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July 1, 2024, marks a milestone as the Department of Labor (DOL) implements a new salaried exempt minimum wage. This shift requires careful consideration from both employers and employees alike. While preparation is key, it's essential to...

  Most Common HR Mistakes for Small Businesses:   #1    FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH MIOSHA Although most reporting requirements through MIOSHA start with 11 or more employees, a small business is required to...

We all know the importance of cybersecurity these days, but the phishing attempts and other scams have gotten increasingly hard to detect.  Cell phone numbers are even being targeted where individuals are receiving text messages that appear to...

On June 9, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced it was increasing the standard mileage rate from 58.5 cents a mile to 62.5 cents per mile. This increase goes into effect on July 1, 2022, and remains in effect for the rest of 2022. As...

Many things have changed within the last two years; why would customer service be different? Companies are investing heavily in improving the standard of customer service, recognizing that innovation in customer experience is as important as...

Serving as Human Resource Consultants for a wide range of businesses, Sage Solutions Group finds one of the biggest struggles employers face these days is not being able to find quality employees. Many smaller companies simply cannot compete with...

As the hiring signs are popping up everywhere offering more incentives to bring in candidates, what benefits provide the competitive edge employers are seeking? Is pay the top priority? Maybe not… We can all agree, COVID-19 has made a...

The Sage Solutions Group was out and about this weekend supporting Wayne Pediatrics and their Fall Harvest Community Health Fair. Sage appreciated the opportunity to support this community outreach event! And many thanks to the full Sage team that...

Sage Solutions Group provides human resource consulting to a number of employers across a large variety of business lines, from medical providers to manufacturing companies and everything in between. No matter the industry or the size of the...

On  Thursday, August 12, 2021, MIOSHA issued a statement strongly encouraging Michigan employers to follow recently updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines due to the Delta variant of COVID-19. The CDC is...

BLOG UPDATE:   Effective today, MIOSHA has lifted its COVID-19 emergency temporary standards issued on May 24, 2021.     Today, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) filed COVID-19...

Michigan will open on June 22nd to full capacity and the mask mandate is no longer required for residents.  YES!  It has been a long hard road for most all businesses.  Time to rip off that mask and celebrate?  Not so...

Calling all employers with 20 or more employees. There is a recent change related to the provision of COBRA that you need to know. On March 11th, 2021 the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed by President Biden and it offers enhancements...

During this pandemic, there is no doubt that business owners have to be nimble to survive. Things are coming at us fast and trying to keep up can seem daunting. Priority one is maintaining the health and safety of our workplace.  This means...

The year 2021 is already proving to be a complex one for business owners.  There’s extended closures, new laws and rules to consider, PPP round two, and last but certainly not least, extremely sophisticated hackers looking to steal your...

Earlier this summer, Sage Solutions Group submitted an application to the Michigan SBDC, to provide contracted services that would be delivered directly to small businesses in need. This program is available through the US SBA Cares Act. The...

As the law continues to evolve, employers must be ready to make changes to remain compliant. Review your company’s handbook. Employers must make sure that company handbooks have updated policies on topics including anti-discrimination...

8 Tips for Bringing Your Employees Back to Work Safely and Successfully Now that more and more businesses are re-opening, it's important to understand how to safely bring your employees back to work. Here are 8 tips to keep in...

Plan, Prepare and Communicate!  Whether dealing with COVID-19 or any other emergency situation, rationality beats panic every time.  Here are some points you should consider to help position your company and your employees for the best...

Take this quick, 1-minute survey to find out if you need to file your company’s Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) with OSHA by March 2nd to avoid heavy fines. If you answer “YES” to any of the following criteria,...

  As of January 31, 2020 the Department of Homeland Security- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the release of the new version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. While this form is ready for...

Recently the IRS released the official W-4 that will be used starting January 1, 2020. The new form “uses the same underlying information as the old design, but it replaces complicated worksheets with more straightforward questions that make...

With Michigan’s unofficial holiday, opening day of rifle season fast approaching, it seemed like a good opportunity to review the road hazards caused by increased deer activity at this time of year. While vehicle vs. deer accidents are a year...

It is that time of year again, and with Halloween landing on a Thursday, you may be asking yourself “what should I wear?”  While Halloween may be a time to let your imagination run wild when it comes to costumes worn in social...

