The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to pay their employees for all hours they are “suffered or permitted to work.” These hours are known as “work hours” or compensable time.

What is compensable time?

Compensable time includes all hours during which an individual is actually performing productive work and all hours an employee is required by his or her employer to remain available for the next assignment. Compensable time does not include periods where an individual is relieved of all obligations and is free to pursue his or her own interests. Read more

Tax scams are on the rise. Don’t be fooled into giving your personal information or tax return to a thief. Scammers have complex methods for tricking individuals, most commonly by impersonating the IRS.

Know that the IRS will never demand immediate payment, request wire transfers, threaten to involve police or ask for credit card information.

Visit this site for more details on how to avoid being scammed this tax season and how to report scammers. Read More

Eating Healthy Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive

Eating a well-balanced diet is a key component in living a long, healthy life. Many Americans think that eating healthy means they have to empty their wallets, which isn’t necessarily the truth. Keep the following money-saving tips in mind next time you’re grocery shopping:

1. Make a weekly meal plan. Before you go to the store, think about what meals and snacks you want for the week. Read recipes thoroughly so you can make an accurate list of everything you need, reducing the risk that you’ll have to run back to the store later in the week.
2. Create a list—and stick to it. Make a detailed list of what you need to buy before you go to the store. When you get to the store, don’t buy anything besides what’s on the list.
3. Plan where you’re going to shop. Many grocery stores run sales or offer coupons on various healthy foods. Check out the ads and plan your grocery list around what’s on sale.
4. Shop seasonally. Fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season are usually easier to get and maybe a lot less expensive. Click here for a list of what’s in season.
5. Cook at home as often as possible. Many foods prepared at home are cheaper and more nutritious. Go back to the basics and find a few simple and healthy recipes that your family enjoys. READ FULL ARTICLE

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2017-18 flu is the worst since the 2009 swine flu pandemic, and it’s not expected to go away anytime soon.

To keep your workforce as healthy as possible, consider the following four suggestions:

1. Encourage employees to get the flu vaccine if they haven’t already done so.
2. Allow sick employees to work from home.
3. Post information about the flu around the workplace.
4. Remind employees that frequent hand-washing is key in flu prevention.

Contact us for flu prevention materials or for more information on the seasonal flu. Read Full Article