What College Kids Need to Know about Part-time Jobs

EmploycoUSA

Nearly 4 out of 5 college students have a job, with most spending almost 20 hours a week working along with attending classes. However, being a student and an employee can certainly be a strain, not to mention, competition for jobs on campuses can be fierce.

Rob Wilson, CEO of Employco USA, says, “Most college kids need to work in order to help pay the bills. However, it’s a shame that so many get jobs that won’t be helpful to their careers in the long run, or jobs that don’t pay them fairly for their time.”

Here are Wilson’s top tips for how college students can make the most of part-time work:

1)   Think outside the quad. “A job on campus might seem ideal,” says Wilson, “You can be close to classes and see your friends. However, campus jobs don’t generally pay well, and you will be competing with thousands of others kids. If you have transportation options, I suggest looking off campus.”

2)   Don’t just look for “fun” places to work. “Yes, being a barback at your favorite bar would be cool,” says Wilson. “But it’s not exactly going to impress any future employers down the road. Look for jobs that have cache in the field you want to break into, even if you have to start at the bottom, such as working in the mail room at your city newspaper if you want to be a journalist.”

3)   Don’t stop at the Campus Career Center. “Your career center probably has some options for students looking for work,” says Wilson, “But I think students should go even one step further. Find a temp agency that can help you look for part-time work. Not only will they help you find jobs, they can help you work on your resume and perfect your interview skills.”

4)   Be professional. “People sometimes hesitate to hire college students because they picture an Animal House personality,” says Wilson. “Make sure that you dress professionally (ditch the college uniform of jeans and pjs), and that your social media doesn’t reflect poorly on you.  Look at your TA’s and grad students in your field. They dress the part and hence come off as more confident and capable.”

5)   Don’t be afraid to intern. “Taking a job for little or no pay can seem crazy,” says Wilson, “But, trust me, it might be the smartest thing you can do for your future. Gaining real world experience and collecting valuable contacts will make a world of difference when you finally graduate.”

Why Small Businesses Could Suffer under Changes to United States’ Employment Laws

EmploycoUSA

A recent study from Duke University found that employment laws which protect employees from being fired affect small businesses to a much greater extent than large businesses. This is because these employee protection laws leave plenty of room for loopholes, loopholes which large companies can easily utilize to their advantage.

Employment expert and CEO of Employco USA Rob Wilson explains, “Under employee protection laws in places such as Europe, employees are kept safe from being fired under certain circumstances. This means small business owners are forced to keep them on and pay their wages. However, large companies can often sidestep this law by shunting employees off to new locations or rearranging their staff—a luxury a small firm cannot afford.”

Both Wilson and the study researchers conclude that implementing such employee protection laws in the United States could wreak havoc on small businesses.

Wilson says, “Companies large and small have already suffered under recent changes to employment laws. From Obamacare to the minimum wage to proposed changes to overtime, employers are facing new financial strain every day.”

Why “Obamanomics” is Bad for Business

EmploycoUSA

From new minimum wage rulings to proposed overtime changes to the Affordable Care Act, President Obama has made significant changes in the way companies in this country can do business. According to Rob Wilson, employment expert and CEO of Employco USA, “Obamanomics” could spell disaster for many employers.

“It started with Obamacare,” explains Wilson. “Since many companies couldn’t afford to offer their staff health insurance, they slashed employees’ hours and made them part-time instead of full-time, thereby forcing Americans to cobble together multiple part-time jobs in order to make ends meet. Now, companies face another issue: Overtime.”

Currently, the Obama administration is proposing changes to overtime regulations, changes which would offer more employees the chance to earn this extra income. However, not everyone thinks this is such a good plan.

Wilson says, “Economists don’t think the proposed plan is tenable in the long-term. Overtime wages are projected to be $1.3 billion. The FICA taxes associated with the OT wages alone is roughly $200 million (employer and employee combined). Plus, many people fear that employers will simply dump employees rather than face the prospect of paying multiple people overtime. Others will decrease their employees’ salaries in order not to lose money as a result of all the overtime they will have to pay. It’s a lose-lose for everyone.”

What the New Minimum Wage Requirement Could Mean for Companies

EmploycoUSA
As of last Wednesday, the new minimum wage in Chicago bumped from $8.25 to $10. By 2019, the new minimum wage requirement will be set at $13. However, employment expert Rob Wilson says that there are loopholes which people should look out for.
He says, “There are a few ways that people can possibly work around the minimum wage requirement. The main way is by keeping their company located outside of the city. For example, a company could be located in Deerfield, but still do business in the city, whether it is window-washing or tent rentals. In doing so, they can avoid paying their employees the new legal wage set by the city.”
Wilson, who is the CEO of Employco USA, an employment solutions firm, continues, “Virtual companies could also be confronted with new issues due to this law. For example, virtual companies in Chicago might have to leave if they have minimum wage workers elsewhere. All in all, this new wage ruling will have unexpected consequences as well as potential loopholes.”

