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Press Release: PayReel Expands Operations into the Canadian Market 2560 1707 Alicia East

Press Release: PayReel Expands Operations into the Canadian Market

PayReel–a long-time trusted provider of workforce management solutions– is excited to announce its entry into the Canadian market. With extensive experience in various industries, PayReel is well-equipped to assist Canadian businesses in managing the evolving workplace landscape. PayReel offers custom solutions for contingent workforce management and helps clients effortlessly hire, manage, and pay contract workers.…

Care About Your Company’s Reputation? Do This 2560 1920 Alicia East

Care About Your Company’s Reputation? Do This

For human resources (HR) departments, having systems in place to address worker classification helps avoid significant penalties–including back wages, taxes, legal fees–as well as preventing harm to the company’s reputation. HR teams should conduct frequent internal audits of worker classifications, educate relevant employees on labor laws, employ strict compliance systems, and remain informed about labor…

Ensuring Compliance and Success: The Critical Role of Accurate Worker Classification in Staffing Agencies 150 150 Alicia East

Ensuring Compliance and Success: The Critical Role of Accurate Worker Classification in Staffing Agencies

For staffing firms, accurate worker classification is critical to avoid hefty penalties, including back wages and taxes, legal fees, and reputational damage. Firms should regularly audit worker classifications, train staff on labor laws, implement rigorous systems for compliance, and stay updated on labor regulations. The alternative to doing these tasks internally is to engage a…

How HR Can Leverage an Employer of Record to Streamline Contract Worker Engagement 2560 1709 Alicia East

How HR Can Leverage an Employer of Record to Streamline Contract Worker Engagement

​​Engaging temporary workers is a complex process even under the best of circumstances. For human resource departments, the challenge of navigating state-by-state and federal compliance, alongside the regular burden of onboarding temp workers, can be daunting. This is particularly true when engaging temporary or contract workers for last-minute projects. The time constraints amplify the challenges…

Maximize Temp Worker Success: The KEY Strategy for Recruiters & Staffing Agencies 2560 1707 Alicia East

Maximize Temp Worker Success: The KEY Strategy for Recruiters & Staffing Agencies

Engaging temporary workers is a nuanced process under the best of circumstances. Juggling state-by-state and federal compliance with the regular burden of onboarding temp workers is one of the many reasons agencies traditionally focused on direct hires stay out of temp staffing. When temporary or contract workers are brought on for last-minute projects, those challenges…

Unlock the Power of Temp Staffing: How the Right Strategic Partner Can Change Everything 2560 1440 Alicia East

Unlock the Power of Temp Staffing: How the Right Strategic Partner Can Change Everything

Venturing into the realm of temporary staffing can seem like a daunting leap for agencies traditionally focused on direct staffing, especially when considering the hefty investment and complex infrastructure needed to get started. Engaging the right partner can lower those barriers to entry. An Employer of Record (EOR) mitigates the substantial upfront costs and compliance…

HR Departments: Prepare for it to Feel Like California Everywhere 2560 1707 Alicia East

HR Departments: Prepare for it to Feel Like California Everywhere

I’m sorry, though, I’m not talking about the Golden State’s weather. The upcoming changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) are about to make it feel like it’s as hard  to engage employees nationwide as it is in California. January’s federal ruling–which goes into effect in a matter of days (March 11th!) has significant…

Great Access Means Great Responsibility: Do Right by Your Contract Workers 2560 1442 Alicia East

Great Access Means Great Responsibility: Do Right by Your Contract Workers

In the era of digital transformation, data security has become a paramount concern, especially for companies that handle Personally Identifiable Information (PII). PII, which includes details that can be used on their own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context, is a valuable…

The Game of Workforce Management is Changing: Three Topics Making News 8256 5504 Alicia East

The Game of Workforce Management is Changing: Three Topics Making News

The current employment landscape in the U.S. is shaped by several critical topics, reflecting ongoing changes and challenges in the workforce. Let’s talk about the three employment topics we’re seeing right now. Three Current Employment Topics and What They Mean for Business 1. The Great Reshuffle: Initially termed as ‘The Great Resignation,’ this phenomenon saw…

Engaging a Contingent Workforce: The Strategic Advantages and Drawbacks 2560 1920 Alicia East

Engaging a Contingent Workforce: The Strategic Advantages and Drawbacks

Throughout the labor shortage that has plagued businesses in recent years, many have turned to new strategies to fill roles and ensure continuity and growth. One such strategy is engaging a contingent workforce to fill the gaps. Everyone from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies like Google have leveraged this approach to drive success. While…

Employee or Contract Worker? Making the Right Hiring Decision for Your Business 2560 1707 Alicia East

Employee or Contract Worker? Making the Right Hiring Decision for Your Business

Accurate worker classification is a big deal. Full stop. Still, in light of a recent federal ruling, making the right decision is about to be more important than ever. Making the decision to classify a worker as in independent contractor versus an employee requires an in-depth understanding of the differences. The decision affects more than…

Compliance Concerns? Take These Three Essential Steps 2560 1707 Alicia East

Compliance Concerns? Take These Three Essential Steps

Whether it’s a restaurant denying employees overtime pay or a staffing firm misclassifying workers, companies make headlines every day for various compliance missteps. Labor laws vary from state to state and also change over time as new decisions get passed and old laws get revised. This makes staying in line with compliance laws an “up-at-dawn,…

Contract Worker-Focused Business Models: Mastering the Seismic Shift 2560 1440 Alicia East

Contract Worker-Focused Business Models: Mastering the Seismic Shift

For many companies, the traditional business model–centered around full-time W-2 employees–is gradually being upended by a shift toward contract workers. This transition is changing how companies approach their workforce strategies, particularly in terms of culture and engagement. To make matters more complicated, companies must walk the fine line between including contract workers in company culture…

Pop Quiz: Is Your Industry Likely to Be Affected by Last Week’s BIG Federal Ruling? 150 150 Alicia East

Pop Quiz: Is Your Industry Likely to Be Affected by Last Week’s BIG Federal Ruling?

If your industry or business engages independent contractors, the short answer is yes! Your industry will be affected by last week’s ruling (which tightens worker classification standards). The misclassification of employees (i.e. labeling them as independent contractors instead of employees) has been a significant issue for years and has only continued to heat up as…

⚠️ A MAJOR Shift in U.S. Labor Policy is Coming: Are You Ready? ⚠️ 2560 1707 Alicia East

⚠️ A MAJOR Shift in U.S. Labor Policy is Coming: Are You Ready? ⚠️

Do you think your business has legally legitimate independent contractors? A groundbreaking change in U.S. labor law requires you to think again. With the new rule set to hit the ground running in March, the U.S. Department of Labor has unleashed a colossal upheaval to the way we all do business. Its impact on companies…

Regulating AI: What Are Companies and Governing Bodies Doing to Make AI Work For Everyone? 150 150 Alicia East

Regulating AI: What Are Companies and Governing Bodies Doing to Make AI Work For Everyone?

The Writers’ Strike dominated 2023. It lasted almost half of the year and one of the major points of contention was the use of artificial intelligence in writing. In some ways, this battle is the canary in the coal mine–an indicator that defining how businesses can use AI will be a hot topic well beyond…

So You Think You Might’ve Misclassified a Worker. Now What? 2560 1707 Alicia East

So You Think You Might’ve Misclassified a Worker. Now What?

In today’s evolving business landscape, the distinction between W2 employees and independent contractors has become increasingly significant. This differentiation not only affects the benefits workers receive but also has a substantial impact on a company’s financial obligations. Some businesses manipulate these classifications intentionally to save money, but others simply lack of understanding of the regulations.…

“It’s a Wonderful Life”: What This Almost Forgotten Film Teaches About Resilience and Success 2560 1706 Alicia East

“It’s a Wonderful Life”: What This Almost Forgotten Film Teaches About Resilience and Success

Every year during the holidays, my mom starts hunting for a movie companion. The memories around this ritual stand out to me because my mom is allergic to sitting still. This, of course, presents an obstacle to family movie nights. For my mom, that meant that as she was setting up “It’s a Wonderful Life,”…

Santa Issues Warning: Here’s Your Surefire Ticket to The Naughty List 2560 2054 Alicia East

Santa Issues Warning: Here’s Your Surefire Ticket to The Naughty List

The most effective leaders lead by example and Santa Claus has made it a point to make his worker classification process transparent. He hopes to inspire anyone who believes in the Christmas spirit to do the same. Since the jolly fellow is so busy overseeing his workshop and delighting children all over the world, he…

You Can’t Afford to Skip These PII Security Measures 💻🔒 150 150 Alicia East

You Can’t Afford to Skip These PII Security Measures 💻🔒

In an age where data is king, safeguarding personally identifiable information (PII) is paramount. Companies entrusted with their employees’ sensitive data must implement secure storage solutions both to be found compliant and also to protect workers’ privacy. Protect Your Business With These PII Security Measures ENCRYPTED CLOUD STORAGE: ☁️🔐 Utilize cloud storage services with robust…

Do You Direct Source Talent? This One Thing Might Make You Want to do a Happy Dance 2560 1707 Alicia East

Do You Direct Source Talent? This One Thing Might Make You Want to do a Happy Dance

While some companies prefer to outsource their talent search and the related details, others rely on their own internal systems to find talent (i.e. direct sourcing). This means a company or organization recruits and hires temporary workers without the involvement of traditional staffing agencies or intermediaries. The company takes on the responsibility of identifying, recruiting,…

🚀🔥 Black Friday Tech Roundup! 🖥️📱 2560 1694 Alicia East

🚀🔥 Black Friday Tech Roundup! 🖥️📱

Tech enthusiasts, this is your moment! It’s Black Friday and your dream gadgets and accessories have never been more accessible! Make Your Tech-Loving Heart Skip a Beat With These Savings For the gamers 🕹️, now is the time to score deals on the latest PlayStation and Xbox consoles, accessories, games, and laptops. If you’re looking to…

Working With Independent Contractors? Minimize Last-Minute Tax Headaches With These Tips 2560 1707 Alicia East

Working With Independent Contractors? Minimize Last-Minute Tax Headaches With These Tips

The tax implications that come with hiring independent contractors require special considerations–both when you hire and pay workers as well as when you’re preparing for tax time. Making the right moves up front and throughout the process can minimize last-minute stress. Minimize Last-Minute Headaches by Following These Tips When Engaging Independent Contractors Make Accurate Worker…

Combating Scammers and Cyber Criminals: The AI Threat and Cybersecurity Solutions 150 150 Alicia East

