As the vast body of labor regulations continues to grow and ratchet ever tighter, companies must keep abreast of and comply with hundreds of new workplace requirements each year. This means hiring bigger HR departments, contracting with more outside experts, or both.

The decision to screen job candidates for criminal backgrounds and drug use is often a hard one for businesses to make. Finding the right balance between protecting themselves from liability while still attracting the best job applicants can be tough. But with the right policies and application process, screenings can help a business without hurting its hiring prospects.

California businesses take notice: New state laws will soon affect minimum wage, leave, wage equality, reasonable accommodation and motor carrier requirements. Affected businesses need to stay ahead of the changes or face the consequences.

Companies with defined contribution or insurance benefit plans have many compliance issues, including the need to report the details of their benefits programs to government agencies. To satisfy the requirements of the IRS and Department of Labor (DOL), businesses must complete and submit Form 5500 during each plan year.

One part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that has business owners shifting toward offering more voluntary benefits is the Cadillac Tax. Due to go into effect in 2018, this 40 percent levy on “high cost” health care plans was created to offset the costs of the ACA.

Thanks to changes in workplace law and economic pressures raising health care costs, employers are now leveraging the workplace to improve employee health more than ever before.

Managing employee turnover isn’t the most glamorous part of running a company. Preparing to open up a vacancy can be just as taxing as filling one. Having a strategy to conduct exit interviews can ensure a smooth and amicable transition for both company and employee. 

Crafting an effective job description is vital for hiring the right people and managing them once hired.

Communication is the most important part of building a strong workforce. Teams must share a vision, communicate it amongst groups, and give accurate reviews on how their members perform in pursuit of continuing goals.

You didn’t go into business to become a bookkeeper, a retirement plan administrator or a monitor for a government bureau. You have a vision, but too often it’s pushed aside when the tasks of administering your business takes precedence. These things need doing, of course, but business owners must take stock of hidden costs of HR before they’re forced off the path of success.