AMC Tickets available
StaffScapes has AMC tickets available to clients and employees. The Silver Experience ticket is only $5.50 per ticket and has no expiration date.
Please contact StaffScapes today to find out how you can get your tickets at 303-466-7864.
StaffScapes is a Colorado PEO that offers many benefits for business owners and employees.
StaffScapes Benefits Available to all employees
StaffScapes offers a variety of benefits that assist small companies that may not meet enrollment requirements to offer additional benefits to employees.
Some of the additional benefits that StaffScapes offers include:
2 types of Dental programs, a discount plan and an indemnity plan. Vision services, Life Insurance, AFLAC products and 401K options. The 401K plan can be taylored to offer a plan that you design for your employees to meet your organizations needs.
We also offer small group medical plans that can be taylored to the benefits and costs that fits your needs.
For more information on additional benefit plans that can be offered to your employees, please contact the StaffScapes Benefits Department at 303-466-7864.
StaffScapes is a Denver based PEO that provides valuable HR services to organizations of any size. Check us out at www.staffscapes.com.
Motivating your employees by the benefits you offer
How to decide what benefits your employees may value more.
Among the overall findings from the 1,650 workers surveyed from Aug. 31 to Sept. 5, 2006; findings that CareerBuilder.com released March 20, 2007.:
• A bigger paycheck is vastly preferred to more vacation time (79 percent vs. 21 percent).
• More than two-thirds prefer having a lunch hour to having Internet access (69 percent vs. 31 percent).
• A shorter workweek is preferred to a shorter commute (64 percent vs. 36 percent).
• A flexible schedule is preferred to the option of working from home (60 percent vs. 40 percent).
• A casual dress code is overwhelmingly preferred to nice office décor (84 percent vs. 16 percent).
• Having an office nearly ties in preference to having a better computer (51 percent vs. 49 percent).
• Transportation passes or travel allowances slightly edged out free coffee and other beverages as a preference (59 percent vs. 41 percent).
It may be interesting to survey your employees to see what benefits may motivate your employees. You might be surprised what little things will create longevity with employees in your company.
For more information on Benefits and HR Solutions, please contact StaffScapes at 303 466 7864.
For more information on this survery go to www.shrm.org.
Chase At Work
As a client and employee of StaffScapes did you know that you can get FREE checking with Chase banks.
No Monthly Service Fee
Free Chase ATM access
Discount loan rates
To learn more about the free banking and other benefits contact StaffScapes benefits department.
Flu Shots
Concentra is offering Flu Shots for all of StaffScapes employees as a part of their services. They expect to have the vacine after October 15th and are available for $25 per shot.
StaffScapes can also arrange onsite clinics if you are interested.
Please contact Lora Manternach at 303-466-7864 for more information. This is just one of the additions of the Benefits and Safety Program that StaffScapes offers. Call now for more information on our serivces.
SSA announces increase in taxable wage base and monthly benefits for 2008.
The maximum amount of earnings taxable for Social Secuirty in 2008 is increasing to $102,000.00. This is a $4,500.00 increase from 2007’s wage base of $97,500.00. Along with this wage base increase is a 2.3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to the monthly benefits. The COLA is based off of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for Urban Earners and Clerical Workers. The 2.3% increase will begin with the January benefits sent out by the Social Security Administration.
For more information the SSA has a fact sheet at:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/factsheets/colafacts2008.htm.
New study finds shifting costs does not always save money.
In order to control increasing costs of health insurance, many employers are shifting more monetary responsibility onto the employees. A new study released by the nonprofit Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) shows that shifting costs to employees doesn’t save employers money.
The three year study focused on the increased disability and absence-related lost productivity for 5,483 workers with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). After reviewing the study, Dr. Thomas Parry, president of IBI, stated “employees appear to make medical decisions based on price and cost shifting, rather than evidence-based medicine”. The study found that employers lost money from increased disability and lost productivity. Key findings of IBI’s study include:
· higher out-of-pocket expenses reduce medical adherence
· lower medication adherence is associated with higher short-term disability incidence and longer duration
· higher short-term disability incidence and longer duration results in greater costs and lower productivity
· to evaluate the true impact of management interventions, data must be integrated across all health-related benefits programs
IBI’s news release can be found at: http://www.ibiweb.org/news/articles/display/7025
Lawsuits based on Vacation Pay disputes are on the rise.
Recent class action lawsuits based on vacation pay have settled for large amounts, attracting plaintiff attorneys’ attention. In 2006, a staffing agency settled 2 class action lawsuits for more than three million dollars based for denial of vacation benefits. This same company is now facing another class action suit in another state.