Combating Scammers and Cyber Criminals: The AI Threat and Cybersecurity Solutions

Gone are the days when the “Nigerian prince” is our greatest scam threat. While previous attempts to breach company security measures have been laughable, scammers are now using AI to make increasingly sophisticated and believable attacks. In our increasingly digital world, scammers and cybercriminals are continually evolving their tactics to infiltrate companies, compromise sensitive data,…

Looking For a Haunted Future? Misclassify Your Workers 2560 1707 Alicia East

Looking For a Haunted Future? Misclassify Your Workers

If you engage a contingent workforce and would rather not be haunted by fines, jail time, and damage to your reputation, this post is for you. When the Biden Administration rolled out a proposal that would make it harder for companies to classify workers as independent contractors, he solidified his commitment to making accurate worker…

Watch Out For This Hazard of The Remote Work Revolution 2560 1707 Alicia East

Watch Out For This Hazard of The Remote Work Revolution

As workers disperse into new areas, it has reshaped the way businesses operate. While the arrangement offers benefits to businesses and workers alike, it also brings new challenges in terms of payroll and compliance because it requires a greater level of resources to monitor and comply with multiple regions’ compliance standards. In this post, we’ll explore…

Take Charge of Your Career Success With These In-Demand Skills 2560 1707 Alicia East

Take Charge of Your Career Success With These In-Demand Skills

Bonus: No college degree required. You can acquire any of these in-demand skills through alternative means. Here’s a look at some of the most sought-after skills in today’s market. They don’t require a college degree and we’ll talk about how you can put them to use in your career as well. 5 In-Demand Skills Digital…

Safeguarding Your Business: Understanding Vulnerabilities and Cybersecurity Measures 2560 1442 Alicia East

Safeguarding Your Business: Understanding Vulnerabilities and Cybersecurity Measures

As every aspect of our lives continue to be more and more connected digitally, our vulnerability to cyberattacks increases. Companies of all sizes rely heavily on technology to operate effectively. Technology evolves quickly and cybercriminals are evolving right behind. This makes it imperative for businesses to understand their vulnerabilities and implement robust cybersecurity measures. Here,…

Construction workers climbing stairs - Payreel
Take Our Quiz: Do You Really Understand the Difference Between Employees, Gig Workers, and Independent Contractors? 2560 1710 Alicia East

Take Our Quiz: Do You Really Understand the Difference Between Employees, Gig Workers, and Independent Contractors?

Companies have various options when it comes to hiring talent. While some take the “what’s in a name?” approach and classify based on their own convenience and cost considerations, the classification happens to be of great consequence to the Department of Labor. So let’s compare three common categories of workers (employees, gig workers, and independent…

You Work Too Hard to Let This Cost Your Business 2560 1707 Alicia East

You Work Too Hard to Let This Cost Your Business

Most companies go to great lengths to set up ethical and legally sound practices for nearly every aspect of their business. They’ll have lawyers involved in their contracts and accountants monitoring every penny that passes through their channels. Still, there’s one area where we often see otherwise-diligent companies fall short because they mistakenly think it’s…

Protecting Your Business: 5 Essential Measures to Reduce Workers’ Compensation Risks 2560 1920 Alicia East

Protecting Your Business: 5 Essential Measures to Reduce Workers’ Compensation Risks

Anyone with employees needs workers’ compensation insurance. Yep, everyone. Workers’ compensation provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment. Just like any other insurance, you hope you’ll never need to cash in on it. But if you do end up needing it, it’ll save your butt a million ways.…

What California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) Means For You 2560 1707 Alicia East

What California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) Means For You

California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) is a critical piece of legislation with far-reaching consequences for labor rights and business operations. With PAGA, employees have power to enforce labor laws and directly hold employers accountable for violations. We’ll discuss what this significant piece of legislature means for employees and businesses. What’s in a Name? The…

Mastering the Art of Hybrid Events: A Guide 2560 1707 Alicia East

Mastering the Art of Hybrid Events: A Guide

When done well, hybrid events combine the best of both in-person and virtual experiences and can bridge geographical gaps, engage diverse audiences, and amplify your reach and impact. But of course we know they aren’t all done well. Have you ever attended a virtual event that was little more than a one-angle live stream? That’s…

Preventing Sexual Harassment in The Workplace (But With Fun Gifs) 2560 1707 Alicia East

Preventing Sexual Harassment in The Workplace (But With Fun Gifs)

If you’ve worked in an office environment and also watched “The Office,” you can probably recall a Todd Packer type. They speak in innuendos, find themselves incredibly entertaining, and generally make people around them wish they could disappear. In “The Office,” there’s one exception: Michael seems to find Todd Packer’s behavior aspirational rather than offensive.…

What to do When The Gift of Discomfort Shows up on Your Doorstep 2560 1709 Alicia East

What to do When The Gift of Discomfort Shows up on Your Doorstep

If compliments give us the warm and fuzzies, would it be fair to say criticism gives us the cold and clammies? Still, there’s a reason we are familiar with the sentiment that our way to the desirable stations in life is through some undesirable ones. It’s a familiar theme across religious traditions, philosophical studies, and…

Scammers Are More Subtle Than Ever, so You Have to Be More Savvy Than Ever 2560 1829 Alicia East

Scammers Are More Subtle Than Ever, so You Have to Be More Savvy Than Ever

At this point, we all know the Nigerian prince emails are bogus, but scammers are getting more sophisticated. That means you need to get more sophisticated, too. Some of my friends’ parents are buying a house right now. It’s right across from their daughter’s family (read: grandkids). These salt of the earth people have worked…

Here’s What to Think About if You’re Expanding Your Business (And Therefore, Your Payroll) 2560 1707 Alicia East

Here’s What to Think About if You’re Expanding Your Business (And Therefore, Your Payroll)

If you’re planning to expand your business, one of your top priorities should be making sure you’re in position to classify and pay employees and independent contractors properly. This is especially important if you’re looking to hire people in any state without any red tape. Today, we’ll talk about what it takes to run payroll…

Hall of Shame: 10 Terrible Workplaces (Plus How Not to Suck) 2560 1707 Alicia East

Hall of Shame: 10 Terrible Workplaces (Plus How Not to Suck)

We talk a lot about what to do when you’re running a business–things like accurate worker classification, paying employees properly, and generally just doing right by your workers. What we don’t always address is what not to do. 10 terrible workplace violations and the lessons we can all learn from them A lesson from Packers Sanitation: There’s no place…

🚩Looking to Engage a Payroll Partner? 3 Red Flags to Watch Out For 🚩 2560 1920 Alicia East

🚩Looking to Engage a Payroll Partner? 3 Red Flags to Watch Out For 🚩

Employers are busy working out their policies around labor laws and fair pay as the economy changes. In turn, worker classification challenges and employer missteps seem to be finding their way to the headlines more often. As we know, wherever money is on the line and laws are unclear, you’ll find controversy right behind. If you’re looking…

Three “Cheap” Things That Are Too Expensive (With Gifs) 2560 2304 Alicia East

Three “Cheap” Things That Are Too Expensive (With Gifs)

I love a good deal as much as any other Goodr-clad, middle-aged mom out there, but there are some cheap things I just won’t fork over any amount of money for. They just end up being too expensive. Three “Cheap” Things That End up Being Too Expensive High-Stakes Repairs: We recently had a leaky faucet. Since we’ve…

Here’s What Employers Are Responsible For During Record-Breaking Heat 2560 1707 Alicia East

Here’s What Employers Are Responsible For During Record-Breaking Heat

Early this week, a lightning storm caused a power outage in our area just as we were getting ready to eat dinner. We lit the candles, made a game of it with the kids, and tried to keep our refrigerator closed as much as possible. We endured a restless, sticky night without AC or fans and…

Waiting For Your Big Break? 3 Ways to be in Position For it. 2560 1707 Alicia East

Waiting For Your Big Break? 3 Ways to be in Position For it.

Jennifer Garner thought she was going to be a stage actor and only took her first TV role because she was flat broke. She also slept on a futon in some woman’s kitchen for 9 months while she was waiting (and working her tail off!) to hit her stride. She now has an IMDB page…

If You Have Anyone on Payroll, You Cannot Afford to Ignore This 2560 1707 Alicia East

If You Have Anyone on Payroll, You Cannot Afford to Ignore This

Anytime you’re dealing with payroll, there is risk involved. Workers understandably care a lot about it because their livelihoods are involved and the government cares because they have rules and regulations in place both to get the taxes they are due and also to protect workers. The two most important factors of a successful payroll program…

Is Your Workplace Evolving? Get Back to Basics. 2560 1707 Alicia East

Is Your Workplace Evolving? Get Back to Basics.

In the movie Miracle, Coach Herb Brooks transforms a ragtag group of individuals from rival schools into the unlikely winners of an Olympic gold medal. During tryouts, many of the United States’ top hockey players made a show of their fancy skating. While some of the would-be Olympians hoped to be superstars, Coach Herb Brooks had…

Artificial Intelligence: The Month’s Top Headlines 2560 1920 Alicia East

Artificial Intelligence: The Month’s Top Headlines

There’s more to the AI conversation than the alarmist “It’s coming for your jobs” headlines. Fair warning: I did include one of those here, but there’s so much more to the story. Read on for a little intro for everything from the basics (i.e. what is it?) to the ethical concerns and how it’s affecting…

Do You Think it Might be Time to Hire an Employer of Record (EOR)? 2560 1703 Alicia East

Do You Think it Might be Time to Hire an Employer of Record (EOR)?

