Genevieve Que

Retroactive (or retro) pay is compensation an employee receives for work they’ve already completed but were not correctly paid for at the time. There are a variety of reasons for the discrepancy, such as an increase in wages, a missed bonus, or incorrect hours tracked. This guide walks you through how to calculate retro pay—we…

Setting goals is easy, but setting the right goals—ones that motivate and guide you to success—is challenging. This is where SMART goals come into play, offering a proven framework that transforms unclear objectives into actionable plans. If you’re looking to grow your business, understanding how to create SMART goals can be the difference between wishful…

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for employees are measurable values that allow you to determine how effectively workers achieve business objectives. They also let you monitor worker productivity and efficiency, enabling you to spot potential problems and make the necessary adjustments to help you stay on track with team or organizational goals. Categories of Key Performance…

Statutory Employee Definition A statutory employee bridges the gap between a regular employee and an independent contractor. Regular employees work under direct supervision, have taxes withheld, and typically receive company benefits. Independent contractors maintain complete autonomy, receive 1099 forms, and handle all their own taxes. Here are the key characteristics of a statutory employee: Independent…

Professional development is the ongoing and intentional process of an individual learning and improving their knowledge, skills, and abilities in their chosen profession. Small businesses should encourage and foster professional development opportunities to ensure employees remain adaptable, competitive, and up-to-date in their skills after entering the workforce. Going beyond formal education, professional development extends into…

A performance improvement plan (PIP) is a management tool for creating a roadmap to help an underperforming employee succeed. Whether an employee is failing to meet their objectives or has excessive tardiness that must be corrected, a PIP provides a structured path for strengthening their performance. A well-crafted performance plan is beneficial for both the…

IRS Form 1099 is a series of forms used to report certain types of income that don’t come from a direct employer in the form of wages, salaries, tips, etc. Form 1099-NEC (nonemployee compensation) is the most common version, frequently used by small business owners. If businesses pay $600 or more in compensation throughout the…

Giving employees holiday gifts is one of the best ways to keep them engaged—it shows your team you care about them and value their contributions to your company. Although not required, holiday gifts for employees can be part of building a loyal and effective team. The gifts don’t always have to be pricey, but here’s…

A human resources (HR) report is a comprehensive analysis of workforce-related data that presents key metrics and trends in a clear, actionable format. These reports provide executives and HR professionals with data-driven perspectives on various aspects of human capital management, such as talent acquisition, workforce planning, talent management, and compensation planning. Additionally, these comprehensive reports…

The best workforce management software should streamline the day-to-day management of your employees, simplify shift and schedule planning and managing time off, optimize employee on-the-job productivity, and help control labor costs. In this guide, we evaluated some of the most popular workforce management tools and chose the top five providers: : Best overall : Best…

Diversity in the workplace is more than just ticking boxes or meeting quotas for hiring people from specific demographic groups or using inclusive language. Genuine diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) involves creating an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully. When organizations embrace this, they unlock a wealth of benefits…

A job rejection letter serves to notify a potential candidate that you are no longer considering them for your open position. It may also provide reasons you didn’t hire the candidate, though we recommend being careful about how much detail you share. This letter also serves as legal documentation. The type of job rejection letter…