Employers are not required by any federal or state law to offer vacation pay benefits. However, if an employer does provide vacation pay, they will need to follow their policy and state law regarding payment. Specific state law should be researched to verify that the vacation pay policy is in compliance. One area of dispute arises with “use-it-or-lose-it” policies. There have been several lawsuits that have brought this dispute to light, and several states have specific laws in place to make these policies illegal.
StaffScapes recommends that all employers review their vacation pay policies and research state statutes that may mandate changes to the policy.
Making a case for a Professional Employer Organization – PEO
It is difficult to change from “the way things have been done.” Here are a few good reasons why it makes sense to talk to a PEO about partnering with, or creating strategies to use a PEO.
Consolidation – Reduce the amount of employment related vendors you use, and use only one, the PEO.
Greater Collaboration – More experience and expertise in human resources and employment issues than small businesses have on staff.
Better use of personnel- Let your staff concentrate on what they were hired for, and let the PEO focus on the employment headaches.
Stronger Compliance - PEOs stay on top of the ever changing employment laws and regulations.
Document storage and maintence- employee file, I-9, HIPPA compliance
Added Value- Have the best systems and best people working for you to handle all employment needs
Disaster Protection – Off site storage and processing of employment related matters.
Making a case for a Professional Employer Organization – PEO
It is difficult to change from “the way things have been done.” Here are a few good reasons why it makes sense to talk to a PEO about partnering with, or creating strategies to use a PEO.
Consolidation – Reduce the amount of employment related vendors you use, and use only one, the PEO.
Greater Collaboration – More experience and expertise in human resources and employment issues than small businesses have on staff.
Better use of personnel- Let your staff concentrate on what they were hired for, and let the PEO focus on the employment headaches.
Stronger Compliance - PEOs stay on top of the ever changing employment laws and regulations.
Document storage and maintence- employee file, I-9, HIPPA compliance
Added Value- Have the best systems and best people working for you to handle all employment needs
Disaster Protection – Off site storage and processing of employment related matters.
Increase in consumer driven health plans reported in 2007
A recent study conducted by the American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO) shows that participation in consumer driven health plans (CDHP) have increased. In 2007, enrollment in a CDHP grew 25 percent, to 12.5 million from 10 million in 2006. The majority of those CDHPs were based on a preferred provider organization (PPO) network, which is an increase of 2 percent from 2006.
AAPPO also notes that “While large employers were the first to embrace the CDHP model, small employers are now helping to fuel the growth of CDHPs, with 7 percent of employers with fewer than 500 employees offering a CDHP in 2007 as compared to 5 percent in 2006”
For more information from this study, go to AAPPO’s website at www.aappo.org. Also more information concerning consumer driven health plans can be received by contacting StaffScapes’ Benefits Department.
StaffScapes is a Denver based Professional Employer Organization serving small to medium sized companies in the Colorado region.
Controlling cost and optimizing resources with a PEO.
Is your business generating a small profit? Are human resources and benefits eating away at that profit? Insurance benefits are the one area that is increasing the most over the past few years. Professional Employer Organizations remove the burden of employment and help small companies get a handle on ever increasing employee benefits and government compliance. A commonly overlooked cost are is when employers hire or have to fire an employee.
In today’s market place employers need to have certain controls in place to help maintain profits. With more people available to work then in the past few years employers need to make smart hiring and firing decision. A simple way to increase the probability that you are hiring a good employee is to do reference checks and pre employment drug screening. Recent court rulings have stated that employers may give out more information to prospective employers than in the past. A PEO like StaffScapes can assist in the hiring process making it easier for employers to find the best employee.
The second area that PEO’s can help employers is when it is time to fire an employee. We all hate firing an employee but at times it must be done. Be sure the employee is treated with respect by setting consistent expectations for all employees. Establish a separation policy. Properly mange the separation by having a trained person assist on the separation along with the employees imitate supervisor. Conduct a exit interview to try and gather information that may give your business directions on improvements that need to be made. Lastly promptly handle all post separation details to insure the employee receives his or her last check, is notified of any continuing insurance coverage available, and any workers compensation benefits due if any. A PEO will be able to help in the correct steps involved in hiring and firing employees.
The link below provides employers with information about the unemployment process. If not familiar or if you need further assistance contact StaffScapes today at 303.466.7864.
StaffScapes a full service PEO serving Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region.
StaffScapes a regional Professional Employer Organization, PEO is expanding it’s business model.
Are you a PEO Broker or insurance agent looking to place business with a PEO or an insurance agent looking to keep your client from going to a PEO? StaffScapes is your solution for Colorado and the Rocky Mountain area. StaffScapes is a Denver PEO covering all of Colorado and the surrounding area. StaffScapes provides both PEO and ASO services.
Along with cost effective rates, StaffScapes has a superior Human Resource, Safety and Risk management program, Payroll processing, Benefits and aggressive claims management.
Contact Jim Thibodeau at StaffScapes, Colorado’s premier PEO provider.