Staying on top of compliance concerns can be tedious and time-consuming. Plus, with possible fines, legal fees, and damage to a company’s reputation on the line, the stakes are high. Many companies find that having an in-house team dedicated to keeping up with the laws as they change (and then change again) is unsustainable. Handling all…

Fight For Your Work/Life Balance: Your Work Will be Better For it 2560 1707 Alicia East

Fight For Your Work/Life Balance: Your Work Will be Better For it

Hustle culture is losing its appeal with younger generations. But while they value the idea of having a work/life balance, they’re bad at it. Still, having a robust non-office life might counterintuitively benefit your work one. According to Mental Health America, “When workers are balanced and happy, they are more productive, take fewer sick days,…

The DOL Has Its 👀on YOU: Let’s Talk About Audit Prevention 150 150 Alicia East

The DOL Has Its 👀on YOU: Let’s Talk About Audit Prevention

If you employ any number of independent contractors, the Department of Labor (DOL) has an interest in your business. Yes, yours. You should take it as seriously as they do. Hiring such workers is attractive to companies looking for outside creative resources as well as those that have varying, seasonal, or event-based needs. It can…

Direct Sourcing: How to Walk The Compliance Tight Rope 2560 1707 Alicia East

Direct Sourcing: How to Walk The Compliance Tight Rope

Direct sourcing allows businesses to place workers as needed and on a temporary basis. One of the biggest benefits is that they get to keep the best workers in the pipeline between projects and tap their pool of talent as needs arise. Direct sourcing is a great tool for managing a contingent workforce, but companies…

👻 s Among Us (How to Prevent Payroll Fraud) 2560 1707 Alicia East

👻 s Among Us (How to Prevent Payroll Fraud)

Payroll fraud is incredibly common. White collar crimes can be slippery because they aren’t always as obvious as someone swiping a stack of bills from the cash register. Some perpetrators likely don’t even think of themselves as thieves. They’re just “redirecting” funds they feel should be theirs anyway, “manipulating their payroll records” to show they…

Your Secret Weapon For Eliminating Red Tape For Hiring (a Quiz) 2560 1920 Alicia East

Your Secret Weapon For Eliminating Red Tape For Hiring (a Quiz)

For companies that hire a lot of freelancers, an Employer of Record (EOR) can be a lifesaver—or at least save some headaches if not literal lives. A partner for handling hiring temporary workers can be a key to avoiding fines and court dates by keeping businesses out of trouble. An employer of record is defined as…

Do You Have Workers in Oregon?  2560 1707 Alicia East

Do You Have Workers in Oregon? 

Engaging independent contractors comes with a high level of responsibility no matter where you are. Still, some states have a reputation for being especially risky. Oregon is one of those and any business that engages independent contractors in Oregon must take extra care to stay compliant with worker classification and labor laws.  Some employers like…

Meet The Team: Kaitlyn Kimmel 992 1322 Alicia East

Meet The Team: Kaitlyn Kimmel

Kaitlyn’s background handling property tax issues and motor vehicle dealers has sharpened her customer service skills. She loves being able to help people find solutions and just generally make their day better. Kaitlyn stays extremely organized so she can be at her best in her role. She lives by her calendar and planner. Growing up,…

Head Off Workers’ Compensation Risks at The Pass 2560 1829 Alicia East

Head Off Workers’ Compensation Risks at The Pass

Who needs workers’ compensation insurance? Anyone with workers, it turns out. When employees are injured in the course of employment, such insurance provides wage replacement and medical benefits to workers as well as protections for the employer. Just like any other insurance, you hope you’ll never need it. Still, if you do, it can be absolutely imperative…

Pop Quiz: Is Your Industry The Latest to Make Misclassification News? 2560 1707 Alicia East

Pop Quiz: Is Your Industry The Latest to Make Misclassification News?

Accurate worker classification is important in every industry and for every company–large or small. That said, any business that relies on a contingent workforce is especially vulnerable. The Biden administration’s decision to rescind the Worker Classification Rule made it easier for workers to argue for minimum wage and overtime protections/compensation. We’ve all seen headlines for the big…

Engaging Independent Contractors in Washington 2560 1334 Alicia East

Engaging Independent Contractors in Washington

While California is the state that makes headlines for its frequent legislation and tough employment guidelines, Washington is very similar. It’s considered a risky state to bring on independent contractors due to its strict worker classification rules. The high stakes for mistakes mean it’s important for businesses to take care to stay in good standing. …

Event Management And The Key to Making 1+1 Equal 10 2560 1707 Alicia East

Event Management And The Key to Making 1+1 Equal 10

The adage goes “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” But what about when you’re the one known for getting it all done? Whether you’re managing a massive event or a one-camera production, it’s time to think about multiplying your time. Engaging a partner who specializes in event management works out well for…

Meet Our New Compliance Specialist 450 695 Alicia East

Meet Our New Compliance Specialist

We are very happy to welcome Jamie Pavlunenko, our new Compliance Specialist, to the team!  Jamie has owned her own Professional Branding and HR Consulting business for the last decade with a prior history in HR leadership roles. She leverages a strong attention to detail to guide businesses in crafting policies and programs that comply…

Cybersecurity: Five Digital Hygiene Practices That Protect Your Customers 2560 1707 Alicia East

Cybersecurity: Five Digital Hygiene Practices That Protect Your Customers

If you’re a production company with expensive gear, you lock it up well and insure it. You keep your wallet or purse close to you while you’re in public. Unlike tangible items though, we can’t keep our identity, data, and personally identifiable information (PII) in our sight or locked up with a key. Cybersecurity requires…

Do You Engage Independent Contractors in California? Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid. 2560 1707 Alicia East

Do You Engage Independent Contractors in California? Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid.

It truly is a tightrope walk doing business in California, especially if you engage independent contractors. Still, you don’t panic. Let’s talk about what makes California high risk (hint: worker classification tops the list), what’s at stake, and how businesses can protect themselves.  Why is California Considered High Risk?  California is considered the riskiest of the…

Meet Our CEO, Todd Keener 299 332 Alicia East

Meet Our CEO, Todd Keener

First things first: Happy retirement to PayReel’s founder and longtime CEO, Heidi McLean! While Heidi will continue supporting the company through its transition period, we are proud to announce that Todd Keener has stepped in to fill the role. In combination with his previous experience, Todd’s 5-year tenure as COO at PayReel, and 5 years…

What to Know About 5 Hot Employment Topics (From Pay Transparency to New Minimum Wages) 2560 1707 Alicia East

What to Know About 5 Hot Employment Topics (From Pay Transparency to New Minimum Wages)

Below is a roundup of resources on the recent hot employment topics, including those touched on by President Biden in his State of the Union. While we know a possible recession and inflation is on people’s minds as well, these are the topics we’re hearing most about on the employment side of things. Roundup of…

Three Business Principles to Avoid Compliance Woes 2560 1920 Alicia East

Three Business Principles to Avoid Compliance Woes

There are many perks of hiring independent contractors, including being able to: Outsource tasks not core to your business Engage workers for specific, short-term, or highly specialized tasks End engagement whenever it makes sense Avoid much of the onboarding hassle Avoid paying a premium for benefits Engaging independent contractors is very appealing, but is only…

Introducing Our New VP of Technology: Mark Lindley 648 648 Alicia East

Introducing Our New VP of Technology: Mark Lindley

Overseeing all things tech is a big job for just about any company, and with the software that’s core to our business and the level of information that crosses our paths, PayReel is no exception. That’s why we’re so happy to welcome a long-time expert to our team! Mark Lindley: VP of Technology  Mark oversees…

What to Know Before Engaging Independent Contractors in High Risk States 2560 1697 Alicia East

What to Know Before Engaging Independent Contractors in High Risk States

Hiring independent contractors can be a great way to advance your business goals without hiring additional employees for the long term. Often, contractors are the best bet for accomplishing specific, creative tasks like rebuilding a website. However, if you engage independent contractors in any of the high-risk states, it’s important to take extra care to…

Meet The Team: Ethan Morse 450 940 Alicia East

Meet The Team: Ethan Morse

Meet Ethan Morse–our market researcher. Ethan’s background in computer science and his penchant for both programming and creative endeavors make him a natural fit for his role at PayReel. As a market researcher, Ethan identifies and reaches out to prospects who could benefit from PayReel’s services and software. Previously, Ethan spent a decade as a…

Hiring: Employees Versus Independent Contractors 2560 1707 Alicia East

Hiring: Employees Versus Independent Contractors

If you’re looking to bring on some independent contractors or employees to help you accomplish your goals for 2023, you better have worker classification on the mind. How you classify workers affects what paperwork they’ll need as well as how you’ll pay them, what benefits they’ll be entitled to and how/when they execute their responsibilities.…

5 EASY Ways to Improve Your Life in The New Year 2560 1702 Alicia East

5 EASY Ways to Improve Your Life in The New Year

There are scores of folks getting ready to join CrossFit, go vegan, or relocate in an attempt to make some drastic, life-altering changes in the New Year. That’s not what we’re doing here. We’re talking small. We’re talking manageable. We’re talking low commitment with BIG results. To finish out 2022, we’re talking about some things…

Itching For Something New? These States Offer Relocation Incentives 2560 1920 Alicia East

Itching For Something New? These States Offer Relocation Incentives

Do you ever get a little antsy about your life and find yourself wanting to change careers, remodel your house, or even cut bangs? In certain ways, it’s getting easier than ever to scratch that itch by getting a change of scenery without having to establish a new career. Between the increase number of self-employed folks…

Tax forms and calculator - Payreel
1099-K Requirements Are Changing: Here’s What You Need to Know 2560 1799 Alicia East

1099-K Requirements Are Changing: Here’s What You Need to Know

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 changed the way businesses report income from payment cards and third party network transactions such as Venmo and CashApp. Here’s What You Need to Know Which Transactions Qualify? Any payment after December 31st, 2021 is subject to the new rules, which indicate that a threshold of $600 in aggregate…

Do You Engage Independent Contractors? The States Where it’s Riskiest And What You Can do About it 2560 1703 Alicia East

Do You Engage Independent Contractors? The States Where it’s Riskiest And What You Can do About it

No matter where you are, engaging independent contractors comes with some risk to your business. You need to be ready to abide by a zillion (give or take) laws and regulations to make sure you stay compliant and in good standing with state and federal rules and regulations. In any of the high-risk states, it’s…

What to Look For in a Video Production Payroll Service 2560 1707 Alicia East

What to Look For in a Video Production Payroll Service

A good payroll service is effective with even the most intricate, multifaceted, heavily-regulated industries around. Video production is up there with the toughest industries (it’s called a production for a reason)! Media managers oversee an incredible about of details for multiple teams of independent contractors and freelancers and, when their productions get big enough, it can be…

10 emotions of Thanksgiving Week (Brought to You by Will Ferrell) 150 150 Alicia East

10 emotions of Thanksgiving Week (Brought to You by Will Ferrell)

Once a year, a holiday that calls to mind all we have to be grateful for rolls around. And every year, we think of you–the clients and customers who make our work possible. We also think of pie. This year, we’re sharing 10 emotions of Thanksgiving week (with a little help from Will Ferrell gifs). 10…

What do Supply Chain Shortages, $1.2 Billion, and Compromised Healthcare Have in Common? 2560 2048 Alicia East

What do Supply Chain Shortages, $1.2 Billion, and Compromised Healthcare Have in Common?

