Tag: JIm Cichanski

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Navigating the Quiet Quitting, Hiring, and Firing Trends

You may have noticed #QuietQuitting all over social media, or heard about a TikTok video by Zaid Khan, an engineer in his twenties, who discusses the trend of those who feel that life is more than the hustle of working long hours and going the extra mile. Instead, he expresses the view that it’s okay to show up and simply fulfill the requirements in your job description and then leave, as we aren’t defined by our work.

This philosophy isn’t just being adopted by twenty-year-olds and TikTokers, however. Over 50% of American workers could be called quiet quitters, according to Gallup, and though many are under 35, as many as 18% of workers of all ages are disengaged.

The quiet quitting trend started in 2021, after the pandemic and at the beginning of the great resignation. At the same time, quiet firing and hiring have risen.

What Are Quiet Quitting, Firing, and Hiring?

Quiet quitting is also sometimes called soft quitting. Though someone isn’t quitting, they begin putting in the minimum effort to be considered doing their job. They only attend mandatory meetings, don’t work late or on the weekends, and don’t reply to phone calls or emails in their off time. In other words, they aren’t putting in extra effort to be a team player and are unwilling to make personal sacrifices for their job.

Quiet firing is what happens on the other end, and maybe a response to quiet quitting at times. A manager or company may create an environment or conditions that are unreasonable or overly taxing to try to get someone to quit, instead of just firing them outright. This can save them money or legal hassle, and be a more passive-aggressive tactic so that the employer still has leeway to deny their part.

Quiet hiring, on the other hand, is when a company tacks on responsibilities that go beyond employees’ job descriptions. They could be given new types of projects, a new position, or be required to perform certain tasks that require them to learn a new set of skills. This saves the company, time, money, and resources that would otherwise be needed to hire someone to fulfill these responsibilities.

Why Are These Trending?

But why have these trends arisen? Like the TikTokers who advocate for quiet quitting, many are striving for a work-life balance, while others are dissatisfied with their job and work environment.

any of these quiet quitters have similar motivations to those who have been actually quitting since 2021: low compensation, little growth or opportunities, and feeling undervalued or unappreciated.

These employees usually don’t set out to underachieve. Instead, they feel they are being expected to go beyond their job description and work outside their normal hours to an unhealthy extent, which detracts from their rest time and personal life. In return, these employees don’t feel supported, respected, or rewarded for their efforts. It’s no wonder they feel the need to create firm boundaries.

Quiet hiring has arisen as organizational needs change. As a healthy company grows, new tasks or projects will naturally arise, and it can feel natural (and more efficient) to assign these to current employees instead of creating new jobs. This can be a smart business practice, but keep in mind the worker needs to see some kind of fruit of their labor: an increase in pay, a new title, more paid time off, or some other reward to feel that their extra work is being valued. Additionally, they need support to learn new skills or to have the resources required to fulfill their new responsibilities with confidence and not get burnt out.

Quiet hiring can help an employee grow and learn, but be careful that their job isn’t straying too much from what they signed up for or feel comfortable and skilled to do.

How They Intersect

If organizations aren’t careful and they overly burden their employees with quiet hiring, it could lead to ‘quiet quitting.’ And quiet quitting, as previously alluded to, can lead to quiet firing if leaders begin to feel their employees are underperforming.

How HR Can Help

HR can help to regulate job creep to prevent employees from getting burnt out.

Jim Cichanski, Founder & CHRO of Flex HR, a top HR outsourcing firm, shares some of the signs that HR can look for that signal an employee might be quiet quitting: taking time off, coming in late and or leaving early, underperforming, not going the extra mile like they used to do, cutting conversations short or avoiding conversation.

Phil Davis, Senior Vice President of Flex HR shares that senior leaders can help to prevent quiet quitting by holding monthly luncheons with a cross-section of employees to stay connected with employee needs.

Instead of quiet firing, Phil Davis advises that leaders “develop and institute a “discipline without punishment” program and stay positive and respectful in communications to employees. Frequent, frank, and constructive communications with employees with issues are always appropriate.”

Jim Cichanski similarly suggests a gentle “check-in with the disengaged employee by asking them what is going on. Try to get to the employee’s main concern and see if you can put them on a route back to working and being engaged: Perhaps a change in schedule or not working with a specific employee.”

Contact us now to discuss your HR needs.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

 

Jim Weber, Managing Partner – ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me, so please leave a comment.

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Top 10 HR Trends in 2023

We asked those at Flex HR which top HR trends they think we’ll see in 2023, and they had a lot to share about the ever-shifting workplace landscape. Take a look at the top 10 trends below.

1.  Outsourcing HR Services

One main trend that is on the rise is for businesses to outsource HR. There are many reasons for this, including that it saves a company valuable time, resources, and money, and can ensure the company is in compliance with laws and regulations.

It can be helpful to have a fresh, outside perspective, especially from a company that focuses on excelling in human resources.

 

  1. An Increase in Recruiting

As many workers have left the workplace or quit their jobs for more flexible opportunities with higher pay, many companies have lost a substantial number of workers.

This has also created a general labor shortage in certain industries such as durable goods manufacturing, wholesale trade, retail trade, education, and health services.

In the new year, these industries will need to work hard to recruit to make up for these shortages; however, companies will need to get creative with their recruiting tactics to attract qualified candidates.

