Keeping Your Small Business Growing Strong
HR Services for Small and Growing Businesses
News You Can Use
Where is AI's place in the HR process? For us, we think it's still minimal for small businesses, as we see a lot of poorly written AI policies, practices, job descriptions, and other documents which are often incorrect or contain illegal policies or practices. "Garbage in, garbage out" is the old saying and when an artificial source is scraping so-called experts or opinions of those who don't know the laws and practices, you may be led astray. Use AI cautiously especially in reviewing resumes, writing job descriptions and creating policies. Please get a review from a professional before putting out policies or handbooks that may be counter to your best interests or promising things that you don't want or need to promise at your business size.
Quiet Quitting? Or Simply Doing Their Job? See what I think in this Monster.com piece on quiet quitting versus setting boundaries.
Check out my advice on Forbes.com- articles about Working From Home, 5 Ways to Deal With Colleagues Who Drive You Nuts as well as Issues You Should NOT Bring to HR! Fast Company shares my advice on Saying No To Your Boss and 5 Unproductive Thoughts About Work That You Need to Stop Right Now.
Thank you to the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce for naming me one of the 2017 40 Under 40 award winners and the 2021 Navigator Award winner for services to the business community during Covid-19's early years!
Be sure you're using the latest 2025 I-9 form (good into 2027)! All I-9s must be completed within three (3) days of hire. You must see original documentation, employer must complete Section 2, all I-9s kept separate from employee files in a secure location. Contact us with questions- there are stiff (and increasing) fines for improper I-9s! If you'd like to start using the online E-Verify system, just ask!
Minimum Wage Increases take hold on January 1 in many states, including Massachusetts (which has now hit $15 per hour)! Be sure you are making that increase for any minimum-wage-paid employees, including Temporary employees, summer or seasonal employees and paid interns. Un-paid interns should be rare and must pass a 6-point test to determine their eligibility for unpaid work (primarily college students getting credit for school). Do not add un-paid interns without reviewing with me or your employment lawyer!