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301 Commerce Street
Suite 1950
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Ph: 817-877-0014
Fax: 817-877-3846

our newsletter archive...

WhitneySmith's blog, "HR Directions" contains useful and timely information on employment-related issues in a clear and concise manner.

Past newsletters are downloadable in Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format). If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, please click the icon below and download for free.

newsletter archive...

Click on a year to see a list of newsletters. Click again to close.

2011

December
- How Mobile Devices Create Overtime Issues
- DOL and Overtime: There's An App for That
- Electronic Filing Now Open for VETS 100 and Vets 100A Reports
- Texas Extends Long-term Unemployment Benefits
- 2011 D/FW Metroplex Employee Benefits Survey Now Available
November
- The Employee Handbook: Contract or Not?
- Social Security and Medicare Benefit Changes for 2012 Announced
- NLRA Posting Deadline Delayed
- Form I-9 Compliance Audits: Preparing for an Unwelcome Surprise
- November Training: Meeting the Challenges of Specialty Prescriptions and the Push for Generic Medications
October
- IRA Announces Voluntary Worker Classification Settlement Program
- Incentive and Bonus Plan Clawback Requirements
- Client Corner: Deductions from Employee Paychecks
- Variable Pay Plans
- Employment Applications vs. Resumes
September
- Final Rule for Notification of Employee Rights Under NLRA
- 2011 D/FW Metroplex Employee Benefits Survey
- Client Corner: Partnership Compensation
- Performance Evaluation Tools
- Delay of VETS 100/100A Federal Contract Reporting
- September Training: Are Performance Evaluations Necessary?
August
- 2011 EEO-1 and VETS-100/100A Reports Due
- 2011 Compensation Survey Data Now Available
- Combining Electronic Health Records May Trigger ADA and GINA Violations
- Texas Sales Tax Holiday
- Retirement Plan Benefits
- August Training: FLSA
July
- IRS Increases Mileage Rate to 55.5 Cents Per Mile
- 2011 Compensation Survey Data Now Available
- Keep SUTA Costs Down
- Guns Allowed in Vehicles in Company Parking Lots
- FCRA Amendment Becomes Effective July 21
- 2011 D/FW Metroplex Employee Benefits Survey
- July Training: Comprehensive Review of Current and Amended FLSA Regulations Affecting Nonexempt Employees
June
- ADAAA Final Regulations Now in Effect
- Be Clear on the Criteria for Determining FMLA-Covered Employers
- 2011 Tarrant County Salary Survey
- Summer Dress Codes: Are You Ready to Face the Heat?
- June Training: Understanding Worker's Compensation
May
- Social Security Administration Resumes No-Match Letters
- EEOC Pays Price for "Jumping the Gun" in Disparate Impact Claim
- 2011 Tarrant County Salary Survey
- Child Labor Laws
- Budget Bill Slices Health Care Pieces
- May Dates to Remember
- May Training: Ethics in the Workplace
April
- Written Disaster Plans More Effective When Backed by Drills
- April Fool's Day: When Funny Is Not Fun
- Records Retention Forms
- Form I-9 Handbook Contains Updated Instructions
- April Training: COBRA
March
- Serious as a Heart Attack: Not Covered by Workers' Compensation?
- Walmart Gender Bias Lawsuit: Largest in U.S. History
- Bullying in the Workplace Poses a Silent and Costly Epidemic
- Smart Questions Are Keys to Hiring Top Talent
- March Training: True Colors Communicating Your Character
- April's Training: COBRA
February
- Face It - Sometimes Employees Can Trash You on Social Media
- Avoid the Ultimate Payback from Retaliation Claims
- Inclement Weather Pay
- February Training: The Employee Life Cycle
January
- 2010/2011 Reflections and Anticipations
- President Spells "Relief" With Signing of New Tax Law
- Retirement Exempt Amounts Remains Consistent
- Social Security Benefits: No Inflation Means Zero COLA Boost
- Dollar Limitations on Pension Plans Hold Steady for 2011
- IRS Announces Small Jump in 2011 Standard Mileage Rates
- January Training: Employment Law Overview

