Employee recognition apps and employee reward software are tools that improve employee performance. They democratize employee feedback by letting staff give praise to co-workers. Employers can then recognize those contributions in ways that motivate their teams. We looked at many to identify the best employee recognition software based on affordable prices and robust features. Top…
About the Author
Laura Handrick
Laura Handrick is a staff writer at Fit Small Business, specializing in the full cycle of Human Resource topics from recruiting to talent management. She holds SHRM certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), a Master's in Educational Technology, and is certified as an International Franchise Executive through the IFA. She has worked with small business owners and managers as a business coach and served as the HR director in Fortune 100 companies. Her passion is helping people and organizations grow. Laura spends her free time hiking, gardening, golfing, and volunteering in northern AZ with her husband and their dog, Sparky.
2018 Payroll Tax Rates by State [+ State Tax Map]
Payroll tax rates like income tax, Social Security (6.2 percent each for both employer and employee) and Medicare (1.45 percent each) are set by the IRS. However, each state specifies its own rates for income, unemployment and other taxes. Below is a state-by-state map showing payroll tax rates including supplemental taxes and workers’ compensation. How…
Workers Compensation Insurance: Requirements, Cost & Providers
Workers compensation insurance helps businesses provide benefits like medical care and replacement wages to workers injured on the job. Businesses are required by law to purchase workers compensation insurance in every state except Texas. Costs vary widely, ranging from less than $100 to thousands a year per employee, based on risk factors. We’ll share workers…
Experience Modification Rate & How to Lower Workers’ Compensation Costs
Experience Modification Rate (EMR) is a workers’ compensation multiplier that starts at 1.0 and commonly ranges from .75 to 1.25, based on a business’ claims history. The EMR determines how an employer’s workers’ compensation premium is modified—i.e., higher or lower—for a given job-related class code. Businesses that have an EMR above 1.0 due to poor…
How to Give Performance Feedback in 6 Steps [+ Free Checklist]
![How to Give Performance Feedback in 6 Steps [+ Free Checklist]](https://fitsmallbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/How-to-Deliver-Performance-Feedback-in-6-Steps-300x200.jpg)
Delivering performance feedback is the most essential component of managing employee development. This one-on-one conversation between manager and employee should include information sharing, a review of both qualitative and quantitative performance data, and an opportunity for both people to speak. The end result is a motivated employee and a plan for moving forward. To streamline…
Glassdoor vs. Indeed: Price, Features, & What’s Best in 2018
Glassdoor is an employer review site with salary tools and a free job board. It’s best for businesses focused on employer branding and encouraging job seekers to join them. In comparison, Indeed is a free job board that provides employer reviews and salary tools. It’s best for those with open positions they need to fill….
What is FTE and How to Calculate [+ Free FTE Calculator]
![What is FTE and How to Calculate [+ Free FTE Calculator]](https://fitsmallbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/What-is-FTE-and-How-to-Calculate-300x200.jpg)
FTE stands for full-time equivalent (not full-time employee) and translates the total hours worked by part-time employees into the number of equivalent full-time employees. To calculate FTE, you have to know how many employees you have, and the average number of hours they work. You can then determine the equivalent number of full-time workers you…
6 Best Performance Management Systems & Software for 2018
Performance management systems track your employees’ performance, providing tools and strategies to help them improve. The best performance management systems increase employee engagement and support a culture of improvement. We looked at over 20 software options and chose the six that best covered the range of services for small business. Best Performance Management Systems &…
How to Create a Talent Pool in 5 Steps [+ Free Checklist]
![How to Create a Talent Pool in 5 Steps [+ Free Checklist]](https://fitsmallbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/How-to-Create-a-Talent-Pool-in-5-Steps-300x200.jpg)
A talent pool is a large group of highly skilled and qualified future job candidates able to fill open positions quickly. Having a talent pool saves your business from gaps in key staff. That ensures productivity, even as promotions or turnover occur. Here’s how to create your talent pool in five steps. Free Checklist for…
How to Run Effective Meetings in 10 Steps [+ Free Template]
![How to Run Effective Meetings in 10 Steps [+ Free Template]](https://fitsmallbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/How-to-Run-Effective-Meetings-in-10-Steps-300x200.png)
Effective meetings are important to your business to ensure that employees are aligned with your expectations and working efficiently. To run an effective meeting, you’ll need to plan ahead, know what you want to achieve, and create an agenda. We’ll provide steps for before, during and after your meetings to ensure they’re effective. Here are…
Applicant Tracking System: Definition, Cost & Providers
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is HR software used by business owners and hiring managers to keep track of open jobs they want to fill and the candidates who have applied for those jobs. It helps to manage every stage of the recruitment process—job openings, resumes, candidate screening, and job offers electronically. If you’d like…
Variable Pay: Definition, How It Works, Benefits & Providers
Variable pay is a method of paying employees based on performance. It can comprise the employee’s total compensation or be paid in addition to their base pay. It’s usually tied to individual or company-wide results. Variable pay can help to incentivize employees to perform better, but requires effort to administer. How Variable Pay Works Variable…
