What do I do when an employee tells me they are paid below market and they want a raise? By Kate Reichert, HR Business Partner & Compensation Specialist, Trüpp. It’s happened to all of us. Fatefully, an employee comes to us and shares that they’ve seen salary data online and demands their pay be at […]
How to drive employee engagement By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. Behind every successful organization is an engaged team that is committed to helping the company reach its goals. When addressing employee engagement, employers should consider a wide range of solutions. While increasing pay may be the fall-back option, there are several solutions that have […]
What to do with employee survey results: 7 steps to maximizing employee engagement By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. Deploying a survey and collecting results is only the first step in conducting a successful employee engagement survey. Once you have obtained useful feedback from your employees, it’s crucial to act on those results and clearly […]
Important employment and workplace considerations to accomplish for the month of April. Re-bid your benefits contracts Employers should make it a habit to regularly evaluate the benefits market. Simply renewing your contract each year could result in spending too much and including benefits that employees don’t value. Before your next open enrollment, consider conducting a […]
Welcome to the Trüpp Legal Corner designed to keep business leaders informed of critical employment legislation and case law. Paid-leave tax credit that could apply to certain employers Under the new section of the Internal Revenue Code, employers that voluntarily offer qualifying employees up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave may claim […]
Retaining a top tier team By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. Far too many businesses are unable to hold onto top talent. This often indicates that a more strategic approach is required to equip employees with tools for on-going success. Focusing on the people that drive your company forward will contribute to a more successful […]
Welcome to the Trüpp Legal Corner designed to keep business leaders informed of critical employment legislation and case law. Increase of Form I-9 worksite enforcement The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues its practice of increasing Form I-9 audits, conducting more workplace raids, and promoting involvement in the government’s voluntary compliance program. Learn More >> […]
Important employment and workplace considerations to accomplish for the month of March. Submit drug-coverage disclosures by March 1st If you are an employer that provides prescription drug coverage to workers who are eligible for Medicare Part D, you must submit a disclosure by March 1. Submit Disclosure Online >> Submit application for workplace recognition The […]
Influences on employee handbook updates By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. Keeping an employee handbook up to date seems simple enough, but far more goes into it than most employers realize. Is your handbook ready to be updated? If you haven’t touched it in the past year, then the answer is a resounding yes! Your handbook […]
As an at-will employer, can I separate an employee without providing a reason? By Breea Gale, HR Business Partner, Trüpp. At-will status means that either the employer or employee can terminate the employment relationship for any or no reason. However, while you may not be required to give a reason, we strongly recommend that you provide […]
Leadership that pushes companies to their full potential By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. As a manager, it’s important to recognize the influence you have on your organization’s direction. While it is natural to put effort into your business strategy, it is also important to focus on innovation and company culture. Savvy leaders see the […]
Can I designate medical leave as OFLA/FMLA if the employee does not wish to? By Michael White, HR Outsourcing Manager, Trüpp. I have an employee that will be off work for three weeks to recover from a medical procedure. The employee has enough paid time off to cover the time and doesn’t want to use any […]
Important employment and workplace considerations to accomplish for the month of February. Prepare for tax season Make sure you have all the required tax forms for your organization and get current on new information to meet the rapidly approaching tax deadline. Below is a checklist for small businesses. View Checklist >> Update your employee handbook […]
Welcome to the Trüpp Legal Corner designed to keep business leaders informed of critical employment legislation and case law. Expected increase of Form I-9 worksite enforcement The current administration has indicated that the number of Form I-9 employment eligibility verification audits will significantly increase over the course of the next year. All employers are subject […]
Bizwomen Mentoring Monday The Portland Business Journal is hosting the next annual Bizwomen Mentoring Monday event in Portland on February 12th. This is a great opportunity to come meet with influential business women from the Portland Metro-area and establish beneficial relationships for the years to come. This “speed coaching” event provides a high energy and […]
3 common ways for managers to avoid risk By Calvin Gower, Trüpp. When managers become careless in today’s work environment, they open the door to significant legal risks. As a manager, it’s important to grasp that you play a big role in minimizing the risks your company faces. With the rising number of federal level audits […]