To quote the Fiddler on the Roof: “That I can tell you in one word.” Ransomware Ransomware is an ever-growing global threat where the attackers hide behind computer screens. It’s a growing concern for governments, industries, and individual private citizens because it can cause serious disruptions in everything from the food supply to healthcare. Short-term…

Which Independent Contractors Should You Require to Have General Liability Insurance? 2560 1707 Alicia East

Which Independent Contractors Should You Require to Have General Liability Insurance?

We’re like anyone else: if there’s not a good reason for red tape, we’ll happily skip it. Sometimes, though, it seems there’s no work without a mountain of paperwork. Still, there’s one thing we know is important enough to require our independent contractors to carry: general liability insurance. We are so serious about it because…

It’s That Time Again: Gift Guide For Everyone From The Minimalist to The Techie in Your Life 2560 1707 Alicia East

It’s That Time Again: Gift Guide For Everyone From The Minimalist to The Techie in Your Life

The holidays are upon us and so are the sales. You’ll find tech, entertainment, gadgets and experiences for everyone from those who are averse to letting new items cross the threshold of their home to your tech savvy loved ones. Here’s our curated list for just about everyone in your life—from the tech junkies to…

Fines, Jail Time, & Reputation Damage: The 👻, 👿, and 🧟‍♂️ of Misclassifying Workers 2560 1707 Alicia East

Fines, Jail Time, & Reputation Damage: The 👻, 👿, and 🧟‍♂️ of Misclassifying Workers

If you engage a contingent workforce and would rather avoid fines, jail time, and damage to your reputation, this post is for you. This month, the Biden Administration rolled out a proposal that would make it harder for companies to classify workers as independent contractors. From the beginning, the administration has had its sights set…

If You Hire a Contingent Workforce, Security MUST be a Top Priority 7952 5304 Alicia East

If You Hire a Contingent Workforce, Security MUST be a Top Priority

Ransomware attacks have caused supply chain disruptions, compromised medical care, and even canceled flights. The issue simply isn’t going away. Most of us have added two-step verification to everything from our NestCams to our grocery chain apps and taken increased steps in our own personal security. This is a good start, but businesses that have access to…

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Video Marketing: Three Strategies to Master And One Myth to Bust 1080 1416 Alicia East

Video Marketing: Three Strategies to Master And One Myth to Bust

What’s the most common advice you’ve heard regarding consumer behavior when watching videos online? Hold on to that bit of so-called wisdom for a moment because we’ll come back to it. In the meantime, let’s talk about three strategies to level up your video marketing efforts. Three Strategies to Engage Customers Personalized Videos My lender…

Nichole Rose - Payreel
Meet Nichole Rose—Our New Risk & Compliance Manager 250 333 Alicia East

Meet Nichole Rose—Our New Risk & Compliance Manager

Nichole Rose—our new Risk & Compliance Program Manager—stays ahead of the game to help clients with their compliance practices. She covers Human Resources matters such as benefits, workers’ compensation, and wage and hour compliance. Staying on top of the ins and outs of risk and compliance is hard, time-consuming, high-stakes work. Isn’t it nice to…

Tried and True Worker Classification Solutions to End Your Audit Concerns 150 150 PayReel

Tried and True Worker Classification Solutions to End Your Audit Concerns

If you are a consumer of HR newsletters, you are well aware that the government is serious about targeting misclassification of employees as independent contractors. More attention on worker classification means an already risky business is about to get riskier. It behooves any business to pay attention before infractions hurt a business’s reputation or their bottom…

money and clock - PayReel
The Closest Thing to an Easy Button For Contingent Workforce Management 800 534 Alicia East

The Closest Thing to an Easy Button For Contingent Workforce Management

Ask anyone who manages a contingent workforce and the answer will be swift: an easy button to make it simple, convenient, and organized would be worth an awful. Any system or company that handles contractor payroll should include certain features (like online timecards, approvals, benefits-tracking, and more) to get as close to an easy button…

Laptop and notepad - Payreel
In-Demand Skills You Can Learn Without College 2560 1658 Alicia East

In-Demand Skills You Can Learn Without College

P.S. They pay well, too. If you’re already freelancing, you may be looking to either improve the disciplines you already offer or to add to your skillset to make your total package that much more valuable to your clients. Businesses used to consider proficiency in Microsoft Word foundational, but recent years have seen the addition…

Independent Contractor Agreement - Payreel
10 Worker Classification Mistakes That Land Businesses in Hot Water 2560 1920 Alicia East

10 Worker Classification Mistakes That Land Businesses in Hot Water

Employee misclassification is becoming an increasingly big deal for government and an equally bum deal for businesses that don’t take it seriously enough. Back in 2000, Microsoft paid $97 million, plus legal fees, in a benefits dispute with its long-term temps. More recently, FedEx shelled out $228 million. Of course, there’s also Uber, which has…

Question mark - Payreel
W-2 vs. 1099: Which workers get which? 2560 1708 Alicia East

W-2 vs. 1099: Which workers get which?

The way the IRS distinguishes between employees and independent contractors guides what benefits a worker is entitled to, what tax obligations they’re subject to, and which paperwork is required to make their status legally sound. Worker Classification (The BIG Question) While the paperwork is important, the most important aspect of this whole conversation is making sure…

Employer record - Payreel
Questions to Ask When Onboarding Your First Employee 2560 2560 Alicia East

Questions to Ask When Onboarding Your First Employee

If you’re looking at onboarding your first employee, congratulations! It’s a big step in the life of any business. Since you’re dealing with paying someone else, you need to be extra sure you do it correctly! You’re dealing with someone else’s livelihood, which in itself is a big responsibility, but you’re also subject to government…

Women working together - Payreel
Check Out What We’re Up To (Spoiler: We’re Improving The Client Experience) 2560 1707 Alicia East

Check Out What We’re Up To (Spoiler: We’re Improving The Client Experience)

We’ve improved our client experience so to simplify worker classification/compliance, onboarding workers, and obtaining more customized reports. PLUS, we have new updates around the corner. Here’s How We’ve Been Working to Continually Improve Our Processes Streamlining Compliance Independent contractor payroll management can be complicated, but a good partner specializes in simplifying it. With California’s AB5…

Tax forms and calculator - Payreel
Does Outsourcing Payroll Make Sense For Your Business? 2560 1799 Alicia East

Does Outsourcing Payroll Make Sense For Your Business?

For some businesses, getting out from under onboarding, vendor payment, classifying temporary employees, and other hiring/payroll demands makes all the difference. It can free them up to focus on the central aspects of their business.  Some of the top issues intertwined with payroll are overtime rules, federal and state compliance, insurance requirements for workers, benefit eligibility…

Worker Classification: The Billion Dollar Dispute 150 150 Alicia East

Worker Classification: The Billion Dollar Dispute

While many things remain in question right now, one thing we know for sure is that each year takes us ever further from the traditional employment model of our ancestors. As always, when things rapidly change, there’s a period of trial and error (emphasis on the trial) while we figure things out. What’s been changing…

Iced drink - Payreel
Are You Thinking About Freelancing? Here’s What I Wish I Knew A Decade Ago 2560 1709 Alicia East

Are You Thinking About Freelancing? Here’s What I Wish I Knew A Decade Ago

I was one year and two weeks into teaching high school when I realized it was–without a doubt–not a good fit. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I’d won awards in the position I had left the previous year but, while I was certainly happier in sales than in teaching, that profession didn’t…

models black and white runway - PayReel
Risk And Compliance When Direct Sourcing (This is Non-Negotiable!) 1920 1080 Alicia East

Risk And Compliance When Direct Sourcing (This is Non-Negotiable!)

Using your own talent pool can be a wonderful way for businesses to meet their contingent workforce needs. Direct sourcing is the practice of finding and recruiting talent and then building, nurturing, and drawing from an internal network rather than enlisting a third-party. It’s an increasingly popular (and feasible) option and it has many benefits. Still, there’s one…

Woman at computer - Payreel
Do You Need Payroll Services? This 2-Minute Quiz Will Help You Decide 2560 1707 Alicia East

Do You Need Payroll Services? This 2-Minute Quiz Will Help You Decide

Time is money. And when you have a tendency to get buried under onboarding, vendor payment, classifying temporary employees, and other hiring details, time is priceless. 10 Questions to Determine Whether to Hire Someone to Handle Your Payroll Do you regularly hire independent contractors and/or temporary employees? Is hiring and onboarding one of the most time-consuming parts…

Employer record - Payreel
How to Make Hiring And Paying Workers For Events The Easiest Part of Your Day 2560 2560 Alicia East

How to Make Hiring And Paying Workers For Events The Easiest Part of Your Day

It’s always a good idea to treat your workers right. Aside from just being the right thing to do, it also makes business sense to make onboarding easy and payment quick and accurate. The current labor shortage just makes it extra important because workers have options and you want to be sure that your project…

Paperwork - Payreel
Would Your Business Benefit from Partnering With an Employer of Record?  2560 1707 Alicia East

Would Your Business Benefit from Partnering With an Employer of Record? 

Today we’re going to talk about what exactly an EOR is, who can benefit most from partnering with one and why, and what you can do today if you’re ready to cut that red tape and get out from under a mountain of onboarding paperwork. Let’s start with what an Employer of Record (or an EOR)…

Newspapers - Payreel
Here’s What to do if You Think You’ve Misclassified a Worker 2560 1707 Alicia East

Here’s What to do if You Think You’ve Misclassified a Worker

You already know that W2 employees and independent contractors are entitled to different benefits and typically, independent contractors cost companies a lot less than employees. For this reason, some companies have bent the rules and classified workers incorrectly on purpose. Others have taken advantage of gray areas in the law to save money. And believe…

Sunset - Payreel
What Record-Breaking Heat Waves Mean For Your Business 2560 1707 Alicia East

What Record-Breaking Heat Waves Mean For Your Business

Yesterday, I drove by a young man directing construction traffic from the side of a freshly-tarred road. We are in the middle of a heat wave in my area and even by 9 AM, we were well into the 90’s. If it had been a cartoon, I would’ve been able to see the heat waves rising…

McDonald's to go bag - Payreel
Gig Worker ≠ Independent Contractor ≠ Employee 2560 1707 Alicia East

Gig Worker ≠ Independent Contractor ≠ Employee

Employee classifications identify how the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)  apply to workers and what benefits they are legally entitled to or not. Because of this, the language we use around it matters! The terms we use to define workers can get thrown around interchangeably even though they’re actually different. Let’s define the language around independent contractor, gig…

Broken pencil and paper - PayReel
You Have Better Things to do With Your Time Than an Audit 5548 3699 Alicia East

