More Human More Resources - HR for Entrepreneurs

In this episode we’re focused on commissions.  What they are, how you pay them, and when. There are huge advantages to commissioned salespeople.  For the employee, their earning potential is over the moon – after all what’s the saying “they’ll eat what they kill”.  And for you, the employer, you can have a much smaller base salary at risk. But there are some things you need to keep in mind, if you...

Pay Transparency.  If you haven’t heard the term before, you will soon.  At the time of this broadcast, 7 states have some type of pay transparency laws on the books.  California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, Rhode Island and Washington are part of this first wave.  But you can bet that more and more states are moving to require employers to give candidates (and in some cases, employee...

Well, it sounds great.  After all, if I make the job remote, then I can hire talent from ANY-where.  The whole country is open to me.  What could be wrong with that? Actually, you’re right.  More than ever, companies are expanding their talent searches beyond their state’s borders.  But is there a down side? Links Vyond Animation Software Invitation Use the link below to learn more and become an I...

I’m not going to lie.  Sometimes I get exhausted.  Now, I love my business, but sometimes it feels like it’s all too much.  And I find myself missing the early days of the business. But the good ole days, probably weren’t actually that good. In this episode, I’ll tell you how to shake yourself out of that funk, and become energized again. Links Did you like this content?  Let me know – drop me a l...

This podcast is a bit of a departure, since it will be focused on some changes recently announced for California employers.  Of course I can’t do a deep dive on every topic in this podcast, so check out the links below for additional details Links Pay Transparency Extended Supplemental COVID related sick leave Pay Data Reporting Employees’ Rights in Emergency Conditions Bereavement Leave CFRA Expa...

Docking (or taking deductions from) someone’s pay isn’t just something you can decide to do on your own.  There are all sorts of federal, and generally state and local rules around when, if and why you might be able to dock someone’s pay.  And even if it turns out you can, you still have to make sure the “how” is right.  Stay tuned, I’ll tell you the how… Invitation Use the link below to learn mor...

Being, or becoming an employer can be exhilarating, stimulating and downright fun.  It great to have a team to support you and your future vision for success.  But with all that, it can also be confusing, and complicated.  In this episode, I’m going to take you through the top HR mistakes that Entrepreneurs make. Links I-9 Handbook for Employers Invitation Use the link below to learn more and beco...

Before you jump into any hiring process, you have to make sure you have level set your thinking.  Especially if you’re coming off of a really bad (or good) experience with the last person.  It’s so easy for your vision to get clouded by what just happened. In this episode I’ll tell you how to get around the horns and halo effect, and make sure you hire for strengths. Invitation Use the link below...

Change is inevitable, and it’s necessary for growth.  So how do you get the team on board?  Well, in this episode I’ll tell you a 4 step framework that will help you manage the process of Change Management. Invitation Use the link below to learn more and become an Idomeneo insider. You’ll get info to help you unleash your team’s engagement, protect your people investment, and grow your leadership...

In last week’s episode we talked about some of the overall things you need to think about before doing a layoff.  How to make the selection of who goes and who stays, legal considerations and the possibility of severance packages. Now it’s time to talk about the most important part of going thru a layoff – managing the people side of things. Links Linda Raynier on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c...

In this episode we focus on Layoffs. The fact is, you’re going to have to have lay some people off.  Downsize.  It happens sooner or later to all businesses. But how to go about doing a lay off? I’ll walk you through the process.  What you need to think about, and what you need to do – step by step. While I hope you never need it – here’s the layoff process Invitation Use the link below to learn m...

In this episode we’re talking about the top Wage and Hour mistakes employers make.  The Wage Hour category covers so much of employment law, and it’s so easy to get something wrong, or miss something - and that can have a big impact on your business. So start by avoiding these common mistakes.  And if you want a deeper dive, check out some (or all) of these prior episodes: Exempt vs Non Exempt – W...

