Is Your Business COVID Compliant?

Most businesses in the US are too small to have a full-time HR professional, let alone a compliance officer. Yet, in these dramatically different times it can be a costly mistake to not keep up with rules and laws that are changing rapidly and for the first time being applied to at-home workers.

Writing for HR.com, Dan Marzullo says COVID-19 is making it “more important than ever for businesses of all sizes to make sure they’re abiding by HR compliance.”

Large corporations have HR compliance officers to monitor labor laws and requirements, and ensure the company – and employees — are complying with the often complex rules. They train managers in the rules and help them work through difficult situations.

But large or small, all businesses are required to comply with the laws. As the well known adage goes, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”

So what’s a small or even mid-sized business to do? Marzullo, who himself runs a small business in Colorado, offers a solution: “This is a role that can be outsourced.”

In fact, it is usual for HR professionals who serve on a consulting basis to wear both hats. While an HR compliance officer is a specialist and an HR professional fills multiple roles, the jobs are not exclusive and have duties that overlap. Unless your business has employees in several states working in different locations, an experienced outsourced HR professional will be able to keep the business on the right side of the rules.

Marzullo notes that one of the first tasks an outsourced HR professional typically faces with a new client is updating their employee handbook. Or creating one for the first time.

“It’s a critical document for any business because it serves as a communication tool to define your company’s procedures, policies, and how you conduct business,” he writes.

If you haven’t reviewed your handbook since before the COVID pandemic, read through it now. Does it mention remote work, flex time, remote work schedules? What does it say about who pays for work at home internet access or the equipment? Anything?

Probably not, yet these are now common issues that every business will confront sooner or later.

Noting that worker’s comp claims for carpal tunnel were on the rise before we all started working from home, Marzullo says an HR professional can help to head off these claims by training employees how to avoid injury.

Having an HR consultant on retainer is not the only way for a small business to ensure compliance with the rules. Hiring a part-timer or even a temp to put the workplace in order is an option Green Key Resources can help you with.

From anywhere in the US, give us a call at 212.683.1988 and we’ll show you what we can do for you.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Green Key Unlocked: Celebrating Pride in Recruitment
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Leadership + Management Worklife

Green Key Unlocked: Celebrating Pride in Recruitment

Upskilling: Tips & Benefits for Your Organization
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Leadership + Management Worklife

Upskilling: Tips & Benefits for Your Organization

Forbes Names Green Key on Lists of America’s Best Recruiting and Staffing Firms 2023
General Interest Green Key News Leadership + Management

Forbes Names Green Key on Lists of America’s Best Recruiting and Staffing Firms 2023

Benefits of Offering Summer Hours
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Leadership + Management Worklife

Benefits of Offering Summer Hours

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Jack Staub
General Interest Green Key News Pharma Worklife

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Jack Staub

How to Stand Out at a Career Fair
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Worklife

How to Stand Out at a Career Fair

4 Ways that Green Key Creates a Mentally Positive Environment
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Leadership + Management Worklife

4 Ways that Green Key Creates a Mentally Positive Environment

Approaches in Learning: Differences Across Generations
General Interest Green Key News Leadership + Management Worklife

Approaches in Learning: Differences Across Generations

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Julian Davis
General Interest Green Key News Information Technology Leadership + Management Worklife

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Julian Davis

Mental Health Awareness: Support in the Workplace
General Interest Green Key News Healthcare Human Resources Leadership + Management Worklife

Mental Health Awareness: Support in the Workplace

Updated Markets for the Green Key AEC National Team
Architecture + Engineering General Interest Green Key News Worklife

Updated Markets for the Green Key AEC National Team

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Judy Holt
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Leadership + Management Professional Support Worklife

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Judy Holt

How to Keep Candidates Engaged During the Hiring Process
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Worklife

How to Keep Candidates Engaged During the Hiring Process

AI in Recruiting: Pros & Cons
General Interest Green Key News Information Technology Marketing Technology Worklife

AI in Recruiting: Pros & Cons

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Alyssa Durham
Accounting + Finance General Interest Green Key News Worklife

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Alyssa Durham

Green Key Unlocked: The Story of Green Key
Accounting + Finance Architecture + Engineering Financial Services General Interest Green Key News Healthcare Human Resources Information Technology Leadership + Management Legal Support Marketing Technology Pharma Professional Support Worklife

Green Key Unlocked: The Story of Green Key

How to Keep Your Team Motivated
General Interest Green Key News Leadership + Management Worklife

How to Keep Your Team Motivated

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Mia Johnson
Accounting + Finance General Interest Green Key News Worklife

#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Mia Johnson

Impact of Women in Leadership
General Interest Green Key News Human Resources Leadership + Management Worklife

Impact of Women in Leadership

Recognizing Women’s History Month in the Workplace
General Interest Green Key News Leadership + Management Worklife

Recognizing Women’s History Month in the Workplace

Latest Blog Posts
View All Posts
Green Key Unlocked: Celebrating Pride in Recruitment

Green Key Unlocked: Celebrating Pride in Recruitment

All year round, but especially during Pride Month, employers have an obligation to demonstrate inclusive hiring practices, diversity efforts, and...
Read More
Upskilling: Tips & Benefits for Your Organization

Upskilling: Tips & Benefits for Your Organization

Upskilling is the process of employees at your company learning new skills to advance their careers and pursue new opportunities.
Read More
Forbes Names Green Key on Lists of America’s Best Recruiting and Staffing Firms 2023

Forbes Names Green Key on Lists of America’s Best Recruiting and Staffing Firms 2023

Forbes has named Green Key Resources among their lists of America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms, America's Best Professional Recruiting Firms,...
Read More