I'm a big believer in simple, practical advice. Why complicate things?
- Keep employee files 7 years past termination.
- Keep OSHA logs for 5 years.
- Keep I-9s for either one-year past termination or 3 years after hire, whichever is longer. Then shred them.
- If you're not doing e-verify in GA, start doing it.
- On a separation notice, list the basic reason (performance did not meet expectations or policy violation or voluntary resignation). You can provide details later if needed.
- At an unemployment hearing, speak only when spoken to, and don't exaggerate or add anything to the story. Just provide and confirm the facts and let the officer run the meeting. Your odds of success will be stronger that way.
- When the government issues a big change, such as salary level requirements or vaccine mandates, be prepared if necessary, but wait until it's official, challenged, and confirmed again before putting it into practice. Those things usually get dropped or changed on the day of the compliance deadline.
- A health insurance broker who values your business and plans with you will make your life better.
- Take the time to make sure every word in your employee handbook is clear and correct. It should answer questions, not create them, and the policies should help your managers manage.
- And if you have to call a government agency for anything, get your mind right first. It's going to be challenging.
- Paid Time Off policies get complicated quickly, so fight to keep them simple. Easy to understand and to administer.
You'll enjoy your job more when you keep things simple. People who use big words only confuse their listeners and defeat the purpose of communication--to be understood. If you understand what I'm saying, that's better for both of us.
Still need help with keeping things simple? Contact our team today!