Does it seem as though you have two jobs?

StaffScapes gives you the freedom to focus on what you do best; growing your business. As a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) we take legal responsibility for a large part of your day-to-day duties letting you concentrate on your core business.

Between running your business and keeping up with ever-increasing administrative responsibilities, you may feel that you actually do have two jobs. Now imagine having only one job. For more details on how a PEO can make your business run better contact StaffScapes, Inc. 303-466-7864 or info@staffscapes.com.

Attention StaffScapes Clients, OSHA Form 300A have been sent to all clients that had employees with StaffScapes during 2011.  This summary page needs to be posted from February 1st to April 30th, 2012 at each worksite.

The OSHA 300A is a log that provides a summary work-related injuries and illnesses that includes the number of injuries, days away from work, and types of injuries or illnesses.

If you have not received your log please contact the Safety Coordinator today to get a copy of your log.  If you would like more information on the OSHA log or Workers Compensation administration please contact StaffScapes at 303-466-7864.
 

As 2011 draws to a close, we wanted to remind you that beginning this Sunday, January 1, minimum wage increases for all employers who have minimum wage earners on their payroll.  Colorado’s minimum wage will increase 28 cents from $7.36 per hour to $7.64 per hour as a result of a state law that links annual wage to cost-of-living fluctuations known as the CPI or Consumer Price Index. 

Prepare now for this update to make 2012 start off right.  If these tasks and other Human Resources and Payroll needs have become a burden, please contact us at 303-466-7864 to learn more about how we can help you free up much needed time, increase profit and ensure your business is compliant and protected.

Tis the Season!  And with the Season, we often find ourselves a little extra stressed out.  Be it from the inability to find the perfect gift or the extra workload to close out the year, we can all use just a little break.  So, with that in mind we wanted to offer a little holiday cheer.  So, we’ve taken the team Santa has assembled and compared it to the personality types we often find working with us on our teams.  Can you pick out your Prancer?

Dasher – The fastest reindeer in the bunch.  He leads the pack and is considered the “go to” guy.  Your Dasher is probably the first to arrive at work and the last to leave. 
 

Dancer – Elegant and graceful, even in high pressure situations, Dancer  can be counted on to smooth over any difficult situation.  The Dancer on your team is most likely your spokesperson and the person you turn to to diffuse a potentially volatile situation.
 

Prancer – Have you ever seen a Buck in its herd?  Standing tall and very proud, he is a picture of strength and holds the team together.  He is the glue and within a quality organization will often be the team leader or manager.
 

Vixen – The name says it all.  This popular reindeer has quite the personality and has the enviable ability to appeal to all groups of people.  Everyone likes Vixen.  She is the one that can get you to agree to plan the company softball tournament even when you hate sports.
 

Comet – Like the planet, Comet has a quiet strength and is dependable, but is often found in the background.  He is only around others for a short time.  He  shines when near his power source then disappears just as quickly as he appeared. Comet knows what his job is, gets it done and moves on.  Your Comet is probably in a back office and forgotten about until the Seventh inning stretch when his skills are critical to the success of the operation.  
 

Cupid – Who doesn’t love a little Cupid?  Always sweet, full of love and kindness, Cupid makes even the most difficult hours of delivering gift after gift an enjoyable activity.  You’ll find this person giving out motivational quotes, sending a note just to say hello and looking out for the well-being of everyone on the team. 
 

Donder – It takes a lot to impress Donder or change his mind.  He has a goal in mind and nothing or no one can derail his progress.  He doesn’t need nor does he want “fluff or fun.”  Just get the task done and move on.  This Type A personality is obvious in the co-worker who resists change and isn’t always up for team activities.
 

Blitzen – Blitzen concentrates on the goal.  He breaks through all obstacles and oppositions with power and speed.  Nothing will block him from the task at hand.  The Blitzen on your team is most likely your best negotiator.
 

Rudolph – Impressionable and looking for support, Rudolph is the youngest and most innocent of all.  But when asked to step up, he is always willing to take the reins and get the team where they need to go.  Perhaps your intern, mold and shape them with great leadership and this person will grow to one day be your Dasher or Dancer.

On December 12, 2011, the Internal Revenue Service announced that the standard mileage rates for business will remain unchanged from the mid-year adjustment for 2012.

For the year 2012, the optional standard mileage rate will stay 55.5 cents per mile. Taxpayers have the option of using the optional standard mileage rate to calculate deductible costs of operating an automobile for business purposes.

The rate for computing the deductible medical or moving costs have also reduced to 23 cents per mile, however the rate for providing services for charitable organizations has remained unchanged at 14 cents per mile. For further information you can review the IRS announcement here.

If you are an employer and have minimum wage earners on your payroll, now is the time to plan for the increase that will be mandated come January 1, 2012.  Colorado’s minimum wage will increase 28 cents from $7.36 per hour to $7.64 per hour as a result of a state law that links annual wage to cost-of-living fluctuations known as the CPI or Consumer Price Index.  With the wage increase, we have compiled a list of things you may need to do to update your procedures:

1. Update your required posters by printing a new Colorado Minimum Wage Order poster.  These posters should be released the last week of December by the Colorado Department of Labor.
2. Update your payroll records to reflect the required increase, effective January 1, 2012.
3. Adjust any calculation automation you may have in place to determine gross wages.
4. Update any timesheets submitted to your payroll department to determine wage payments.
5. Review records for any Garnishments being processed through payroll.  Update these calculations to ensure proper amount is being deducted and paid per order. 