3.  Compensation Changes

Inflation has brought many economic challenges, especially for employers as they struggle to keep up. Employees need raises, but raising everyone’s salary at once will cause the business to suffer.

Businesses will need to create compensation plans in the new year which address inflation and economic challenges.

Another possible change to compensation will be whether businesses choose to pay employees more based on their performance. The 2022 Lattice survey found that “65% of employees ranked work performance as one of the most important factors they want to be tied into their compensation.” Many HR professionals are working with business leaders to create plans to do just that.

4.  The Need to Navigate Legal Complexities

As more states set up laws to override FLSA, to be exempt from pay thresholds, and add paid sick leave or disability pay requirements, businesses will need to plan financially to comply.

These new laws will pose unique challenges for multi-state employers, as they may need separate pay plans and structures in every state! This is yet another reason organizations are outsourcing to HR firms like Flex HR that understand these complex law changes.

5.  Combating the Great Resignation (Still!)

In an effort to retain employees and battle the continuing trend of resignation, HR departments and firms will need to focus on meeting the new expectations and needs of employees.

The pandemic brought the need for workplace flexibility to the forefront, and it has stayed there as organizations learn to manage and maintain a remote or hybrid workforce. Many employees transitioned to a completely different lifestyle working remotely and now resist the call from organizations to return to work.

The 2022 Lattice Report predicts that it won’t just be the great resignation affecting turnover. This next year, “limited resources and an uncertain economic outlook” will no doubt cause employees to question whether they can continue their job.

Recruiting is expensive, so it’s in the best interest of organizations to listen to HR leaders who advise that they take measures to focus on meeting the needs of their current employees.

Jim Cichanski, Founder & CHRO of Flex HR predicts that the rate of resignation “should slow down, but current and potential employees are all about “me.“ Companies are making a lot of changes in benefits and finding alternative approaches to flexible work schedules.”

6.  Using Automated Systems

These past years, we’ve seen more HR departments move toward “embracing automation to work smarter, not harder” shares Deirdré Huff, Sr. HR Manager of Operations at Flex HR.

Automation can be used for planning, regulating company compliance, hiring, making requests, and managing performance. As it saves time and can help streamline business practices, we anticipate it will continue to be used in these areas and more.

7.  Pay Transparency

Many new laws require employers to disclose salary information in their job postings or share how much employees make. Part of the movement toward this is to increase equity and decrease the chance of pay discrimination.

Of course, it is up to each company how transparent they will be with their employees, but the movement has already begun to gain traction.

8.  Revamping Training

As work is still hybrid, or fully remote at some workplaces, this continues to force organizations and HR firms to ask how to train employees without simply resorting to videos or video chats.

There is still a need to revamp the training process to meet the needs of different employees, and having a successful training program is more important than ever if businesses want to retain their employees.

9.  DE&I Initiatives

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is still top of the list in Human Resources. Companies still struggle to create appropriate policies to prevent and address discrimination and harassment. More than that, the focus is still on how to create an environment of inclusion to foster the well-being of all employees.

This will take the form of training programs and written policies, as well as be incorporated into company practices.

10.    Accessibility

In the same spirit as DE&I initiatives, HR departments and organizations are encouraging companies to include plans that make work and resources more accessible to all.

Though the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 to discourage discriminatory hiring and business practices toward those with disabilities, there are still hurdles to climb in this area.

Companies need to create plans to include everyone and make sure they have the same opportunities, which means accommodating those with disabilities.

What should HR professionals prioritize to meet changing demands?

At Flex HR, we have to adapt to the changing workplace continuously. In the new year, we recommend you embrace the new workplace trends by prioritizing people over policies and be prepared to continue to tweak and change your policies (though you’ll have to create them first!).

Engage and Retain Employees

With the number of people leaving their jobs or the workplace in favor of a more accommodating lifestyle or higher-paying job, your first priority should be to keep your current employees.

Phil Davis, Senior Vice President at Flex HR, advises that one way to do this is by paying them a fair wage, “+/- 10% of the prevailing wage market. Being above market is your best defense against turnover due to wages.”

Other important factors that prevent turnover are creating a positive workplace and having competent, caring supervisors.

Jim Cichanski advises that HR departments focus on “providing resources and interventions for the mental, physical and financial needs of their employees while maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.” He says the best way to retain them is “by listening to their needs, creating a culture of company trust, and responding appropriately to requests and concerns.”

According to the 2023 Lattice Report, the big things that leaders have identified to make employees stay, aside from fair wages, include company leadership transparency and providing more feedback and more structured career paths.

Know and Adapt to the Changing Laws

Throughout this next year, organizations will need to work hard to keep on top of the new laws and regulations.

In terms of navigating the new laws in some states, Phil Davis recommends that you “engage a reputable and competent outside source to help maneuver the changing legal landscape.”

Similarly, Deirdré Huff, Sr. HR Manager of Operations at Flex HR emphasized the importance of “maintaining legal compliance as laws continue to change.”

Many changes are coming, so let us help you prepare! Consider consulting Flex HR to help with your human resources needs in the new year.

Contact us now to discuss your HR needs.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

 

Jim Weber, Managing Partner – ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me, so please leave a comment.

