Idomeneo » Winter Update


Winter Update

The following is provided for general informational purposes only, and not intended to constitute legal advice.

IDO Info: Year End HR News

Greetings!

Welcome to IDO Info, your quarterly newsletter from Idomeneo Enterprises providing you with quick HR updates, tools and solutions to help you better manage your business and your staff.

In this Issue:

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Year End Payroll: Quick Tips
by Meredith Hauger, HR Business Partner

Don’t leave anything out! Here are some quick tips and best practices to ensure a successful year-end payroll:

  • Confirm all of your employee addresses and social security numbers on file. Send out a quick email notice asking for any address changes or social security number corrections can prevent W-2 errors and reprints down the road.
  • All W-2 and 1099 forms for the prior year must be provided to employees and former employees by January 31st.
  • Tax exempt withholding status expires on February 15th each year. Each employee claiming exempt must complete a new Form W-4 by February 15th to re-main exempt. If an employee does not sign a new Form W-4, you are required to change the employee’s Federal and State withholding status to “single” with zero (0) withholding allowances
  • Don’t forget to update your 2009 Unemployment and SDI Contribution Rates with your Payroll Provider or in your Payroll system.
  • Reset any annual YTD Accumulator or Accrual buckets you may have, such as 401K limits, Vacation, Sick or PTO.
  • There are many online links, tools and experts to assist you during your year-end payroll process, including Idomeneo Enterprises. Check out the suggested links below or give us a call!

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Resolving Conflict: Take the Pain Out of Confrontations
Source: Communication Briefing July 2005, 703-518-2343, www.briefings.com Coaching, Mentoring and Managing

  • Occasional workplace conflicts are inevitable, but they need not be destructive. Follow these basic tips to smooth confrontations:
  • When dealing with a grumbler, be honest and direct. Stick to the facts, and resist raising unrelated topics. If you stray from your main point, you may unintentionally signal that you don’t consider the core issue serious.
  • Caution: Don’t judge or speculate about the person’s motives. That indicates that you’re predisposed to opinion not fact.
  • Act immediately. Confrontations aren’t pleasant, but don’t make excuses not to speak up. Example: “The end of the week is a better time to deal with it, after we meet this deadline.” Solution: Meet early to address problems, or you risk letting productivity suffer.
  • Choose the most appropriate moment to discuss issues with difficult employees. Example: If you’re upset wait until you’re calm. Impulsive confrontations often leave lasting scars. But if you are criticizing someone for a specific action or behavior, it’s best to meet soon as that behavior occurs.
  • Relax. A confrontation is just like any other important conversation. There’s no need to resort to threatening edicts or theatrical displays.
  • End your conversation on a positive note to stress that it’s professional and not personal. Say, “Thanks for listening and telling me your side. I’m sure we can get past this and work together productively.”

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Highlight on Training: Sexual Harassment
by Meredith Hauger, HR Business Partner

Harassment prevention training is now the law in California. Assembly Bill 1825 requires all employers with 50+ workers to provide at least two hours of sexual harassment training to all supervisory workers by January 1, 2006.

Not sure if this training requirement applies to your organization, ask Idomeneo!

As a best practice, Idomeneo recommends that training be provided to all workers regardless or organization size. Whether you have 1 or 100+ employees, your organization is still responsible to provide a harassment free work environment and is at risk of a claim or worse . . .

Additionally, your training should encourage a safe, healthy and respectful work environment, covering all forms of workplace harassment.

Like to know more? Give us a call. We would be happy to assist in assessing your harassment training needs, as well as provide you with some training options specific to your organization.

Idomeneo Enterprises 310.308.7680

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Humor Headline: Work-Life Balance

Featured Quote:
“Work-life balance . . . it’s like a see-saw, one minute you are on the work side and the next on the home side. You really don’t balance; just keep moving from side to side. The goal is to spend equal time on each side.”
—Michelle Zambetti, Certified Franklin-Covey Trainer