Frequently Asked Questions
We like to be transparent with our clients from the start of our partnership, so we've compiled a list of questions that you may have thought of (and some you may not) that we get asked most frequently.
Is Remote I-9 Verification Right for You?
Did you know you may still be able to verify I-9 documents remotely? But, you’ll need to use the new procedure. Learn more about it below. As we reported earlier, there’s a new I-9 form, and you should be using it for all new hires. When U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services…
Read MoreDeciding When to Establish a Dedicated HR Department: A Guide for Growing Businesses
As your business expands, there comes a point where managing human resources (HR) duties becomes more complex and time-consuming. Therefore, it’s crucial to establish a dedicated HR department at the right time. However, determining when that is can be challenging. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, several factors can guide your…
Read MoreEEO-1 Reporting Opens October 31
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced that 2022 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection opens on October 31, 2023. The EEO-1 Component 1 report is a mandatory filing required of all private sector employers with 100 or more employees, and federal contractors and subcontractors with 50 or more employees…
Read MoreAre Call Centers the Bane of Customer Service?
If ever there is a topic that evokes such emotion that many of us have encountered at some point in our lives: call centers would be it! Love them or loathe them, they are an integral part of modern-day customer service. But are they really beneficial, or are they slowly but…
Read MoreNavigating the Tax Maze: A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Remote Employees’ Tax Laws
As an increasing number of companies embrace remote work, they face new challenges in managing their tax obligations. If you’re an employer with remote employees spread across different states, it’s crucial to understand the complexities surrounding tax filing and withholding for remote workers. Understanding Remote Employees’ Tax Laws Remote employees typically…
Read More10 Features You Should Look For in Your Next Payroll Company
If you’re a business owner, you know that handling payroll and HR tasks can be a demanding and time-consuming process. That’s where choosing the right payroll provider comes in. It’s crucial to know what you’re looking for in a provider to ensure that your business’s financial and personnel operations run…
Read MoreHR Q&a – Can We Prohibit Employees From Dyeing Their Hair Bright Pink, Aqua, or Other Extreme Colors?
“Yes. Non-natural hair color is not a protected characteristic. Even so, there are a few things you may want to consider before making a policy about this: “Extreme” hair colors are becoming more and more common, so restricting colors may dampen employee morale or limit your applicant pool. You may…
Read MoreThe Karmacy: A Place to Find Your Daily Dose of Positivity
In light of World Mental Health awareness, we’d like to shine a spotlight on a very uplifting art exhibit, ‘The Karmacy’ in Dallas, Texas. The Karmacy’s art installation invites visitors to take a bottle containing notes of encouragement and well-being, replacing them with their own notes to uplift the next visitor.…
Read MoreI’m Overwhelmed and Need Help, but I Am Scared if I Outsource Payroll I Will Lose Control – Is This True?
Outsourcing your payroll does not equate to surrendering control. On the contrary, it often implies gaining more control, especially over intricate details, which can be challenging to manage single-handedly. Here are 4 ways we can improve the way you are doing it now, while giving you more control! Customizable software and…
Read MoreHR Q&a – Are We Required to Have an Introductory Period for New Employees?
“No. Some employers call the first few weeks or months of an employee’s time with the company an introductory period, but this designation has no bearing on the rights employers or employees have. An introductory period doesn’t reduce the risks of termination (you should still have a good business reason…
Read MoreDeciding When to Establish a Dedicated HR Department: A Guide for Growing Businesses
As your business expands, there comes a point where managing human resources (HR) duties becomes more complex and time-consuming. Therefore, it’s crucial to establish a dedicated HR department at the right time. However, determining when that is can be challenging. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, several factors can guide your…
Read MoreSeven Things to Consider When Providing Paid Time Off
Everyone needs time off from work, but not everyone’s able to take it. Paid time off helps a lot. People are better able to take the time they need without worrying about a smaller paycheck. Employers demonstrate to their teams that they value them as whole people and recognize that time…
Read MoreHR Q&A – We have an exempt employee who has been taking a lot of long lunches and my boss wants to deduct time from her paid time off (PTO) bank. Can we dock her PTO for taking a long lunch?