 

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How To Navigate Open Enrollment Benefit Choices

Employers cringe this time of year because it can be confusing to comprehend the unfamiliar concepts of benefit offerings and then identify which benefits are a suitable match for their employees.

Open enrollment is an opportunity for employers to adjust the benefit options they previously offered their employees or elect new plans. This period for most companies falls in November, to which all forms must be returned and processed for the new benefit plans to take over on January 1 of the new year.

It takes weeks or even months for HR professionals to investigate and negotiate with various insurance carriers to align the right fit for their organization.

This is what HR professionals are for, so don’t fret! Flex HR is your dedicated Human Resources backbone for all things HR. We’re an HR outsourcing and consulting firm that delivers all the HR support you need – including help with those confusing and complicated benefits.

Flex HR Is Your Benefits Solution Management Provider

Consider Flex HR as your benefits solution and management provider. We manage the complex benefits and insurance process for you. We work with your broker to deliver the census data for the broker to analyze market comparison costs, all the while the current vendor provides renewal information.

Founder & CHRO of Flex HR, Jim Cichanski, explains “we act as the client’s HR department, working with the broker to achieve the best plans possible for the cost the company is willing to pay.”  Employees may be offered quality health, vision, dental, disability, and even pet insurance plans that are consistent with the company’s culture. “We do what it takes to offer employers and their employees the best plans achievable. Sometimes that takes getting creative by adding higher deductibles and a GAP plan to strategically project for the future years of not seeing large increases,” Jim outlines. We work with all industries and companies of all sizes.

After the benefit and insurance selections are made, our Flex HR team communicates and conducts the open enrollment process for you. It’s imperative to personalize these messages to employees, so they understand the guidance they are receiving in choosing their perfect plan.

Our dedicated and dependable experts reduce your leadership roles from consuming the burden of completing these tasks. We seamlessly systematize your company’s benefits to increase effective record keeping and ensure all reconciliations are up to date, protecting critical employee files. Our support keeps your organization in compliance with employment laws.

Contact Flex HR today for your benefits enrollment needs.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

 

Jim Weber, Managing Partner – ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is important to me, so please leave a comment.

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How HR Can Proactively Prevent and Prepare for Cyberattacks

Jim Cichanski – CEO FlexHR

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, cyber-attacks have become more of a threat than ever before. Any countries that had ties to Ukraine were made vulnerable to Russian cyber-attacks. To keep ahead of these, HR departments stay apprised of the latest cyber threats from Russia and can advise companies about how to best protect themselves.

Some of the most harmful attacks are those on payroll, where funds are rerouted to untraceable debit cards. These cyber-threats can be costly and must be prevented.

Yet, those aren’t the only cyber threats companies should be worried about. We need to look no further than the LinkedIn data breach in 2021 to see that cyber security threats come in all shapes and sizes.

The LinkedIn data breach exposed 700 of the 756 million LinkedIn users to being hacked, as their personal information was scraped. Armed with email addresses, phone numbers, usernames, and other personal information, the hackers had the potential to target millions more easily.

How Employers Can Prepare

Many employers are aware of the devastating effects of cyber-attacks, but not all of them know how to prevent and plan for them.

As Jim Cichanski, the CHRO and Founder of Flex HR, states, ” Many companies have put extensive policies and procedures in place to protect cyberattacks,” but “stop short on the employee preparation on how to get critical tasks done. If they lose internet or power, what would they do?”

So, what should employers do to protect their employee’s data? How do you prevent and prepare for a cyber-attack?

First, every company should have policies and procedures that safeguard information, just in case. Companies need to prevent important information from being stolen and create plans to keep the business operating if there is a cyber-attack.

One of the most important pieces of information that needs protecting is payroll. One of the latest cyber threats is someone hacking into the system and rerouting the money. To protect against cyber-attacks, always check that the information for direct deposit is correct before pressing payroll.

Similarly, if you receive an email request to change or set up a new direct deposit, never do so automatically. Always call the person who sent it and verify the request. Additionally, you may want to send a new email instead of replying to the thread so that you can check the source of the email you received.

Cyber-attacks usually happen in grids, and therefore each company should have a backup grid if one is shut down. At Flex HR, our payroll partners have a 3-loop backup. If up to two of the grids get hacked and shut down, there is still a third available.

IT supports should also have backup internet and files. If a grid is shut down, all the important files should be backed up so they can be accessed elsewhere.

How HR Helps to Prevent and Plan

HR can help companies create plans to prevent and deal with cyber threats. If the power grid has to be shut down, HR can devise a strategy to communicate to employees what they need to do.

Employees will need to be prepared to move to a different grid if necessary, which would require them to have enough gas, emergency food and water, and internet backup such as a cell phone.

Employees would need to be able to continue operating as normal, which means that they should have phone internet cards and be able to use their office, home, or a family member’s home as backups. Similarly, employees can prepare to operate when the power is down by having solar-powered devices and chargers.

Additionally, the company will need to have their clients’ numbers on hand to let them know what is happening.

HR can help companies create a tiered protocol plan in the case of a cyber-attack. Using payroll management as an example, the first backup plan would be to do payroll in the office, then in the employee’s home, and thirdly in a family member’s home. If none were possible, employees could use an air card with internet access that does not require a cable to be hooked up.

