HR Newsletter: Attraction and Retention Challenges Amid COVID-19

Attraction and Retention Challenges Amid COVID-19

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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HR Newsletter: HR Edge Quarterly Newsletter (Q1 2021)

HR Edge Newsletter

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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How Employers Can Approach Spring Break in a COVID-19 World

Human resources expert discusses how employers can prevent a rise in COVID-19 cases during spring break season

Spring BreakDespite the fact that the pandemic is far from over, statistics show that that many Americans are planning to travel during the upcoming spring break season. After a year of COVID-19 lockdowns, research reveals that many Americans are planning to hit warm locales like Mexico and Hawaii, and even international destinations like London, as they take advantage of low-cost airline flights.

However, these travel plans can pose a significant risk to communities when these travelers return back home, or back to the office.

“We are definitely concerned about the fact that traveling employees may have an increased chance of exposing their coworkers and colleagues to COVID-19,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and employment trends expert. “Yet it’s important to be very sensitive about the message we send to employees about spring break travel. Many of these workers are parents with kids at home, some of whom have not been able to attend school for almost a year. Understandably, these families really want to travel and take advantage of their vacation days and low-cost travel options. We can’t downplay the negative impact lockdowns have had on mental health, and it’s important we attend to those needs as managers and employers. But there is no denying that traveling can be quite risky.”

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HR Chat: Employee Benefit Trends

We receive a number of questions from our clients as we consult them on a variety of HR issues.

In this video, Rob and Jason cover employee benefit trends outside of your traditional health insurance and 401(k). They discuss short and long-term disability, long-term care, student loan repayment, remote work schedules, extra vacation/PTO, and more.

Questions? We’re here to help, info@employco.com

Employco in the News

Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA, was recently featured in a number of articles as well as a podcast, follow the links below to read more:

Forbes
Rob was quoted in an article for Forbes discussing paternity leave policies, “Contrast that with the U.S., where 76 percent of fathers go back to work within a week after the birth or adoption of a child. And one in four women are back within 10 days of giving birth, according to Rob Wilson, president of Employco USA, a national employment solutions firm.”

Article (02/12/21): Here’s What Working Parents Should Envy About Norway (and It’s Not Just the Electric Cars)

Forbes

The Don and Mike Show
Rob was a guest on the Don and Mike Show discussing employer mandated vaccines and trade shows starting to reopen.

Podcast (02/12/21): The Don and Mike Show: Rob Wilson from Employco on Employer Mandated Vaccines, Las Vegas to Relax Gathering Numbers

Don and Mike Show

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HR Chat: Virtual Onboarding

We receive a number of questions from our clients as we consult them on a variety of HR issues.

In this video, Rob and Jason cover virtual onboarding in a remote world. They discuss online training (diversity and harassment, safety), new-hire paperwork for virtual review, office tours, employee and manager check-ins, keeping your team involved in the organization, important communication channels, and more.

Questions? We’re here to help, info@employco.com

HR Newsletter: ACA Reporting Deadline

ACA Reporting

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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HR Newsletter: Recruiting Trends to Watch in 2021

Recruiting Trends

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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HR Newsletter: Remote Work Newsletter (Jan/Feb 2021)

Remote Work

Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, more employees are working remotely than ever before. As management is challenged with leading effective remote teams, organizations may consider internal best practices and question whether any adjustments would help these teams succeed. By addressing the unique needs of employees in the remote workplace, employers can set the stage for effective and productive teams.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an all-time high of employees telecommuting, remote work had previously been growing steadily, and likely will continue to expand in the coming years. While many of the same principles of leading effective teams remain in place, organizations can take steps to ensure that remote teams are performing at a high level.

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