You Have Better Things to do With Your Time Than an Audit

The court battle over which workers can be classified as independent contractors versus employees does affect your business whether you want to think about it or not. Whatever the IRS makes a priority  of a topic will soon be the focus of audits, too. In short: that means anyone with workers must be well-versed on…

Man at computer - Payreel
Cybersecurity And The Responsibility to Protect Your Company And Clients 2560 1707 Alicia East

Cybersecurity And The Responsibility to Protect Your Company And Clients

The interconnectedness of today’s digital world makes it increasingly important to be vigilant on the cybersecurity front. Digital information cannot be locked up in a safe and unlike a physical object, you may never even know it’s been obtained by a malicious agent. We learn early to keep our valuables under close watch but digitally, you’re…

Newspapers - Payreel
Here’s How to Keep Your Payroll Compliant When Laws Change 2560 1707 Alicia East

Here’s How to Keep Your Payroll Compliant When Laws Change

Keeping on top of the ins and outs of compliance is hard, time-consuming, high-stakes work. It’s worth it to make sure you have an in-house team or a partner dedicated to keeping your payroll services running smoothly and accurately. Legal Considerations It’s hard to think of a higher-stakes aspect of business than where the money goes…

Computer map - Payreel
Cyberattacks Are Coming: The Time to Protect Your Business is Now 2560 1709 Alicia East

Cyberattacks Are Coming: The Time to Protect Your Business is Now

President Biden’s warning to businesses was clear: Russian cyberattacks are coming.  Tensions amid sanctions and Russia’s war in Ukraine are high and Putin’s playbook for countering such measures includes cyberattacks on essential aspects of American life. Consumers will remember last May’s cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline, which cut off nearly 50% of the fuel capacity for…

Agreement - Payreel
How to be a Hero to Your Freelancers and Employees 2560 1696 Alicia East

How to be a Hero to Your Freelancers and Employees

According to this report, more than half of freelancers have over 50K in unpaid/late invoices. If you’re one of the clients whose invoice is showing up in the red, you are going to lose favor with your workers. To a big company, that amount may seem like small potatoes, but to smaller businesses, it can…

Together is the way pic - Payreel
The Fundamentals for a Solid Team in a Changing Workplace 2560 2048 Alicia East

The Fundamentals for a Solid Team in a Changing Workplace

In the movie Miracle, a ragtag group of individuals from rival schools transforms into a well-functioning team and the unlikely winners of the Olympic gold. During tryouts, many of the United States’ top hockey players made a show of their fancy skating skills. Still, Coach Herb Brooks had something more basic in mind. He knew this…

Butterflies in cocoon - Payreel
Strategies to Help You Through The Changing Workplace 2560 1700 Alicia East

Strategies to Help You Through The Changing Workplace

Like a lot of you, we’ve been reading about how to adjust to the changing workplace. We hope you find this curated list of the Harvard Business Review’s resources to help you through the changing workplace. The Great Resignation 6 Strategies to Boost Retention Through the Great Resignation (Harvard Business Review) How to Hang On to…

Independent Contractor Agreement - Payreel
Hiring Independent Contractors The Right Way 2560 1920 Alicia East

Hiring Independent Contractors The Right Way

Hiring independent contractors has many benefits. Companies appreciate the ability to engage only when needed and end engagement whenever it makes sense, outsourcing tasks not related to your core business, have less onboarding hassle, and not having to pay for benefits. It makes sense why engaging independent contractors is often to a company’s advantage, but…

Girl holding sparkly balloons - Payreel
Is Your Brand Ambassador an Employee or an Independent Contractor? 1814 2560 Alicia East

Is Your Brand Ambassador an Employee or an Independent Contractor?

Clients tell us they grapple with worker classification over and over. They wonder whether workers should be treated as W-2 employees or as 1099 independent contractors. It can be a complicated subject and every time the game changes, the rules change, too. Fortunately, with brand ambassadors, it can quickly become simple. The answer comes down…

1 dollar bill - Payreel
Customizable Contractor Payroll And Benefits 2496 1664 Alicia East

Customizable Contractor Payroll And Benefits

Many businesses can outsource an entire department and save mountains of paperwork by partnering with a company specializing in online payroll and HR administration. Such a partner facilitates employee and contractor payroll while also tracking and managing benefits and taxes. While it’s a natural fit for small businesses, large companies often engage payroll partners, too,…

Document Report - Payreel
What to Look For When Partnering With an Employer of Record 2560 1707 Alicia East

What to Look For When Partnering With an Employer of Record

Compliance is hard, time-consuming, high-stakes work. Many companies find that keeping on top of the ins and outs with an in-house team gets harder as laws change (and then change again). Whether you partner with a payroll service or build a team to do the job, you want to be sure they’re fully in position to protect…

payreel payroll services - PayReel
How to Know It’s Time to Simplify Your Process For Onboarding Freelancers 6000 4000 Alicia East

How to Know It’s Time to Simplify Your Process For Onboarding Freelancers

If one or more of the following statements is true for you when it comes to onboarding freelancers, it might be time to reconsider your methods: We spent more time onboarding freelancers in 2021 than we did in 2020 Our team has a basic understanding of the terms exempt, non-exempt, W-2, and 1099 but can’t…

Camera man - Payreel
How to Get More Mileage Out of Hybrid Events 2560 1707 Alicia East

How to Get More Mileage Out of Hybrid Events

You’ve hired a team to professionally film and broadcast your event. You’ve considered the content to be sure it translates well both in-person and online. When you’ve already gone to the effort of putting together a hybrid event, you may as well get the most you possibly can out of said event. Three Ways to…

Camera man - Payreel
The #1 Myth About Hybrid Events 1244 844 Alicia East

The #1 Myth About Hybrid Events

While in 2020, virtual events reigned supreme, 2021 brought the rise of hybrid events–those that combine both in-person and virtual experiences. We saw trade shows, company rallies, and conferences turn to hybrid events for the best chance at reaching their audience. Raise your hand if you’ve participated in a hybrid conference. ✋ It’s easy to…

Remote working - Payreel
The Evolving Workplace And You 2560 1697 Alicia East

The Evolving Workplace And You

The workplace was already evolving, but you might’ve noticed things accelerated in the last year and a half or so. For many of us, work relationships are no longer made up of people we see on a regular basis. It is more and more possible by the day to have an entire functioning relationship without…

Stay Safe - Payreel
Mitigate Workers’ Compensation Risk in Four Steps 2560 1707 Alicia East

Mitigate Workers’ Compensation Risk in Four Steps

Just like any other insurance, workers’ compensation is a “just in case” plan you hope you’ll never need. But if you do need, it’ll save your butt a million ways and you’ll be so glad you have it. Workers’ compensation provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment. Employers…

computer code - PayReel
4 Skills That Increase Your Hireability 5760 3840 Alicia East

4 Skills That Increase Your Hireability

Freelancing is a balls to the wall, pride-swallowing siege. How do you make business yours when it seems every other freelancer is fighting for it, too? One way is to solve the problems clients have (the ones they called you about) and then go even further by solving the ones they haven’t even thought about yet.…

money and clock - PayReel
The Hidden Benefit to Paying Contractors in 30 Days 800 534 Alicia East

The Hidden Benefit to Paying Contractors in 30 Days

Internal processes, red tape, and backlogged accounting departments make it hard to get checks in the mail. We definitely understand. Even when a practice is common among other companies, a slow corporate freelance payment policy might prevent you from working with the best people. Paying Contractors On Time Is Good For Companies We know that keeping…

Burning Money - Payreel
The Road to IRS Hell is Paved With Preventable Mistakes 2560 1707 Alicia East

The Road to IRS Hell is Paved With Preventable Mistakes

A case involving embezzlement, tax liability, and good intentions added up to a nightmare for one man. Dr. Robert McClendon’s story proves there’s no amount of caution too intense when it comes to payroll tax liability. IRS Mistakes Cost Big (Even When They’re Not Your Fault) In a sobering case reported in Forbes, a man…

How To Improve Client Relations (An Uncomfortable Take) 150 150 Alicia East

How To Improve Client Relations (An Uncomfortable Take)

Olympian Abby Wambach said the thing that concerns athletes the most is when the coach ignores you. If the coach didn’t give feedback, it meant they’d given up on her. On the other hand, if she was getting coaching–even difficult or rough-around-the-edges coaching–she knew she was relevant and they believed in her. It’s time to…

How (And Why) to Give Workers What They Want Most in The COVID World 150 150 Alicia East

How (And Why) to Give Workers What They Want Most in The COVID World

What’s most important to workers in the COVID world? To no one’s surprise, COVID-19 has impacted people’s career choices and preferences. A recent poll shows 53% are currently looking for a new job that would allow them to avoid offices altogether. The poll shows most respondents are doubtful that office jobs will return even after the…

Do you know if you need to pay local taxes? 150 150 Alicia East

Do you know if you need to pay local taxes?

If you don’t, it might be time to hire a payroll service. Would you rather think about federal, state, and local (yes, local—such as in NYC and LA) taxes more or less? A) More B) Less If you answered A, you have found your life’s work: Become a CPA and you can spend your days researching tax…

Paperwork - Payreel
The Two Most Important Ways to Earn Temporary Workers’ Trust And Loyalty 2560 1707 Alicia East

The Two Most Important Ways to Earn Temporary Workers’ Trust And Loyalty

If the internet was the spark that started the digital revolution fire, COVID-19 certainly fanned the flame. Humans did what we do. We stretched our resources to adapt to the new reality. Technology carried the flag and enabled many companies and workers to stay afloat with remote workplace solutions. But, as always, technology has limits.…

thin ice sign - PayReel
Here’s Why The Time to Fix Employee Misclassification Problems is Now 550 459 Heidi McLean

Here’s Why The Time to Fix Employee Misclassification Problems is Now

If you’ve come anywhere near a Human Resources newsletter in the last six months, you know the government is serious about targeting misclassification of employees as independent contractors. More attention on worker classification means an already risky business is about to get riskier. Businesses like to work with contractors because it helps them avoid paying…

Cellphone - Payreel
Do You Really Need Payroll Services? 2560 1707 Alicia East

Do You Really Need Payroll Services?