PDX Women in Tech: How to Accelerate the Growth of Your Startup Jean Roque, President & Founder of Trüpp, is set to be one of the panelists at the upcoming PDX Women in Tech (PDXWIT) event. In this informative Q&A panel, discussion will include key tips to accelerate the growth of your startup. Many strategic […]
How should we handle pre-employment background checks and drug screens? By Sally Padrow, HR Business Partner, Trüpp. Companies that require pre-employment background and/or drug screenings do so to ensure that new employees they are hiring have provided truthful information, are not using drugs that could impair their work performance, or do not have a history of […]
Making the most of your time at work By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. For many of us, there seems to never be enough hours in a day to get things done. Fortunately, there are tools and techniques to help us be more productive, stay more engaged, and ultimately get the most out of the […]
Important employment and workplace considerations to accomplish for the month of January. Post 2018 compliance posters It’s time to put up 2018 Labor Law Posters. Keep in mind that this is not a one-and-done event at the beginning of the New Year. Compliance is only valid until the next revision takes effect. Consider subscribing to […]
Welcome to the Trüpp Legal Corner designed to keep business leaders informed of critical employment legislation and case law. DOL delays parts of fiduciary rule The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has extended the effective date for “prohibited transaction exemptions” to the retirement plan fiduciary rule to July 1, 2019. The exemptions are related to […]
By Jean Roque, President, Trüpp. When given the choice, I will always pick forward motion over perceived perfection. As a business leader, you’ve likely made the tough decision to not tackle areas in need of improvement because the effort level seemed a bit daunting in light of everything else that was on your plate. But, […]
What you need to know about the OSHA injury reporting deadline By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. The deadline for the OSHA 2016 injury reporting has been extended. See the list below for 5 key pieces of info you need to know about the deadline. The deadline for submission is December 15th. Applies to establishments […]
Welcome to the Trüpp Legal Corner designed to keep business leaders informed of critical employment legislation and case law. Immigration official announces quadrupled employer compliance audits It’s expected that the rate of immigration compliance audits and investigations will quadruple in the months to come. To avoid potential fines, all employers will need to make sure […]
Important employment and workplace considerations to accomplish for the month of December. Review and reiterate your anti-harassment policy With the sweeping sexual harassment charges being made across all industries, now is the time to make sure you are doing everything possible to create a respectful workplace where harassment isn’t tolerated. Review your policies, make any […]
I-9 checklist By Christine Thelen, Director of HR Services, Trüpp. Would you be shocked if I told you that immigration is currently a hot button issue? If you’ve had any contact with the outside world recently, your answer is sure to be a resounding no! Unfortunately, this is not just a political debate that can be […]
Creating a happy work environment for you and your team By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. It’s no secret that the success of a business is influenced by a team’s ability to work together and thrive as a unit. Learning how to properly communicate with others and focus on improving yourself are key pieces to […]
When I have a non-exempt employee travel for work, do I need to pay for travel time? How should I approach this? By Amanda Doun, HR Business Partner, Trüpp. Under federal law, the time spent by a non-exempt employee as part of their primary job duties such as traveling from one job site to another job […]
Drafting Employee Friendly and Compliant Employee Handbooks By Christine Thelen, Director of HR Services, Trüpp. If you have an employee, you should have an employee handbook. An employee handbook sets expectations regarding company policy, acts as a resource and guide for managers, and ultimately, when well written, reduces employer risk. But how do you ensure that […]
OregonSaves Program: Everything you need to know By Michael White, HRO Manager, Trüpp. What is it? OregonSaves is a Roth IRA (deductions are not pre-tax) savings program that is required for employers that do not currently offer a qualifying retirement program. Employees are auto-enrolled by their employer in the plan, but are given a 30-day window […]
Supporting a new generation of employees By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. Today’s workforce is changing. Retaining great employees and maintaining an engaged workforce doesn’t work the way it used to. Here are some articles we’ve found that offer sage advice for keeping your top talent engaged and productive for years to come. 6 tips […]
By Elizabeth Berg, HR Business Partner, Trüpp. Let’s face it, having a conversation regarding appropriate dress and grooming habits with an employee can be very uncomfortable for anyone in a leadership position. However, following a few best practice guidelines can make the conversation go much more smoothly and minimize the impact on your team. Here […]
