EverythingHR Podcast

This week we revisit the episode in which Felicia Harris, CEO of EverythingHR and EverythingHR Financial Services, interviews a team of lawyers from Littler Mendelson Law Firm regarding employment law updates. They discuss a range of updates and pitfalls including paid time off, minimum wage, immigration, legal marijuana use, firearms, and sexual harassment. 

Littler Mendelson Law Firm is the largest employer-side employment law firm in the world with 1400 attorneys; it is exclusively an employer management defense firmMichigan recent law updates - new paid sick leave going into effect in March 2019There was no mandatory paid sick leave in Michigan before this act was passedTo be in compliance with the new law, any company with 50 or more employees should consult with its legal teamStatus on state Guidance - Guidance from the state would be helpful, but it may not happen Employers should consult with legal teams to know whether specific employees are covered by the new actMichigan state Legislature passed a minimum wage increase law which will again increase at the end of March 2019Current wages for salaried workers and how to calculate work time based on the Fair Labor Standards ActImmigration laws including and recent historical background, necessary forms, and other detailsLittler Mendelson collaborates with someone’s existing legal counsel How the recent legalization of recreational marijuana is impacting labor laws nationwide Firearms in the workplaceThe #MeToo movement and why employers need to take it seriously

Connect with Felicia Harris

https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicia-g-harris/

Felicia Harris, CEO of EverythingHR and EverythingHR Financial Services, interviews Renee Walker, Founder of Renee Walker & Associates, Brand and Communications Expert, Entrepreneur, Speaker, Author, Podcaster, and Vlogger. Renee shares her immense brand wisdom and provides tangible skills that can be applied to employees looking to expand their executive presence to move up in leadership roles.

Show Notes:

Renee Walker clarifies the difference between introverts and extroverts. What are some statistics related to executive presence?What are ways to correct problems with making decisions?How can you turn failure into something positive?How does communication benefit having a strong executive presence?What can introverts do to get seen as a strong part of the team?How did Renee launch her company?What is the process of hiring Renee’s company?How can you help control how you are judged in the first seven seconds?Your website has two-tenths of a second to engage visitors before they click off forever.We all need individuals that are willing, to be honest with us.How can you distinguish yourself online with stronger executive presence?How can Renee’s company help people with executive assessments?What can we do to improve the impact we make in public?

Felicia Harris, Founder, and CEO of EverythingHR and EverythingHR Financial Services has Joslyn Bolden, the HR manager at EverythingHR, as a guest host interview Shaniece Bennett, a CPA and Founder of Accutrak Consulting and Accounting Services. The focus of Shaniece’s talk is covering cashflow management, how to hire the ideal CPA, and what services her company Accutrak Consulting and Accounting Services can offer businesses.

Key Points:

Accutrak is known for complete financial management services, assisting small businesses, also government contractors and some government agencies.Integrity is the most important thing to look for in a CPA, who should be able to tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear.Make sure you have enough cash when you need it and review it more often than you view your income statements.  

Show Highlights:

Shaniece Bennett introduces Accutrak Consulting and Accounting Services.What is the statement of cash flow?What is the current ratio of assets and how is it calculated?How do you do a cashflow budget projection equation?  Which accounting software tools does Shaniece recommend?  What should you look for in a good CPA?  How should you be engaging with your CPA throughout the year?What are cash discounts in regards to taxes?How does the Prompt Payment Act work?What is entailed in a government contract debrief?Does Accutrak provide training or information regarding cash management?

Resources

Email  Shaniece Bennett: [email protected] Learn about accutrakservice.com Accutrak Consulting and Accounting Services: (586)-840-6494

Felicia Harris, CEO of EverythingHR and EverythingHR Financial Services, interviews Helen Colston, Owner and CEO of Paragon Registry and Referral Group, LLC in Southfield, Michigan. Helen’s career spans administration, finance, and business consulting for over 21 years. She shares her experience working with everything and everyone from Fortune 500 corporations and small companies, to disadvantaged businesses and individuals with mental and physical barriers.

