Providing Real Management for a Virtual Office

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The virtual office model means employees aren’t housed in one site — they’re probably working out of their own homes or in rented office spaces across the country or even all over the world. Thanks to conferencing technology, including programs like Skype, and screen-sharing technologies like Joine.me, virtual offices can approximate traditional setups. And the cost of this equipment is more than offset by the savings realized by not having to pay travel expenses, site rentals or office space rent. Read more

Don’t Ask Job Candidates These Questions!

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There are some questions that, if asked by HR or the hiring manager during a job interview, could put a company at risk for legal action. There are numerous state and federal anti-discrimination laws designed to ensure that employers hire based on skill, not stereotypes. Do you know what’s fair game? Read more

How to Hire Entry-level Employees

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It’s been estimated that some two-thirds of new grads don’t know where their education and skills can be applied to the workforce. This makes screening critical: Look for candidates who seem to have balanced a lot of activities in college — played a sport, participated in student government or had a strong GPA in a demanding major — to indicate time-management skills. Also look for communication skills as demonstrated by the candidate’s projects, volunteer work, and internships. Read more

How to Reduce Your Company’s Labor Costs

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Salaries and wages are one of the largest costs for any company and can feel like the most difficult to control. But it doesn’t have to be this way. At LCAF Payroll, we eliminate the stress that comes with payroll by providing full-service payroll options. We’ve also put together a list of areas to help you reduce your labor costs, making wages and budgeting less stressful. Read on to learn more: Read more

IRS Offers Tax Relief to Victims of California Wildfires

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Businesses affected by wildfires in seven California counties have until Jan. 31, 2018, to file certain tax
returns and make certain tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service said Sept. 13. Read more

California to Require Unpaid Parental Leave at Small Businesses

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Employers with between 20 and 49 employees must provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected
parental leave to bond with a new child within one year of the child’s birth, adoption, or foster-care
placement, effective Jan. 1, 2018, under a measure (S.B. 63) signed Oct. 12 by California Gov. Jerry
Brown (D). Read more

Tips on Managing the Ubiquitous Form 1099

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One of the most important tax and payroll issues a company has to address is who is an actual employee and who is an independent contractor. Once you have that worked out, your next step is making sure each category of workers gets the right forms. True employees get a Form W-2 each year, and freelancers — independent contractors — get a Form 1099-MISC. This form can be used for a variety of payments, and one of the most common and significant uses is for independent contractors. Read more

LCAF Payroll: What to Know About Checks & Deposits

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Whether you handle payroll in-house or you outsource your services, providing employees with their earnings in a timely, accurate fashion is of the utmost importance. That’s why understanding checks and deposits are so essential. At LCAF Payroll, we take this burden off your shoulders. All you have to worry about is ensuring that your cash needs for covering payroll are met. Read more

How to Communicate With Your Staff

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Don’t let poor communication among your workers and managers get worse. It can lead to a serious decline in your firm’s health. But there are ways to perk up communication. Here are some smart tips for improvement: Read more

Should You Be Paying Bonuses to Your Staff?

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A bonus is a payment that’s in addition to an employee’s salary. There are various types of bonus arrangements. Most common is merit-based — an individual earns a bonus based on performance. Sometimes, though, an incentive is based on how well the company is doing or a combination of the individual’s and the firm’s achievements. Read more