Tis the season for holiday shopping and extra deliveries. Whether a business has a physical storefront or operates online, employers should be prepared to protect their employees from being hurt on the job during the holiday rush. The Occupational Safety Hazard Administration (OSHA) is encouraging employers to take extra precautions to protect employees who fulfill customer orders, deliver packages or work in retail establishments. A Human Resource services company can help employers keep employees safe during the holidays by helping employers identify hazards and train employees.

The federal government recently issued its fall Unified Regulatory Agenda, and there are several wage and hour topics on the list. For employers who’ve struggled with Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) compliance, these proposed employment laws are expected to be a breath of fresh air.

Know the Voting Leave Laws in Your State

Election Day is just a few days away and predictions indicate high voter turnout on November 6. Employers should prepare for an increase in the number of employees requesting time off to cast their ballots, and know their applicable state and local voting leave laws. Although some states don’t impose any requirements on employers, voting leave and notice requirements are legally required in some states with the possibility of criminal or civil penalties for non-compliance.

The labor and employment legal landscape has changed drastically over the past decade, and employers are encountering more compliance issues than ever. Beyond federal regulations, state and local rules are also changing, and it's more than some employers can manage on their own.

Laws regarding hiring, medical marijuana, wage deductions and paid sick leave are just a few that often stump employers. In fact, mandatory leave laws in general are some of the top reasons employers consider human resources outsourcing services.

Leave laws come into play when an employee asks for medical, family, pregnancy-related, military or various other types of leave. The federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), for example, applies to private employers with 50 or more employees and provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during a 12-month period.

Many employers offer voluntary benefits to supplement their core benefit plans. Supplemental insurance plans appeal to the changing and diverse workforce that has come to expect a comprehensive employee benefits package. To stand out in a competitive job market, employers are offering more choice and flexibility than ever before. Employees are responding by personalizing benefit programs to fit their needs.

Hurricane season is upon us, and Floridians have already encountered the first named storm of the season. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center predicts 10 to 16 named storms, of which five to nine may become hurricanes—including one to four major hurricanes. An average hurricane season sees about six hurricanes, with three becoming major. Business owners have much to consider when it comes to storm preparedness: protecting the company and it’s employees.

Click here to view FEMA’s Hurricane Ready Business Toolkit.