Compliance Changes and Effectiveness

Employers are faced with many "to-do" list items each and every day making it almost impossible without support to know all the laws needed to be accomplished. Something usually gets pushed to the back burner in the process. Don't let the compliance side of your business slip through the cracks because it can cost you dearly in the long run.

Below is a list of upcoming effective dates on new laws, posters, regulations, etc.

Effective Date....New Regulation/Poster/etc (Category)
4/3/2012..........GINA Record Keeping Rule (Employee Relations)
4/3/2012..........Union Election Rule (Labor Relations)
4/30/2012.........Employee Rights Poster (Employee Relations)
7/1 & 8/30/2012...Fee Disclosure Final Rule/Deadlines (Benefits)
9/23/2012.........Summary of Benefits/Coverage Final Rule (Benefits)

For more information on any of the aforementioned, contact Todd Weyandt at todd@laihr.com or 770.248.0401.

FREE Webinar on Managing Risks

The risk level that is being piled on small business is constantly increasing with each passing year! With more and more federal and state regulations being passed down all the time, how is your company dealing with the ever looming threats of penalties, fines and lawsuits?

Join Lowden & Associates, Inc. for a FREE webinar on how to manage the risks small businesses are being forced to take.

Featured Highlights:
- Compliance Overview with Damages and Penalties
- The Do’s and Don’ts of Policies and Procedures
- Quality Interview and Selection Process
- How to Handle Employee Problems, Harassment, Discipline and Terminations
- Importance of Training and Education
- Advantages of an Outsourced Solution

Tuesday, March 27, 2012
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

OR
Thursday, March 29, 2012
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

RESERVE YOUR FREE SPACE TODAY!
Contact Todd Weyandt
todd@laihr.com
770.248.0401 ext. 20

Georgia Garnishment Rule Changed Again

Last year we released a legislative update in October saying the Georgia Supreme Court had ruled only lawyers could sign garnishment pleadings that were filed in the state court.

Due to an overwhelming backlash in the business community, the Georgia Legislature has overturned this rule. Governor Nathan Deal signed the legislation this month to allow an “authorized officer or employee” of an entity to sign and file a garnishment answer.

If you have any questions, please contact Todd Weyandt at todd@laihr.com or 770.248.0401 ext. 20.

Five Steps to Becoming a Better Manager

Being a better manager does not require a complex system. It just requires being willing to put in some extra effort to have more loyal and productive employees. There are five quick and easy steps you can take to start on the road to becoming a better manager today…

1) Know Your Employees. Managers need to take some time to get to know their employees including who they are as people. Knowing basic information about an employee such as their spouse’s name, children’s names, outside interests, etc. make an employee feel more valued as a person instead of merely just a worker. Also, make sure to keep an open door policy so employees can feel free to address any issue they might have with you.

2) Always Treat Your Employees with Respect. The ‘golden rule’ is not just something to teach kids. It is an important piece of a cohesive workplace. Nobody wants to be embarrassed, bullied, demeaned, etc. by their boss and very few employees respond well to this type of style. It is also important to say thank you and recognize an employee for a job well done.

3) Ask for Help and Admit Mistakes. All too often managers are afraid to admit they do not know something or did not handle a situation the best they could have. Why? It is impossible for anybody to know everything. So, people will make a mistake from time to time. Managers who know their limitations and admit mistakes are often times more respected by their employees than those that do not.

4) Follow and Enforce the Rules. Managers need to set expectations up front and be consistent and fair to all employees no matter their rank, this includes you too.

5) Think Twice About Emails and Text Messages. There are some things that are more effective when said in person and not through the written word. Many things can be misinterpreted and taken out of context reading an email or text message, so be careful.

Step on the road to becoming a better manager by putting these five simple steps into practice and watch as your employees become more productive, engaged and loyal.