Recent Articles

Discover the benefits of flexible work policies for productivity, retention, and morale, plus tips for creating effective, adaptable...

Learn how to resolve workplace conflict through communication, mediation, and creating a positive culture with BlueStone's HR consulting...

Table of Contents Signs of Employee Burnout Workplace Burnout Triggers Strategies to Prevent Employee Burnout When Burnout Hits: What to Do...

Table of Contents Introduction Understanding Employee Motivation Building a Strong Workplace Culture Offering Growth Opportunities The Role...

Gen Z is a generation like no other, and in order to maintain your business, you’ll need to think about how you can accommodate the...

Table of Contents Introduction Embrace Technology & Automation Streamline Recruitment & Retention for Fewer HR Expenses Remote Work...

Conducting a thorough exit interview is an essential part of the offboarding process. Exit interviews provide a unique opportunity to...

What does an engaged employee look like? Employee Engagement is a concept that describes the level of enthusiasm and dedication a worker...

Since the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed banning noncompete agreements in January 2023, followed by its Final Rule approval on...

Table of Contents Introduction The High Price of HR Mistakes HR Consulting: Your Shield Against Risk Areas Where HR Consulting Can Make a...

Table of Contents Introduction The Persistent HR Problems That Plague Businesses How Outsourced HR Services Can Rescue Your Business...

The IRS has raised the contribution limit of FSAs for 2024 by $150 for these accounts. FSA participants can now contribute up to $3,200...

Do you want to help your new employees have a positive experience, setting them up for long-term success? Employee onboarding is a...

How would you define an engaged workforce? You might say it’s an environment where everyone involved feels valued and supported....

First quiet quitting, now quiet vacationing. What is going on? This is a good question with complicated answers. Quiet vacationing, also...

Table of Contents Introduction Key Areas of HR Regulatory Compliance Hiring and Recruitment Wage and Hour Regulations Benefits...

Table of Contents Introduction Pre-Boarding Steps First Day Agenda Training and Development Plan Setting Clear Expectations and Goals...

Since the January 2023 Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ban noncompete agreement proposal, followed by its Final Rule approval on...

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers generally do not have to provide short breaks or lunch periods to employees. However, the Act...

Like other HR branches, offboarding is evolving drastically. Offboarding is no longer about creating a list of administrative tasks and...

Updated on 5/17/24 The Deadline to Pay PCORI Fees is Monday, July 31, 2024. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an...

Updated on 5/17/24 In today’s fast-paced business world, every organization is constantly searching for ways to increase efficiency...

Maryland has become the latest in a growing list of states to adopt pay transparency requirements, with our governor recently signing the...

The Maryland General Assembly recently passed a bill making some changes to the Time to Care Act (the law that set the stage for...

While the landscape for businesses looks a little wobbly lately, with a post-COVID recession looming and an uncertain stock market, one...

Worker productivity has been in the headlines recently. One reason is the easy access employers have to the many technologies that can...

Employees have always enthusiastically embraced generous leave policies. Surveys have found that many respondents even prefer additional...

More and more employers are automating their human resources processes. Many also integrate their HR processes with interrelated...

Human resources serves as the backbone of any organization, responsible for everything from talent acquisition to employee well-being....

Fractional HR services are a modern approach to human capital that allows companies to leverage HR expertise on a part-time basis,...

Table of Contents Introduction How HR Consultants Identify Pain Points How HR Consultants Cultivate Strong Pipelines How HR Consultants...

The consensus among HR leaders is that once you’ve reached the 20-employee mark, it is definitely time to hire a dedicated HR...

Employee management software is pivotal to the success and overall flow of workforce management. At the very least, the employee management...

The foundation of any good company, whether a big multinational corporation or a small business, is only as strong as the people who work...

If you’re responsible for human resources in your company, then you know that staying compliant with state and federal laws is a...

The human resource function is responsible for providing services as well as support to employees during their time working for a company,...

Table of Contents Introduction What is an Employee Handbook? Key Components of an Effective Employee Handbook Benefits of Having a...

Human resources, employee benefits and payroll processing functions are separate yet intertwined, and HR compliance checklists are...

The employee handbook is no longer viewed as just a communication tool for employers. It’s now regarded as a protection strategy as...

If you’re like most business owners, you don’t have a lot of time to spare. That’s why it’s important to do your research before...

When it comes to HR compliance, businesses must take an active approach to ensure they meet all necessary regulations and requirements....

Table of Contents Introduction Why Measure Employee Engagement? Traditional Methods of Measuring Engagement Digital Approaches to...

