November Holidays

Veterans Day

We are grateful to those who have served our country throughout all generations. The upcoming Veterans Day Holiday falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. While CBIZ HCM offices will be open this day, this is a Federal Reserve Bank Holiday, and payroll draft dates may need to be adjusted.  

Important Payroll Deadlines

Thanksgiving

In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, CBIZ HCM offices will be closed on Thursday, November 26, 2020, and Friday, November 27, 2020. Also, Thursday, November 26, 2020, is a Federal Reserve Bank Holiday, which means payroll draft dates may need to be adjusted.  

As always, your CBIZ HCM team is here to help should you have questions. We appreciate your continued partnership, and we wish you and your business the best of health. Please contact your payroll services team if you have any questions.

7 Steps to Help You Prepare for Year-End

We’ve provided a few tips, tricks, and reminders as you prepare for year-end. 

Step 1: Review your workers’ wages and benefits - Check the wage and benefit information for each employee to make sure you can account for all the benefits you paid them throughout the year, leading up to the final paycheck. If any benefits aren’t accounted for, add these to their last 2020 paycheck.

Step 2: Review your employees’ and contractors’ personal information - Make sure you have the correct names, addresses, and Social Security Numbers for every employee and contractor you paid in 2020. For independent contractors, you’ll also need to check that their Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) are correct, and ensure payments are recorded for any bills that need to be included on form 1099-MISC. 

Step 4: Bring everything together with reconciliation - If you pay your employees by check, perform a payroll bank reconciliation through December 31, 2020—including identifying outstanding checks—comparing state and federal payroll tax withdrawals from your bank account to the amounts on your tax liability records.

COVID-19: Creating the Right Office Space

Regardless of where you are in reopening your business, one point is clear: office environments are going to look different from the layouts and protocols followed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations will have several logistics to consider as they move through their reopening plans, including how to facilitate and resolve requests and questions from their employees as well as considerations about office space modifications that they may need to work out with their landlord.

As tenant advisors, CBIZ Gibraltar Real Estate Services works with tenants to both negotiate and renegotiate leases, as well as to assess physical environments. The following represents some of the common questions we anticipate as organizations evaluate what the COVID-19 pandemic may mean for short- and long-term changes to their physical space needs. 

Fraudulent Unemployment Claims on the Rise

Businesses around the country are reporting issues of erroneous unemployment benefit claims. In many cases, these illegitimate claims are going undetected until the business entity is contacted by a state agency, making them aware of the claim against their account.

Tips to share with your employees

• Employees should keep an eye out for direct communications from your state unemployment office that indicates an unemployment claim in their name. Communications may come via mail, email, or phone.
• Make sure employees know that they should report the incident to your Human Resources Department and supply any documentation (if available).

What to do if your business or employees have fallen victim

• Report any suspected fraud to state and federal agencies. Visit the U.S. Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance fraud site to learn how to contact the fraud hotline for your state.  Visit the Federal Trade Commission identity theft recovery site to report identity theft and get a recovery plan. 
• Report the fraud online when possible. Using online reporting options can save time, make it easier for the agency to process the request, and provide you with adequate documentation. Make sure you retain any confirmation or case numbers provided to you and keep a record of any phone conversations. Note the name of the individual you spoke with, the date of the conversation, and what was discussed.
• For those who have fallen victim to identity theft, it is important that they keep an eye on their credit reports. This can be done for free using such services as AnnualCreditReport.com.
• If you have additional questions please contact your CBIZ representative.

Information courtesy of the Federal Trade Commission 

The Keys to Recruiting Amid Covid-19 and Beyond

Like most aspects of the workplace, recruiting norms have changed. While unemployment rates remain high, many employers find themselves struggling to connect with the right candidates. Even as some are receiving a high number of applicants, they encounter new challenges, such as meeting the changing needs of qualified candidates who remain in high demand.  

 According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), job seekers in today’s employment market are primarily looking for safety, consistency, stability, and longevity. Be sure to incorporate your attention to these needs into your recruiting efforts. Your businesses can boost your recruiting efforts in the current market by ensuring that your employer brand is resonating with those seeking employment. 

Meet the needs of job seekers through updated recruiting methods

• Using online platforms
• Being active and present
• Aligning your employment brand and recruiting efforts
• Participating in virtual events
• Preparing for productive dialog

Consider making updates to your employer brand that reflects

• Safety
• Benefits
• Career Focus
• COVID-19’s impact

Many employers are expanding remote work opportunities to more employees than ever before. Remote work practices extend to the recruiting and hiring process, including virtual interviewing and remote onboarding. To keep up with your competitors, you will need to embrace these remote processes, among others. Further, some job seekers will be enticed by the opportunity to work remotely. So if this is an option for candidates, make sure it’s promoted.

Obviously, the workplace will continue to evolve, so re-evaluate how your recruitment practices and branding resonate with current employment markets on a regular basis and adjust accordingly. Additionally, as laws and guidelines related to COVID-19 are updated and added, consult with legal counsel when updating or changing your organization’s policies and procedures.