Docking someone’s pay – or reducing the number of hours you are going to pay them, depends on their employee classification.  Non exempt employees – that’s fine.  But exempt employees?  Well, that’s another matter – that is, if you want to keep their exempt classification. In this episode, I’ll tell you when you can, and can’t dock an exempt employee. Invitation Use the link below to learn more an...

Workers Compensation - how do you get it, how much will it cost, and what do you need to do once you have it.  If you have an employee – even one employee – you have to have workers comp.  There isn’t a work around, there aren’t any exceptions – if the worker is a worker, and not an owner, then you have to carry workers comp insurance on them.  It covers both medical expenses and lost wages due to...

In this classic episode we focus on Exempt vs. Non Exempt employees, what’s the difference, and what does that mean to you and your business. Links Department of Labor Exemption Categories https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fs17a_overview.pdf Department of Labor – Discretionary judgement explanation https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/17c-overtime-administrative   Cal...

Job descriptions.  Wow, they really are the forgotten step-child.  Think about it – when do you put even a thought toward job descriptions.  Only when there’s an issue.  Someone wants a promotion, or you’re hiring, or a job is expanding – or shrinking. In this episode, I’ll help you quickly create job descriptions that matter. Invitation Use the link below to learn more and become an Idomeneo insi...

In this episode we’re focused on employee write ups. When you see performance problems, it’s important that you don’t move to writing someone up too early, and it’s equally important that you don’t wait too late.  So, when is the perfect time, and what do you do when you get there?  Just follow this simple 6 step process. Invitation Use the link below to learn more and become an Idomeneo insider....

The first thing to remember is an intern isn’t just a means to get extra hands to do the work.  A real internship should be a valuable learning experience for the intern; and if’ you’re lucky, and it’s a paid internship - you can also get some extra hands to help with the work! But it takes planning.  In this episode I’ll tell you the steps to creating a great internship with your company. Links D...

Ok, you’ve done everything you can think of.  You’ve created systems and SOPs for all parts of your business.  You put a good solid onboarding training program in place.  Maybe you even created a quality control feedback loop.  That should be it – right?  Well, if that’s so – why do you still have a nagging feeling in your brain that things sometimes get overlooked.  That things can slip through t...

I I know, it’s the height of summer (at least it is if you’re listening to then when it was first released),  It’s the end of June.  And honestly, the only thing on anyone’s mind right now (well, at least on my mind right now) is when can I take a chunk of time off. But this is the perfect time for employers to start getting themselves organized, both for year end and for next year.  In today’s ep...

Do you have unconditional faith in your team’s ability to get things done, and done well? Well, if you’re like most entrepreneurs, the answer is no.  Yes, you may love your team – but 100% unconditional faith, all the time?  Probably not – at least probably not if you’re like 90% of the business owners out there.  But, I’ll tell you a secret – one thing, one change can move you squarely to the 10%...

Both an offer letter and employment agreement outline the basic terms of employment – hire date, pay rate, title, job duties etc.  But, an offer letter will also have an ‘at’-will’ statement that governs when and how someone can be let go.  In this episode, I tell you the pieces you need to put together a great offer letter. Invitation Use the link below to learn more and become an Idomeneo inside...

So, Death by Meeting.  You know it’s more than just a book – it’s an actual thing. But it turns out meetings actually hold a valuable place in your communications playbook.  Here’s how you find the right balance. Invitation Use the link below to learn more and become an Idomeneo insider. You’ll get info to help you unleash your team’s engagement, protect your people investment, and grow your leade...

In this episode we’re talking about three things that can bring a leader in a fast growth business, to a grinding halt. You, as the leader have to be sure that the company is getting the highest level of productivity and commitment from your team.  You have to be sure they are motivated.  You have to make sure they are stretched, but not breaking. Invitation Use the link below to learn more and be...

Sure, we can look at things like overhead, the cost of parking, how much you pay for benefit programs etc.  But even if you don’t have any of those things – you do have payroll.  And that means payroll taxes.  And there’s more to payroll taxes than income tax. But there are a number of other taxes that apply.  Some paid by the employer, some split between the company and the employee.  In this epi...