Fundamentals for Small Businesses

A well-written employee handbook serves a vital role in the workplace. It outlines key policies, provides ground rules for conduct and helps create a positive and successful working environment. It can also protect you legally if questions arise about fair and consistent treatment. On the other hand, a poorly written handbook or one with inconsistencies... read more

If your business picks up at certain times of the year — or you need to cover employees taking time off for the holidays — you may turn to seasonal workers to fill the gap. Before you create a job application or hang a sign on your business’s front window, however, consider the special circumstances... read more

If your company is still using paper job applications or emailed resumes, your hiring process is missing the mark. Sifting through hundreds of applications is time consuming and ineffective – especially if they’re incomplete, hard to read or lacking essential information. Using an online job application tool can streamline the process and get your job... read more

Placing ads … reviewing resumes … collecting applications … conducting interviews … checking references … It’s no wonder so many employers dread hiring! It’s a complicated undertaking with multiple stages to manage. That’s why more and more employers are relying on applicant tracking systems to turn that chaos into a consistent, cohesive process. What is... read more

A small lawn and garden center requires women applying for positions to pass a lifting test. A loan repayment call center gives a written and oral pre-employment examination to all Hispanic or foreign-born applicants. A restaurant requires black applicants to undergo drug testing but doesn’t ask white applicants to do so. Can you spot the... read more

Labor law poster compliance is a serious matter, yet it’s often an oversight for small business owners. Instead of landing at the bottom of your to-do list, mandatory workplace postings should be an ongoing priority. In addition to the federal posting requirements every U.S. business must follow, there are a handful of nuances to be... read more