Episode Highlights:

Helen Colston introduces herself and her career experiences.How did Paragon Registry get started?What types of services does Paragon Registry offer their clients?Which elements for employment can Paradigm Registry help clients with?How do potential clients get enrolled in the program?What are some of the successes that Paragon has experienced?What about Paragon makes it a company with long-lasting potential?  What unique employee requests has Paragon has been able to fulfill?Which types of small businesses can Paragon service?Helen shares her personal barriers that she hasn’t allowed to define her.How does Paragon position individuals to achieve and feel fulfilled?Paragon works with everyone from teenagers to retirement ages.What makes Helen so passionate about the work she does at Paragon?Helen looks for possibilities to place employees long-term to reduce turn-over.

Resources

Email for Helen Colston: [email protected] more about ParagonRRgroup.comPhone Number for Paragon Registry and Referral Group: (248) 972-6588

EverythingHR Podcast guest Amy A. Anger, Owner and Founder of Atrip Consulting, LLC  Executive and Culture Coach, Attorney, National Speaker, Freelance Community Advocate, and Gig Economy Expert. Atrip Consulting is a management consultation firm that counsels companies on how to engage independent workers. Amy shares her breadth of experience paring companies and contract workers in the gig economy, the ideal methods to attract and integrate workers, and how to reduce company concerns that the gig economy may cause.

Show Notes:

Introduction of Amy Anger’s past work as a corporate lawyer, Kmart, and Kelly ServicesWhat is the gig economyWhich industries are primarily part of the gig economyWhat are the concerns of companies that are skeptical of work-at-home employeesJust because you can see an employee in your office doesn’t mean they are being productivePeople want to do work that makes them feel valued and that they are passionate aboutHow do you merge the culture of a company and independent contractorChange is inevitable, especially with technology’s role in businessHow do you attract and integrate independent contract workersWhat is some advice that Amy has for managers working with gig workersIf people aren’t trying new things, then the company isn’t innovatingWhat are some communication techniques for integrating independent contractorsAsk yourself, ‘what does success look like’ and plan the steps to meet the end resultHow can you help employees feel secure that their jobs aren’t threatened by gig workersCompanies need to be open and honest with workers about what they are doing and whyThe recruiting process is important to find the right workersWho is Amy Anger’s dream client

Felicia Harris, Principal Owner of EverythingHR and EverythingHR Financial Services, interviews Pamela Smith, Owner and Managing Member of PTS Compliance Consulting. PTS Compliance Consulting, based in Belleville Michigan, focuses on providing certification documentation review for women and minority businesses with corporations that possess initiatives for supplier diversity. Pamela discusses how companies can qualify for their certifications, what the benefits of certifications are, and how to navigate the business world as a minority or women certified company.

3 Key Points:

1. 4 out of 10 businesses in the United States are women-owned.

2. Make sure to investigate the validity of businesses that offer you services and ask for references.

3. Your business certifications can be written off as a tax deduction.

 

Show Notes:

Pamela gained expertise working with the Women Business Enterprise (WBE)Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) is another third-party certification that provides assistanceWhat are the criteria for the WBE and the MBE certificationsHow do certifications help a business stand out from their competitorsThe certification fees based on a company revenueCertifications don’t guarantee you automatic businessWhy is so much information required during the certification processHow should businesses handle site visits during the certification processSuppliers talk and negative news spreads fastYou don’t just walk up to people in networking events and hand them business cardsPeople do business with people they trust and likeWhat information do you need to qualify for federal business contractsPamela Smith is also available to home-based businesses

Felicia Harris, CEO of EverythingHR and EverythingHR Financial Services, interviews Alari Adams, Founder, and Attorney at ASquared Legal Group, a minority and women-certified law firm based in downtown Detroit, specializing in business, labor and employment, and intellectual property law. Alari breaks down the differences between types of business structures, ways businesses can protect themselves from risk and vulnerability, and issues regarding independent contractors and employees.

3 Key Points:

1. Make sure your business has a contract clearly stating the services you are going to render and the expected payments for them.

2. Ask for references, hire within the state, and require a multi-level payment structure before hiring someone for services.