It Could Happen to You

We all want to believe cyber-attacks won’t happen to us, but they are increasingly common. Human Resources can be a great asset in preventing and planning for cyber-attacks. Contact Flex HR to increase your cyber security and peace of mind.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

 

Jim Weber, Managing Partner – ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me, so please leave a comment.

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Employee Behavior Issues That Lead To Big Problems

 It’s happened to nearly every business. A difficult employee creates problems for the workplace. At Flex HR, our HR professionals are witnessing more and more problematic behavioral types that are leading to major workplace issues. Some blame the rise of the #MeToo movement for these fluctuating attitudes of their staff. Organizations have definitely shifted their focus to inclusivity; however, this could absolutely be indicative of employee conflicts, harassment, and other workplace violent acts in the future.

Behavior that creates, or has the potential to create risk to the business or health and safety concerns of employees is simply inappropriate and unacceptable at any business and should be clearly outlined in the Company’s Handbook. These intolerable behaviors tend to spread like wildfire and lead to a plethora of issues such as decreases in performance, productivity, communication, employee commitment, and even a toxic work environment. Thus, causing an increase in turnover costs and even legal expenses. The various behavior concerns that business owners and managers need to be aware of, create written policies for and take preventive measures on are outlined below.

Conflicts

In the workplace conflict is inevitable. When you have a group of people that all have different personalities, work motivation, process, goals, and beliefs, a clashing of opinions is going to happen. Some typical conflicts tend to be gossip, communication problems, interpersonal, leadership-driven, task-based, unclear job expectations, or resistance to change.

Unresolved conflict issues continue to snowball into more serious problems. Developing effective conflict resolution solutions are an important component for building, trust, good company culture morale, and overall, employee retention. Conflicts can often lead to positive changes when resolved properly.

Harassment

Flex HR defines harassment as unwelcome or unreasonable behavior that demeans, intimidates, or humiliates people either as individuals or as a group.

Bullying

Workplace bullying is a form of harassment that is targeted, health-harming behavior toward one or more employees that is spiteful, offensive, hurtful, mocking, or intimidating. According to the Workplace Bullying Institute, more than 76 million workers in the United States are affected by bullying. There are 4 main types of bullying:

    1. Verbal – slandering, ridiculing, or maligning a person or his or her family with persistent name-calling that is hurtful and humiliating.
    2. Physical – pushing, shoving, kicking, poking, tripping, assault or threat of physical assault, damage to a person’s work area or property.
    3. Gesture – nonverbal gestures that can convey threatening messages.
    4. Exclusion – socially or physically excluding or disregarding a person in work-related activities.

Sexual Harassment – unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. There are actually different types of sexual harassment:

    • Quid Pro Quo, or something for something that typically those with supervisory authority hold over an employee.
    • Hostile Work Environment where there is intimidation or abuse that is unreasonable, usually repetitive (verbal or non-verbal), and can even be physical.
    • Sexual Favoritism, a form of hostile work environment by which favored treatment for submission and even unwelcomed sexual favors occurs.
    • A Third-Party is any person who observes someone being harassed or observes sexual conduct and is adversely affected may claim this sexual harassment.

Every manager, supervisor, or employee has an opportunity, or an obligation to report harassment. Any type of harassment must be reported immediately to management, who then reports the act to their HR professional. Jim Cichanski, Founder & CHRO for Flex HR says “the largest problem built into company cultures is the fear of employees going to HR or management to report a complaint. Many times, situations have gone untouched for 2 or 3 years before an employee lodges a concern”. We encourage companies to establish an Ethics Hotline where employees can state their concerns anonymously.

Discrimination

Now more than ever, discrimination in the workplace has become one of the most talked-about HR-related issues. Laws are in place to protect the workforce of a company, but sadly not all organizations are free of hurtful behavior. Any discrimination issues, such as race, age, gender, disability, religion, and citizenship, should be reported and stopped immediately to minimize the damaging effects to the workplace.

Clearly written policies on not allowing discrimination should be included in the handbook that each employee receives upon getting hired and then signs an acknowledgment of receipt.

Violence

1 out of 7 people don’t feel safe at work, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has recently reported. Sadly, isn’t too surprising given the increasing number of violent work incidents over the past couple of years. It’s critical for companies to make their employees feel safe on the job. This starts with the responsibilities of HR to identify their staff starting with the proper candidate screenings, including background checks, and getting to know workers on a more personal level to see the warning signs.

Establishing a zero-tolerance policy is the first step in outlining a workplace violence protection program. The Safe Carry Protection Act of 2014 — more popularly called the “Guns Everywhere Bill” — clarified the rights of employers to ban guns on their property. Under the law, employers can prohibit the possession of firearms in company buildings and company-owned parking lots “as long as the employer is the property owner or has legal control of the property.” If owners want protection inside their facilities it’s highly recommended that a written policy authorizing an employee to carry a weapon be added upon the advanced written approval of the CEO or Owner.

Whether these rules are composed as a part of the company handbook or as its own separate policy, creating a prevention plan, identifying and defining workplace violence, recognizing warning signs, establishing an emergency response plan, and implementing a response team must be documented. For more information check out our previous article Preventing and Dealing With Violence In the Workplace.