Time is money. And when you have a tendency to get buried under onboarding, vendor payment, classifying temporary employees, and other hiring details, time is priceless. Here’s a brief quiz to determine if hiring someone to handle your payroll services might be worth the investment. Ten Questions to Help You Decide if You Need Payroll Services Do you…

Managing a Contingent Workforce? Here’s Your Audit Prevention Checklist 150 150 Alicia East

Managing a Contingent Workforce? Here’s Your Audit Prevention Checklist

If you work with independent contractors, you know the draw. You get to tap into outside creative resources and outsource work that is not central to your main line of business. It often allows companies to better meet budget. On the surface, the barometer for identifying independent contractors is easy. They are self-employed and hired…

The Art of Delegating: How to Multiply Your Bandwidth 150 150 Alicia East

The Art of Delegating: How to Multiply Your Bandwidth

The adage goes “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” If you are the person that always gets asked, it might be time to think about how to multiply your time using the art of delegating. Engaging a partner for events, worker management, and payroll is one of the quickest ways to increase bandwidth…

Concert - Payreel
The Absolute Non-Negotiable When Direct Sourcing 2560 1707 Alicia East

The Absolute Non-Negotiable When Direct Sourcing

It’s easier than ever for companies to use their own talent pool to meet their contingent workforce needs. Direct Sourcing allows businesses to place workers on a temporary basis, while keeping the best workers in the pipeline between projects. Direct sourcing is a great tool in the toolbox for contingent workforce management, but companies must…

Money tree - Payreel
What Can Misclassifying Employees Cost You? 2560 1707 Alicia East

What Can Misclassifying Employees Cost You?

The legal battle over which workers can be classified as independent contractors versus employees is nowhere near close to over. Wherever the battles land, one important fact remains: The IRS takes the practice of hiring independent contractors very seriously. That means companies should, too. Misclassification Costs Businesses Money While hiring an independent contractor is attractive…

American flag - Payreel
Misclassification: Your $358,675 Problem 2560 1707 Alicia East

Misclassification: Your $358,675 Problem

Accurate worker classification is important for any company but those with a contingent workforce are especially vulnerable to making missteps. It’s a topic the Biden administration is paying attention to as well. The administration’s recent decision to rescind the “Worker Classification Rule” makes it easier for workers to argue for minimum wage and overtime protections/compensation. Big company…

Teaching - Payreel
How Apprenticeships May Be the Key to Your Talent Problem 2560 1707 Alicia East

How Apprenticeships May Be the Key to Your Talent Problem

It’s easy to think about apprenticeships as a relic of bygone years for cobblers and philosophers. But it does have a place in today’s world, albeit with a modern understanding and application. An apprenticeship is “a position as an apprentice: an arrangement in which someone learns an art, trade, or job under another.” Historically, apprenticeships have been a…

The Counterintuitive Policy That Saves Businesses Big Money 150 150 Alicia East

The Counterintuitive Policy That Saves Businesses Big Money

For small businesses, cash flow is king, queen, and the American dream. While big businesses’ budgets tend to be a little more forgiving, small businesses and contractors have much less room to handle delayed payments or unexpected expenses. That’s in the best of times. Throw a little thing like a pandemic into the mix and…

Film Studio - Payreel
The Most Expensive Marketing Mistake You Can Make 900 633 Alicia East

The Most Expensive Marketing Mistake You Can Make

A marketing director, we will call Judy, with a nonprofit we shall call Suffer No Fools, came to a crewing company upon recommendation. She was skittish. After they talked through her options and how one of our vetted crews would go about telling the nonprofit’s story, she softened. Finally, she revealed why she was skeptical.…

Locked Computer - Payreel
How to Prevent a Security Breach And Stay Out of The Headlines 7952 5304 Alicia East

How to Prevent a Security Breach And Stay Out of The Headlines

You’ve added two-step verification to everything from your NestCam to your Einstein’s Bagels app. Maybe you’ve even frozen your credit (and your kids’ credit, if you’re super vigilant). You know a breach in your security plan could wreck your life. In business, your access to workers’ Personally Identifiable Information (PII) places an enormous responsibility on your…

Fire Extinguisher - Payreel
What Employer of Record (EOR) Means And How it Can Cover Your Butt (CYB) 2560 1710 Alicia East

What Employer of Record (EOR) Means And How it Can Cover Your Butt (CYB)

Anyone else have a whole folder dedicated to CYB? How about a whole company dedicated to doing that on your behalf? That’s basically what an Employer of Record (EOR) is. Clients usually come to us with three main CYB dreams for payroll Keep workers happy with on-time, accurate payroll. Keep the government happy with accurate…

Capital - Payreel
How the New Administration May Affect Your Business 2560 1707 Alicia East

How the New Administration May Affect Your Business

The New Administration, Worker Classification, And Protecting Your Business We’re 3 weeks into a new administration. While Biden and co get busy on their top priorities, history tells us a little of what to expect during the next four years. The bottom line is that Democratic-led governments tend to tighten up on businesses and are very…

Filming - Payreel
Quit Pining Away For Normal! We Have a Better Alternative! 594 434 Alicia East

Quit Pining Away For Normal! We Have a Better Alternative!

It’s 2021 and people are craving normalcy. They want to see the inside of restaurants again. They want to get massages and go to the gym. They want to hug their grandparents. What they may not want to do again? Wear pants with zippers or wait in security lines to travel for a meeting they…

Covid Test - Payreel
COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Can Expect For Business & Travel 2560 1707 Alicia East

COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Can Expect For Business & Travel

The first doses of the approved COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered, and Dr. Fauci said, “We could really turn this thing around” by the end of 2021. So what can you expect in the coming months? Here’s what you can expect for business and travel as the vaccine rollout continues Business: Employers don’t usually have…

Present - Payreel
2020 Gift Guide With Something For Everyone 800 533 Alicia East

2020 Gift Guide With Something For Everyone

As 2020 is about to get a swift kick in the butt by a weary world, we can now look to all the tech, entertainment, and experiences we’d like to gift or have for ourselves while we wait for our respective phases of the vaccine rollout. Here’s our curated list for just about everyone in your…

Not Even 2020 Can Cancel Gratitude 150 150 Alicia East

Not Even 2020 Can Cancel Gratitude

However you’re spending this holiday, it’s likely different than you expected before the regular old year of 2020 became, well, #2020. Whatever your situation, Thanksgiving is the day we’ve set aside to take a pause to remember what we’re grateful for. P.S. Science says the act of giving thanks gives us more to be thankful for.…

Filming - Payreel
Need to Film Footage Yourself? You Have Options! 2560 1707 Alicia East

Need to Film Footage Yourself? You Have Options!

Sure, there are as many iPhones as there are stars in the (Samsung) Galaxy. Sure, people are more forgiving about production value right now. And yes, you can send a mountain of footage to an able editor over the wonderful, wacky web. But should you? Are you going to feel good about using what they produce…

Procrastination - Payreel
Less Obvious Etiquette For Video Calls 2560 1709 Alicia East

Less Obvious Etiquette For Video Calls

If you don’t know why we’re revisiting this, well, bless you. But sometimes the things you think go without saying need to be said. I guess? But really. We’ve gathered some resources to help you be your best self on your work calls and there are probably a few things you haven’t thought of.  …

Sunset - Payreel
How to Thrive Through the 💩Storm of 2020 967 725 Alicia East

How to Thrive Through the 💩Storm of 2020

Over a period of 4 years, the Brown farm faced a devastating blizzard and a series of hailstorms that destroyed their 100% of their crops. Gabe Brown’s neighbors were eyeing his 1,760 acres of farmland–ready to pounce on his failure. This, Brown said, was the best thing that ever happened to him. It forced him…

This must be the place - Payreel
Want to Hire an Employer of Record (EOR)? What You Need to Know. 9000 6000 Alicia East

Want to Hire an Employer of Record (EOR)? What You Need to Know.

Compliance is hard, time-consuming, high-stakes work. Many companies are finding that keeping on top of the ins and outs with an in-house team gets harder as laws change (and then change again). Whether you hire a payroll service or build a team to do the job, you want to be sure they’re fully in position to protect…

group working on laptop - PayReel
How Project-Based Work Could Lead to Long-Term Prospects 1350 900 Alicia East

How Project-Based Work Could Lead to Long-Term Prospects

If you’re happy with your job and lucky enough to still have it, this is not the post for you. On the other hand, if your position has been a victim to COVID-19 or you just feel like you need a change, read on. Maybe you’ve thought about taking the leap to contract work but…

Venmo App - Payreel
How to make paying contractors the easiest part of your job 2560 1707 Alicia East

How to make paying contractors the easiest part of your job

Whether it’s a massive event or a one-camera shoot, when PayReel manages your projects, it’s the best for clients and workers alike. We’re devoted to making every single client and worker interaction a good one, which makes working with you mighty attractive for workers. Make your life easy and your workers happy 1. Make events…

Now Hiring Sign - Payreel
Would your company benefit from an Employer of Record? 2560 1710 Alicia East

Would your company benefit from an Employer of Record?

Employer of record (noun): a) a company or organization that is legally responsible for paying employees, including dealing with employee taxes, benefits, insurance, etc. b) your secret weapon for eliminating red tape for hiring and keeping you out of court While you’re not going to find that second definition in the dictionary, it’s one of the top…

Covid Mask Painting - Payreel
How to open business/go back to work safely 400 300 Alicia East

How to open business/go back to work safely

As the country tests the waters on how to open back up in the midst of a pandemic, everyone–from government officials to businesses and workers–is making tough decisions. While it’s hard to say what’s next, one thing seems clear: We are going to be in this thing for a while. As we navigate new waters,…

video coding - PayReel
Audits suck: Are your independent contractors putting you at risk? 830 845 Alicia East

Audits suck: Are your independent contractors putting you at risk?