Welcome to the Trüpp Legal Corner designed to keep business leaders informed of critical employment legislation and case law. Court ruling highlights FMLA retaliation and age discrimination An engineer at Verizon recently presented proof of FMLA retaliation and age discrimination in her firing. The case brought up the point that employers must monitor their supervisors […]
Important employment and workplace considerations to accomplish for the month of November. Prepare for winter weather Winter is coming! It may be helpful to review your inclement weather policy, make any necessary adjustments, and inform your employees of any changes. Prepare for daylight savings Daylight savings time will be ending on November 5th at 2 […]
Portland, Oregon – September 28, 2017 – Trupp HR, Inc. is pleased to announce the recent launch of its Pay Equity Service offering. Trüpp’s Pay Equity Services are designed to help businesses get ahead of the equal pay legislation trend sweeping the country and further develop sound compensation strategies. This set of services ensures that an organization’s […]
Portland, Oregon – September 26, 2017 – Trupp HR, Inc. recently expanded its Employee Handbook services to include a subscription option. The Employee Handbook Subscription enables organizations to keep their handbook continuously up to date. Trüpp’s Handbook Subscription Service is a convenient way for employers to keep their employee handbook current with changing regulations and required policy […]
Important employment and workplace considerations to accomplish for the month of October. Be prepared for an I-9 compliance audit With the decision to not renew DACA and the recent implementation of the new Form I-9, this is a good time to review your I-9 procedures. With the increased potential for enforcement, businesses should ensure all […]
Welcome to the Trüpp Legal Corner designed to keep business leaders informed of critical employment legislation and case law. The unwinding of DACA and the effect on employers With the DACA expiration date on the horizon, employers may need to discharge workers unless they’ve found another way to obtain work authorization. This will all depend […]
By Jean Roque, President & Founder, Trüpp. In the past year, Portland residents have witnessed an increased level of tension and polarization. Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, maintaining a workplace rooted in inclusion can be tricky in an environment where emotions and convictions run deep. Here are some techniques for fostering […]
Portland, Oregon – September 14, 2017 – Trupp HR, Inc., a human resources solutions company, is pleased to announce it has made the Portland Business Journal’s list of Top 50 Women-Owned Businesses in the Portland metro area for the third consecutive year. Since the founding of Trüpp, a little over six years ago, Jean Roque, President and […]
By Jean Roque, President & Founder, Trüpp. While small businesses may not be able to compete with the resources and career advancement opportunities of larger employers, they shouldn’t underestimate their ability to provide a fulfilling work experience for employees who are hungry to develop and learn. Here are four employee development strategies that can be […]
Welcome to the Trüpp Legal Corner designed to keep business leaders informed of critical employment legislation and case law. State law trends to watch States and cities continue to go above and beyond federal employment law requirements; here are some of the important trends and states to keep an eye on. Learn More >> Oregon […]
Important employment and workplace considerations to accomplish for the month of September. Prepare for final quarter With the the year’s final quarter approaching, it’s time to review where you stand with your 2017 revenue and operational goals. If needed, create an action plan to meet expectations by years’ end. Related Article >> Get a free […]
By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. Oregon recently passed a law that clears up some confusion in the daily overtime rule. The update addresses non-union employees working in mills, factories, and manufacturing establishments. The main clarification to come out of this revision is that employees who are entitled to both daily and weekly overtime should […]
By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. Several amendments to Oregon’s Paid Sick Leave law were enacted on July 1, 2017 and will take effect on January 1, 2018. Recently signed by Governor Kate Brown, the bill makes some clarifications and modifications to the current law which took effect the same time last year. Changes included […]
Pay Equity, Paid Time Off, and the Changing Face of Wage and Hour Laws Wage and hour laws are taking center stage in today’s employment law landscape, especially here in the Northwest. Oregon and Washington are joining many other states and local areas in enacting new and expansive employee-friendly laws. Just what does an organization […]
Important employment and workplace considerations to accomplish for the month of August. Prepare for open enrollment Open enrollment season is right around the corner. Proactive employers are getting a head start on the process to make sure all their ducks are in a row. If you don’t have the time or resources to run open […]
