For the tenth straight year, employees at WorkLife HR helped raise money for their Holiday Families Fund. The company raised over $6,600 this year - providing the resources to purchase gifts for families that have been nominated by employees in each office.

WorkLife HR announced today that Deborah Dooley, PhD has been promoted from director of HR to vice president of corporate HR.

WorkLife HR has been selected for the 2011 Best of Jacksonville Award in the Investment Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exception marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

WorkLife HR today announced that Amy King has been promoted to director of accounting for the company's WorkLife NetPay and WorkLife Insurance Agency divisions from accounting manager.

WorkLife HR has announced the promotion of Alan Chaffin to vice president of portfolio management, underwriting for the professional employer organization (PEO) and business solutions provider. Formerly a senior analyst, Chaffin's role has been expanded to include new responsibilities.

For the ninth consecutive year, employees at WorkLife HR® helped raise over $4,000 for their Holiday Families Fund. The money raised enabled the company to purchase gifts for over 25 children and adults as well as donate gifts to Toys for Tots and other organizations. Throughout the year, employees help raise money by participating in “Jean Days,” potluck lunches, and various other events.

WorkLife HR®, a professional employer organization that provides financial and administrative solutions to the workplace including human resource management, payroll administration, employment law compliance and benefits services, today announced the promotion of Scott Parr to vice president of information technology (IT). Parr most recently served as director of information technology.

The employees at WorkLife HR[SM] helped raise nearly $4,000 for their Holiday Families Fund; the money raised allowed them to purchase gifts for thirty-three children and adults. Throughout the year, employees help raise money by participating in “Jean Days,” bake and craft sales, potluck lunches, and various other events. WorkLife HR, a professional employer organization, provides financial and administrative solutions to the workplace including payroll administration, human resource management, employment law compliance and benefits services.

WorkLife Financial, Inc., a professional employer organization that provides financial and administrative solutions to the workplace including payroll administration, human resource management, employment law compliance and benefits services, is trademarking the name WorkLife HR (SM).

Starting September 1, WorkLife HR’s clients and their employees will have unlimited access to medical experts through eDoc America for two months. WorkLife HR, a provider of financial and administrative solutions to the workplace including payroll administration, human resource management, employment law compliance and benefits services, is offering the eDoc America program as one of its WorkLife Wellness products.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a new Form I-9. Employers should begin using the new form immediately for all new hires.

Full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is upon us. This FlashPoint notice lists the requirements and changes that are currently in effect or will be in effect in the coming 2013 calendar year.

Due to a recent ruling, employers who seek to protect their confidential business information and their reputations by requiring employees to sign employment agreements containing confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses may now face opposition from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Employers who believe their workers perhaps should be classified as employees but fear the burden of penalties and interest on past due amounts may be able to take advantage of this 'come clean' opportunity from the IRS.

The Ohio legislature recently updated a code in order to address the use of wireless communications devices while driving. Effective August 31, 2012, drivers, including drivers with a probationary driver's license, drivers under age 18 with a temporary instruction permit, and employees of private-sector employers who drive as part of their job duties, cannot use hand-held electronic wireless communications devices to write, send, or read text-based communications while driving on any street, highway or property open to the public for vehicular traffic.

The current version of Form I-9 indicates that it expires on August 31, 2012. Employers should continue to use this form - even after the expiration date has passed - until the new version of the Form I-9 becomes available.

Veterans Day:
In observance of Veterans Day, the Federal Reserve and all banks will be closed on Friday, November 11th.

Thanksgiving:
In observance of Thanksgiving, the Federal Reserve and all banks will be closed on Thursday, November 24th.

How will these bank holidays affect your payroll processing schedule? Find out in this FlashPoint.

Several states have enacted legislation recently that will require employers to verify the employment eligibility of their new hires through the use of the E-verify system, an on-line system that compares the information provided by an employee on the Form I-9 with information from the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to determine whether new hires are authorized to work in the United States.

This FlashPoint provides a list of the states that recently enacted legislation and the requirements for participation and more.

Employers who use the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) "tip credit" provision should be aware that the Department of Labor's new notice requirements for the use of the tip credit took effect May 5, 2011.

What do the new regulations require employers who elect to take a tip credit inform their employees of? Find out in this FlashPoint.

A representative for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced that in the next few days, ICE agents will be serving notices on 1000 businesses to inspect the Employment Eligibility form commonly referred to as the I-9 form (“I-9”). for an inspection.