HR’s Precautionary Role

Guidance and training managers are an integral role that HR professionals play to minimize the effects of difficult, and or disruptive employee behavior in the workplace. These challenging situations must be identified and acknowledged right away so that HR and upper management can strategize to formulate the best possible solution. Managers and supervisors must take all complaints of alleged behavioral concerns seriously no matter how minor or who is involved.  Repeatedly, managers are very reluctant to ascertain the issues at hand and are unprepared to address the individuals involved. Organizations often decide to outsource these HR trepidations to a firm like Flex HR, which will provide superior HR representation to minimize the risk factors and carry out the proper protocol actions.

Communication and education must start from the top down, where management provides hands-on training and safety instruction to ensure all employees know the proper protocol given a harmful or dangerous emergency situation.

Preventative Measures:

      1. Behavioral policies – ensure your HR expert has clearly outlined and written all these behavior concerns down and identified policies and procedures in the Employee Handbook.
      2. Consistent training – ongoing, preventative training sessions will lay the foundation for company behavioral policies and expectations to be followed on a regular basis.
      3. Check-in /Listen – to your staff and be aware of any unusual behavior that could lead to red flags of caution with an individual.
      4. Encourage team & culture-building – activities between co-workers provide an opportunity to interact and recognize the various personalities and work styles of others.
      5. Employee Appreciation – make employees feel important by recognizing their good behavior and hardworking efforts.
      6. Keep a “paper trail” – document any, and all disciplinary actions and conversations so that there is evidence in an event of a legal investigation.
      7. Employee hotline – establish a hotline for your staff to safely, and even anonymously, get the help they need.

Did you know that Flex HR can host a webinar, seminar, or Bootcamp on employee behavior issues? Send us an email at Info@FlexHR.com and mention you saw this article for more information. Flex HR provides Ethics Hotline Outsourcing. This makes employees comfortable that they are not talking to a workmate inside the office and perhaps feeling very uncomfortable doing so, but they can report a situation anonymously to seek the help they need.

 

About FlexHR

Jim Cichanski – CEO FlexHR

Flex HR is an Administrative Services Organization (ASO) that provides leadership to deliver customized, scalable, and cost-effective HR outsourcing solutions. Flex HR offers a highly collaborative approach to consulting and outsourcing by aligning core human resources competencies needed to achieve the value expected from your company’s most important assets: your people.

 

 

Jim Cichanski | Founder & CHRO | Flex HR

JCichanski@FlexHR.com

404.966.0690

Thank you for visiting our blog.

 

Jim Weber, Managing Partner – ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

 

 

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Significant Human Resources Alterations in Store Under Biden Administration

 

 

FlexHR

HR changes employers can expect from the Biden administrative agenda.

Copyright © 2021 Flex HR, LLC. All rights reserved.

2020 was quite an unpredictable year, and employers are still working to restore stability as the nation transitions Presidents. One thing the past year has taught business leaders is the flexibility to adapt to such fluctuating environment. And businesses need to stay compliant because some major HR deviations are due to transpire. President-elect Joe Biden has communicated his initiatives to considerably change employment and labor laws that currently reside in the workplace today. His actions thus far prioritize filling his cabinet and surrounding offices with individuals that have deep roots in labor relations. Therefore, it’s imperative that Human Resources leaders be aware of the predicted upcoming modifications.

Key Human Resources areas possibly impacted by the new administration in 2021 will be: 

COVID Management

There are strong indications that the new administration will move very fast to implement new guidelines and standards. In fact, this first action could come as soon as a few days after the President-elect takes office. Instilling remote work and holding companies accountable for that, strengthening sanitation procedures, social distancing, and employee training is also on the shortlist of items that could be implemented quickly. We may see a band at any social events of more than 25-50 people. And if it is allowed, masks will be required or a fine can be imposed. These guidelines could take effect until the number of death cases drops substantially. To support these efforts the new administration is considering doubling the number of OSHA inspectors.

COVID-19 Direction

OSHA to issue more binding rules outlining workplace exposure prevention, testing, temporary closures, and penalties for employer COVID violations. We will also see a push for more monetary relief for those economically harmed by COVID.

Healthcare

Expanded coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This will take some time to see major reform. The only thing we see happening quickly is increased attention to health plans covering all care related to COVID. Another popular offering is to add Telemedicine as a requirement in ACA qualified plans.

COVID Paid Leave

Extended paid leave of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is currently voluntary for employers to retain through March 31, 2021. We may see swift action to require this Act to be followed as it was through December 31, 2020, and even extending the act several more months past March 31, 2021.

Paid Leave

Beyond anything related to COVID, the President, and Vice President-elect have made strong commitments to put a Company Paid Leave Act into law. Share on X

Previous communications of 12 weeks of paid leave have since dissipated. Most states that have implemented a paid family leave program are paid through a state tax charged to the employee as a payroll deduction. Also, this may be mandated by the size of the company.

Wage-And-Hour

Push for a nationwide minimum wage increase, overtime rule changes, and “wage theft” provisions to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) will be seen in the first 90-days of the new administration. There may be some occupations that will be allowed to sustain a lower wage such as agricultural and farming positions, for example.

Secretary of Labor

President-elect Biden has nominated Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to be the next Secretary of State. This is the first union member to fill this role in over 50 years, indicating the new laws will focus on employee-centric policy versus employer-supported rules.