Welcome to the Trüpp Legal Corner designed to keep business leaders informed of critical employment legislation and case law. DOL issues RFI on overtime rule The Department of Labor (DOL) has suggested several alternatives to the original overtime rule changes in a recent request for information (RFI) which includes multiple salary level exemptions that are […]
By Kate Reichert, HR Business Partner, Trüpp. Imagine a world without salary negotiations As I sit in a conference room with my team discussing the implications of the new Pay Equity Act that was recently signed into law in the state of Oregon by Governor Kate Brown, it began to occur to me just how […]
By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. The USCIS has rolled out a new version of the Form I-9, which will be mandatory for employers to use starting September 18, 2017. Employers can use the new form now or continue to use the Form I-9 with the revision date of 11/14/16 N until the September 18th […]
By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. Starting July 1, 2018, many part-time employees won’t have to play the guessing game with their schedules any longer. The new predictive scheduling law, expected to be signed by Oregon Governor, Kate Brown, will be establishing requirements on large employers (500 or more employees worldwide) for the retail trade, […]
Important employment and workplace considerations to accomplish for the month of July. Conduct employee survey It’s important to keep a pulse on your employees. Conduct a mid-summer employee survey to gain insight on your organization and uncover areas that could use attention or improvement. Related Article >> Oregon employers: download and post updated minimum wage […]
Wage & Hour Laws: A Crash Course for Managers The news is teeming with stories of innovative and well-known brands whose reputations have been tarnished by wage and hour violations, often leaving an unsubstantiated impression that these organizations are underhanded or don’t care about their employees. Managers are in a prime position to help protect […]
Welcome to the Trüpp Legal Corner designed to keep business leaders informed of critical employment legislation and case law. Oregon pay equity bill passes The Oregon Equal Pay Act of 2017 (House Bill 2005) has officially passed. This marks the latest legal update related to the pay equity law trend, with the purpose of reducing […]
By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. As the CEO of Uber steps down following a flurry of complaints, a revealing investigation, and cultural issues, we are reminded of what happens when HR is overly influenced by internal culture and takes a biased approach. Earlier this year, Uber underwent an internal investigation after the allegations of […]
By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. Trüpp is proud to be named among Portland Business Journal’s Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies in Oregon and Southwest Washington. This marks the third consecutive year that Trüpp has received this prestigious award. Trüpp acknowledges this achievement could not have been accomplished without the ongoing support of their […]
By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. The Oregon Equal Pay Act of 2017 (House Bill 2005) has officially been signed into law with the purpose of reducing unfair pay differences and expanding protections for employees susceptible to discriminatory pay practices. Most provisions will not go into effect until January 1, 2019 to give employers time […]
Important employment and workplace considerations to accomplish for the month of June. Plan for summer vacation coverage Managing employee vacation time can be quite complicated, especially around the summer months. Read these 7 tips for taking a strategic approach for employee vacation planning. Related Article >> Implement a flexible summer work schedule Being more flexible […]
Welcome to the Trüpp Legal Corner designed to keep business leaders informed of critical employment legislation and case law. IRS establishes 2018 HSA contribution limits The annual contribution to health savings accounts (HSAs) will rise $50 for self-only coverage and $150 for family coverage. Learn More >> Comp time bill advances to senate The U.S. […]
By Calvin Gower, Marketing Coordinator, Trüpp. Whether it should be legal to ask job applicants about their salary history remains a hot topic of debate in today’s labor market. Since we posted our article, Should it be illegal to ask about an applicant’s salary history, which provides details about proposed pay equity laws and their […]
By Wayne Smith, Director of Marketing, Trüpp. Remember when employment law was easy? OK, so maybe it was never easy, per se, but at least you could build out a set of policies, treat your employees well, avoid a few common pitfalls, and you were good to focus on growing your business. Today, employers are […]
Welcome to the Trüpp Legal Corner designed to keep business leaders informed of critical employment legislation and case law. Risks of asking applicants for W-2 Forms Employment attorneys caution against employers asking job applicants for a copy of their W-2 form to verify employment and compensation. While this practice may seem practical in some situations, […]
Important employment and workplace considerations to accomplish for the month of May. Conduct an annual HR audit An HR audit will give you a clear picture of your company’s HR compliance and effectiveness by identifying key areas of opportunity for your organization to improve compliance, increase efficiency, and ensure that your workforce is on track […]
