What’s your “magic number?” Roughly half of retirees claim Social Security benefits as soon as they become eligible at age 62. Some people delay benefits and postpone using their retirement savings as an income source. Others apply out of necessity because their financial situation leaves them little choice. These factors aside, what if you have […]
What’s the better policy when it comes to offering employees vacation time, sick time and paid time off? While the answer depends on the needs and goals of a company, the one certainty is good policy is good business. When I meet with business owners and managers to discuss vacation policies, we frequently discover their […]
Consumers typically enjoy a variety of businesses from which to choose when they’re in the market for a certain product or service. And they’re increasingly discerning with their financial resources when looking to satisfy their individual wants and needs. That’s why it’s more important than ever to be consistent in your professional offerings. Exceptional companies […]
Here’s a sneak peak at the upcoming Western Colorado Human Resource Association spring conference and employment law update by way of a series of questions and answers with Michael Santo, a partner in the Bechtel & Santo law firm. Representatives of the Grand Junction firm, which specializes in employment law, will speak at the April […]
Many provisions of the Affordable Care Act affect small businesses differently depending on their size. For self-employed individuals in particular, there are new options for health coverage and other changes under the federal health care reform law that will directly affect you in the coming months Under the Affordable Care Act, self-employed business owners now […]
The January 2013 tax hikes make tax planning more important than ever. Two strategies we’ve identified are of particular interest to retirees trying to make their savings last as long as possible. Perhaps some of these strategies will help you think about your income and expenses during your retirement years. Planning is the key to […]
It’s a common question I frequently hear from friends and acquaintances: What’s moving in the real estate business? After explaining I don’t sell houses, I usually say the last quarter saw a big increase in industrial leases — or retail leases, investor purchases or whatever the trends were for the last several months. That’s the […]
Writing this on the morning following the deadline for the dreaded sequestration cuts to commence, I note happily that civilization is not crumbling around me like some B-grade movie. In the heady exhilaration of that realization, I make a bold prediction: When this column goes to print, no explicit signs of a sequestration-generated Armageddon will […]
Way back in November 1986, the federal government instituted the I-9 as a form to verify employment eligibility. Nearly 30 years later as we discuss current employment policy with new clients, far too often we hear the question “What’s an I-9?” Even among employers who know about the I-9, many remain out of compliance. By […]
Twitter generates more than 340 million tweets daily and Facebook continues to grow past the 1 billion active user mark, meaning the roots of social media are planted firmly in our lives and relationships. The challenge for businesses and particularly highly professional or business-to-business relationships is to find a way to use social media in […]