Labor cost pressures are a growing concern for employers, who must find ways to manage their labor costs while also trying to attract and retain employees in the face of rising wages. In this article, we’ll look at the cause of labor cost increases, their impact on employers, and explore strategies for managing these new challenges. What’s Causing Labor Cost Increases? Labor Force Participation In the United States, nearly 125 million people participate in the labor force, with 54% of those who are employed being women and 46% men. More than 85 million people have full-time jobs, while the remainder either work part-time or are unemployed.  The labor force participation rate has been falling since the 1970s and is currently at a historic low of 61%. This means that fewer people are working or actively looking for work than ever before. The fall in labor… [Read More]

COVID numbers have been dropping for weeks, but that doesn’t mean the pandemic is over. In some cities, masks are to be worn indoors except when eating or drinking. Many workplaces still require proof of vaccination. We’ve whipped up a handy guide for employers looking to keep employees safe by staying CDC compliant with the vaccine mandate.  But first, what are the current rules and guidelines? They change so frequently, so where do things stand right now?  CDC Workplace Guidelines and The Vaccine Mandate Not every COVID-curbing rule is upheld—or enforced—in every part of the country. For example, southern states are far more relaxed about these guidelines than cities and states in the Pacific Northwest, New England, and parts of the Midwest. That said, there are things you can do to keep your employees safe regardless of where you are headquartered.  Depending on the nature… [Read More]

Hiring a new employee is a considerable risk for any business. Between training the new worker, purchasing equipment to accommodate their duties, and providing healthcare, the average cost to hire is well over $4,000. With such a significant financial investment, you may find yourself wondering, “Is there a way to “test out” a new staff member before bringing them on board with a salary, 401k, and benefits?” As it turns out, there is a way to do this.  During the employee hiring process, employers may elect to hire individuals on a trial basis. Hiring on a trial basis involves taking on a worker for a set period before evaluating whether or not to hire them as a full-time employee. Predicting how well someone will fit within a role and company based on an interview is challenging, and even the best interviewers get it wrong sometimes. … [Read More]

Did you know that 99 percent of businesses in the US are considered small businesses? In fact, 88 percent of businesses have less than 20 employees. Unsurprisingly, most small businesses do not have an HR department or an HR outsourcing partner. Most don’t even have a single human resources representative, and with good reason.  You don’t “need” an in-house, full-time HR expert or department in many businesses. But that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t greatly benefit from having an outsourced HR partner—and maybe even a contingent workforce management partner. First, let’s take a look at the HR facet of such a partnership. A contingent workforce management partner is like having an in-house HR professional team, except you enjoy all of the perks of HR without any of the downsides.  What exactly do HR departments do, anyway? It can vary based on your business, but in general,… [Read More]