HR Tips

Background checks can provide employers with a variety of job-related information to use when evaluating prospective employees' qualifications, such as work history and education, criminal records, and driving records.

However, federal, state and local laws set limits on obtaining and using background check information to make employment decisions. Employers must ensure compliance with these laws. Here’s a checklist to help employers when conducting background checks.

Effective communication is the foundation of a good employment relationship. Regular conversations with your employees can help build trust and loyalty, and drive performance. Here are eight critical conversations you should consider having with your employees.

Many employers refer to independent contractors as "1099" workers and employees as "W-2" workers after the IRS forms used for federal reporting purposes. However, simply providing a worker a 1099 Form doesn't make them an independent contractor. The classification must always be made on the basis of whether the worker meets federal and state tests for independent contractor status. Different tests are used to determine whether a worker is covered by a particular law or benefit. The following is an overview of some of these tests.

One of the most difficult aspects of being an employer is terminating an employee. At times, it's a necessary decision for the best interests of the business, but it requires special care. When faced with an employee termination, consider using a checklist, such as the one provided here, to help you manage the employee termination process.

Interviews are an important part of the hiring process, helping you gather job-related information that you typically can't find through resumes and applications alone. To be effective, interviewers should prepare and ask the right questions. Candidates for the same job should generally be asked the same set of core questions. Here are ten key inquiries to consider for your core interview questions, along with the reasons for asking them — and what to look for in responses.

Many new and/or expanded employment laws and regulations have been adopted over the last year, affecting the way employers hire, pay, treat and provide benefits to their employees. One of the trends among these changes is states and local jurisdictions requiring greater pay transparency. Here is a closer look at this trend.

Many employers consider being socially responsible as not only the right thing to do, but also as a way to help attract applicants, foster greater engagement and satisfaction among employees, promote teamwork, and generate good will in the community.