Employco Blog

The COVID-19 pandemic has been raging for months. In that time, many businesses have ceased operations out of safety concerns and have waited for the right opportunity to resume. Now, with COVID-19 vaccines becoming available, employers can finally start planning for their immediate futures.

There are still many unknowns related to the COVID-19 vaccines, but there is at least one agreed-upon factor: Vaccinating employees is the best way to reopen a business safely. However, while it may be the best tool in the arsenal, it is not the only one. Employers will still need to continue using safeguards such as masks and social distancing to ensure the safety of their workers and customers.

New Toolkit: With that in mind, we recently released an HR Toolkit that explores the COVID-19 vaccines and other workplace safeguards, and helps employers decide whether a vaccination policy is right for their organizations. Included at the end is a robust appendix with printable resources that employers can use right now, including policies, communications and more.  Click the following link to read or download the HR toolkit on Returning Workforces and COVID-19 Vaccines.

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Attracting and retaining talent is often a top priority for employers across the country. Given the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the job market, one might imagine this task is easier than ever. Unfortunately, that’s far from the truth. While there may be more candidates than usual, attracting quality talent and retaining top performers still remains a struggle, worsened by COVID-19 and its effects on the workplace.

Provide Meaningful Benefits – The pandemic has affected everyone in significant, yet unique, ways. While all employees may be struggling in some way, their situations aren’t the same. Employers can help lift up their workers by offering meaningful employee benefits. Robust health care offerings may seem like an obvious one-size-fits-all solution, but sometimes voluntary benefits are actually what employees need. These include caregiving assistance, financial counseling, increased paid time off and other nontraditional perks. There are many low-cost options available and, better yet, employees can choose their benefits a la carte to meet their individual needs. New Video: Click the following link to view our recent HR chat on Employee Benefit Trends.

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We’re excited to announce a new Employco publication – HR Edge Quarterly Newsletter! The newsletter is designed to provide quick, easy-to-read articles that are pertinent to small and mid-size employers. In this inaugural issue, we look at the following topics:

• How HR Can Support Working Parents
• The Impact of Employer Branding
• Understanding Generation Z

Click the following link to view and download the HR Edge Quarterly Newsletter (Q1 2021).

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Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting under Section 6055 and Section 6056 for the 2020 calendar year is due in early 2021. Specifically, reporting entities must:

• File returns with the IRS by March 1, 2021, since Feb. 28, 2021, is a Sunday (or March 31, if filing electronically); and
• Furnish statements to individuals by March 2, 2021.

Originally, individual statements were due by Jan. 31, 2021. However, IRS Notice 2020-76 extended the furnishing deadline. Notice 2020-76 does not extend the due date for filing forms with the IRS for 2020. It also provides additional penalty relief related to furnishing forms to individuals under Section 6055.

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Recruiting has never been simple, and the COVID-19 pandemic is complicating matters even more. In this rapidly changing landscape, employers need to adapt if they want to attract and retain quality talent. To better prepare for this task, here are some recruiting practice trends employers should monitor in 2021.

1. Looking Inward for Talent – Recruiting is a challenge at any time, but especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, recruiters are suffering from many constraints, chief among them being slim budgets. In fact, 50% of talent professionals expect a smaller budget this year compared to last, according to a LinkedIn survey. This reality is spurring companies to look internally for talent. Year over year, internal mobility has increased 20%, according to LinkedIn. And that’s not a huge surprise, given that upskilling and retraining workers can be more cost efficient than hiring from outside an organization. Employers can focus on transferrable skills over task-specific abilities in 2021.

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