How to Say “Thank You” This Employee Appreciation Day

  With Employee Appreciation Day right around the corner on March 1st, you still have time to plan something fun and thoughtful for your most valuable asset- your employees. No matter how big or small, a thoughtful act of kindness or gift to your employees will surely be appreciated. Feeling appreciated in the workplace promotes … Continued

2024 Updates to New York State Minimum Wage

New York State Department of Labor has recently published the minimum hourly wage increase to become effective January 1, 2024. They have also released regulations for the corresponding increase to the salary exempt threshold for those exempt from overtime under the administrative or executive exemption, which is expected to be finalized.    NY State Minimum … Continued

Reflecting On Google’s Empire: What Has Made Them So Successful?

Google is easily one of the most recognized companies of our time. The company was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998, and since has skyrocketed to success. What was once just a simple search engine, is now a global technology giant, offering numerous services and products that have become a part of … Continued

Tips From a Senior Investment Advisor

As October has come to an end, it’s a time for us to look back and acknowledge that it was National Financial Planning Month. It is always the perfect time to review your finances and take action for better financial success – you can never start too early. To properly commemorate this important month, we’ve … Continued

I-9 Compliance Considerations

  Much has already been written about changes in the I-9 verification form.  The well-known form is used to “verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.”  This is one of the most important onboarding documents and completing it correctly is crucial, as penalties for non-compliance are steep – … Continued

Cybersecurity is Everyone’s Business

  Cybersecurity plays a crucial role in every aspect of an organization, including the Human Resources department.  As HR departments handle sensitive employee data, it is crucial to ensure the protection of this information from cyber threats and maintain the privacy and confidentiality of employees. Employee Data Protection HR departments maintain a huge amount of … Continued

ESC’s New Hires in Q3 of 2023!

We are pleased to introduce ESC’s newest teammates that joined our team in Q3 of 2023!   Jeff Braun, Payroll Specialist   Jaime Carter, Benefits Consultant Tom Pendergast, Technical Service and Support   As ESC continues to grow and serve our clients, we know our growing team will continue ESC’s tradition of providing top-notch service.

Considerations for Managing Leaves of Absence

The process of managing leaves of absence can be a challenge for small businesses.  Job protected leaves of absence include Paid Family Leave (PFL), Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Statutory and Short-Term Disability, and in some cases, Long Term Disability. Some companies often adopt a casual approach to their employees’ filing claims for state and federal … Continued

ESC’s Compliance Blog Series – Part 6

This blog is the final edition to our compliance series. In this piece, we have added some new additional considerations for employers to be aware of. Additional Compliance Considerations There are a few compliance updates that New York has recently announced. Listed below are new updates that each business should be aware of: Additional Compliance … Continued

ESC’s Compliance Blog Series – Part 5

To remain compliant in New York State, it is crucial to maintain accurate and organized employee records. These records can range from Employee applications to employee medical records and everything in between. Storing these confidential records in a secure and safe place is crucial to ensure the security and confidentiality of employee information. Keeping detailed … Continued