Non-Competes

Only a few states today prohibit non-competes in employment agreements. However, President-elect Biden has strong commitments to supporting the California elected Vice President in following her state law of not allowing non-competes for all workers.

No-Poaching Agreements

This is where employers and employees agree not to poach and hire each other’s employees. The new administration has a strong commitment to ban this practice.

Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination

Broadening on discrimination and harassment (gender, age), and possible required anti-harassment training every year or two. There are some state laws requiring this now so it would not be hard to model off of one of those states.

Immigration

Transference in executive orders affecting immigration and increased work visas. However, this may help support the shortage of high-tech open positions and other jobs for Nurses and even Doctors but resulting in the burden of bringing them to work for US companies at the expense of the employer. We most likely will see fees escalate your VISA applications, H1B’s, and green card administration services. And you guessed it, the cost will shift more to the burden of the employer.

Labor relations

Most likely there will be a drive to enforce the “Right to Organize” Act, supporting major changes for Unions, which they will welcome. Over the past four years, the Labor Relation Board has not been at the forefront in labor activity. Under the Biden administration, expect to see the NLRB very active in employee-centric activities.

About Flex HR

Jim Cichanski – CEO FlexHR

Flex HR is an Administrative Services Organization (ASO) that provides leadership to deliver customized, scalable, and cost-effective HR outsourcing solutions. Flex HR offers a highly collaborative approach to consulting and outsourcing by aligning core human resources competencies needed to achieve the value expected from your company’s most important assets: your people.

 

 

Jim Cichanski | Founder & CHRO | Flex HR

JCichanski@FlexHR.com

404.966.0690

Thank you for visiting our blog.

 

Jim Weber, Managing Partner – ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

 

 

 

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What the COVID-19 Vaccine Could Mean for Companies Throughout the Nation

FlexHR

In the past week and a half Pfizer and Moderna have announced their COVID vaccines have proven 95% effective. “It’s just as good as it gets — 94.5% is truly outstanding,” Fauci told CNN.

According to Biopharma Dive, “no vaccine has ever been developed so quickly, never mind manufactured for the world. The goal, at least in the U.S., is to have a vaccine ready for use in some fashion by the end of the year, or early next.”

Although doctors suggest the vaccine may not be readily available for the general public for several months, business owners are already turning to their Human Resources professionals, such as Flex HR, Inc., wondering whether or not they should require their employees to be vaccinated. And if that is legal?

Can Employers Mandate Vaccines?

In short, the answer is yes. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) claims employers can require their staff to get influenza vaccines, for example, but emphasizes that employees “need to be properly informed of the benefits of vaccinations.” Obligatory workplace vaccinations are not a new concept despite the focus of our national conscience. For years employers have included mandatory vaccination programs into their policies and procedures within the company Handbook.

In fact, flu vaccine guidelines have been a part of specific industry policies for a very long time; particularly for healthcare workers. Amy Traub, an attorney with BakerHostetler in New York City, told the Society for Human Resource Management that hospitals and nursing homes, in particular, have a compelling argument for requiring the COVID-19 vaccine given that their employees interact largely with immunocompromised patients.

According to JacksonLewis, “Neither the EEOC nor OSHA has published guidance (yet) on the issue of COVID-19 vaccines in the workplace; however, currently, both the EEOC and OSHA recommend encouraging, not necessarily requiring, flu vaccines.”

What If An Employee Refuses?

It’s inevitable that some workers are going to reject getting the vaccine. Pushback could be for political or religious reasons, medical concerns, or even out of fear. OSHA goes on to explain that “an employee who refuses vaccination because of a reasonable belief that he or she has a medical condition that creates a real danger of serious illness or death (such as a serious reaction to the vaccine) may be protected under Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 pertaining to whistleblower rights.” Flex HR, an industry-leading full-service HR firm supporting all HR functions, recommends employers take the time to listen to their employees’ concerns. If an individual opposes receiving the coronavirus shot, allow them to provide an explanation for their refusal of the vaccine. This could include justification of their religious beliefs or a note provided by their medical advisor addressing their medical condition and other health risks.

The Civil Rights Act also compels employers to issue a reasonable protective alternative — such as wearing a mask or allowing employees to work remotely (if possible) — in lieu of a vaccine. However, a worker who objected to a vaccine requirement “for moral or political reasons would not be protected,” CNN Business reported. If an employer puts a COVID vaccination mandate into the company policy as a term and condition of employment and an employee refuses to comply, he or she may even be fired if no accommodation can be made.

Considerations

Before an employer goes to their HR department requesting to add a vaccination policy for their staff, consider these premeditations below when weighing this very controversial decision.

    • Is mandating a vaccine policy really necessary or are there other measures your workplace can take first?
    • Have you required your staff to wear masks in the office, created more physical distance between working spaces, or allowed employees to work from home in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
    • Encourage employees to get all vaccinations and be sure their vaccinations are up to date to keep themselves and their co-workers safe.
    • Employers that decide to put a vaccination policy in place should seek HR expertise in adapting this new requirement.
    • Offer flu shots and other vaccinations at no cost to the workforce and even make an on-site location for staff to get during working hours.