There’s a battle playing out in court over which workers can be classified as independent contractors versus employees. The legal wars demonstrate one important fact for employers: The IRS takes the practice of hiring independent contractors very seriously. That means you should, too. Independent Contractors (ICs) are self-employed and hired to do a specific job. They…

Do Something Great - Payreel
How to set yourself up as an independent contractor 2560 1707 Alicia East

How to set yourself up as an independent contractor

If you’re ready to take the leap into working for yourself, you can save some hassle down the line by setting your business up the right way from the beginning. First things first: If you’re confused about whether you are/want to be an independent contractor or a gig worker, we define the difference here. If…

Projector - Payreel
3 WAYS YOU CAN (SAFELY) EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF SUMMER MOVIES 2560 1707 Alicia East

3 WAYS YOU CAN (SAFELY) EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF SUMMER MOVIES

There is nothing quite like a good summer movie. Taking the kids for an air-conditioned afternoon of superheroes saving the world or sharing popcorn on a first date watching an indie arthouse film can feel magical. Movie theaters provide a great escape and hours of entertainment on long hot summer days and sticky evenings. They…

Uber Eats - Payreel
Gig workers ≠ independent contractors 2560 1707 Alicia East

Gig workers ≠ independent contractors

We thought it was time to define two terms that often get thrown around interchangeably but shouldn’t be: independent contractor and gig worker.  Let’s clear up the confusion!   Gig worker Merriam Webster defines the gig economy as “economic activity that involves the use of temporary or freelance workers to perform jobs typically in the service…

American Flag - Payreel
10 ideas to put a social-distancing spin on Memorial Day Weekend 2560 1745 Alicia East

10 ideas to put a social-distancing spin on Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekends of old boasted barbecues, parades, and oodles of red, white, and beer (🤔) everything. The holiday recognizes those who have fought in the armed forces while also unofficially kicking off summer. This year is bound to look a little different even as restrictions ease up. Large gatherings, parades, and public fireworks displays…

Twitter Pandemic Post - Payreel
4 alternatives to screen time while sheltering in place with kids 610 345 Alicia East

4 alternatives to screen time while sheltering in place with kids

Pre shelter-in-place, I was one of the irritatingly-principled parents who seriously limited screen time to special occasions like a quarterly family movie night. Admittedly, I also found it useful here and there when I noticed smoke from an overcooked bird cascading out of the oven or it felt like the whole house was going to crumble…

Vegetables - Payreel
3 new skills to learn for the new reality 2500 1667 Alicia East

3 new skills to learn for the new reality

We can only guess what things will look like on the other side of this. And for me, I can’t spend too much brain space guessing. Not only has my history of predicting the future not proven very accurate, it also takes energy and time away from what’s in front of me in my actual…

Lemons - Payreel
5 ways you can produce food without a big yard 2560 1920 Alicia East

5 ways you can produce food without a big yard

You’ve baked a cake from scratch. You’ve lost too many hours of your life to Tiger King. You have a jar of sourdough starter on the counter. You know what it’s time for? Something (anything) outside. You could take advantage of this rare period of time when you’re not driving through the Chick-fil-a on your way to…

Planting Money - Payreel
The COVID-19 pandemic: Resources to get you through 2560 1707 Alicia East

The COVID-19 pandemic: Resources to get you through

Whether your at-home reality is more demanding than usual because you’re caring for kids while trying to keep up with work or you’re on the other end of the spectrum with little to do and only Netflix to keep you company, reality has changed for everyone. Below is a list of resources for everything from…

Bruce Almighty Typing -Payreel
The freelancing secrets I wish I’d known a decade ago 490 294 Alicia East

The freelancing secrets I wish I’d known a decade ago

I was a year into a career change I thought would be permanent and I was leaving…again. I’d lasted one year and 2 weeks as a high school teacher and it was….umm…not a fit. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I’d won awards in the position I had left the previous year but,…

Paperwork - Payreel
Employer of Record: what it is and who needs it most 2560 1920 Alicia East

Employer of Record: what it is and who needs it most

Employer of record (noun): a) a company or organization that is legally responsible for paying employees, including dealing with employee taxes, benefits, insurance, etc. b) your secret weapon for eliminating red tape for hiring and keeping you out of court While you’re not going to find that second definition in the dictionary, it’s certainly one of the…

Netflix - Payreel
6 binge-able series to make your hibernation bearable 2560 1707 PayReelUser

6 binge-able series to make your hibernation bearable

By Dani Lyman Spring may be just around the corner but we are not out of the (snow-covered) woods yet. Dangerous storms and record cold snaps are sweeping the nation—forcing people off the road, into their homes, and often to the comforting glow of their devices. If you’re not sure how you’re going to survive the…

Good Times - Payreel
3 ways we’re improving the client experience 2560 1707 Alicia East

3 ways we’re improving the client experience

We are all about providing you with the tools that will make your job easier and more effective. Independent contractor payroll management can be complicated: We simplify it so you can get back to the work you do best. We spent a lot of 2019 improving your experience and now we have our sights set…

Michael - Payreel
Meet your client relationship manager: Michael Harder 1002 1399 Alicia East

Meet your client relationship manager: Michael Harder

Like all of our Client Relationship Managers (CRMs), Michael is here for you. MICHAEL HARDER: Client Relationship Manager Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Whether that’s relocating to Colorado before finding a job, revamping payroll tracking from a thousand separate sheets into one big master spreadsheet, or brewing his own beer, Michael is going to…

Facebook - Live
Working on your marketing plan? Don’t fall for this common myth! 2560 1709 Alicia East

Working on your marketing plan? Don’t fall for this common myth!

We’re all about tackling obstacles that get in the way of your success. Turns out there’s a persistent, pernicious myth out there that might be hindering you without you even knowing it. But before we get to that, a story: I recently visited the website of a product I had heard great things about it…

Christmas Gifts - Payreel
Last-minute gift guide for the self-proclaimed geek in your life 5897 3937 Alicia East

Last-minute gift guide for the self-proclaimed geek in your life

From Star Wars Arcade games to everyone’s favorite force whisperer: Everything old is new (or in the case of baby Yoda—young) again. We work with self-proclaimed geeks both inside and outside the office every day and these are some of the gifts causing a buzz in our corner of the world. One of the most beloved…

Poker - Payreel
You Misclassified an Employee. Now What? 4464 2966 Alicia East

You Misclassified an Employee. Now What?

In the aftermath of the landmark California Supreme Court ruling, there’s much more attention on the W2 employee v. independent contractor debate. That makes it all the more important that companies don’t misclassify a worker — and more costly when they do. Here’s what you need to know about misclassifying employees: IT’S A NEW WORLD …

Give Thanks - Payreel
From glee to gratitude, here are our 10 emotions of Thanksgiving week 6024 4024 Alicia East

From glee to gratitude, here are our 10 emotions of Thanksgiving week

Once a year, a holiday whose very name specifically calls to mind all we have to be grateful for rolls around. And every year, we think of you–the clients and customers who make our work possible. We also think of pie, every form of potato, and stretchy pants. Here are 10 emotions of Thanksgiving week Glee…

Photo of Liz - Payreel
Meet the team: Liz Kendrick 1002 1399 Alicia East

Meet the team: Liz Kendrick

We’re continuing our “meet the team” series with Liz, another wonderful Client Relationship Manager. Here’s what makes Liz an extra special member of our team Liz has never lived far from the mountains. She grew up in Aspen, Colorado and then ventured to the foothills for school at CU Boulder. There, she studied human resource…

Photo of Elizabeth - Payreel
Meet the team: Elizabeth Lewis 2163 2727 Alicia East

Meet the team: Elizabeth Lewis

Elizabeth Lewis is a client relationship manager. If you have a problem, she has a solution. Before joining the team at PayReel, Elizabeth spent seven years working with a diverse set of clients and organizations at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. She has a natural passion for building relationships and spreading…

Jack-o-lantern - Payreel
Must-see movie this Halloween 3872 2581 PayReelUser

Must-see movie this Halloween

When it comes to the terrors and haunting images of Halloween, we visualize witches, ghosts and goblins. But sometimes the real monsters are people. My Must See Scary Movie Pick for Halloween 2019 is He’s Out There. First time director Quinn Lasher delivers a horror masterpiece on an indie movie budget. This smart and frightening…

Cup of fruit loops - Payreel
How to Maintain Company Culture with a Remote Workforce 2281 1456 Alicia East

How to Maintain Company Culture with a Remote Workforce

Pixar’s cereal bar is the stuff of legend. The famous first stop for anyone who tours the studio isn’t what the company culture is built on, but it is a noteworthy expression of a company culture that cultivates creative expression, communication, and a feeling of purpose among workers. You don’t need a cereal bar, but that feeling? That’s worth emulating.…

Money to burn - Payreel
When a payroll company steals—and what you can do to protect yourself 5472 3648 Alicia East

When a payroll company steals—and what you can do to protect yourself

Here we are again: Fraud. Lives disrupted. An FBI investigation. This time, a New York State-based payroll company is accused of diverting $35 million from employee accounts. As the details come together, it’s worth asking how you can protect yourself. Why might a business trust a payroll company in the first place? Trusting a company…

Lightbox question mark - Payreel
Mythbusters: Two truths and two lies about worker classification 2766 2766 Alicia East

Mythbusters: Two truths and two lies about worker classification

Laws around worker classification are getting extra attention right now. Some people are even expressing concern that proposed changes threaten free press. We thought it was high time to address some of the myths that get businesses in trouble. Read to the end for the super good news! Worker Classification Myth #1: After a certain amount…

Great white shark - Payreel
Live from the Shark Tank: Principles to do business by 4675 3016 Alicia East

Live from the Shark Tank: Principles to do business by

Shark Tank is legendary for the sharks’ personalities, the on-air humbling of would-be entrepreneurs just a little too big for their britches, and of course the on-air deals that make millions for all involved. The best pitches, like this one, identify the problem and solution in just a few sentences, but the pitch alone isn’t everything.…

CRM team - Payreel
Meet the Client Relationship Management Team 2016 1512 Alicia East

Meet the Client Relationship Management Team

Most likely to turn a problem into a solution Today, we’re introducing you to our CRM team. If you come to us with a problem, this is the team most likely to stop at nothing to make sure you leave with a solution. Better yet, we’ll do our best to keep you from having any problems…

Cyber security - payreel
Cybersecurity—protecting company and customer information 5760 3840 Heidi McLean

Cybersecurity—protecting company and customer information

As children, we learn to keep our valuables under close watch when we are in public. In the cyberworld, it’s harder to keep our most valuable assets protected. Unlike a wallet, our identity, data, and customers’ personally identifiable information (PII) are not tangible items that we can keep in our sight, knowing that as long…

Most Anticipated Shows of the Summer 150 150 PayReelUser

Most Anticipated Shows of the Summer

Summer! It’s a time for slowing down long enough to sip lemonade on the front porch or get lost in a book oceanside. And of course, long, scorching days and short evenings filled with thunderstorms mean we have also officially entered the season of hunkering down indoors to binge-watch our favorite TV shows. Here are…

Popcorn - PayReel
Summer movies to make you feel like a kid again 6000 4000 PayReelUser

Summer movies to make you feel like a kid again

This summer movie theaters are sure to be packed with a new generation of viewers who will be introduced to some of our favorite childhood characters. However, kids’ movies aren’t just made for kids these days. Those of us who grew up with beloved characters such as Aladdin, Simba, and Agent Jay will also flock…

Dynamex decision - PayReel
A Dynamex Decision newsflash: It’s about to get real with Assembly Bill 5 6000 4000 Heidi McLean

