Featured Articles

Spoiler Alert: Yes We frequently see a question posed to HR pros: “Do I have to pay my employee if…?” We’ll go ahead and give you a major hint at the outset. In many of the scenarios we see, the answer is yes, you do have to pay your employee. Here are a few scenarios. […]

The Answer Depends on Your State…For Now As we reported in January, non-compete agreements preventing employees from working for competitors are becoming increasingly unenforceable. The FTC is currently working on banning them at a federal level, but unless and until that decision comes, non-competes are enforced at a state (and sometimes even local) level.  As […]

When hiring workers, knowing whether they’re employees or independent contractors is essential. The difference between the two can significantly impact your business, including your tax liability, your liability for workers’ compensation claims, the worker’s rights and benefits, and your ability to control how your workers do their jobs. Read all about it here, and check […]

Employers Must Now Prove “Substantial Increased Cost” to Deny Religious Accommodation Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that employers must now demonstrate a substantially increased cost to deny an employee’s request for a religious accommodation.  This ruling, which comes in the case of Groff v. DeJoy, clarifies the standard for “undue hardship” under Title VII of […]

Here’s How the Recent Ruling Affects Your Company You may have read that in late June, the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions. Here’s the implication this ruling could mean for you as a small or medium-sized business owner. To be clear, the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action does not explicitly […]

Taking Charge of Our Well-Being Amidst the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to overlook one of our most valuable assets—our health. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of preventive healthcare because prevention truly is the best medicine for our well-being. What exactly is preventive healthcare? Well, it’s all about staying ahead of […]

Need help deciding on benefits? Just call your Health Advocate! Have you ever had a question about your benefits? Honestly, who hasn’t? Nextep Health Advocate program can help. Health Advocate is the nation’s leading healthcare advocacy and assistance company. Their experts help employees and their family members navigate the healthcare system, resolve healthcare and insurance […]

Empowering Employees to Take Control of Healthcare Expenses Healthcare costs can be a real burden on your wallet, affecting your finances and overall well-being. But don’t worry! With planning and proactive steps, you can take control and save money on your healthcare expenses.  Know Your Health Insurance: First, make sure you understand your health insurance […]

The new Form I-9 is here, and it has some changes that you need to know about. The latest version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, took effect on August 1, 2023. Employers should take note this new form has a few changes. Here’s a quick rundown. Employers must use the new form for all […]

Did you know that mental health assistance is among the most sought-after employee benefits? (Source: Forbes) Nextep’s Aetna health plans are committed to providing comprehensive coverage for your mental and behavioral health needs. Let’s explore how we can support your healthier mind and body journey using your health benefits. Your mental health is a crucial […]

Exploring the Benefits of a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) You may have heard about a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) as a money-saving option for your benefits, but what exactly is it? Is it right for your company? Let’s break it down. An HRA is a benefit plan where you, as the employer, cover a set […]

NLRA Protections: They’re Not Just for Unions In the intricate fabric of company dynamics, employee protections exist, even in non-unionized companies, as granted by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). These protections give employees the freedom to engage in open discussions on various workplace matters, even those conversations that may make employers a tad uneasy. […]