Requiring the workforce to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is a tough choice for one’s business. The pandemic has undoubtedly triggered employers to adapt to an unknowing, changing environment. Jim Cichanski, Flex HR’s CEO notes “I know we will receive more direction as we get closer to the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine. In the past, guidance from OHSA has been to protect your workers and the workplace by allowing employers to demand COVID negative tests before returning to the office. One good piece of advice is to require employees to get tested for COVID. This protocol aligns with providing that safe haven working environment for all staff. Now we await potentially the same type of guidance once the actual vaccine is released.”

When Do Employers Have To Decide?

Employers have quite a few months to make the decision whether or not they will mandate their staff to get the new Coronavirus vaccine. The CDC indicates that the 21 million healthcare workers will be the priority, then followed closely by first responders, teachers, high risk, and over 65 years old. Dr. Moncef Slaoui, chief science adviser for the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed says, “each state will independently decide, taking account the guidance, who to immunize.” He goes on to say “20 million Americans could be vaccinated by next month.” As employers continue to explore all their policy options, they should remain vigilantly prepared, proceed with caution, and obtain expert HR support sooner rather than later.

Jim Cichanski – CEO FlexHR

Engaging business complexities is perplexing enough without the added burden of doing so during a pandemic. Dr. John Cascone, SVP at Flex HR, has commented “many CEOs are reaching out for guidance in an effort to provide sound direction to their management team and employees to keep them safe and productive during this critical period.” Leadership is continually challenged with making effective and balanced decisions for both staff and the organization. Simultaneously all while trying to enforce the company’s core values and safeguarding the well-being of employees. To ease the burden of management, Flex HR experts have created “helpful tips for managing the Coronavirus crisis” online, specifically addressing COVID-19 business impact concerns. For checklists, sample return to work letters, and other essential information for having your staff return to work, contact Flex HR now.

 Thank you for visiting our blog.

 

 

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

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Helping Businesses Navigate the COVID-19 Challenges

FlexHR

Ten months into the COVID-19 pandemic, companies are under unprecedented stress with challenges to keep their business afloat and their employees safe and productive. In spite of the barrage of federal and state attempts to provide assistance to small and medium-sized companies, the daily dissemination of conflicting information about the pandemic, and the pressures placed on management by their employees for guidance and direction concerning their job security and health in the workplace; many employers are struggling to make appropriate and sound decisions to successfully guide their company through this difficult period. Thus, Human Resource experts have never been more valuable than right now to help navigate these varying new work environments.

Under these conditions that show no signs of abetting in the near term, company leaders are re-examining changes to their internal operational policies and procedures. Additionally, the structural deployment of human resources is vital to organizations in an attempt to adapt to these continuously altering conditions. Some of these variations include among others:

    • Develop work-from-home policy mandatory for certain employees and positions
    • Consider split-shift and rotating schedules
    • Remote orientation of new employee to the company
    • Increased deployment of virtual training technologies to increase competency levels
    • Health screening procedures for employees and visitors in the workplace

While many of these changes may be desirable and necessary, prudent caution should be exercised when considering these actions. Sanctioning the proper HR expertise is more important now more than ever to successfully strategize and manage the modifications of new office policies. Businesses around the nation are trending towards outsourcing their human resources. Companies like Flex HR, Inc., a full-service HR firm based out of the Atlanta, GA area, oversee these adaptable transitions all while mitigating possible liability risks for the employer. HR professionals have become significant leaders of positive change; inventing new ways to work, altering job functions, developing new learning and communication methodologies.

When implementing updated policy changes it is important to deliberate the impact of the change on compliance requirements already in force. For example, if you institute a health screening policy designed to keep the workplace safe for employees, be sure the policy does not violate HIPAA guidelines. If you consider mandating work-from-home policies, be sure to include procedures that provide for liability protection for the company.

Further complicating these challenges are the alterations and additions to federal and state regulatory requirements that will most certainly follow the implementation of business assistance programs. New OSHA, FLSA, IRS, HIPAA, and EEOC rules associated with COVID-19 continue to have an impact on business operations. It’s critical for business leaders to take measured strategic action to address these challenges to their business. Small to medium size companies are confronting two major complexities daily: how to keep their employees and workplace safe and productive, and how to deploy their available resources to maintain business operations.

Employee and Workplace Safety

By far the greatest issue facing corporate leadership during the pandemic is the protection of employees and the workplace. Employees are scared to come back into the office, afraid they may contract the virus or worse bring the virus home to their family. Therefore, companies must develop detailed procedures that keep the workplace as free of the virus as possible including sanitizing all workspaces and surfaces, hand sanitizer throughout the office, health screening procedures for both employees and visitors, as well as assigned responsibility to ensure procedures and policies are enforced and documented.

It is critical that employers maintain communication outlining what actions the company is taking to keep their staff safe. Communication efforts should include, but are not limited to:

    • Set up regular weekly management communication to employees regarding safety policies and actions the company is taking to keep the workplace safe
    • Invite employees to share their concerns and recommendations with the company verbally and in writing
    • Create a Q&A mechanism where employees can ask, receive, and share issues and concerns as well as receive the same information on answers shared with them

Overall, the more accurate and uniform information shared with employees the more productive the employee workforce will be.

