HR Pieces: Human Resource December News

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December 2017

The holidays are upon us! HR Advantage would like to wish you a wonderful holiday season and to thank you for subscribing to our monthly e-newsletter.

If you are a new subscriber, welcome! Here's what to expect: every month you will receive our e-newsletter with quality content, actionable advice, and notification of important deadlines regarding employment law. In addition, to any career opportunities that we are working on with an area employer.

Should you have a position to be filled within your entity, actively seeking employment, or know of someone who is - we look forward to assisting.

If you have any questions, or input we would love to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Lynette Weatherford

President

MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

D ecember Contents

'Tis the Season of Holiday Celebrations (Employer Liability)
Missouri Minimum Wage Set to Increase (Jan 2018)
Harassment in the Workplace
Career Opportunities

Work Holiday Celebrations

'Tis the Season for Company Holiday Celebrations. Are you prepared on how to address appropriate dress, conduct and drinking responsibly?

Employers are becoming more cautious of creating a safe and appropriate environment at holiday celebrations to avoid any potentially bad outcomes.

Experts suggest a number of tips to create a safer environment, including limiting the guest list and avoiding offering alcohol. If alcohol is served, employers should be very careful to avoid the risks of drunk driving, injuries or inappropriate conduct that it could result in.

To read more, click here.

Missouri Minimum Wage Set to Rise

Missouri's minimum wage is set to increase 15 cents ( $7.85 hr) January 1st. The Missouri Department of Labor announced the hike from the current $7.70 an hour.

Tipped employees also must be paid at least $7.85 an hour next year. Employers must pay at least half that and need to make up the difference if employees don't make at least that much with tips.

The increase is the result of a law approved by voters 10 years ago. That measure set Missouri's minimum wage at $6.50 an hour in 2007, with an annual cost-of-living adjustment if necessary.

Missouri's minimum wage has gradually risen since then because of inflation.

Click here to view the article.

N ews Headlines Giving You Headaches?

If you've been watching your newsfeed blow up in recent months with scandal after scandal involving celebrities and other public figures accused of behaving badly in the workplace, you might be tempted to believe that individuals in Hollywood, NYC, and Washington corner the market on harassment and discrimination. The truth is bad actors can expose any company to the negative consequences of their behavior, including employee turnover, negative feelings, loss of productivity, and even a lawsuit.

T ake the first steps to proactively address discrimination, bias, and harassment before problems arise:

Review your policies to ensure they are up-to-date and include reporting mechanisms for harassment, discrimination and potential bias.
Train employees on harassment prevention when they are hired and annually thereafter.
Keep accurate records of your proactive efforts to prevent harassment and unconscious bias.
Ensure that employees understand there is never any retaliation for reporting harassment.
Ensure employees know whom to contact to report harassment and include people of both genders as points of contact.
Designate who will investigate allegations of wrongdoing.
To the extent possible, keep investigations confidential.

To do our part to help southwest Missouri stay out of the headlines, our team is conducting complimentary consultations in the month of December to review your company's anti-harassment policies and reporting procedures. Limited appointment availability, so call today: 877-894-0202.

In addition, we are conducting a Lunch & Learn Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the Springfield Hilton Garden Inn. Space is limited to 20 attendees, so reserve your spot click here to RSVP "subject line" Jan Lunch & Learn.

Career Opportunities

Senior Accountant

Salary Commensurate on Experience

Warsaw, MO

Will be responsible for bookkeeping and accounting tasks. Requirements include at least five years of bookkeeping experience. AP and AR, as well as financial statement experience required. Bachelor's degree preferred.

HR Generalist

$50K + Benefits

Springfield, MO

This newly created position will be working with onsite HR Director working from Springfield office. Position requirements include HR certification and at least three years of human resources experience. Excellent culture, location and benefits. Full time, Monday-Friday 8a-5p.

All placements fees for the above positions are paid by employer.

Submit confidential resume/credentials to info@hradvantageweb.net

HR Advantage

www.hradvantageweb.net

877.894.0202