Human Resources Hot Issues Burning into Your Time?
CBR cools them down by addressing them for you
Human resources hot issues really heat up in times of change and we are living in a lot of change right now. Any change in government and public policies create great motion in the American work force, and that bears a look at some of human resources’ hot issues today.
No. 1: Right-to-work compliance issues keep getting hotter
The influx of foreign nationals crossing the borders illegally has unquestionably contributed to the destabilization of employee-employer relations and responsibilities. In Arizona, conservative estimates indicate more than 2,000 people a day cross our border into southern Arizona. That is a rate of three-quarters of a million people per year as Arizona has become the favored border crossing area. In a state with a population of just over 6 million, that rate would double the population within 7 or 8 years – if it stays that low.
A 2010 survey by the state’s newspapers estimate that 1 in 10 jobs in Maricopa County is held by a person who does not have the legal right to work in the United States. Pinal County estimates 1 in 7 and Pima County 3 in 10. Human resources hot issues don’t get much hotter than this one. With a 10% unemployment rate, the state responded with two pieces of legislation: one, The Legal Arizona Workers Act provides the ability to suspend business licenses and impose penalties on companies who hire (or don’t check for) the right to work; and two, SB1070 which standardizes enforcement practices of all agencies across the state to verify identity and legal status of any law breaker and remove them. The former makes it increasingly important that all companies meet the requirements of immigration compliance services by verifying the right-to-work of every employee they hire. CBR can actually conduct immigration compliance services for companies.
No. 2: Keeping workers’ compensation costs under control
When it comes to workers’ compensation expenses, coverage-rate shopping addresses only the very tip of the iceberg. Real control over rising costs must come from strong management and administration of plans and incidences. Reducing expenses means commitment must come from top levels. A PEO such as CBR is able to focus the needed attention and commitment. In the meantime, here are four areas that contribute to reducing costs:
- Place greater emphasis on safety and accident prevention.
- Practice open managerial styles, by getting to know staff and sharing decision-making processes. This helps individuals feel more ownership in their work.
- Develop disability prevention and accident avoidance management strategies.
- Get responsible management involved in early stages of claims and follow-up to encourage a quicker return to work – even if in a limited work capacity.
The solution to reducing costs comes from better management, not from price shopping. CBR is staffed for this kind of follow-up and also can help you with the cost of coverage through increased buying power.
No. 3: Health care insurance is getting sick
Health insurance is changing, and not for the better. Group health insurance policies are getting weaker. They are also getting more costly. As the price goes up, the coverage goes down. Added to this hot issue is the federal government’s plan to change the dynamic of employers being the primary source of health insurance benefits for their employees. As the policies become more expensive and cover less, more and more companies are pulling out of offering health insurance benefits for their employees. Of course, that creates coverage voids, but how does it get filled when it is so prohibitively expensive for the individual to bear? A PEO such as CBR can help companies forestall the quickly rising costs through its buying and bargaining power. Economies of scale allows CBR to have greater leverage in getting good coverage for a better price and then share that benefit with its constituent clientele. Everyone benefits.
No. 4: Payroll services accuracy
One hot issue not only involves legal regulations, requirements, and penalties but also can prove to be extremely embarrassing – especially when it happens more than once. Payroll services accuracy is a tough target to hit because it is constantly moving. So much more is involved that there is actually a benefit to outsourcing payroll services. Consistent accuracy, timely tax reporting, penalty avoidance, monitoring benefits deductions, retirement transfers, and accurate record keeping are all specialties of CBR. Additionally, since those who process payroll are offsite, confidentiality of personal information is not a problem around the water cooler. CBR has payroll experts who can make sure all your deadlines and obligations are accurately met.
“Let George Do It”
George Valentine (from the radio series, Let George Do It) had in his personals notice, “If the job’s too tough for you to handle, you’ve got a job for me.” Awareness of the hot issues is only part of the task. The other task is addressing it. Time constraints make addressing issues “too tough for you to handle.” That’s where CBR can help you. Give us a call at CBR by calling our toll-free number, (888) 700-8512, and let us show you how many ways we can help address your company’s hot issues.