3. Look over the indemnity section of your contract for details about reimbursement.

Show Notes: 

What types of challenges do your clients typically need help with 

Should late fees be included in contract 

How can business owners protect themselves from being taken advantage of

What is the difference between providing an employee an offer letter and an employment contract

What are issues employers should be mindful of

Know the difference between an employee and an independent contractor

What are the choices you have depending on your business structure

Limited Liability Company’s assets are the only ones vulnerable to litigation

From a risk perspective, should businesses be set up as S-Corps or C-Corps

Alari Adams shares her contact information for business inquiries

What are some primary risks for business owners to be aware of

How should you calculate the hours for the Paid Medical Leave Act

When should you update employee handbooks and procedures

Make sure you have a harassment and discrimination policy in place

Fred Lumpkin, Corporate Work Study Director  Detroit Cristo Rey High School, joined EverythingHR host Felicia G. Harris to discuss his school's program that provides interns to businesses around Metro Detroit. Within this work study program, Fred is going on his fifth year of being responsible for over 330 students that are employees at over 80 different organizations. Fred explains how Cristo Rey works between high school students and workforce partners, the high level of professional training that students receive, and the ample amount of benefits for employers.

What exactly is Detroit Cristo ReyWhat types of results has Cristo Rey managed to achieveHow is the work study program financially supportedWhat types of organizations are partnered with Cristo ReyHow does the training support and resources work between Cristo Rey and business    partnersHow is timelessness and attendance of students addressedThere are six or seven different employment industries that students work inHow does the summer program workWhat does Cristo Rey do to support students and partnersAre short term employment opportunities availableFred Lumpkin provides a summary of Detroit Cristo ReyThere is a difference between experience and talent

3 Key Points:

Detroit Cristo Rey is part of a network of 35 schools, covering over 12,000 students, in 22 states.  Students go to school four days a week and work one day a week.Cristo Rey provides direct transportation to and from work sites for all students.

https://www.detroitcristorey.org/

On this episode of EverythingHR,Christina Concord, CEO of Antina Promotions, joins our host Felicia G. Harris, founder and CEO of EverythingHR and EverythingHR Financial Services. Christina discusses how her organization focuses on engaging clients and elevating brands, especially within the internal marketing side of the business. The two talk about helping organizations retain, appreciate and reward their employees through the use of incentive programs and promotions that increase employee productivity.

3 Key Points: 

1. Employee appreciation is important because employees are far more productive when they are happy

2. Employers should recognize new and current employees. 

3. Employers should start with an organizational assessment to build employee recognition programs . 

Employees are the “first customer” of a company.Employees have better productivity when they are appreciated and happy.Proper onboarding makes new employees feel more welcome  Acknowledge a new employee’s family as well  How to be prepared for your new employeeShow current employees appreciationRecognition programs are valuable  Conduct an organizational assessment of the culture and feel of your company  Consider Wellness programsEmployee appreciation should be an ongoing initiative

Christina Concord (248) 254-3845 

www.EverythingHR.net

Felicia Harris, Principal Owner of EverythingHR and EverythingHR Financial Services, interviews Patricia Shall, President of Creative Benefits& Insurance Solutions and Sean Powers, Attorney and Partner at Lacey & Jones, LLP about legal marijuana use from a business perspective. They cover how marijuana legalization has affected workplace discipline, employment policies, workers compensation, and what employers and employees should know when facing medical marijuana situations.

3 Key Points:

Marijuana stays in the system for anywhere between 24 hours and 30 days.50 nanograms per milliliter is the cutoff level for testing results.There are no states that allow medical marijuana at the workplace.

Show Notes:

How many states have legalized medical marijuana and recreational marijuana useCan employers prohibit the use of marijuanaDrug test policies shouldn’t just be to get rid of employeesAre we allowed to ask if employees are currently using the drugHow do we handle employees having drugs in their possession on a federal government siteHow do we handle claims of marijuana mixed with other drugsCan employers require applicants to pay for drug testsWorkplace rules and policies need to be in writing and made clear to employeesWhat are the general terms of unemployment benefits and marijuana testingWhat common questions do they tend to get from clients about medical marijuanaWhat is a Stokes EvaluationKeep reinforcing drug policies and keep records of these communicationsThere is no particular stereotype for medical marijuana use