Regardless of business size, every employer in Illinois is subject to the requirements of the state’s Worker’s Compensation Act (The Act). Small business owners are not exempt and must understand their obligations under The Act. Who is Covered Illinois law requires worker compensation coverage for all employees, including full-time and part-time salaried or hourly […]
Predictive scheduling is a concept which arose after an outcry about poor work-life balance for workers across all sectors. Research that was conducted about work patterns showed that people who worked longer hours, especially during times of the day which are considered resting time ended up stressed and had a higher probability of having domestic conflict. The laws stipulate that employees should be notified ahead of time. Here are the five things this site suggests that you need to know about predictive scheduling.
Not all businesses fall under the predictive scheduling laws. However, if your business is located in a major city, has more than 20 employees and sells consumer goods in more than one store, you are a likely candidate. Also, if the store is part of a chain, the employee number is counted towards the 20-minimum threshold. If implemented well, it has potential benefits for small businesses.
Under the new predictive scheduling laws, this Chicago employment lawyer explains that you are banned from assigning a single employee shift that close and opens your restaurant unless you allow them to take the needed rest break. The good thing about the law is that the employee has the right to accept an opening shift, as long as they put it down in writing. The remuneration for working these shifts will, of course, be higher than the normal rates. Note that if you have a number of employees agreeing to work the clopening shifts without a break, this money could accumulate to a substantial amount.
The predictive scheduling laws stipulate that in order to relieve the current employees of their excessive workload, you need to hire extra help. The laws also stipulate that if the owner of the business wants to hire extra workers because the current ones are underperforming, they would have to fire the existing workers. In short, you cannot deny existing workers shifts because they aren’t performing and hire new people to do the work.
Before you implement the predictive scheduling model, you should give clear communication to the employees, letting them know that they are now under predictive scheduling laws. This means writing a memo or notice and posting it where everyone can see. The actual schedules should also be in writing because verbal communication leaves your business in jeopardy.
Now that the new laws have been introduced, business practices will have to undergo huge adjustments. For instance, non-compliance with these laws could lead to lawsuits and other huge penalties.
It is, therefore, best to make sure that all your retail outlets are prepared for or have adopted the new scheduling laws. Look for software and applications which enhance the implementation of predictive scheduling for your business. In addition, make sure you have taken the employees through a crash course to help them understand the new laws. This training is essential because it reduces the possibility of misunderstandings becoming legal issues which could create losses for the business.
If you own your own business, you are no stranger to the endless list of demands on you as you work to achieve your dreams. The very idea of taking a vacation where you are not tethered to your phone or laptop leaves you with a knot in the pit of your stomach. How will […]
There’s just no way around it. When you move your business, there’s always a lot to do. So, plan your move early and make use of these practical, creative tips to make your move go as smoothly as possible both during and after the big day.
Whether it’s just down the street or in another town, having a variety of strong boxes early on will allow you to pack items a little at a time so it’s not as taxing. Big box stores like Walmart and Target often discard their boxes around 11:00 pm. Making a special trip one night will be well worth it. Of course, liquor stores also have great boxes.
You’ll want to scout out your new location and decide which items will go into which rooms in your new space. Naming each room is ideal, so you can write those names on the boxes so you don’t need to supervise every last box being carried into your new office and you can put away things once you’re there more quickly.
Now’s a great time to get rid of items you don’t need and minimize a bit. This will keep your new space looking new, rather than cluttered from Day One.
Also arrange to update your website, business cards, and Google listing.
Getting partitions up the same way you had them before in your new office – or creating a new partition design – is not for the faint of heart. Line up your movers as far ahead as possible and call to confirm a day before. If you live where it’s hot, you’ll want to schedule the move for early morning. Chill water bottles beforehand so that no one gets dehydrated.
You may want to color code the cables and peripherals that belong to each desktop or employee, so they don’t get mixed up in the move. Consider wrapping large electronics, like TVs and monitors, in blankets and placing them in the back of your vehicle rather than in a big truck. Of course, if you kept the original boxes for your electronics, using those is always your safest bet.
Plan to arrive early on moving day and decide you’re going to roll with the ups and downs. Your move might not go perfect, but following these tips from Cheap Chicago Movers will have you feeling confident that everything is being planned and handled to the best of your ability. One last tip. Don’t hesitate to ask your friends and associates for their assistance. Most people, especially when given adequate notice, will be more than happy to lend a hand and to help celebrate your brand new business location.
You decided to launch a business. Congratulations! If you are moving your office – because your lease is up or you’ve outgrown your current location – here are ten places Cheap Movers Philadelphia (www.cheapmoversphiladelphia.com) indicates that you’ll want to make sure you send an address change to keep your business moving forward:
Of course, the first thing you’ll want to do is fill out an Address Change form for your business. This ensures that you won’t have a lapse in your letters and packages being delivered, including all of those checks that are in the mail.
When moving your business, make sure to update your business address on your site right away. Many people depend on the information on your website to be up to date. You don’t want a possible new client to drive to your old address and discover you’re now across town. That’s no way to start off a new business relationship.
Along the same lines, don’t forget to go into your Google Business listing and make the address change. People use their smartphones all the time and you it’s imperative that your contact information on Google be current. Visit the Google web page to get step-by-step instructions.
You’ll want to contact the city where you obtained your business license to get it updated. Depending on your locale, you may need to contact your county, too. Unfortunately, sometimes there is a fee for changing your business license to a different town in the middle of your term. And, in rare cases, you may need to get a separate business license if your business is now located in a different city or county.
U.S. tax law, says that you are required to notify the Internal Revenue Service of any business move. Form 8822B is the Change of Address form for businesses.
You’ll want to print the form, fill it out and mail to the IRS office listed on the form. Alternatively, you can call 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) to order a hard copy of Form 8822B. Here is the IRS web page that explains their requirements.
Likewise, apart from the IRS, the tax authorities of whatever state your business is in, want to be informed of any address change.
If you have employees, you are required by law to pay unemployment tax based on their wages. Because of this, all U.S. states require that businesses keep their address records current for this purpose.
To get all of your business bank notices, make sure to give your new address to the bank where you have your accounts.
Likewise, as you know, many credit card transactions on the web require you to enter the zip code that’s associated with the card. Making sure you inform your credit card companies of your move will ensure that you don’t give the wrong zip code when placing an order. Most credit card companies allow you to make address changes within your dashboard online.
Being a member of your local chamber makes business sense. It’s a great way to meet new prospects for your products and services. So, make sure to give them notice. In some cases, depending on where you move, you may qualify for another ribbon cutting at your new address, which is a great way to increase your sales and visibility.
Taking the time to make these simple changes when you move will save you time – and possible headaches – down the road. We hope your business has its most successful year yet!