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.  

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.

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.

The new National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) poster that is required for all employers to post at their business location by April 30, 2012, has been mailed to all StaffScapes clients.  This poster provides notice to all employees of their right to organize and bargain collectively with their employers. In addition, it allows employees to engage in other protected activities or to refrain from engaging in activities associated with collective bargaining.

Some highlights under the NLRA regarding employee rights include the ability to:

• Organize a union or negotiate with their employer their wages, hours & other terms & conditions of employment
• Form, join or assist a union
• Take action with one or more co-workers to improve working conditions
• Strike and picket
• Choose not to participate

For more information on the new National Labor Relations Act, or you do not receive your poster, please contact StaffScapes at 303-466-7864 or info@StaffScapes.com.