcontractors, vendors and other third parties to support their projects. While they are critical in helping you complete your project, they also can impact your operational and financial risks. Regulatory agencies and courts commonly consider general contractors, construction managers and owners responsible for the actions of those with whom they subcontract.
Without a proper contractor/subcontractor selection and control process, quality control program and written contractual risk transfer (CRT) program your company could be responsible for the services and products of others on your project should an injury, property damage or construction defect occur.
Read Traveler's Insurance article.
|
|
|
Thank you for reading our HR newsletter. We strive to provide you with trending information to assist with compliance, prevent costly HR mistakes, control HR cost and improve overall employee satisfaction with HR and safety.
Sincerely,
Stuart Charlson, JD
HR for Business - ConsultStu, LLC
Fractional HR Services for Growing Businesses
Advisor on "Unbundling" HR services
|
|
Disclaimer/Reminder
This newsletter does not constitute legal advice or legal services, and is solely provided for informational purposes only.
|
|
|
|
