isolved Blog

Productivity is about more than getting as many projects finished as possible. Productivity involves efficiency, quality, and completion. You might have a lot of work on your plate, and you continue to accept new assignments. After all, you are the best choice for the job. But you may start to notic...

As public interest in reducing the U.S. prison population and recidivism rate grows, employers are being pushed to remove the check box on employment applications that asks applicants if they have a criminal record. These “ban-the-box” laws are gaining traction at both the state and local levels. A...

While scrolling through Instagram, Twitter and other social media sites, it is easy to think that everyone around you has attained the elusive work-life balance. You see that crisp photograph of the immaculate living room, kids playing on the floor as the parents sit down with a cup of coffee. The...

"Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise" is a saying we’ve all heard a thousand times over the years. But as it turns out, Benjamin Franklin may have actually been on to something. It is likely that you very well know which side of sleeping schedules you fall o...

The risk of being audited. Every company has to deal with it, and smart organizations know how to take steps to diminish that risk. But even the best-prepared business leaders are wrong if they think that getting their tax practices in order will eliminate that risk entirely. That’s because audits a...

It’s no secret that mornings are more productive than afternoons. When employees begin their workdays feeling refreshed from a night’s sleep, they typically have better productivity than when they return to work after lunch. Follow these seven tips to help energize your afternoons so that productivi...

About 2.7 million U.S. workers receive pre-tax commuter benefits from their employers through an IRS Section 132 plan. At the federal level, legislation passed in late 2015 that established equal tax-free limits for transit passes, van-pool benefits and parking benefits, retroactive to January 1, 20...

The move to legalize or decriminalize marijuana use continues to gain traction state by state. For employers, it can seem disconcerting. What effect will all of this change have on the zero tolerance policies, drug-testing programs, and workplace safety strategies that are already established in the...

The point of any interview is to get to know as much as possible about a potential job candidate. Making sure a possible candidate is a good fit for both the position and the company at large does well for all parties involved in the end. The process of determining these factors is usually done thro...

A very fine line exists in the differences between leaders and managers. Good managers are also leaders, but not all leaders are good managers. Grace Murray Hopper simplifies the base difference: “You manage things, you lead people.” Managers have employees. Within any company, people show up wh...

Three very different hot-button HR concerns in 2016 have one thing in common: All three were catapulted into prominence as a result of legal or political actions taken late last year—actions that employers may have overlooked at the time. Here’s a closer look at each one. Paid Sick Leave 2016 is sh...

Without effective workplace communication, businesses cannot reach their full potential because of time wasted on misunderstandings. Productive employees need effective workplace communication. Four things motivate employees: compensation, a sense of belonging, understanding their environment and...

Bad Weather and Pay Practices: Should workers be paid if they can’t report for work in a storm? Severe weather can have businesses grappling with two crucial questions: Should we close our doors? And, should we pay our employees if they can’t safely make it in to work? Under the Fair Labor Standar...

Sixty-eight million American workers in the private sector do not have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Twenty-six states are looking to change that by offering state-sponsored retirement plans—such as an automatic IRA or ERISA-compliant 401(k) account—that private-sector...

As 2015 has come and gone, most people are looking ahead to what 2016 will bring. Whether their resolutions include personal health, professional growth, or time with loved ones, chances are good that the benefits they receive at work will be important to at least one of the goals. Check out some of...

Many employers know that motivation is a key element of being a good leader. Yet, somehow they still seem to miss the mark when it comes to actively motivating their employees. Employee motivation ought to be a priority on any employer’s list and we are here to help guide you, as a leader, in improv...

The IRS has delayed the due-dates for required ACA reports and forms.  Some employers may view this as a signal to relax their compliance efforts, but the changes to the reporting deadlines will likely just allow some very slight breathing room. Insurance providers and applicable large employers ar...

While the holidays can bring joy, they can also be the cause of drastically higher stress levels. Between shopping for the perfect gift, wrapping up tasks at work before year end and taking vacation time, and preparing treats for the neighborhood, your to-do list is probably growing by the minute. S...

Imagine this...You start your day full of optimism, ready to check things off your to-do list. However, half way through the day you begin to feel stressed and overloaded. The checklist that didn’t seem too bad this morning suddenly seems impossible to accomplish. Sound familiar? You aren’t alone....

As more and more employees have been delegated to sedentary desk jobs, there has been an increase in the risk of metabolic disorders, cardiac problems and other diseases. It is more essential than ever for businesses to implement company wellness programs to promote a healthier lifestyle. Programs c...

As the year comes to an end, many people are considering how they can maximize their health benefits before a new plan year begins. Schedule a Dental Check-Up If you have avoided seeing your dentist all year, the final months mark a good time to make that happen. Many dental plans work differently...

Social media has greatly impacted the way companies conduct business in all areas. Not only is social media becoming a customary method for marketing, job recruiters are also turning to these online networks to research candidates.   This method of screening has multiple names: social recruit...

As an employer, managing your human capital can be a daunting task. How can you be sure that your employees are paid well for the positions they occupy? How can you track their achievements in a way that produces positive results for the organization and for the employee? Talent Management Systems a...

For many new employees the onboarding process is their first chance to really see how a company operates. Does the company provide clear instructions? Is HR and management responsive? Are new hires filling out the same form three times because it keeps getting lost in a sea of paperwork? This not on...

Starting a business is exciting. New opportunities abound as you develop your startup, and begin to receive interest from prospective clients. Due to the excitement and busy nature of starting a business, many startup owners overlook one critical aspect of owning a business: how do we manage payroll...