A new study revealed one in five workers (22%) who were laid off from full-time jobs in the last 12 months and landed new positions found those opportunities with small businesses. 59% of workers also indicated that they are interested in working for a small business, while others are considering starting a small business of their own. When asked what most appealed to them about working for small companies, workers cited the following:

• A family-like work environment (56%)
• More employee recognition (49%)
• A sense that you can make a difference (48%)
• An absence of corporate red tape (46%)

The current economic crisis has caused many businesses to make changes in the benefits their employees such as cutting bonuses, pensions, 401 (k) matches or salary increases.A recent study revealed that Americans believe the following:

• Only 36% believe that companies will reinstate annual salary increases that match or exceed inflation if they were cut
• Only 32% of Americans say companies will reinstate pensions if they were cut
• 32% of adults believe bonuses that were cut, will be reinsated
• 30% of Americans believe that the 50% match on the first 6% an employee contributes to to his/her 401 (k) plan will be reinstated if they were cut

Because we want to best serve our readers, we feature a segment of our Newsletter where you can submit questions directly to our OperationsInc professionals. Do you have a question related to the management of the Human Resources function? Email it along to enewsletter@operationsinc.com. The best ones will make it into a future newsletter, along with the answer... and those that don't get published will still receive a response.

This week's question:
"As an employer, are we legally required to pay out vacation time to an employee that has left the company?"

--- Principal, Hedge fund

Answer:
In short it depends on the state in which your business operates, where work was performed and in some cases what your past practices have been when it comes to paying out unused accrued time off. For example California requires you to make payment in full for time earned. Connecticut says you are to pay it out IF you have paid it out to others in the past. The best advice is to contact your local Department of Labor offices or HR Professional to determine your legal obligations.

" To waken interest and kindle enthusiasm is the sure way to teach easily and successfully."

- Tryon Edwards

Information provided in The OperationsInc Navigator is researched and reviewed by the HR experts at OperationsInc. The information in every issue of The OperationsInc Navigator is in part gathered via information available in the public domain, as well as in part the original, copyrighted work of OperationsInc and is protected under U.S. copyright laws. As such, you may not reprint or publish in any format any article or portion of article The OperationsInc Navigator without the express permission of OperationsInc.

OperationsInc provides the information in this e- newsletter for general guidance only. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional human resources, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation.

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