10 Important Tips for Employers

Below are ten tips for employers to follow to make sure they comply with their own policies and stay out of trouble with their employees:

1. When it is time to hire new employees, hire individuals who fit not only the requirements of the position, but also the overall personality of the company. Somebody who “fits” with your other employees can be trained for skills.
2. If you decide to promote, transfer, discipline or fire an employee, make sure you have documented cause for your actions.
3. Do not classify temporary workers as independent or contract labor. Many employers believe this will avoid payroll taxes, paperwork or unemployment claims, but it will likely lead to a tax audit which will be much more costly. A better alternative is to hire temporary workers through a temporary staffing service.
4. The first day of employment for every employee should include having the employee execute as many company documents as possible – it gets harder to get these things signed as time passes.
5. Make sure you comply with OSHA’s safety standards and never take retaliatory action against an employee who reports hazardous work conditions, discriminatory activity, or any other form of failure to comply with the law.
6. Obtain written permission from the employee for any wage deductions that are not ordered by a court or specifically mandated by law.
7. Do not advance or loan money to an employee without obtaining an executed receipt and repayment contract from him or her.
8. If your benefits or pay rate is going to change, provide your employees with as much advance notice in writing as possible.
9. Treat your employees fairly. Create clear and concise rules, standards and policies, inform all employees of same, and then follow them as closely as possible. Before you take employee action, confer with your written handbook to verify you are following the proper procedures.
10. If you receive an unemployment claim, file a timely response and be prepared to present documentation of warnings given to the employee, policies that were in place and followed, firsthand witnesses, and other relevant facts.