If you put gas in your car lately, you know about skyrocketing gas prices. In the past two weeks, gas prices nationwide rose nearly 20 cents according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
It’s worse in California, where gas prices spiked by more than 45 cents in two weeks, and more than 25 cents in the past week alone. The average price for all grades of gasoline in California has been pushed to $4.338 a gallon (week ending 2/27/12). Prices in California are expected to exceed all-time highs.
As employees face rising gas costs, employers may be hit with questions regarding reimbursement of business mileage expenses. Last summer, the IRS gave a mid-year increase to the mileage reimbursement rate — to 55.5 cents per mile from 51 cents per mile — because of rising gas prices. The IRS has not changed this rate in 2012, and 55.5 cents per mile remains the effective rate.
Under California Labor Code section 2802, employers must fully reimburse employees for all expenses actually and necessarily incurred. Many employers typically choose to use the IRS mileage reimbursement rate, but its use is optional. The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement has opined that the use of the IRS mileage rate will generally satisfy an employer’s obligation to reimburse for business related vehicle expenses, absent evidence to the contrary.
However, if an employee can show that the chosen mileage reimbursement rate, even the IRS rate, does not cover all actual expenses the employee has incurred, the employer must pay the difference. Business vehicle expenses do not include only gasoline, but also wear and tear (depreciation), repairs, oil, insurance and other costs.
Generally, the IRS rate will cover such expenses. But California employers should make certain those expenses are covered, especially if the employee drives a gas guzzler:
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IRS 2012 mileage rate,
IRS mileage,
IRS mileage rate 2012,
IRS mileage reimbursement rate,
Mileage rate 2012 California,
Mileage reimbursement,
HR Allen Consulting Services,
HRCalifornia
So you think you know everything about Independent Contractors and how to define them from an Employee? Do you know that top common misconceptions? If so, then Kudos to you. So for the other millions that are unaware on how to classify an Independent Contractor and are not aware of the misconceptions, I am here to help.
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misclassifying,
misconceptions,
common misconceptions,
HR Allen Consulting Services,
independent contractor,
employee
The past two weeks have brought a number of important updates for those watching the Christopher v. SmithKline case, in which the Supreme Court will determine whether pharmaceutical sales representatives are properly classified as exempt from overtime as outside salespersons under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and whether to defer to the Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) position expressed in amicus briefs that they are not.
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pharmaceutical sales representatives,
HR Allen Consulting Services,
Department of Labor,
exemptions,
FLSA
Want your employees to focus on increasing your company’s profitability? Paying commission can provide them with an excellent incentive to do so. Here’s how the performance-based payment model could work for you and your company.
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salaries,
HR Allen Consulting Services
HR Allen Consulting Services is reminding employers that they must post a summary of job-related injuries and illnesses from 2011 at their place of business by February 1.
The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) requires employers to display the Cal/OSHA Log 300 Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (Form 300A) from February 1 to April 30 for employee review.
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Department of Industrial Relations,
Log 300,
Log 300A,
record keeping,
HR Allen Consulting Services,
HRCalifornia
We recently reported that a San Diego Superior Court found that See's Candy Shops violated California law by rounding employee time entries to the nearest six minutes. The Fourth District Court of Appeal let the ruling stand. Yesterday the Supreme Court ordered the Court of Appeal to review the case and decide the rounding issue.
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HR Informant,
Department of Labor,
California Department of Labor Standards Enforceme,
California Supreme Court,
class action
Citrus Heights
, CA
- January 10, 2012 -
At their annual Chamber Awards luncheon, the Citrus Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce honored HR Allen Consulting Services with their Best of Citrus Heights Award for 2011. The Chamber honors the best in the Citrus Heights business community each year and HR Allen Consulting Services received the highest number of votes in their category of Human Resources and Payroll. Almost 10,000 votes were cast during the selection process which closed on December 29, 2011.
The Citrus Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce awards this prestigious honor annually to businesses in the Citrus Heights area who have proven themselves to represent the area business community in an exceptional fashion. The Chamber has 50 categories of representation for the various businesses who either belong to the chamber or have a business located there.
HR Allen Consulting Services offers a full range of Human Resource services including background screening, drug testing, payroll and benefits administration to area businesses. The company relieves business clients of these stressful and costly functions, allowing business to be able to focus more on their economic growth and success.
This Best of Citrus Heights Award demonstrates the high regard held by peers, clients and the community for HR Allen Consulting Services and their staff.
About HR Allen Consulting Services
HR Allen Consulting Services offers outsourcing services in the payroll and HR field for small to medium-size businesses in California, Nevada and Arizona. A full range of services is offered for helping start-up businesses, franchises and larger companies. Interested parties may reach them at their Citrus Heights, CA headquarters by phone at: (888) 353-2976, or their website address: http://www.hrallencs.com/.
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HR Allen,
Best of Citrus Heights,
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Recently a San Diego Superior Court found that See's Candy Shops violated California law by rounding employee time entries to the nearest six minutes. See's Candy Shops petitioned the California 4th District Court of Appeal for review, and the California Chamber of Commerce has asked the appeals court to review the trial court's ruling because of the widespread concern to California employers on the issue of rounding.
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HR Allen Consulting Services,
HR Informant,
California Department of Labor Standards Enforceme
It is no mystery that as a business continues to grow, the need for outside services becomes more and more of a reality. This is where many of the advantages of payroll outsourcing comes into play. While many businesses make attempts at conducting payroll services in-house, they are quickly learning why this could be better handled through outsourcing services. How? Once companies remove in-house services, they undoubtedly save time and money. You can save a significant amount of money through using outsourcing services, thus increasing profit.
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payroll companies,
payroll service,
payroll companies in California,
payroll companies in Arizona,
payroll companies in Nevada,
Payroll company,
HR Allen Consulting Services,
Payroll Outsourcing,
payroll,
outsourcing payroll
A new tidal wave of employment laws is about to flood the shores of California. On January 1, 2012, multiple new laws will take effect in California, and they will have a significant impact on the employment practices of companies with California operations.
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California,
California Labor Code,
Employee Benefits,
employee bonus,
employee gifts,
computer professionals,
HR Allen Consulting Services,
Human Resource,
Discrimination in the Workplace,
discrimination,
Employers,
Federal Contractors,
Human Resources,
California Employment laws 2012,
New CA Employment Laws 2012,
New California Employment Laws 2012