“You can deduct hours from this exempt employee’s PTO bank for the time she was scheduled to work but didn’t work, but if it wasn’t made clear that you expected her to follow a set schedule, you’d only want to do this going forward. However, we’d suggest considering a different approach. …
Read MoreHR Q&a – What Is Pay Transparency and How Does It Help Employers?
Pay transparency refers to sharing information about pay with applicants, employees, and possibly the entire world. While some states and localities require that employers include a pay range with job postings, many employers now choose to do this on their own to stay competitive. But pay transparency can be taken…
Read MoreHow to run effective meetings – A Guide for HR Professionals
Efficient Meeting Management: A Guide for HR Professionals Effective meetings are the lifeblood of a successful organization. They foster communication, collaboration, and decision-making. However, to ensure that meetings are productive and not time-wasters, careful planning and execution are key. Here’s how you can conduct efficient meetings with your staff: 1.…
Read MoreAsk the HR Expert – Can we tell nonexempt employees not to check email and messages when they’re supposed to be off the clock?
“Yes, you can tell nonexempt employees that they shouldn’t read or respond to messages when they’re not scheduled to be working. When communicating your expectations, it may be beneficial to investigate why these employees are checking email and messages outside their scheduled hours. If you determine there’s an issue with their…
Read MoreFederal DOL Announces Proposed Rule to Increase Exempt Employee Minimum Salaries
The Federal Department of Labor (DOL) has finally announced the release of its proposed rule to increase the minimum salary required for certain employees to be classified as exempt from minimum wage and overtime. While we don’t usually report on proposed rules because they tend to change—and often the effective date…
Read MoreHR Management with UKG
The Power of Efficient HR Management Effective HR management is not just about hiring and firing. It includes employee onboarding, time and attendance tracking, payroll processing, benefits administration, and much more. These tasks, while crucial, can take up a significant amount of time and resources. With UKG Ready, supported by…
Read MoreSupercharging Employee Onboarding with UKG Ready: Why First Impressions Matter!
The first few days of a new job can be overwhelming for anyone. From learning the ropes to integrating into the company culture, there’s a lot to take in. That’s why effective onboarding is so essential. A well-structured onboarding process not only sets new hires up for success but also…
Read MoreHR Q&A – Can we limit which states our remote employees work in?
Yes. In general, you can determine work locations for your remote employees and choose not to hire or employ anyone in specific states. Business and operational costs as well as state or local employment laws may factor into this decision. If you do decide to limit which states your employees can…
Read MoreHow to Effectively Break Down Large Tasks into Manageable Steps: A Guide for Increased Productivity
When faced with a large task, it’s common to feel overwhelmed. It may seem like there’s so much to do and not enough time to do it. However, by breaking down the task into smaller, more manageable steps, you can make progress more effectively and efficiently. Here’s how: 1. Understand…
Read MoreHR Q&A – Is there a limitation on the length of time that an employee can be classified as a temporary employee?
No. There are no federal laws defining how long an employee can be considered “temporary.” The time frame can vary based on an organization’s budget considerations and business needs. For example, an organization may only need to hire employees for an increase in sales over the holiday season or to…
Read MoreRevolutionize your TLM process with APlus Payroll
Are you still managing time-off requests using pen and paper, text messages, or emails? If so, it’s time to consider an upgrade. While these traditional methods may seem simple, they often lead to a host of issues, including miscommunication, inconvenience, and time-consuming processes. The Problem with Manual Time-Off Requests Consider this…
Read MoreTexas Hairstyle Discrimination and Workplace Violence Reporting Notice
The following changes to Texas employment law take effect on September 1, 2023. Texas Prohibits Hairstyle Discrimination Texas joins the growing list of states that prohibit discrimination based on hairstyle. The state’s employment discrimination law, which applies to employers with 15 or more employees, has been expanded to prohibit discrimination…
Read MoreStill have questions?
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Meet Payroll Paul
Payroll Paul first joined APlus Payroll in 2008. He specializes in helping build the customer service, marketing, and culture within the company; relying on his 40+ years of 'customer delight' experiences across six countries.
Paul Devlin