This FlashPoint provides a few tips to guide you through the visit, and to inform you of your rights, should an ICE agent come to your premises unannounced.

As a lot of us have learned recently, weather can wreak havoc on our ability to work. However, employers must be cautious when deciding whether to deduct pay from employees for a weather-related absence. Find out when you can and cannot deduct from an employee's pay.

The Fair labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires covered employers to pay time and one-half for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek to all non-exempt employees. Workweek is defined as any fixed and regularly recurring period of 168 hours - seven consecutive 24-hour periods.

This FlashPoint will answer the following:
What is work time for overtime calculations?
Can an employee waive his right to overtime?
How do you determine the amount of overtime pay?

Beginning February 1, you may be required to post the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Form 300A, a Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.

This FlashPoint will explain what OSHA requires and how you can comply.

As of December 31, 2010, the Form W-5, Earned Income Credit Advance Payment Certificate, and the option for advanced EIC payments will be eliminated. Individuals eligible for the EIC payments may still claim this tax credit on their 2011 tax return.

Earlier this month, the United States government approved, among other things, an extension of the Bush tax rates. The basic elements of the rate extension provision include:

• A one-year reduction of 2% in Social Security taxes (FICA) for employees and self-employed individuals.
• A 13-month extension of funding for unemployment benefits.
• A two-year extension of all the Bush-era individual tax rates currently in effect.
• Other non-payroll related items such as a two-year extension of current capital gains rates and more.

To fund continued high unemployment and benefit claims, unemployment taxes are on the rise. This FlashPoint covers:

1. Three states - Indiana, Michigan and South Carolina - that recently announced federal unemployment rate increases retroactive to January 1, 2010.
2. States that expect higher federal unemployment rates starting January 1, 2011.
3. States have begun to mail state unemployment rates for 2011.

Many states have enacted leave laws that come into play at election time, often requiring employers to allow employees time off from work to vote. See which states have applicable regulations in place.

Find out who won the 40-inch LCD HDTV from eDocAmerica!

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced September 28, 2010 that it had settled with clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch on a fine in excess of $1,000,000 for violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The hefty fine serves as a reminder that companies must ensure that their I-9 process is fully compliant and undergo legal review and assurances for meeting the high standards required for full immigration compliance.

Over the past year, federal and state occupational safety and health agencies have increased their enforcement activities. These developments mean it is more important than ever that employers understand and excercise their rights during an occupational safety and health inspection, and be familiar with the citation process. What you need to consider when preparing to conduct a self-audit and what to expect in connection with an inspection are covered.

On September 15, 2010, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents began serving notices to 500 businesses to inspect the Employment Eligibility form commonly referred to as the I-9 form ("I-9").

Beginning July 1, 2010, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico began issuing new, more secure birth certificates. Effective October 1, 2010, Puerto Rico Birth Certificates issued before July 1, 2010 will no longer be valid. Learn how the new birth certificates affect the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verfication process.

Beginning September 1, members of eDocAmerica will have a chance to win a Toshiba 40-inch 1080p LCD HDTV. To enter, simply sign in to your account and submit a question to the eDocAmerica team of medical experts.

A recent decision by a federal appeals court emphasizes the need to correctly classify your employees within the letter of the regulations set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and in particular those you’ve designated as exempt under the Professional category.

On June 22, 2010, the Department of Labor clarified the meaning of child as it pertains to the birth, adoption or fostering of a child or for a child’s serious health condition. The clarification permits employees to take leave under the FMLA for children if they provide day-to-day care or financial support to those children even if they do not have a biological or legal relationship. This interpretation opens up leave rights to step families and gay and lesbian families even if the state in which they are located does not legally recognize the relationship.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the "PPACA") was signed into law on March 23, 2010. One week later, the President signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the "Reconciliation Act"), which modified certain provisions of the PPACA. Together, these Acts are the health reform law which governs employers and their health care benefit programs.

On March 18, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act was signed into law; it provides two new tax benefits to employers hiring workers who were previously unemployed.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is now attacking employers who use background checks to make hiring decisions.

The rising jobless toll is draining state unemployment trust funds so fast that by 2011, according to U.S. Department of Labor estimates, 40 state funds will have been emptied. As a result, state governments have to decide whether to raise unemployment taxes or reduce aid payments; unemployment insurance (UI) taxes are projected to rise.