A 2015 study by the Society for Human Resource Management reveals that most employees are seeking a meaningful work experience. In an effort to supply it, employers are increasingly moving their HR processes to the cloud. In fact, the Information Services Group (ISG) states that the desire to provide a positive user experience is a chief reason employers shift to cloud HR solutions. 

How popular is cloud HR technology? Stratospheric. ISG’s 2015 survey shows that over 70 percent of respondents have implemented or intend to use cloud HR technology within the next two years. Besides reducing time spent on HR-related tasks, an effective cloud HR system takes an integrative approach to improving employee experience – from the job applicant stage all the way to off-boarding. An ideal integrated solution can transform the employee experience.

Updated December 7, 2017

Employers in Pennsylvania are subject to some of the country’s most complex payroll tax laws. Pennsylvania is one of 43 states that have a state income tax and one of 14 states that have local taxes. In addition to withholding state and local income tax from employees’ wages, Pennsylvania employers must also comply with special tax rules.

For example, Pennsylvania is one of the few states that requires state unemployment tax withholding and does not fully follow federal law on pretax deductions. Pennsylvania has also established reciprocal agreements with six other states – which adds another layer of complexity to state withholding.

Here’s an overview of the unique withholding requirements in Pennsylvania and tips for remitting and reporting taxes.

Q4 has arrived and that means it’s time to begin preparing for year-end. Waiting until December to complete all of your year-end tasks is not an option this year. Along with satisfying the typical payroll obligations, this year employers must adhere to fresh rules – including new overtime guidelines and an earlier W-2 filing date. With the flurry of activity surrounding payroll at year-end, starting early and having a checklist of key tasks is vital to gaining direction and reducing stress. Here’s how you can prepare now for a successful year-end.

Despite the declining unemployment rate, many veterans struggle to find jobs matching their education, skills and experience. In an effort to hire veterans and other individuals facing barriers to employment, the federal government established the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program – which rewards employers with a tax credit for each eligible new hire. Employers can reduce federal income tax by up to $9,600 per eligible hired employee, so it’s a good idea for employers to understand how the WOTC applies to their business.

In this Q & A, you will find relevant WOTC information, including target groups, eligibility requirements, how to calculate and claim credits, plus tips for getting the most out of the program.

The mazelike world of payroll taxes can be perplexing for employers. The key to breaking through the initial confusion is to identify the two categories of payroll taxes: employee taxes, which are withheld from employees’ wages; and employer taxes, which are the employer’s portion of taxes. Employee and employer taxes are imposed on federal, state and local levels – knowing which ones pertain to your business is an essential element of staying in compliance and avoiding payroll tax penalties.

This handy guide provides a basic understanding of payroll taxes, including withholding, remittance and reporting guidelines, plus important tips for employers who outsource payroll duties.

In 2014 payroll fraud comprised 10.2 percent of global occupational fraud cases, with organizations suffering a median loss of $50,000 per year.

Social Security numbers, addresses, wages, and bank account numbers are just some of the sensitive data you will find in a payroll department. Breaches in this data can be detrimental to your company’s reputation and financial standing; small businesses, especially, may never recover.

While you cannot stop criminals from attempting to steal your data, you can thwart their efforts by following these best practices for payroll data security.

Update May 18, 2016: The new overtime rule was announced today and takes effect December 1. The threshold is $47,476 and will be updated every three years. Incentive pay like bonuses can account for up to 10% of the threshold amount.

Update November 23, 2016: A preliminary injunction issued by a federal judge has delayed the new FLSA overtime rule that was set to take effect December 1. With the delay in the rule, employers are not required to meet the rule's increased salary threshold of $47,476 for exempt status starting December 1. The rule will continue to be reviewed by the court and a final decision will be issued at a later date.

On March 14, 2014, President Barack Obama signed a memorandum, directing the U.S. Department of Labor to revise the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime protection rules. The DOL subsequently issued a proposed rule that would raise the annual salary for the overtime exemption from $23,660 to $50,440. The final rule is expected within days and the general consensus is that employers should start preparing for the change now as they may have 60 days to comply.