Frequency Handbook

When hiring a new employee you should evaluate what information is crucial to maintain on your employees. You may want to consider consulting a Seattle business attorney, or more specifically a Seattle employment attorney or Washington employment attorney for the exact legal information needed. The tables below are an example of the kind of information you need in your employees’ personnel files. Much of this information and certain documents are required by the Internal Revenue service (IRS), Department of Labor (DOL) and State Agencies. Keep in mind that state regulations vary and being in compliance with state laws is critical to reducing any exposure you may have as an employer. For that reason, seeking the legal advice of a Seattle employment attorney or Washington employment attorney for detailed state (and local) regulations is prudent. This should help you avoid any potential wage and hour disputes with employees.

Employee Master File

Employee Data
• Name (match with social security card)
• Address (with Zip code and apartment number)
• Sex
• Date of birth
• Work location
• Social security number
• Company-assigned employee number
• Occupation/classification
• State where employee works

Employment/Wage and Hour Data
• Hire date/time
• Termination date
• Payment date
• Exempt/nonexempt status per the FLSA (See additional comments below)
• Regular rate of pay
• Additions to and deductions from pay
• Shift differential or bonus
• Frequency of payment/pay period
• Hours worked per day
• Hours worked per week
• Workweek
• Straight time hours/pay
• Overtime hours/pay
• Tipped wages
• Form 4070 Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer
• Amount of Tip credit taken

Tax and Payroll Data
• Form W4 – Employers Allowance Certificate
• State withholding allowance certificate, if state does not accept the federal Form W-4
• Local withholding allowance certificate or certificates of residence or non-residence. If required by the local jurisdiction where the work is performed or the employee resides
• Additional withholding requested
• Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
• Filing Status
• Exempt from withholding

As noted above, the classification of employees as exempt or non exempt is an important business decision that can have far reaching consequences if an error is inadvertently made in this area. The job title of an employee is not nearly as relevant as those duties or job responsibilities performed by the employee. Therefore, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the Federal Labor Standards Act to determine whether the various positions at your company will be/are subject to overtime pay. If you are not clear, it is strongly suggested that you contact a Seattle business attorney experienced in employment law and seek appropriate legal advice. There are many Seattle law firms that can provide the guidance you need to insure your company’s compliance with the FLSA, thus avoiding potential wage and hour disputes with your employees.

Although not specifically mentioned above in our tables of information, one of the most valuable tools a business can implement is the employee handbook. While it is not a federal or state required employee document, an employee handbook is an outstanding way to clearly explain the employment rules and policies as they relate to your company. Employee handbooks promote consistency in the administration of a company’s HR policies and procedures. They act as a summarized version setting forth the company’s expectations as well as what the employees can expect from their employer. An employee handbook facilitates stronger communication between the company and its employees and it makes a positive first impression on newly hired employees.

While the employee handbook does present many benefits to your Seattle business, including legal protection if an employee attempts to file an employment claim against your business, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

1. There may be organizational, local, or state guidelines that could affect the legality of your handbook. It is wise to seek the legal advice of a Seattle business attorney to verify your presentation of any state specific regulations as well as to seek out any relevant provisions that you were unaware of and should include in the content of your handbook. An experienced Seattle employment attorney would be an invaluable resource in this area.

2. Once you document these policies and procedures in your employee handbook, it is critical your business adhere to them. The legal system views the contents of your distributed employee handbook in the same fashion that they approach federal and state regulations. If you do not feel your business is in a position to consistently apply a policy or procedure as outlined in your handbook, then do not include it there.

3. While the specific details of a company’s employee handbook will vary depending upon the industry, your marketplace, the complexity of your organization, the company’s size and of course your state location there are a few items that should be included “at a minimum”. They are: (1) Statement/section addressing the “at-will” employment relationship, (2) a policy on sexual harassment, and (3) statement of compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination statutes (equal employment opportunity).

Employee personnel files are an important component of any business. There can be exposure when employee contracts and personnel formats are not handled properly, creating the potential for wage and hour disputes. The internet can serve as a valuable resource for locating relevant information to set up documentation for your company’s personnel files. However, if you want to insure that you are actually in compliance with all federal and state regulations, it would be wise to have a Seattle business attorney or Seattle employment attorney review your employee information.

About the Author:

John M. Adams has worked as a Seattle business attorney for the past 20 years. He practices as a Seattle employment attorney advising clients in need of a Washington employment attorney for their contract or litigation needs.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Seattle Business Owners: Tips for Employment Files and Employee Handbooks

The main mistake that people with panic attacks are doing.

Panic attacks can be very traumatic and people experiencing often say they would do anything to get rid of them. In reality, however, many people with panic attacks inadvertently doing things that are directly and indirectly, further fueling the panic attacks.

The following are the biggest mistakes that people with panic attacks in your life daily. By cutting these out, everyone can experience a dramatic reduction in the frequency, duration and intensity of panic attacks.

Some of the research Most fascinating of panic attacks has been revealed recently been shown that lack of assertiveness in interactions with others is an important contribution factor for the development of panic disorder, rather than as a result of them. It has long been noted that people with panic attacks tend to be more polite than the average, but has now been discovered that this leads to panic attacks because it makes people over analyze themselves too much and caught in a cycle of trying to please others too. On the contrary, it is time to take charge and assert yourself more and more in everyday life, which also increase their own confidence and respect.

Incorrect Breathing is also an important factor that too many people are doing. To test, simply place a hand on his chest and one hand on your stomach and breathe deeply. If the hand on your chest moves more than his stomach, then you are not using diaphragmatic breathing adequate, but are continuously making yourself more anxious.

The following is the habit of confusing the physical sensations of the dangerous healthy, that triggers false alarms in the body to induce the panic response. Physical exertion, normal bodily functions and even a sense of excitement all have the worst possible interpretation of someone suffering from panic attacks.

Many people with panic attacks choose to believe that they have no control over your body and this is another important factor in fueling panic attacks because it left people thinking that they are trapped in their own body. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Millions of people have overcome their panic attacks and moved on in their lives and there is no reason for any cases of a person is special and can not be cured.

The most obvious mistake often made (but also easier to stop) is to consume foods and beverages make you more anxious and prone to panic attacks. Panic attacks are focused on the nervous system, so you should eat foods that are rich in vitamin B because it directly nourish and strengthen the nervous system that produces calming effects. More specifically in the B group of vitamins, you will find that vitamin B12, thiamine and niacin can make much more resistant to the experience of a panic attack.

A balanced diet is recommended, especially for someone who suffers from panic attacks therefore consist of 20% meat, poultry, seafood, cheese, eggs and tofu. Then, 35% of baked potato, broccoli, asparagus, peanuts, legumes, watermelons and oranges. Then, 45% would be brown rice, whole grains, pasta, wheat germ, oatmeal and bread.

Finally, a fundamental error that many who do not seek help. Doctors estimate that most people who suffer from panic attacks do not help. Unfortunately, many of them have been detected by the health system when they develop a condition worse, as a result of letting your panic disorder out of hand, like alcoholism, substance abuse, the agoraphobia or OCD. Instead of spending a fortune in therapy however, the panic of Defense remains the Manual most complete guide to overcoming panic attacks once and for all. Find more information at target = "_blank"> www.PanicHandbook.com.

About the Author:

Panic Defence is the UK\’s leading name in combatting anxiety and panic attacks. For a

free download from The Panic Defence Handbook, click here
.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Major Mistakes that People with Panic Attacks are Making