The Department of Labor(DOL) published the final overtime rule on September 24, 2019. The DOL is updating the earnings threshold necessary for exempt executive, administrative and professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s...

  Sage's Dr. Heidi Reyst will be presenting at the 2019 BIAMI Fall Conference in Lansing Michigan on both September 12 and September 13.  Dr. Reyst, EQ-i Certified, will be presenting on Emotional Intelligence and the Neuroscience...

As an employer or human resource representative, you probably use the USCIS Form I-9 constantly as you hire new employees.  Even though this is a familiar form, you may not have looked at the expiration date in a while. Well…if you...

We live in a time where stress is all around us.  Stress at work can come in the form of deadlines, heavy workloads and work conflicts.  Stress at home may be the result of relationship issues, health challenges, packed kid schedules or...

Now that summer is well underway, chances are you have already reviewed your organization’s dress code in anticipation of an occasional warm weather wear faux-pas.  Summer weather can sometimes bring office attire that is inappropriate...

10,000 Small Businesses is the nation’s top ranked entrepreneurship school.  The Detroit Program is sponsored through partnerships with Wayne State University, Oakland Community College, and Macomb Community College....

  Cybercrime has become so prevalent it is now considered an industry.  The cybercrime industry is set to earn 1.5 TRILLION dollars annually.1 The revenues by sector are staggering: -$860 billion – Illicit/illegal online...

The employee handbook is the single most important document an employer can provide to employees to improve communication, set expectations and help ensure compliance. An effective handbook establishes clear understanding of the organizational...

It is hard to forget the scrambling that occurred at the end of 2016 to prepare for the anticipated minimum salary increase for salaried-exempt white collar workers from $23,660 to $47,476. The new ruling was scheduled to go into effect on...

Overview: On December 14th, Governor Rick Snyder signed into effect an act that mandates paid medical leave in the State of Michigan. This paid leave can be used by employees for physical, mental, injury or health care needs involving...

  With 2019 upon us, many businesses may be evaluating their business and human resource practices to prepare for what is to come in the year ahead.   As advancements in technology continue to give employees the opportunity to...

It was a very busy end of the year for Michigan Legislators. According to the Daily Journal, during the lame-duck session of 2018, “more than 100 bills were passed and an additional four were vetoed that were approved after the November...

Since 2016, Human Resources professionals have been scrambling, innovating and flexing their styles in an attempt to fill the labor gap.  With more jobs than people to fill them, a true labor shortage has been impacting many organizations. ...

Many states are voting today regarding marijuana and its use. Regardless of the outcome, employers need to prepare for change. If, as an employer you think change means turning a blind eye to marijuana use, the answer is a...

With October 31st fast approaching, many of us are gearing up for Halloween. This year, Halloween falls right in the middle of the work week making it likely that many of us will wear a costume to work. In fact, according to USA Today,...

  DIGITIZING is the process of making information available and accessible in a digital format. DIGITALIZING is the process of considering how best to apply digitized information to simplify specific operations. Digitizing...

What is a digital footprint, you ask?  It is the unique set of traceable digital activities, actions, contributions and communications that are manifested on the Internet or on digital devices. One aspect of your digital...

On July 19th, Sage Solutions Group posted information on ballot initiatives that if passed to a vote, could have a significant impact on employers in the state of Michigan. They are the Michigan Paid Sick Leave Initiative (2018) and the Michigan...

With an unemployment rate just posted by the New York times of 3.9% and the U.S. adding 157,000 jobs in July, it is clear the hiring climate is tougher than ever. Forecasters are not anticipating a change in the employment market anytime...

Michigan businesses need to be aware that there are two initiatives being considered for the 2018 Michigan Ballot that could have significant implications for small businesses. The Michigan Paid Sick Leave Initiative (2018) and Michigan...

  In today’s highly competitive employment environment, many employers are skipping critical steps in order to hire a candidate as quickly as possible. However, a speedy hire does not always translate to the...

Finding the right talent and efficiently filling positions is harder today than ever before.  There are many factors that make this statement true. First, according to the New York Times, the unemployment rate in the US hit a new low...

There is no doubt that recreational use of marijuana is on the rise. For example, it’s not uncommon to stop at stoplight, only to be hit by the smell of marijuana wafting into your car. Or when was the last time you went out to enjoy a...