2010

December
- EEOC Announces Final GINA Regulations
- Senate Kills the House-Approved Paycheck Fairness Act
- 2011 Absentee Calendars
- Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Interpretation Tested in Appeals Court
- Severe Weather Policies: Don't Get Caught Out in the Cold
November
- Haunted by the Past: Check Backgrounds Carefully
- OFCCP Ready to Publish New Veterans Regulations
- November Training: Communicating Your Character
October
- The Advantages of Professional Recruiting
- IRS Postpones W-2 Changes
- Understanding the Independent Contractor
- October Training: Healthcare Reform
September
- Keeping Unemployment Costs Down
- Unemployment FAQs
- Resumes, Can You Trust Them?
- September Training: Coaching
August
- Relief for the Long-Term Unemployed
- 2010 EEO-1 and VETS-100/100A Reports Due
- 2010 D/FW Metroplex Employee Benefits Survey
- August Training: Far Reaching Effects of the FLSA
July
- DOL Clarifies FMLA Definition of "Son" and "Daughter"
- HIRE Act Provides Two New Benefits to Employers
- Why Bother With an HR Audit?
- Document Retention: Do You Have a Policy?
- 2010 Compensation Survey Data Now Available
- July Training: Don't Miss a Link, Face the Digital Workplace...With Barely a Twitter
June
- New Law Expands FMLA's Provisions
- DOL: Covered Contractors Must Post Notice Regarding Union Organizing Rights
- Personality Assessments Help Employers Identify the Best Fit
- EEOC Delays Release of GINA andADA Changes
- Breaks Now Required in the Workplace for Nursing Mothers
- June Training: Jerks at Work - Dealing With Difficult People in the Workplace
May
- Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Workplace
- Benefit Plans under the New Health Care Legislation
April
- Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act (PPACA), signed into law on March 23, 2010.
March
- Tips on Retaining Employees and Minimizing Turnover
- 2010 Tarrant County Salary Survey
- Extension of the COBRA subsidy
- March and April training programs
February
- Texting and Driving: What Employers Need to Know
- Employees vs. Independent Contractors
- 2010 Tarrant County Salary Survey
January
- Overtime Calculations
- IRS Standard Mileage Rates for 2010
- COBRA Subsidy Extension

2009

December
- Twenty Years Ago...
- Holiday Office Closure Announcement and Holiday Wishes from the Staff of WhitneySmith
- A Look at Some Major Legislative Changes Since 1989...
- It's Not Too Late to Order Your 2010 Absentee Calendars! (Produt Order Form Attached)
- Don't Forget to Pre-Order Your REVISED 6-in-1 Labor Law Poster (Poster Order Form Attached)
- DOL Increasing Wage & Hour Division Staffing by 30% in 2010
- December Training Announcement: Due to the Upcoming Holiday Season, No Training Will be Held in December
- WhitneySmith In-House Training Schedule for 2010
- January Training: Effective Selection Interviewing
- 2009 Dallas/Fort Worth Employee Benefits Survey
November
- The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008
- 2010 Absentee Calendars Now on Sale! (Product Order Form Attached)
- 2010 COLA Limits Left Unchanged by the Internal Revenue Service
- Several Changes to Federal Labor Law Posting Requirements (Poster Order Form Attached)
- 2009 Dallas/Fort Worth Employee Benefits Survey
- November Training: True Colors - Communicating Your Character (CANCELLED)
October
- The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act of 2008
- Dealing With H1N1 in the Workplace
- 2009 Dallas/Fort Worth Employee Benefits Survey
- October Training: Ever Changing Trends in Employee Benefits
September
- Federal Contractors Must Use E-Verify Beginning September 8, 2009
- New Regulations Require Health Information Breach Notification
- Reminder: The 2009 EEO-1 Report Must Be Submitted by September 30, 2009
- Reminder: Our Offices Will Be Closed Monday, September 7th in Observance of Labor Day
- 2009 Dallas/Fort Worth Employee Benefits Survey
- September Training: Workplace Safety - How to Reduce the Cost of Workers' Compensation
August
- Employees Beware of New I-9 Enforcement Campaign!
- Practicing Outstanding Customer Service
- Reminder: On July 24, 2009, the Minimum Wage Increased to $7.25/hr.
- 2009 EEO-1 and VETS-100/100A Reports Due
- 2009 Dallas/Fort Worth Employee Benefits Survey
- August Training: Understanding Critical Wage Issues Under the Texas Pay Day Law & FLSA
July
- Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act
- Client Q & A: Exempt Employee Also Performs Occasional Nonexempt Work
- 2009 Tarrant County Salary Survey Results Released
- 2009 Dallas/Fort Worth Employee Benefits Survey
- Reminder: On July 24, 2009, the Minimum Wage Increases to $7.25/hr.
- July Training: Understanding Critical Exemption Issues Under the FLSA
June
- Creating An Affirmative Defense
- Reminders: On July 24, 2009, the Minimum Wage Increases to $7.25/hr.
- Reminders: Data Results for the 2009 Tarrant County Salary Survey
- Credit for COBRA Premium Assistance
- Differences in the Workplace
- June Training: When Cultures & Generations Meet in the Workplace
May
- Employer Liability in a Pandemic
- It's Not Too Late to Participate (TCSS)
- Important Notice Regarding E-Verify
- COBRA Compliance Reminder
- Closed for Memorial Day
- May Training: Creative Ways to Motivate Employees
April
- Workplace Discrimination Filings Are On The Rise!
- Immigration Issues Assistance
- 2009 Tarrant County Salary Survey
- Creating a Harassment-Free Workplace
- NEW COBRA Posting and Notice Requirements
- Don't Forget Form I-9 Changes!
- Important IRS Notice
- April Training: How COBRA Has Been Impacted By the Economic Stimulus
March
- Layoffs and Lawsuits
- Benefits of providing outplacement services to downsized employees
- April Training: COBRA Update
- March Training: Ending Employment: The Issues
February
- Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Signed Into Law
- E-Verify Use Requirement for Federal Contractors Delayed Again
- New I-9 Effective Date Delayed!
- OSHA Form 300A Must Be Posted by February 1st
- 6-in-1 Labor Law Posters Revised to Reflect New FMLA Changes
- February Training: Employment Law Compliance for 2009
January
- Welcoming The New Year!
- ADA Amendments Act Becomes Effective January 1, 2009
- IRS Lowers Standard Mileage Rate for 2009
- Department of Homeland Security Makes Changes to I-9
- 6-in-1 Labor Law Poster Revised to Reflect New FMLA Changes
- January Training: Understanding the New FMLA Regulations

