It’s World Breastfeeding Week! While the decision to breastfeed is a personal one, the dynamic at work can play a huge role in that decision. How much maternity leave is provided? Is any of it paid? Will there be a comfortable space to pump? Is childcare close enough for me to nurse? Will I be …
Great Reason to Provide PTO for Getting Vaccinated
Looking for another great reason to offer your employees PTO for getting vaccinated? Now, you can get tax credits for it! As of May 3, the CDC reports that over 56% of U.S. adults have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccines (the chart updates daily). This is great news for everyone as …
Steps to Prevent Financial Abuse in a Nonprofit
The COO of Somerville Homeless Coalition in Massachusetts allegedly embezzled $108,000 over the course of 18 months around 2014-2015, according to an article in The Boston Globe. He reportedly used the company credit card for personal expenses and added his adult son to the nonprofit’s group health insurance. The embezzlement was discovered when he increased …
Work from Home: Treat It As Normal, and Everyone Benefits
In an article meant to spark debate (which it has successfully done), Luke Templeton suggests in Deutsche Bank’s “What We Must Do to Rebuild,” that there be a 5% government tax on employees who work from home, with the money being given to those who cannot. “People who can WFH and disconnect themselves from face-to-face …
Why You Shouldn’t Ask Employees for Their Unemployment
The owner of a small business here in Georgia is trying to collect unemployment funds from his employees. When his employees were furloughed related to COVID-19, they received unemployment benefits, including the extra $600 per week that was part of the CARES Act. So, at least some of them received more in unemployment than their …
Why Providing Time Off to Vote Is Important
Now that we’ve passed Labor Day, it feels like fall is officially arriving (even if it’s still in the 80’s here in Georgia), and that means that Election Day will be here soon. Some states require that companies provide time off to vote, but the rules vary on the specifics and whether it must be …
How Employers Can Help Working Parents with Back to School During COVID-19
With back to school quickly approaching, many working parents are beyond stressed about the fall. Due to COVID-19, some schools are beginning the year virtually while others are offering a hybrid of virtual and in-person options, all of which is leaving parents scrambling to piece together a plan for child care and education. Ayesha Badhwar …
Tips for Receiving PPP Loan Forgiveness
The Payroll Protection Program (PPP) is an element of the CARES Act that provides assistance to small businesses with 500 or fewer employees to help them pay their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a lot of helpful provisions, but certain aspects, such as only having 8 weeks to use the loan, have been …
Is the Payroll Protection Loan Right for You?
Originally published April 3, 2020. Updated June 29, 2020, to reflect PPPFA updates. On July 3, 2020, the application deadline was extended to August 8, 2020. If you’re a small business, you may be starting to have difficulty paying your employees as you may have decreased revenue coming in or your business may not be …
First Steps to Address Racial Prejudice in the Workplace
In recent weeks, we’ve seen a lot of companies speak out against racial prejudice and discrimination toward the Black community and broadcast their corporate support for justice and racial equality. My guess is that, if you were to ask a random company whether they are opposed to racism and discrimination, they would (hopefully) say yes. …