Sage Solutions Group is now certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women...

  Celebrating Millennials In the world of human resources, rarely a day goes by without reading an article, a blog or a white paper that provides advice on how to “deal” with the unique characteristics of...

Sage Solutions Group is proud to be considered a Human Resource subject matter expert for Michigan Entrepreneur TV with Tara Kachaturoff. In this third episode, we touch on how Human Resource Consultants work with organizations and how outsourcing...

Sherri McDaniel, CEO at Sage Solutions Group completed her second interview in a three-part series focused on Human Resources with Tara Kachaturoff of Michigan Entrepreneur TV. This second interview will air on Tuesday, January 16 at 11:00 am and...

            Sage Solutions Group partnered with the Michigan Assisted Living Association to provide an educational series in Novi and Grand Rapid this month. This group included group home...

December 15th is fast approaching and if that date does not mean anything to you, you may need to listen up. OSHA made changes to the required reporting of work related illness and injury for many employers. This enhanced tracking method is...

Human Resources encompasses a wide swath of the corporate landscape, and it seems that every firm has its own definition of the department's duties and responsibilities. Many efficiency experts believe that recruitment and employee retention are...

It is nearly impossible to turn on any news channel or social media news feed without hearing the latest in the saga of celebrity sexual harassment claims. With this type of attention to this serious topic, it is a reminder to every organization...

This is an important question that many employers need to ask themselves. Often, employers take the path of least resistance and deem an employee an independent contractor but this assumption could bring on some legal trouble. There are many...

Employee engagement is one of the most significant organizational indicators. When an organization has low levels of engagement there are a myriad of negative outcomes that can and do occur.

In the first installment of this blog, we discussed the differences between employee satisfaction and employee engagement. While satisfaction broadly gets at an employee’s contentedness with aspects of their jobs, engagement gets at...

In the previous two articles we highlighted that the workforce is unengaged (67% of employees are unengaged, or actively disengaged), and that lack of engagement leads to turnover, and the substantial associated costs of replacing employees. In...

In the final installment of this blog on employee engagement, we focus on the bottom line. The first blog provided a brief definition of employee engagement (and its often erroneously equated cousin, employee satisfaction) as well as data on...

As the weather begins to change and the fall colors are bright, it is time to put the fun of summer behind us and make a plan to review our HR files to be sure they are up to date and in compliance. An annual audit of company handbooks, policies...

            All too frequently employers make news headlines for violating wage and labor laws. A recent example was cited in the Detroit News when it reported a major health care system was fined...

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has increased its attention and focus on employee handbooks recently. While most think of the NLRB in terms of unionized employers, its...

Running a business in today's economic environment can be difficult, to say the least. There are companies that are maintaining a lean profile in order to maximize earnings and profits. New employees are an expensive proposition especially when...

The greatest asset of any business is its employee. An effective HR department provides stability and structure and is an integral part of both small and large companies. The objective of the HR or Human Resource office is to ensure businesses and...

When you were a kid, you dreamed about becoming an entrepreneur someday. Two years ago, you turned this dream into a reality. Sitting at the desk in your office, you realize how quickly your business has blossomed. You sense some changes need to...

Do you find complying with labor posters to be a real maze of red tape? As many employers have found, determining the correct posters requires a fair amount of research. Not only do you have to ensure you have the correct federal posters but you...

The year 2016 has been a big year for change in labor laws. Poster requirements have changed … Effective August 1, 2016 the Department of Labor (DOL) revised the Federal Minimum Wage Poster to remove specific civil monetary penalty amounts...

Just when we thought we heard enough from OSHA, we learned we were wrong. OSHA rules are changing again. Effective November 1, 2016 there will be new reporting requirements phasing in over the next 2 years. Establishments with 250 or more...

The economy is doing better…. That’s a good thing…. Right? It is, unless you’re a recruiter. Because in good economic conditions, there are real challenges to attracting talent. Some new businesses have had to delay opening...

Winter is just around the corner. Daylight savings time is coming soon. Many of us will arrive to work in the dark and leave in the dark. This brings many new hazards into the workplace. It is time to look around and see the trip-fall hazards...

Many small businesses purchase quite a lot of insurance; from workers’ compensation to directors and officers to general liability. While the main benefits of insurance are obvious, there are often additional benefits that are rarely take...