Exalt Resources

New Jersey is now the most employee-friendly state for cannabis use, having recently passed several laws legalizing recreational cannabis. Employers may want to start preparing now for provisions that will kick in later this year. Learn about the new provisions and how to prepare for them at: https://www.exaltresources.com/new-jersey-legalizes-recrea/

Even though employers are no longer required to provide paid leave under the FFCRA mandate, an employee can bring a claim for FFCRA violations for up to two years (three if the violation is willful) from the date of violation under the statute of limitations. This means that the DOL may continue to enforce any violations that occurred between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, for up to three years. Learn more at https://hrwatchdog.calchamber.com//u-s-dol-will-enforce-f/ or call us for details.

Do you know what OSHA Form 300 is? If your business is part of a medium to high-risk industry and/or has more than 10 employees and your employees have experienced work-related injuries and illnesses, you must file OSHA Form 300. This form must be filed annually or you risk fines up to $8,000, so make sure you're in compliance and avoid penalties! Learn more in this @BusinessNewsDaily article: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/15983-osha-form-300-requi

In spite of good news about vaccinations, December marked the lowest ever levels of employee productivity and well-being since the start of COVID-19. Why? In the U.S., one in five employees is now struggling with a mental health disorder. Have you and your managers been trained to recognize warning signs of employees who may be struggling and how to help? Common symptoms include personality changes, irritability, fatigue, reckless behavior, and weight loss. Make sure your b...usiness is doing its part to raise awareness, minimize mental health stigma, and increase access to care to get your employees the help they need. Learn more in this @EmployeeBenefitNews article: https://www.benefitnews.com//employee-mental-health-at-an-

Up to 35% of US employees are experiencing depression as they live through the COVID-19 pandemic. It's imperative that employers be aware of the subtle cues of mental health issues in their employees, especially those working from home, and learn how to respond proactively to their employees’ mental well-being. Learn how to identify the warning signs and take steps to get employees the help they need in this @EmployeeBenefitNews article: https://www.benefitnews.com//how-to-spot-depression-and-an

With COVID-19 vaccines being available in the coming months, employers can begin to plan for a post-pandemic future. But there is a lot to consider are you going to require employees to be vaccinated? is that even allowed? Find the answers and more in this @EmployeeBenefitNews article: https://www.benefitnews.com//can-employers-mandate-workers

The COVID crisis is causing working women to burn out much faster than men. The extra struggle of balancing work and home life is causing anxiety, depression, and other health problems as a result. Find out how employers can support the overall well-being of employees, especially women. https://www.benefitnews.com//why-female-employees-are-burn

A year without an office holiday party may be unthinkable, but this year it's practical and necessary to keep employees safe. Instead, consider these fun alternatives from @thebalancecom to help build employee morale and positive spirits this holiday season. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/office-holiday-party-alte

Everyone enjoys getting extra cash, especially this time of year, and bonuses are a great way to express gratitude to your employees for work well done. But how do you know if you're withholding the right amount in taxes? Check out this bonus paycheck tax calculator from @BusinessDotOrg. https://www.business.org/finan/accounting/bonus-calculator/

Are you giving your employees bonuses this year? To avoid unexpected penalties, make sure you structure your bonuses in a way that follows Federal and California laws. https://www.calpeculiarities.com//bonuses-in-the-time-of-/

What do you do when employees aren't social distancing while off of work? The answer is not a simple one. @SHRM lays out what to consider, what to do or not do, and what is allowed or not allowed by law in various states. https://www.shrm.org//What-to-Do-When-Off-Duty-Employees-A

Recognized employees = Happier employees! Who doesn't want that? Learn 6 easy ways that managers can #givethanks by incorporating the act of #gratitude.... https://www.humanresourcestoday.com/

Working from home has been a challenging but rewarding experience for many employees. And many employers are considering making it a permanent policy. But is working from home sustainable or even ideal? While there are plenty of benefits for going completely virtual, @GoAskCO lays out pros and cons to consider before you go all-in on remote work forever. https://www.uschamber.com//strate/work-from-home-vs-office

The final quarter of 2020 is shaping up to be unlike any other. With schools across the nation unable to open during the pandemic, many parents are helping their children navigate digital platforms and classrooms. Some are also fearful about their professional lives. Others who are able to send their children to school in person worry about taking extended time off if their child becomes ill. For employers, ensuring parents understand their leave rights, as well as time-off policies, is vital to keeping workers engaged and minimizing employee turnover. We offer a few ideas for how to do that in our blog this week: https://www.exaltresources.com/the-flu-the-common-cold-and/ If we can assist you in any way during this uncertain, tumultuous time, please reach out.

