Posts by Amy Ragan

Moving is stressful. Between boxes, utility transfers, school registrations, and updating accounts, telling payroll about a new address may not be at the top of an employee’s list. For employers, however, an employee address change is more important than it might seem. An outdated address can create problems with payroll records, tax documents, employee communication,…

Giving an employee a raise can feel like a straightforward decision. You choose an amount, update the pay rate, and recognize someone who has contributed to your company’s success. But the number you announce is not always the number your business will pay. The true cost of a raise can include payroll taxes, overtime, benefits,…

The Hidden Payroll and HR Cost of a Toxic Employee A toxic employee can cost a business far more than one paycheck. Negative behavior can reduce productivity, increase turnover, consume management time, and create payroll and HR problems that continue long after the original incident. The challenge is that these costs rarely appear as one…

Too Hot to Work? What Employers Should Know About Heat and Pay When Summer Heat Becomes a Workplace Concern High temperatures are more than an inconvenience. For employees working outdoors, inside warehouses, near commercial kitchens, or around heat producing equipment, extreme heat can create a serious health risk. Employers should make employee heat safety part…

The Payroll Tax Money Is in Your Bank Account, But It Is Not Really Yours Payroll week arrives. Employees are paid, the checks clear, and the remaining balance in your business bank account looks available. But part of that money may already belong to the government. The federal income tax, Social Security tax, Medicare tax,…

Huntsville Growth Brings New Payroll Challenges Huntsville continues to attract entrepreneurs, expanding companies, and new investment. From technology startups to construction firms and professional service providers, businesses across North Alabama are adding employees and reaching new milestones. Growth is exciting, but every new hire brings additional payroll responsibilities. The process that works for a company…

What Your Timesheet Says About You Every workplace has them. The employee who submits their timesheet before anyone asks. The employee who forgets to clock out every week. The employee who acts shocked when payroll is due on Friday, despite payroll being due on Friday since approximately the beginning of time. If you’ve managed employees…

When a Reimbursement Becomes a Payroll Problem Many employers reimburse workers for business related expenses. Mileage, travel costs, meals, supplies, and other work related purchases are common examples. However, not every payment made to an employee qualifies as a reimbursement. Misclassifying employee reimbursements can create payroll compliance issues, increase tax liability, and trigger costly corrections…

Most Business Owners Are Looking in the Wrong Place When business owners want to grow, they usually focus on increasing sales, improving marketing, hiring new employees, or expanding into new markets. Those are all important. But business growth is not just about generating more opportunities. Growth is about building the infrastructure needed to support those…