September 2016 Newsletter
Integrated Outsourced HR Services Tailored to your Needs

Dear (Contact First Name), 


Welcome to HR Knowledge's September 2016 Newsletter! Thanks again to everyone who attended our FLSA Overtime Regulations webinar with Littler last month. It was our biggest webinar yet with over 140 registrants! We appreciate your feedback as well. Stay tuned to our e-alerts and social media channels for more information on upcoming events!


Sincerely, 
HR Knowledge, Inc.
Massachusetts Passes New Overhauled Equal Pay Act



On August 1, 2016, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a groundbreaking new law that significantly updates the state's previously passed equal pay law, which was enacted in 1945. The law is designed to reduce the wage gap between men and women and prevent wage discrimination based on gender. While the law will not take effect until July 1, 2018, business owners should familiarize themselves with the new regulations to ensure compliance and make sure all their employees are adequately covered.



Massachusetts Legislature Tables Non-Compete Reform Bill



Non-compete reform has been under heavy debate in Massachusetts, with both the Senate and House previously passing their own versions of potential reform bills. The state legislature was expected to pass and present a compromise bill during its most recent session on July 31, but was unable to reach an agreement before the legislative session year ended. While non-compete reform in the state is tabled for now, employers should still be aware of current non-compete rules and pay attention to new developments in reform that would affect them.



Posting Action Required! FLSA and EPPA Poster Updates



At HR Knowledge, we continuously monitor the ever-changing labor law environment to help keep companies compliant with federal and state posting requirements. Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor updated the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Employment Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) postings. All private employers in the U.S. must display these updated postings. Please avoid                             compliance penalties by obtaining updated postings from us.

                    
                    Read more
Massachusetts Passes Transgender Accommodations Law



On July 11, 2016, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law the Transgender Accommodations bill. The new law, which takes effect 
on October 1, 2017, will allow transgender people and those currently transitioning to a different gender to use public facilities including restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity, regardless of their sex at birth. The law will also protect individuals from discrimination in "public accommodations," meaning businesses used by the public, such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores.



Massachusetts Senate Passes Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill



On July 31, the Massachusetts Senate passed a bill that would require employers to offer paid time off to recover from a serious health condition or to care for a newborn child or sick family member. The bill's passing in the Senate signifies growing support for paid family leave in the state.



HR Knowledge's Ken Bettenhauser will be a panel speaker at this year's MIT Sloan CFO Summit!



HR Knowledge President Ken Bettenhauser will be a featured speaker in a panel discussion entitled Talent Management: How to Attract, Retain, & Optimize Employee Relations. The panel will explore the best strategies for managing financial talent, including optimizing employees once they are hired, and retaining them once they're at full speed. It will also examine the positive and negative impacts of digital communication on employees.



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New MA Law Updates Veterans Day Leave Entitlements


Do you have military veterans among your employees? Massachusetts employers have always been required to grant leave to military veterans who want to participate in Veterans Day or Memorial Day exercises. However, under a new law, which took effect July 14, 2016,   employers with 50 or more employees are required to provide veterans with paid leave to participate in Veterans Day events in their town of residence.


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Is an employee who works remotely (75 miles or more from the employer's office) eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?




If we are issuing severance pay to an employee, does it have to be taxed?



 










Perk of the Month!
Metro Credit Union offers an exceptional range of financial products and services, including direct deposit, mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, savings accounts, Christmas, and Vacation Club accounts and a checking account that gives you cash back and free ATMs.



Please email [email protected] for additional information. 


 
 




If you or someone you know is seeking employment then you're in the right place! HR Knowledge not only is seeking qualified and talented people to join our staff but also for our clients. Please view our current job openings, including Payroll/Benefits Coordinator, Renewals Manager, and Accountant!
 


HR Knowledge and Our Clients Are Hiring!
  


Win the War for Talent by Using Our Outsourced Recruitment Method: Hiring Process Management (HPM)


Our Hiring Process Management™ (HPM)™ methodology embraces the full range of tasks involved in recruiting - from crafting the job description to candidate acquisition, vetting and selection, and even negotiating the employment offer. As companies increase their productivity to meet business goals, the demand for talent also increases. The process of identifying, recruiting, and screening new employees is multi-faceted and complex. Hiring the wrong employee can be detrimental to your company's employee morale, productivity, and bottom line.
Let our experts help you find and hire the right candidate. Our HPM service will relieve the burden of evaluating prospective employees and give you the confidence that you are hiring the best talent for your organization, in a cost-effective and timely manner. Whether you are looking to reduce hiring costs, expand your workforce, or a combination, HR Knowledge is a reliable and qualified partner that bridges the gap between your workforce needs and the best talent your industry has to offer.

HR Advice When You Need It

 
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HR Knowledge, Inc. 

15 Berkshire Road | Suite B

Mansfield, MA 02048
P 508.339.1300 | F 508.339.1349
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About HR Knowledge, Inc. 



Founded in 2001, HR Knowledge, Inc. is a privately funded company providing integrated outsourced HR services tailored to our clients' needs. Our full array of offerings includes managed payroll, employee benefits administration, and HR consulting and support services, such as training, compliance, custom-built software solutions, and Hiring Process Management™, our comprehensive recruitment service that takes you from finding to onboarding new talent. Our major markets are fast-growing small- and medium-sized businesses, many of which are venture-capital-backed; foreign companies expanding into the states; and charter schools.  Partnering with HR Knowledge can reduce your administrative costs, minimize your legal risk, help you find and develop talent, and alleviate the HR burden so that you can focus on your core business.


HR Knowledge, Inc. | 15 Berkshire Road | Suite B | Mansfield | MA | 02048