Communicating while wearing a mask is one of the major new work challenges brought by the pandemic. Your voice can be heard, but important facial expressions are missed. So how do you get your point across effectively in spite of all that? Learn tips on how to communicate more effectively while wearing your mask in this helpful article: https://www.hrmorning.com/articles/communicate-with-mask/

California workers may still be making more money on unemployment with the Lost Wages Assistance program going into effect after the CARES Act extended unemployment benefits ended in July. As a result, California businesses are having a harder time recovering than businesses in other states from the forced shut down in March. Employers are now left with the headache of filling positions and remaining eligible for PPP loan forgiveness. https://www.exaltresources.com/employer-headaches-workers-/

‘You want flexibility? Sorry, we have to let you go.’ 1 out of 4 women are now considering downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce entirely because of COVID-19, flexibility being one of the top reasons why. To keep women employed, employers need to embrace greater flexibility and redefine how they think about employee productivity and performance. ... Hiring and training are expensive and COVID-19 will not last forever. Discover how you can create more flexibility for your employees during the pandemic and beyond in this @EBNbenefitnews article. Or give us a call - let us do the work so you don't have to! https://www.benefitnews.com//the-top-tool-for-retaining-yo

Employers have no legal obligation under federal law to allow employees time off to vote on Election Day, but state law may require it. While you may not be legally obligated as an employer, it is fair and reasonable to accommodate employee requests for Election Day time off, plus you may boost employee morale, motivation, and loyalty in the process. Learn more in this @thebalance article: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-employers-need-to-man

The IRS has finally issued employer guidance on how to implement the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, which became law almost a year ago. Under the SECURE Act, significant changes were made to employer-sponsored retirement plans, including allowing coverage for part-time employees, and penalty-free withdrawals for the birth or adoption of a child. Small businesses are now allowed to join together to create 401(k) plans for their employees. Learn more in this @HRMorning overview: https://www.hrmorning.com//irs-issues-401k-guidance-on-se/

Working remotely doesn't have to be scary... except at Halloween! Wondering how to create a fun, spooky holiday celebration with your remote team? From virtual trick-or-treating to costume contests, find fun ideas in this @RemoteHowCom article. https://remote-how.com//how-to-celebrate-halloween-with-re

A new California law requires employers with as few as five employees to provide family and medical leave rights to their employees. The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2021 and significantly expands the state’s existing family and medical leave entitlements. Learn more in this @JacksonLewisPC article: https://www.jacksonlewis.com//new-california-law-significa

Workplaces have been rocked with unprecedented turmoil this year - from COVID-19, to social justice, and now as we near the end of 2020, a contentious presidential election. As we near the election and then the inauguration, employers need to address any tension arising in the workplace. This @FisherPhillips article offers a plan for business owners, leaders, and managers to proactively avoid problems and respond to them if they arise. https://www.fisherphillips.com/resources-newsletters-articl

A new California law establishes stringent COVID-19-related notice and reporting requirements for public and private employers. It also boosts the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s (Cal/OSHA) COVID-19 enforcement authority. Because the new law specifies very detailed notice requirements with very little time to provide them, employers should become familiar with them quickly, and consult with legal counsel to develop the necessary policies and procedures so they can be in place January 1, 2021, when the law takes effect. For details visit https://hrwatchdog.calchamber.com//california-enacts-new-/ or call us for assistance.

Has your company committed to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives? Hiring is one of the most critical pieces of the puzzle. Learn 8 diversity recruiting mistakes in this @SHRM article and how to avoid them. https://www.shrm.org//8-Diversity-Recruiting-Mistakes-How-

Is your organization, along with many others, rethinking parental leave policies, wellness benefits, and extending remote working past the pandemic? What about bereavement policies? At a time when more than 1 million people have died from the worldwide pandemic, it's time for employers to rethink bereavement leave and grief support. In this @Harvard Business Review article, learn five important things to keep in mind as you re-evaluate bereavement leave for your employees. R...emember, how you show up for their employees during painful and traumatic periods of their lives is something they will never forget. https://hbr.org//its-time-to-rethink-corporate-bereavement

Race remains a key factor in college graduates being able to find jobs. In 2013, Black graduates aged 22 to 27 were 2x more likely to be unemployed, clearly indicating that discrimination remains a major problem in the labor market. Now is the time to build systems that meet the needs of ALL young people. Employers who want to thrive during and after the pandemic need to be more intentional about finding college graduates of color. This means actively creating opportunities ...to help these students succeed. "If young people of color continue to be overburdened with debt and are not provided with a fair chance to gain the skills they need to pursue their interests, companies and communities will lose out on their talent, passions, and contributions. Supporting young people and their aspirations can build the inclusive economy that our nation needs," writes Joiselle Cunningham, Ph.D., is CEO of Pathways to Creative Industries and Senior Advisor at CareerWise NY. Learn more about how employers can start transforming systemic racism in hiring practices in this insightful in @Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org//how-businesses-can-recruit-and-develop-mo

The pandemic may offer new opportunities for professionals of color to network in more comfortable, authentic ways. @HBR outlines 6 activities that can help professionals to stay connected and visible while working remotely. Learn more at: https://hbr.org/20//remote-networking-as-a-person-of-color