Supreme justice ruling on Same-Sex marriage may mean a loss of benefits for Domestic Partners

EmploycoUSA

Friday’s ruling by the Supreme Court overturned all bans of Same-Sex marriage across the nation and afforded gay and lesbian spouses equal rights under both state and federal law. For many this is a victory of human rights and a landmark that will pave the way for further equality. It was only a few years ago when public sentiment was quite the opposite. 2012 marked the defining year when public opinion swayed in favor of gay and lesbian marriage and since then that favor has grown to a strong majority. ‘Gallup Gay & Lesbian Rights Statistical Poll – 1977-2015’

While it is clear that the majority of Americans are in favor of the ruling passed down, it is fair to say that the long term affects will be significant, especially for employers in states where gay marriage was banned previously. Employers in all states should take this time to review their handbooks and company policy and update any terminology around spousal relationships especially where it refers to employee benefits and legally protected rights such as FMLA.

It is still unclear as to how companies will handle the upcoming surge of spousal inclusions to their healthcare plans, whether some will offer early open enrollments, if the ruling from the Supreme Court will, in effect, create a “qualifying life event,” or if employers will simply allow for longer enrollment periods to sort out the changes. You can expect guidance from healthcare carriers to arrive soon.

Companies that adopted a domestic partner policy to their healthcare plans and corporate policy will most likely begin phasing those out over the next year. For most states, even where gay marriage was legal, companies were given the option of allowing a domestic partner clause onto their healthcare – essentially allowing individuals with long term live-in partners to gain health benefits. While the tax benefits were not the same as they were for married individuals, it afforded the employee the ability to give his or her partner coverage and allowed the employer to support their own personal beliefs without the concern of state legality.

As of the ruling on Friday, 5 states have ceased to offer civil unions and domestic partnerships* and that list is expected to grow. According to the 2010 census, 6.8 million households are unmarried, opposite-sex partners (5.9 percent of all households), compared with about 650,000 households with unmarried, same-sex partners (0.6 percent of all households). What does this mean? The vast majority of individuals receiving domestic partner benefits are opposite-sex couples.

This “curb-cut” effect (when an accommodation or law is passed to support one group of people but becomes beneficial to the population at large) will quickly become void for many individuals as employers and states move to discontinue benefits to unmarried domestic partnerships. Many rights were afforded the gay and lesbian population on Friday, but for those individuals taking advantage of the domestic partner/civil union benefits their employer provided, it may be time to look at a more formal and legal option to the relationship.

*Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont

Why Obamacare Means Americans Need 2 Jobs to Stay Afloat

EmploycoUSA

Employment Expert Explains Why Obamacare Has Led To Job Losses And Slashed Hours

Under the Affordable Care Act, companies with 50 or more employees are required to provide health insurance to their staff if these employees work 30 hours or more a week.

Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA, says, “Since many companies cannot afford to provide health insurance for their staff, employers have instead opted to cut their employees’ hours so that they can limit their number of full-time staff and avoid costly health insurance plans. That means that many families will be forced to have working parents with not one but two jobs…and still no insurance!”

The bad new doesn’t end there, according to Wilson. As companies hunt for the most affordable plans and try to juggle all these new costs, something has to give.

Wilson explains, “To save money, employers might select an insurance plan that has higher out-of-pocket spending or even an insurance plan that does not place a cap on individual spending. This means that employees might now get stuck with a high-cost insurance plan for the next year, potentially spending thousands of dollars out-of-pocket on their healthcare.  Numerous organizations have already seen their out-of-pocket expenditures skyrocket, and everyone from college students to families have seen their healthcare costs become an expensive luxury…if not completely unaffordable.”

The Job Hunting Secret Every New Graduate Needs to Know

EmploycoUSA

Employment expert reveals how new grads can transition into the working world

As recent college graduates flood the job market, competition for prime positions will be steep. It can be a difficult transition for young people, especially if they have no prior experience in the professional sphere.

Rob Wilson, employment expert and president of Employco USA, says, “Finding a job is always stressful, but if it is your first job post-college, the anxiety is even greater. With no professional job history to boast of and little experience with interviews and corporate networking, recent college graduates can feel very overwhelmed as they start pounding the proverbial pavement.”

Luckily, there is an easy way for young people to gain experience and professional clout. Wilson says, “A recruitment agency is a genius solution for college grads. Recruiters have the connections that these young people desperately need, and they can connect recent grads to a plethora of employment opportunities. When working with a recruiter, their main goal is to launch your career or take you to the next best opportunity professionally.”

Best of all, says Wilson, recruiters can help young people learn how to interview and how to excel at these professional interactions. “From assisting with resumes to helping people polish their interview skills, a recruiter is invaluable for anyone trying to break into the professional world.”

