Jennifer Soper

The best free time tracking software not only monitors hours worked from multiple platforms but also allows GPS tracking and geofencing, paid time off (PTO) monitoring, break options, and clock-in/out alerts. Some even have productivity and invoicing tools, enabling users to view idle/inactive times and bill clients easily. In this article, we evaluated 18 providers…

For insurance agencies, hiring an insurance agent is not just about filling a position; it’s about enhancing the agency’s capability to serve its clients effectively. This guide lays out a clear, direct pathway on how to hire an insurance agent, ensuring that your agency finds a candidate who is not only qualified but also an…

Hiring an intern is a great way to tap into talented individuals who haven’t yet or have just graduated from college. The first step in this process is determining your needs and what your internship program will look like. You can then find interns by contacting your college career center or searching on job boards…

Paycor is a human capital management (HCM) platform that works well for companies that want all their HR tools and payroll in one system. It provides tax and compliance support, onboarding, time tracking, performance reviews, and access to HR pros who can offer expert advice in handling employee issues. Its plans are tiered for growing…

Tipped minimum wage is the lowest amount that businesses, like restaurants and resorts, can pay their tipped employees. Currently, the federal tipped minimum wage is $2.13 per hour, but each state has its own regulation. The tipped minimum wages paid by the employer plus the tips received need to equal at least the full minimum…

A maternity leave policy covers employee eligibility and maternity leave duration, along with benefits and other details associated with your policy. Under the federal Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employers with 50 or more employees must provide unpaid maternity leave. Some states, however, require paid maternity leave, and some businesses choose to offer paid…

Mentorship programs in the workplace are strategic frameworks designed to facilitate knowledge sharing, skill development, and professional growth among employees. These programs pair less experienced staff, often referred to as mentees, with more seasoned professionals, known as mentors, within an organization. The objective is straightforward: to cultivate a supportive learning environment that accelerates individual and…

An employee attendance tracker is a way to track employee attendance, tardiness, absenteeism, and time off—a major part of managing employees. A good employee attendance tracker allows you to quickly identify repeat attendance-related offenses and act swiftly to discipline and coach your staff to correct such behavior. You can track employee attendance in two ways:…

Federal break laws for workers are fairly sparse, not requiring employers to provide any breaks at all. If a company does offer employees breaks, federal break laws only require breaks of up to 20 minutes to be paid, and no payment is required for meal breaks of over 30 minutes. However, many states have requirements…

Employee engagement describes the level at which an employee is connected to their work and the organization. Having high engagement with employees results in reduced turnover, improved productivity and work performance, and increased overall profitability. To keep employees engaged, small businesses can implement strategies like regular feedback sessions, recognizing and rewarding contributions, and fostering a…

Paycom offers payroll and HR support primarily aimed at midsize and larger businesses, although many small businesses enjoy its services. However, if it isn’t right for your business—because of expense, company size, or simply not having the right match of tools—many excellent Paycom competitors provide comparable functionality, pricing, and standout features. The eight best Paycom…

Payroll fraud occurs when a worker cheats the system to get a higher paycheck. Small businesses are more likely to be at risk than larger ones because they place a higher level of trust in their employees and often have fewer safeguards in place. This can result in tax payments not being made or employees…