Human resource professionals are held to the highest standards when it comes to confidentiality. To see why, you only need to look at the...

Table of Contents Introduction The Importance of Employee Engagement Statistics Global Engagement Trends Engagement Rates by Industry...

Form I-9 has been modernized, allowing E-Verify employers to remotely examine I-9 documents. All U.S. employers must complete Form I-9 for...

Employee engagement is more than just a buzzword; it’s a critical factor that can make or break a company’s success. High...

In most cases, employees anticipate receiving a raise after working a certain amount of time at your firm — usually, six months to a...

Performance management is a holistic approach that assists organizations in accomplishing their goals and objectives by continuously...

The hybrid experiment has gained traction. By 2023, Gallup research indicated the numbers among U.S. workers had stabilized at about 28%...

The IRS has announced that starting in 2024, it is going to “reduce the 250-return threshold enacted in prior regulations to...

The Americans with Disabilities Act defends the rights of people with disabilities in the context of employment. Title I of the ADA...

What is succession planning? Succession planning is the process of identifying and developing employees to fill key leadership positions...

Approximately 3 million temporary and contract workers are hired each year in the U.S., and managers have long relied on temps to keep...

Cannabis in the Workplace – How to Manage Maryland’s New Cannabis Laws Beginning on July 1, 2023, Maryland will legalize the...

Psychological safety is the belief that you can share your thoughts, opinions, mistakes, and ideas without fear of negative consequences....

Section 204 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 requires insurance companies and employer-based health plans to report on...

On Jan. 30, 2023, the Biden Administration announced the COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency declarations were ending...

Whether you are planning a retirement party for a coworker, a departing boss or even yourself, the most important rule is that it should be...

Moving from an individual contributor to a manager is a common career progression for many professionals. While it is an exciting...

You may want to require employees to sign noncompete agreements to keep them from working for rival companies. Will these protect the...

Employee wellness has become an increasingly important topic in the workplace, and for good reason. Not only is it important for the health...

Your starting salaries should be competitive, fair, and aligned with your budget. Many factors come into play when striking this balance,...

According to a recent Gallup survey, it has been shown that approximately “36% of U.S. employees are engaged in their work and...

What challenges have your employees been facing, and how can you offer the solutions they need? Deciding on a home office reimbursement...

Table of Contents:  Introduction The Maryland Saves Program: An Overview Why Choose the Maryland Saves Retirement Program? Who Is Eligible...

During the normal course of business, managers are typically required to have conversations with their employees regarding compensation....

CBS News says, “There’s a new term for clocking in and doing the bare minimum at work: ‘quiet quitting.'” This...

Updated December 2024 With your thoughts around annual business strategies, remember to take into account Maryland HR regulation –...

One of the most fitting descriptions of the alternative workforce comes from Deloitte. In the company’s words, they have said...

Competing for talent is not easy, especially in a tight labor market. To snag the most qualified candidates, employers must make a good...

In a flexible work arrangement, employees typically get to choose their work location and their work arrival and departure times. They may...

In a 2020 survey, 44.9% of respondents said they would view their employers in a better light if they provided a financial wellness...

As a manager, you know how to promote your products. In a tough labor market, it may help you to view your job postings in the same way....

Discrimination against a person with caregiving responsibilities may be unlawful under federal employment discrimination laws enforced by...

Most companies spend 20% to 30% of their annual revenue on payroll. The exact amount varies based on the employer’s size, industry,...

Traditionally, employees have to opt into retirement plans and make their own decisions about contributions. But there’s another...

Imagine you’re a nursing home manager trying to replace a nurse’s aide. But the resumes aren’t coming in like they...

The IRS has issued the 2022 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business,...

Many businesses are struggling with a worker shortage. It is happening across the board: staff shortages at our doctors’ offices, at...

Employer coverage – Is your business covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)? You must adhere to the FMLA if you employ at...

How much money is lost when you leave a position vacant? There’s a financial impact to keeping a role open. Efficient, productive...

The workplace of the future is no longer abstract. It is a reality, but a reality that is different for each business. Every workplace has...

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has updated its guidance on workplace COVID-19 vaccine policies. The agency’s original...

The Treasury Department and the IRS have issued Notice 2021-53, which provides guidance to employers about using Form W-2 to report...

COVID-19 and its variants continue to disrupt the way we live, work and play. The population disagrees on whether to wear masks or be...

It is not uncommon for a new hire to pose the question: Do you get paid for orientation? Orientation formally introduces the new hire to...

An employee who resigns with two weeks’ notice may think they are doing you a favor. But in fact, it can be a payroll headache,...