Obamacare Could Lead to Hefty Premium Increases in Illinois and Other States

EmploycoUSA
Employment expert explains what Illinoisans can expect in 2016
Numerous health insurers are seeking approval for rate increases in 2016. Illinois will certainly be one of the states that are affected by these premium hikes. In fact, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is asking for an average 29 percent increase for their plans. Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Tennessee, Maryland and Oregon will request similar increases.
Rob Wilson, CEO of Employco USA, says, “It is no wonder that so many health insurers are seeking rate increases. This is the major concern that people had when Obamacare was first introduced to the nation. The reality is that money doesn’t come from nowhere: Someone was going to have to pick up the tab for the millions of Americans who are newly insured under the Affordable Care Act, and sadly, that is going to be the American people.”
The new rates will not be approved and finalized until early October. “Currently, the new premiums are still up in the air,” says Wilson, “We don’t yet know how much rates will go up or which insurers will offer the most cost-affordable plans. November 15 is the date when people can begin to sign up for new plans, so after the rates are announced, people will have some time to research their options and discover if they can still afford their current plans.”
Wilson continues, “Unfortunately, these increases are exactly why people were strongly opposed to Obamacare from the beginning. It’s not fair that the average American now has to carry the tab for the mistakes made by millionaires on Capitol Hill.”

Five Tips For New Graduates Looking To Land Their Dream Job

EmploycoUSA

Recent statistics show that this is the best job market for graduates in the past decade. However, these graduates also carry more college debt than any other generation before them. Never before has it been more important for young people to find work and start making money as soon as possible.

“College debt can be astronomical,” says employment expert Rob Wilson, CEO of Employco USA, “The weight of this can often pressure new graduates to take any job they can find and start working right away. However, that might not be the best plan of action. It is better to be purposeful and discerning in your job search. Remember, you are building the foundation for a career, not just trying to get a paycheck.”

Here are Wilson’s top tips for how graduates can land a dream job:

1) Don’t be lured by a big paycheck. “Money isn’t everything, even if you do have debt looming down on you,” says Wilson, “It is better to take a job with a smaller paycheck that is in the field you actually desire than to take a job with a large paycheck that has nothing to do with your long-term career goals.”

2) Live at home if you have to. “I know most college graduates want nothing more than to break away and have their own place, but the reality is that an unpaid internship isn’t going to help you get that big city apartment. But that doesn’t mean that the internship isn’t the right choice. Working as an unpaid intern can be stressful, but it can be a very wise move and help you build lifelong connections that will serve you throughout your career.”

3) Make Google work for you. “Everyone knows that an employer is going to Google your name before they decide if they want to hire you,” says Wilson, “So make sure that your internet presence is going to be impressive. Have a personal website or create an online portfolio that features your work. Have a Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn account that reflects drive, intelligence and professionalism. Don’t be afraid to show your personality a little bit, but remember: This is about your career, not tweeting about the Kardashians.”

4) Keep attending school. “I know most graduates never want to return to a classroom, but nothing is more impressive to a prospective employer than an applicant who has continuing education credits in their field or someone who attends seminars in their field of interest. Keep learning, even after you have a diploma in your hand.”

5) Consider temp work. “Temporary work can be a great way to keep your resume padded and your bank account full,” says Wilson. “Employers hate to see big blank spots on an applicant’s resume, so prove that you are hard-working even when you haven’t found a full-time permanent position yet. Plus, temping can be a great way to make connections, build experience, and learn more about what it is like to work in a professional environment.”

Play or Pay: Two New Tax Forms Require Extensive New Data from Employers

EmploycoUSA

Employment expert explains what employers need to know about 1094 and 1095 forms

The Affordable Care Act has changed the face of healthcare in this country, and it has also changed the way that employers manage employees’ healthcare. Under the “Play or Pay” or “Shared Responsibility” mandate, companies with over 100 employees are now required to file the new 1094 and 1095 forms with the IRS. Employers who fail to comply will be subject to tax penalties of up to $3,000 per worker.

Rob Wilson, CEO of Employco says, “These new reporting forms are a departure from the norm for most HR professionals and are very detailed and complex. We were hoping that the IRS would find a way to simplify the instructions. Instead of filling out the total amount spent on healthcare on the W2, it is now required to submit a form on behalf of every employee. You must show how many hours employees have worked and how much was spent on healthcare each month. One of these forms (1094) goes to the IRS, while the other (1095) goes to employees like a traditional W2.”

The mandate requires a fair amount of data that employers might not have been tracking up until this point.  “Many traditional HR professionals do not have access to these new forms, resulting in a growing need for companies to outsource this government requirement,” Wilson says, “It is just one of the many ways that this administration has changed the way that American companies do business.”

This new system poses two major problems; companies will have to retrieve all of the data that is required in order to successfully complete these forms; and the compliance costs associated with obtaining this information.  “When companies all over the country begin to realize what exactly is needed and how much outside agencies are charging to complete these forms for them, many will be outraged.”

“We have heard from a number of sources that agencies will be charging extremely high fees to complete the forms on their behalf. We will not be charging our clients for this service because it is a part of what we do. As a full service HR outsourcing agency, we have direct access to this information. This is just one of the many services we provide to help eliminate these tedious, yet mandatory administrative tasks for businesses of all sizes. Companies who outsource their HRO/PEO to a number of vendors and not just one solutions provider, might get hit the hardest under this new mandate. We are aware of the failure to comply penalties, so we will do everything in our power to protect our clients,” says Wilson.