J. Kent's Blog - Articles for Employers and Job Seekers

How to Develop Problem Solvers in Your Organization

Posted by: Karen Booher on September 22nd, 2020

Situation:  An employee tells you about a business problem they are experiencing, and asks for your advice on how to handle it. Your Response:  You give them your opinion and recommendation on what to do. Does this sound familiar? If so, then you are not effectively developing and nurturing Problem Solvers in your organization. So…

Read More

UPDATE: Further Clarification on the Payroll Tax Deferral Executive Order of Aug. 8, 2020

Posted by: Karen Booher on September 20th, 2020

On Aug. 28, 2020, the IRS issued further guidance on the deferral of certain employee payroll taxes from President Trump’s Aug. 8, 2020 Executive Order (EO). IRS Notice 2020-65 clarifies certain items, but the EO is still subject to change and many questions remain unanswered. Under the EO, summarized in our August blog, employees earning…

Read More

Important Heads-Up for Employers About the Payroll Tax Deferral Executive Order

Posted by: Karen Booher on August 19th, 2020

On August 8, 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order relating in part to a payroll tax deferral for employees. This Executive Order aims to help relieve some of the immediate financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by allowing employees to take home more money. In essence, the Payroll Tax Deferral is an interest-free loan…

Read More

Employee PTO Banks are Overflowing – It’s Time to Keep it in Check

Posted by: Karen Booher on August 18th, 2020

One of the unique challenges the pandemic is creating for employers is the build-up of employee PTO or vacation days. The causes are obvious. Travel bans and travel disruptions were a primary cause of fewer time-off requests this year. Not everyone is a fan of the “staycation”; some figure if they are going to have…

Read More

6 Body Language Tips for Mastering Video Interviews

Posted by: Karen Booher on August 15th, 2020

Zoom and other video platforms have become a part of our everyday lives in recent months. And, while we may have mastered turning our video and audio on, we still need to be aware of the virtual impression that we make with our body language. This holds true whether you are the interviewer or the…

Read More

OSHA Publishes FAQs on Keeping Workers Safe from the Spread of COVID-19

Posted by: Karen Booher on July 13th, 2020

On Jul. 2, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a page of FAQs regarding the spread of COVID-19 and how to best keep workers safe from infection. OSHA developed these FAQs from inquiries from the public. The questions cover 13 different topics, including Personal Protective Equipment and Return…

Read More

Top Skill Sets in Demand for Entry-Level Roles Include Many Soft Skills

Posted by: Karen Booher on July 5th, 2020

New college grads are facing a tough job market, and one that has changed tremendously since the COVID-19 crisis began. In addition to the obvious hard qualifications, employers are seeking entry-level candidates who are also well-equipped with an array of soft skills. What are Hard and Soft Skills? Hard skills are typically related to specific…

Read More

U.S. DOL Releases Online Tool to Help Employees Determine Paid Sick Leave Eligibility Due to Coronavirus

Posted by: Karen Booher on July 5th, 2020

The U.S. Department of Labor recently launched an interactive online tool for employees to help them determine their eligibility for sick leave due to coronavirus. The tool guides the employee through a series of questions to learn if the paid leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) apply to their employer. If…

Read More

New Colorado Law Mandating Paid Sick Leave to Take Effect Jan. 1, 2021

Posted by: Karen Booher on July 5th, 2020

On June 16, 2020, the Colorado State Legislature passed the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, mandating that Colorado companies provide paid sick leave in Colorado. This Act becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2021 for employers with 16 or more employees. For employers with 15 or fewer employees, the Act takes effect on Jan. 1, 2022.…

Read More