We suggest that you begin preparing now for this update to make end of year and holiday planning much easier.  If these tasks and other Human Resources and Payroll needs have become a burden, please contact us at 303-466-7864 to learn more about how we can help you free up much needed time, increase profit and ensure your business is compliant and protected.

Are you planning on paying year end or Christmas bonuses?  Please keep in mind that there are a few tax implications when it comes to paying them out.  If you want to pay them on a separate check then the “supplemental tax” comes into play which is a 25% flat Federal tax in addition to Social Security, Medicare and any applicable supplemental state tax rates that would come out.  By adding the bonus to the employees check the normal tax rates would apply. If you have other questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to call StaffScapes at 303-466-7864. 

Put money back in your pocket!!  Enroll in the StaffScapes Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care for 2012.  Get reimbursed for money you pay out of pocket for medical, dental, vision, prescriptions and chiropractic payments. These and many other out of pocket medical expenses can be reimbursed through this program. Deductions are not subject to Medicare, Social Security, Federal and State taxes.

Also, As the end of 2011 is getting closer, StaffScapes, Inc. wants to remind its FSA participates to use all of the funds available in their FSA accounts.  In addition to the expenses listed above contact StaffScapes, Inc. to get a full list of eligible expenses

***Receipts must be dated for services rendered in 2011 and must be submitted by March 31, 2012.

If you would like more information regarding the Flexible Benefit plan or would like to participate in the 2012 FSA program, please contact StaffScapes Benefit Department at (303) 466-7864.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced on December 5, 2011, its plans to help reduce debt and save $20 billion in operating costs by 2015. These cost cutting measures are being adopted in an effort to continue providing services.   The USPS will begin reviewing all offices and plans to close as many as 252 out of 461 mail processing facilities, beginning in April.  As a result, up to 28,000 jobs nationwide will be cut.  First-Class Mail delivery will take approximately 2-3 days for standard delivery within the contiguous U.S.  Next day delivery for stamped letters will be eliminated and periodicals will be delivered between two and nine days.  In addition, the cost of first-class mail will increase by one cent on January 22, to 45 cents.

The USPS is working with congress regarding future changes and is asking for more authority in decision making processes.  They propose reducing mail delivery to five days a week, increasing stamp prices and reducing health care and other labor costs to reach their goals.  They also encourage a reduction in House and Senate review measures currently required in an effort to speed up post office and processing center closures.

As valued clients, we are informing you of these changes as this could cause a delay in receiving your checks for those electing service by the USPS.  This includes payroll mailed to business locations as well as employee paychecks mailed to home addresses.  To avoid any potential disruption in payroll, we suggest considering direct deposit.  There is no fee to enroll, no trips to the bank to cash checks and no delay in deposits when traveling or on vacation.  To learn more, contact StaffScapes at 303-466-7864 or info@StaffScapes.com.  

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released alarming statistics from their annual Census of Fatal Occupation Injuries. According to the Census, transportation-related deaths made up 34% of all workplace fatalities in 2010. That means that in Colorado, 27 of the 80 on-the-job deaths were caused from some form of transportation related accident. 19 of the deaths occurred in the trade and utilities industries while 15 were reported by the natural-resources and mining industry. In comparison, construction, considered one of the more dangerous employment fields suffered a smaller death toll at 10. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment compiled its research data according to a Denver Post article from reports generated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workers’ compensation claims and death certificates.

Do you or your employees take your “lunch break” at your desk?  What are the reasons you feel compelled to work while eating?  Today, it is more common for employees to eat while at their desk than it is to take a true break.  One might think that this shows the employer either dedication to the job or the need for help due to being swamped.  The truth is that not only is it not healthy to stay at your desk, in terms of Human Resources compliance, it is also not recommended. 

According to a recent Talent Management survey, 34 percent of employees surveyed said they were “very likely to take lunch while sitting at their computer.” 15 percent indicated they only took lunch occasionally, while 16 percent said they only seldom took a break. The problem with this trend in the workplace is two-fold.  First, studies have shown over the years that when we respect our bodies and give it rest, we actually perform better.  Staying at your desk and looking at a computer screen for over eight hours a day leads to brain fog, vision difficulties and fatigue.  Breaking away for even a few minutes allows your body and mind to renew and energize making it easier to think and perform your job.  Thus, productivity increases as does accuracy.

Secondly, although Federal law does not mandate that an employer provide lunch or other breaks, many States do.  Here in Colorado the law requires that employees whom work over five hours a day be offered a 30 minute unpaid break. The employee has the right to not take the break if desired; however, it is in your best interest to encourage the employee to break away.  In addition, a compensated ten-minute rest period for each four hours of work must be provided to all employees. 

If you have questions regarding employment regulations or general human resources practices, please call us at 303-466-7864 or email info@StaffScapes.com  to learn more about our services.