The Social Security Administration announces some new changes for the up coming year.
The SSA announced today at a press release that beginning in January 2009 monthly Social Security benefits for 55 million American will increase by 5.8%. This Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is the largest increase since 1982. Another significant change for 2009 is that the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax will increase from $102,000 to $106,800.
For more information regarding these changes, visit Social Security Online at http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/2009cola-pr.htm
Source:www.ssa.gov
PEO’s providing certainty in rough economic times.
With the recent uncertainty in the stock market, banks selling one after another and business struggling with increasing cost. It is tougher than ever for small and medium sized business to control cost. By partnering with a PEO you are joining many other business to take advantage of one workers compensation policy, unemployment account and many other employee benefit programs. Contact StaffScapes to learn more about this value added service, your employees will Thank You!
Don’t miss your exit. Join one of Colorado’s oldest PEO’s providing service in Colorado and across the nation.
By signing up with StaffScapes before December 12, 2008 you will receive one free month of service. Our way of providing a economic stimulus package.
As the end of 2008 is getting closer, StaffScapes, Inc. wants to remind its FSA participates to use all of the funds available in their FSA accounts.
Some of the expenses that are eligible to be reimbursed under qualified Flexible Spending Accounts are:
-Deductible & Co-pays
-Contacts/glasses and eye exams
-Prescriptions co-pays
-Dental treatments
-Over-the-counter medications
-and many more!
Please contact StaffScapes, Inc. to get a full list of eligible expenses.
***Receipts must be dated for services rendered in 2008 and must be submitted by March 31, 2009.
If you would like more information regarding the Flexible Benefit plan or would like to participate in the 2009 FSA program, please contact StaffScapes Benefit Department at (303) 466-7864.
FSA 2009 Savings
Save money today, get more money in your pockets today.
StaffScapes offers the benefit to participate in a Flexible Spending Account. Have money that you spend each year on Medical, Dental, Vision copay’s, out of pocket costs, and perscriptions reimbursed without paying taxes on that money.
For a full list of eligible expenses please contact the benefits department at StaffScapes. For current employees remember to get your FSA Forms for 2009 in by December 31, 2008.
To get your employees these savings, contact StaffScapes today www.staffscapes.com, 303-466-7864.
Ever wonder what a PEO does? Or what does a PEO have to offer? Hopefully this insight will clear up some questions you may have.
PEO stands for Professional Employer Organization. PEO’s can often reduce the cost of a business’s workers’ compensation rates, offer superior benefit plans that smaller company’s can not offer, and manage risk. They also offer assistance with human resources and employee questions as well as tribulations. When a company decides to sign on with a PEO the PEO then takes on the many responsibilities and liabilities that come with business ownership. They keep clients up to date with all compliances and safety issues making it easy for a business owner to concentrate more time to grow their business.
By outsourcing certain functions to StaffScapes it allows more time for businesses to simplify and allows more time for core activities of the business. StaffScapes, Inc takes time and dedication to administer each of our clients. We manage the risk, take care of compliance and costs associated with Human Resources. Compliance falls under all state and local government regulations. StaffScapes offers employees reliable paydays, quality health- vision – and dental insurance, a safe working setting, opportunities for retirement savings as well as quality human resource services for example employee manuals, grievance procedures and prompt communication which is said to increase job satisfaction and productivity in the work place.
Outsource your human resource and risk management efficiently and affordably today with StaffScapes.
Jobless Claims still on the rise, exceeding expectations
The US is paying benefits to nearly five million people, who do not have jobs. Unemployed workers who are receiving benefits came to an all time high reaching up to five million at the beginning of February. Jobless claims linger well above the projections of 600,000 from the Federal Reserve. Marking the fourth consecutive week were those receiving benefits has been at a record high of 4.99 million and rising. The complexity people are having is not finding another job, which means benefits are forced to be offered longer. An additional 1.5 million people are receiving benefits under an extended unemployment compensation program that congress approved last year. This number added to the already increasing number of people receiving unemployment benefits reaches 6.54 million. New applications for unemployment are pouring in and total 627,000 in last week alone. This is more than economists expected. The claims also are the highest tally since October 1982 when the economy was emerging from a steep recession, even though the work force has almost doubled since then. More business are continuing to make layoffs and cut spending which is heightening concerns on the recession currently the longest in a quarter century. The Fed released a new economic forecast that reduced it current growth forecast for 2009. The forecast also increased the unemployment rate projections. The new forecast predicts unemployment to reach among 8.5% and 8.8% instead of the previous prediction of 7.6%. The President was in Denver this week to sign into law a stimulus program of $787 billion and then in Arizona for a $75 billion program for the mortgage foreclosures which is said to help the economy back from this recession.
Source: www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/02/19/jobless-claim-hit-time-high/
