Blog posts about
hr

As a small business owner, securing a competitive benefits package that matches Fortune 500-level benefits can feel impossible. We’re here to show you that it’s not. Nextep can secure the top-tier benefits you’re looking for while saving you time and money. Partnering with a PEO as a small business So, what’s a PEO? A professional […]

The 2023-2024 SHRM State of the Workplace report reflects a workplace in flux. Let’s take a look. Key Findings According to the report, these are some highlights of the realities and opportunities that organizations and HR professionals face: Economic Pressures: Inflation (73%) and potential economic slowdown (58%) are top concerns among HR professionals. This new […]

Imagine this: Karen complains that Bob was late finishing his work, making her miss a deadline. Upset, Bob gathers a group of his coworkers to retaliate against Karen. Over the next month, they collectively exclude Karen from meetings, spread rumors about her, and warn new hires to avoid her. This behavior is an example of […]

New IHRA Protections Coming in 2025 and 2026 Illinois recently made three important updates to its anti-discrimination laws under the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA). These amendments provide enhanced protection for employees and job seekers beginning in 2025.   New Protected Classes Currently, the IHRA prohibits discrimination based on Age (40+) Ancestry Arrest record (in […]

Ah, the holiday season—a time for joy, festivities, and the age-old puzzle of compensating your employees. Let’s demystify the rules of holiday pay for both our hourly (nonexempt) and salaried (exempt) workers. For the Hourly Heroes Picture your business decked out in holiday cheer, but your nonexempt employees are sipping cocoa at home. Under the […]

Keep Your Party Pants Professional As the year ends, and you’ve achieved feats at work that deserve a standing ovation, the holiday office party is your well-earned, much-awaited reward.  But beware! When the festive spirit meets the allure of a bottomless drink supply, things can take a wild turn, leaving you nursing a hangover, regret, […]

We’ve talked recently about the importance of sustainability in business. Let’s take it a step further and look at ESG, or Environmental, Social, and Governance.  The Impact of ESG on Companies Environmental (E) Companies that focus on their environmental impact are making a positive change. They reduce their carbon footprint, use clean energy, and find […]

Sustainable business isn’t just for hippies! As we discussed in our previous article, sustainability is increasingly important to today’s business. It is a crucial and relevant issue that affects everyone and every organization, regardless of industry or beliefs. Sustainability involves taking a long-term, holistic view of how we interact with the environment and our communities, […]

It’s not the most savory of topics, but still merits discussion. All of your employees will need to use the bathroom during work. Here’s a potty primer, if you will. Disability and Bathrooms The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has clear regulations on bathroom accessibility in the workplace. Much of the guidance revolves around making […]

We’ve reported at length about preventing discrimination in the workplace. But let’s take a step back now and brush up on Title VII, the sweeping regulation that started it all.  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act forbids discrimination in any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, […]

Illinois to Join in on Pay Transparency As we recently reported, pay transparency laws are gaining momentum across the United States. Now, they have another state to add to the roster.  Illinois recently passed an amendment to the Illinois Equal Pay Act that will require employers to show pay and benefits information when posting a […]

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 […]