2008

December
- The Economic Downturn is Changing the Way Companies Do Business
- Season's Greetings from Our Staff
- WhitneySmith In-House Training Schedule for 2009
- Religious Discrimination in the Workplace
- Important Training Announcement: We Will Not Offer In-House Training in December Due to the Upcoming Holiday Season
- 2009 Absentee Calendars Are Now on Sale!
- January 2009 Training: Understanding the New FMLA Regulations
November
- The Importance of Offering Outplacement/Career Continuation Services
- Giving Employees Time Off for Voting
- COLA Limits for 2009
- Social Security Administration Announces 5.8% Benefit Increase for 2009
- Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 Signed Into Law
- 2009 Absentee Calendars Now on Sale!
- November Training: Effective Interviewing Skills & Assessment Tools
October
- Americans With Disabilities Act Amendment Signed Into Law
- Discussing Politics in the Workplace
- 2008 Dallas/Fort Worth Employee Benefits Survey
- October Training: Ever Changing Trends in Employee Benefits
September
- Drug-Free Work Week is Coming in October
- Bad Behavior and the FMLA
- 2009 OASDI Wage Base is Projected at $102,300
- Reminder: The Changes Made to the EEO-1 Report Categories Go Into Effect on Sepember 30, 2008
- 2008 Dallas/Fort Worth Employee Benefits Survey
- September Training: Substance Abuse in the Workplace...Should Your Company Be Concerned?
August
- Electronic Communications and Privacy Laws
- Texas Veterans Leadership Program
- 2008 Tarrant County Salary Survey Results Released
- Changes Made to EEO-1 Report Categories
- 2008 Dallas/Fort Worth Employee Benefits Suvery
- August Training: Conducting Effective Performance Evaluations
July
- Federal Contractors Now Required to Use E-Verify System
- IRS Announces Optional Standard Mileage Rate Increase
- Reminder: The Second of the Three Increases to the Federal Minimum Wage Takes Effect on July 24, 2008 to $6.55/hr.
- 2008 Dallas/Fort Worth Employee Benefit Survey
- July Training: Fair Labor Standards Act Nonexempt Rules & Regulations
June
- Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) Signed into Law
- Changes Made to USCIS E-Verify Program
- IRS Sets Health Savings Account Contribution Limits for 2009
- Reminder: The Second of Three Increases to the Federal Minimm Wage Takes Effect on July 24, 2008 to $6.55/hr.
- Reminder: Data Results for the 2008 Tarrant County Salary Survey Will Be Available Mid-June
- June Training: Fair Labor Standards Act Exemption Rules & Regulations
May
- Economic Downturns and Layoffs
- Memorial Day: Then & Now
- Client Q & A: MySpace.com
- EEOC Reports Increase in Job Bias Charges in 2007
- 2008 Tarrant County Salary Survey: It's Not too Late to Participate!
- May Training: Avoiding Discrimination Lawsuits
April
- 40 Years Ago...
- The Importance of Proper Documentation
- OFCCP Announces Second FY 2008 Audit Scheduling List
- Workplace English-Only Rules
- 2008 Tarrant County Salary Survey
- April Training: Wellness Programs...An Effective Cost-Containment Strategy
March
- Is Your Company Obligated to Pay Overtime?
- The Value of Reviewing and Updating Job Descriptions
- Involving Managers in Discrimination/Harassment Investigations
- 2008 Tarrant County Salary Survey
- March Training: Beat the Clock...Tips for Successful Time Management
February
- Expansion of Family & Medical Leave Act Signed into Law
- Tax Exempt Status of Workers' Compensation Indemnity Payments
- EEOC's Retiree Health Benefits Rule
- OFCCP Operational Update News
- February Training: Making Sense Out of the Family and Medical Leave Act
January
- WhitneySmith: A NEW BRAND
- Client Q & A: Paying Bonuses to Nonexempt Employees
- Client Q & A: Working Interviews and Unemployment Insurance
- Growing Support for Paid Time Off (PTO) Plans
- January Training: TRUE COLORS - Communicating Your Character