 

Re-engineering Workforce Deployment

If employers are contemplating re-engineering or restructuring workforce deployment, it is important to do so by considering the integration and interdependence of the following reengineering guidelines. Re-engineering and workforce restricting can include work-from-home mandates, job restructuring or redesign, departmental reorganization, career track restructuring, compensation adjustments, or position reclassification. Foremost among management’s consideration is ensuring key change management initiatives are well-conceived and well implemented. Phil Davis, SVP of Flex HR, notes “HR needs to play a major role when change management methodologies are being determined. Companies call on me to support leadership and upper management, ensuring their teams are communicating these efforts properly.”

Guideline considerations include:

 

    • Cost/Benefit Assessment Protocols

Assessment protocols should be defined prior to instituting any modification to determine if the planned benefit resulting from the change is worth the costs in human as well as monetary terms.

    • Productivity and Performance Metric Realignment

When deviations are considered in the job responsibilities, supervision reassignment, and/or primary work location, attention should be given to realigning performance and productivity metrics in consultation with the employee.

    • Policy and Guideline Considerations

Whenever redeployment of employees, responsibilities, or performance metrics are undertaken, all affected policies and procedures should be reviewed for required changes in employee handbooks and communicated to all employees.

    • In-house and Remote Training Requirements

When making structural changes that impact the training and development of employees, it’s important to confirm that the requisite communication and training technology is available, and employees know how to use it.

    • Compliance Issue Management

All changes considered should be reviewed against any potential violation of compliance requirements, ensuring compliance issue management and clarification be conducted prior to implementing any adjustments.

    • Corporate Management and Governance

Any re-engineering fluctuations that may require a reexamination of corporate governance issues or modifications should be resolved prior to initiate the change action.

 

Jim Cichanski – CEO FlexHR

Engaging business complexities is perplexing enough without the added burden of doing so during a pandemic. Dr. John Cascone, SVP at Flex HR, has commented “many CEOs are reaching out for guidance in an effort to provide sound direction to their management team and employees to keep them safe and productive during this critical period.” Leadership is continually challenged with making effective and balanced decisions for both staff and the organization. Simultaneously all while trying to enforce the company’s core values and safeguarding the well-being of employees. To ease the burden of management, Flex HR experts have created “helpful tips for managing the Coronavirus crisis” online, specifically addressing COVID-19 business impact concerns. For checklists, sample return to work letters, and other essential information for having your staff return to work, contact Flex HR now.

 Thank you for visiting our blog.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

 

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

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Human Resources Bootcamp for Business Owners

FlexHR Consulting Business Bootcamp

HR trends and best practices for business owners and management.

Distress in the workplace lately? You’re not alone.  Flex HR consultants often get asked to come to speak to businesses in various industries regarding the vital HR functions to keep their businesses sustained properly. Thus, Flex HR offers a Human Resources Bootcamp for business owners and managers.

Recently, Flex HR hosted a Human Resources Trends Bootcamp in Denver, CO. This discussion focused specifically on Veterinary Practice initiatives essential to HR that owners and managers must comprehend to stay compliant with labor and IRS laws.

This presentation took a deep dive into HR best practices, current HR trends, clarifying policy, laws, handbook communications, managing millennials, HR operations, onboarding & termination, and of course the impacts from COVID-19. Jim summarized tangible situations and how the repercussions can cost tens of thousands of dollars to your organization. He also outlined the “Risk Factor” of actions that are critical for managing the human side of an organization’s enterprise providing examples on how to get the most out of your human capital, along with tools to take back and implement in your practice. It’s imperative for businesses of all sizes to protect and grow their assets, but lack the HR knowledge to do so. Consequently, nearly 85% of organizations outsource at least some HR functions.*

Jim Cichanski – CEO FlexHR

Jim Cichanski was the presenter. He is the founder and CEO of Flex HR, Inc. and a Preferred Partner of VSG. Jim also spent 26 years in the Army National Guard achieving the rank of Colonel, was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, and received numerous awards including the Legion of Merit. Jim holds a BA in Applied Behavioral Sciences, is a graduate of the Department of Defense Equal Opportunity Institute, has served on the board of HealthSource of Georgia, and was an inside board member of 17 companies.  He is an active member of many HR professional organizations. He recently served on the Board of Directors for HomeStretch and is an Angel investor in several Human Resources related ventures.

 

FlexHR

Flex HR, Inc. is among the top HR outsourcing and consulting firms, based out of the Atlanta, GA area. They were selected Best of Johns Creek Award in the Business Human Resources Consultant category by the Johns Creek Award Program last year, and this year was inducted into the Johns Creek Business Hall of Fame. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution awarded Flex HR “Best of Atlanta Business Profiles” while Outsourcing Gazette magazine listed Flex HR as the “Top Most Promising HR & Staffing Service Vendors.” For 3 years INC Magazine recognized Flex HR as an Inc 5000 “Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in America”. Jim was also recognized by the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce as the “Small Businessperson of the Year.” Catalyst Magazine acknowledged Flex HR as 1 of 18 Companies CEO’s in Atlanta would like to own.

 Visit our Coronavirus pandemic page or more information on how businesses are managing their HR assets during the continued consequences of COVID-19.

Do you need an HR Bootcamp for your business or more information? CONTACT US NOW

* Outsourcing HR: Big Savings for Small Business,” by Adam Skolnick, The Fiscal Times, Atlanta, GA, July 22, 2013.