A Dynamex Decision newsflash: It’s about to get real with Assembly Bill 5

If you’re paying attention to the world of independent contractors (ICs), you’re already familiar with the Dynamex Decision (which we covered here). So what makes the recent Assembly Bill 5 news flashy? It’s that this bill approves codifying the ruling. That means the decision is one step closer to being iron-clad law (along with all the…

E-verify - PayReel
Immigration in the workplace: What you need to know to get it right 3916 2769 Alicia East

Immigration in the workplace: What you need to know to get it right

Immigration is one of the hottest topics in politics and much of the White House’s rhetoric on the subject (including the latest announcement) centers around employment. While employers may not make the policies, they do carry a great deal of responsibility in ensuring their employees are eligible to work in the United States.   Let’s…

Affordable care act ACA - PayReel
Here’s what 2019 holds for the ACA 5570 3714 Heidi McLean

Here’s what 2019 holds for the ACA

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is making the news again as a coalition of the Trump administration and GOP-led states are appealing courts to take it down completely. What’s at stake? It depends on who you ask. Many believe that the ACA lands squarely in the land of government overreach. Additionally, the act has its share…

Cannabis, workplace impairment, and 5 questions to consider 3438 5157 Heidi McLean

Cannabis, workplace impairment, and 5 questions to consider

What used to be black and white, and is now suddenly gray all over? When marijuana use was simply illegal, employers could legally make employment decisions based on use alone. As states decriminalize the use of medical marijuana, recreational marijuana, and CBD oil, the conversation gets much more complicated. Nowhere is it more important to…

Nestle - PayReel
No pressure, but you really need to fix your contractor payroll dysfunction 501 291 Heidi McLean

No pressure, but you really need to fix your contractor payroll dysfunction

I’m not saying you’re dysfunctional, but if you can answer ‘yes’ to any of the following questions, you probably have some flaws in your contractor payroll systems. But don’t worry! This isn’t like family dysfunction that can only be handled with gobs of counseling and Netflix marathons. We’re talking about something that can actually be…

A one dollar bill is photographed in front of a white background. - PayReel
How to Determine a Payroll Schedule for Your Company 500 333 Heidi McLean

How to Determine a Payroll Schedule for Your Company

Whether you’re starting a new company or you’re trying to develop a better strategy for your company’s payroll, there are a few things to keep in mind. This includes the state your business is presently in, the types of workers you have, and when you are able to push your workers’ paychecks through. Here are…

Overtime payreel - PayReel
What the new DOL proposal means for overtime 4978 3319 Heidi McLean

What the new DOL proposal means for overtime

Heads up: overtime exemptions are about to change. On March 7th, 2019, the Department of Labor (DOL) proposed new regulations which will make more than a million more people eligible for overtime pay. The proposal raises the salary-level threshold  The proposal increases the salary-level threshold for white-collar exemptions. Workers earning less than $35,308 a year ($679…

Workers comp - PayReel
When workers’ comp sucks: a cautionary tale 6500 4333 Heidi McLean

When workers’ comp sucks: a cautionary tale

An insurance company says a doctor provided false info. The doc has no comment. Meanwhile, the psychologist says the insurance overruled his decision and handled the case so poorly he’s not going to take workers’ comp cases anymore. And then there’s Neil Eckelberger — the guy in the middle of it all trying to get on…

Men on stilts - PayReel
If your benefits went with you, how far would you go? 4000 4000 Heidi McLean

If your benefits went with you, how far would you go?

The idea of a safety net takes its inspiration from a circus act. The net allows performers to leap from one bar to the next knowing that if they fall, they will be caught by the net instead of falling directly to the earth. On top of a regular paycheck, traditional employment comes with a…

Umbrellas - PayReel
Four ways to mitigate workers’ compensation risk 5184 3456 Heidi McLean

Four ways to mitigate workers’ compensation risk

Who needs workers’ compensation? Anyone with employees, it turns out. Workers’ compensation provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment. Just like any other insurance, it’s one you hope you’ll never need. Still, if you do need it, you’ll be so glad you have it. Employers that ensure worker safety…

Light bulbs - PayReel
The biggest myth about the gig economy just got busted 4000 2764 Heidi McLean

The biggest myth about the gig economy just got busted

The internet and all its digital descendents (apps, mobile workspaces, etc.) have made it logistically easier than ever to both be and to hire a creative, freelancer, and side hustler. That much is true. Beyond that, there are a whole bunch of splashy headlines and semi-educated guesses about the gig economy’s reach and impact. Due…

2019 in fireworks - PayReel
Our most popular posts of 2019 — to help you make the most of your new year 5184 3456 Heidi McLean

Our most popular posts of 2019 — to help you make the most of your new year

As we find ourselves squarely into first week of the new year, let’s not forget about some of 2018’s most popular posts. We covered everything from how to eat like an adult human (even when you’re working like a dog) to the ever-present discussions around worker classification. Dynamex Decision, anyone? Here are 5 of 2018’s most…

Jim g gif - PayReel
Open enrollment is over: What’s a freelancer to do? 490 261 Heidi McLean

Open enrollment is over: What’s a freelancer to do?

If you missed open enrollment–either because you didn’t like your plan choices or because you wanted to take a nap every time you started the application–don’t fret. You still have options. Even if you are enrolled but aren’t happy with your coverage, you may find a solution in one of the less common approaches (read until…

Who's FICA gif - PayReel
Who’s FICA? Why’s he getting all my money? 245 245 Heidi McLean

Who’s FICA? Why’s he getting all my money?

Today, we’re going to dive into the light, easy, totally uncontroversial world of taxes. As in, “Who’s FICA? Why’s he getting all my money?” About once a week, the PayReel office phone rings with someone on the other end of the line referring to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) with exactly the same tone…

Coffee and bed - PayReel
The paid sick leave debate rages on… 3000 2000 Heidi McLean

The paid sick leave debate rages on…

The U.S. ranks among the 13% of countries who do not mandate paid sick leave despite the fact that Americans work longer hours and have more stress-related illnesses than their European and Japanese counterparts. While the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) does prohibit penalties for people who take time off to care for a sick/new family member, it doesn’t guarantee the time will be paid. With…

Baby in orange pumpkin - PayReel
When an independent contractor becomes an employee: A chain of events 450 450 Heidi McLean

When an independent contractor becomes an employee: A chain of events

Pumpkin spiced lattes! Babies! Generation Z (move over, Millennials)! What do they all have in common? They’re a constant reminder that there’s nothing so constant as change. With its ever-narrowing definition of an independent contractor, California is embarking on the real-time evolution of the gig economy. Here’s the chain of events a company and its…

Man getting beard trimmed - PayReel
Worker classification and small businesses 4858 3239 Heidi McLean

Worker classification and small businesses

Is the ABC rule the beginning of the end? California—home of eternal sunshine and landmark lawsuits. One of the state’s most recent rulings, in the Dynamex Operations West Inc. v. The Superior Court of Los Angeles County case, resulted in some changes to the ABC test for worker classification. While the test has existed in some…

Woman holding up money - PayReel
Worried about payroll fraud? Here’s how to prevent and detect it. 5616 3744 Heidi McLean

Worried about payroll fraud? Here’s how to prevent and detect it.

The ragtag group of employees who set out to redirect “fractions of pennies” to themselves in the movie Office Space didn’t think of it as stealing. They’re even portrayed as the heroes in the movie—sticking it to the man and finding themselves in the process. Likewise, payroll fraud is so common in the real world that…

Food prep - PayReel
How to turn one hour of food prep into a week of good choices 2428 2428 Alicia East

How to turn one hour of food prep into a week of good choices

What’s worse than going to the grocery store hungry? Working all day without opportunity, time, or access to food that’s actually food. That’s when a Big Mac and Biggie fries start to seem like a good idea. These recipes provide an alternative to the “just get something in my belly” options we sometimes have working…

Paper on fire - PayReel
3 reasons you can’t afford to ignore worker classification rules 768 951 Heidi McLean

3 reasons you can’t afford to ignore worker classification rules

With its settlement just this week, General Assembly is the latest to make news on the worker classification issue. Companies aren’t the only ones paying attention. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Labor (DOL) have enough skin in the game to keep a close eye on the subject, too. When those two pay close…

Vans in desert - PayReel
What a college lineman’s death reveals about worker safety 5184 3456 Heidi McLean

What a college lineman’s death reveals about worker safety

I hate to admit it, but I tune out a bit when I hear that the elderly, very young, and otherwise vulnerable among us are most at risk for something. I may not identify myself among that list, but researching heat-related illnesses has me sipping coconut water and thinking about the whole thing differently. Simple measures…

Man on dessert - PayReel
Worker safety resources for wild weather 3000 2000 Heidi McLean

Worker safety resources for wild weather

What does it mean to do right by your workers with weather that’s getting wilder by the day? I’ll tell you what it doesn’t mean: waiting until someone has a heat stroke to think about worker safety. As we head into August — historically one of the hottest months of the year in much of the…

Broken pencil and paper - PayReel
What is the lifetime value of the skill/training you seek? 5548 3699 Alicia East

What is the lifetime value of the skill/training you seek?

In today’s ultra-competitive environment, learning skills that are in high demand can up your game and make you ultra-hirable. But what if it’s going to require some sacrifice on your part, like money, time, and energy?   It’s easy to think about the short term cost, but without considering long-term effects, you don’t get the…

4 Summer blockbuster hits to bring you back to the ’80s 150 150 Heidi McLean

4 Summer blockbuster hits to bring you back to the ’80s

Summers are for grilling out under the golden sun. For chasing fireflies. For lingering on the porch with a cold beer. They’re for homemade blueberry pancakes on Saturday mornings and for stretching out in front of a movie with a bowl of popcorn on Saturday nights. These 80s summer hits—in all their adventurous, witty, and nostalgic…

computer code - PayReel
5 skills that will make any freelancer ultra-hirable and profitable 5760 3840 Heidi McLean

5 skills that will make any freelancer ultra-hirable and profitable

Freelancing is a balls to the wall, pride-swallowing siege and these days, it seems everyone is fighting it out for business. How do you make that business yours? One way is to solve the problems clients have (the ones they called you about) and then go even further by solving the ones they haven’t even thought…

sign in lights - PayReel
3 common freelancing myths, plus the truth (can you handle it?) 5184 3456 Heidi McLean

3 common freelancing myths, plus the truth (can you handle it?)

To overworked, underappreciated 9-5ers, freelancing may seem like the holy grail. But going out on your own isn’t just a world of free-flowing creative juices, coffee breaks, and wads of money. Freelancing can make you feel just as burnt out and unstimulated as whatever made you take a hike from your previous gig in the…