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415 ARTICLES

GETTING YOUR PEO BACK ON TRACK AFTER COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis has undeniably sent major shockwaves throughout the PEO industry—not since the Great Depression has unemployment risen as quickly as during this pandemic. For many PEOs, this has been a big blow to profitability and there is still no clear answer to how long it will last. When the dust settles, it is almost certain there will be consolidation. While some PEOs will be acquired or go out of business, many will emerge stronger because of the lessons learned. 

BY FRANK FONTNEAU

August 2020

HOW COVID-19 AFFECTED THE PEO INDEX

The PEO Index plunged when the COVID-19 crisis hit the U.S., as shown in Figure 1. The correlation with gross domestic product (GDP) is interesting in that the PEO industry anticipated the drop in this last very atypical period. COVID-19 affected PEO-serviced companies just as it did all companies. However, the difference is that these PEO-serviced companies had help that other companies did not, especially with the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan application process and forgiveness compliance. I expect the PEO Index to recover far faster than almost all other small companies and the GDP itself.

BY JOHN J. SLAVIC

August 2020

HOW WE DID IT

It is hard to believe that almost five months have passed since the first COVID-19 cases reached Georgia. Walking into a restaurant or business is not the same as it was a few months ago. From hand sanitizer at the front entrance and having your temperature checked, to wearing masks and social distancing, things are not quite the same as before COVID-19 began, but we are steadily headed back in that direction. Over the past few months, companies and communities have adapted to keep their businesses operating while also keeping their employees and customers safe. Georgia, where our company, Impact Workforce Solutions, is located, was one of the first states to begin reopening its doors in April.

BY MACKENZIE KING

August 2020

Member News • NAPEO Resources • In Memoriam

BIG NEWS FROM NAPEO MEMBERS: FRANKCRUM NAMES CO-PRESIDENTS • CONGRATULATIONS & FAREWELL: DANIEL HARRIS LEAVES NAPEO TO JOIN TRINET • NAPEO RESOURCES: OPPORTUNITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION • NEWS FROM NAPEO: PEO INSIDER WINS SILVER TRENDY AWARD • CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY: TILSON HR TREATS HOMETOWN TO FIREWORKS DISPLAY • IN MEMORIAM: WALLACE E. BRUMLEY, INDUSTRY PIONEER

BY

August 2020

RETURNING TO WORK AFTER COVID-19

As businesses resume normal operations, reopen facilities, and adjust to a new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic, many are implementing policies and procedures in response to state and local executive orders and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 

BY CRESSINDA (CHRIS) D. SCHLAG, ESQ.

August 2020

WHY PEOS WILL BE OKAY AFTER COVID-19

Although the year of COVID-19 continues to test us in ways few could have imagined, we find comfort in the patterns of the past and must strive to find opportunity. Most days, I jump out of bed full of the optimistic entrepreneurial spirit ready to “take the hill,” but can’t help but let some uncertainty creep in throughout the day as I’m constantly reminded of the world today. With a bit of Zoom fatigue (new term) and the feeling that we’re living one long day as each day runs into the next, I have never wavered—I’m actually more bullish on the value the PEO model brings to our clients and the resiliency of the small business market we serve. 

BY MICHAEL HOPKINS

August 2020

A COVID-19 TIMELINE

Businesses and PEOs across the world have been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the challenge is one we at Nextep tackled head-on, it presented many obstacles we’ve worked through together.  Nextep is no stranger to difficult times. Like many others, we have persevered through 9/11, the housing market crash, tornadoes, and more. In 23 years of business, our responses to stressors help us learn, grow, and prepare for the unexpected.

BY BRIAN FAYAK, MELISSA GRIMES, AND ADAM GRAHAM

June/July 2020

COVID-19 • OPPORTUNITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION • NAPEO

NAPEO JOINS SMALL BUSINESS COALITION • NAPEO COMMITS TO WORKING ON ISSUES OF OPPORTUNITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION • BUSINESS SHIFT: APPAREL TO MASKS • CDC GUIDELINES FOR OFFICE BUILDINGS • EMPLOYING ABILITIES @WORK PROGRAM • BUSINESS PIVOTS • WILL EVENTUAL RECOVERY INCLUDE JOBS TO GO BACK TO?

BY

June/July 2020

ONGOING INSURANCE ISSUES FROM COVID-19

Leadership expert John Maxwell recently said, “I can’t position the future, but I can prepare myself for the future.” As this article is being prepared, the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis continue to change. Given the continuing upheaval in the workplace, economy, and insurance marketplace, this article is intended to provide general commentary on preparing for the future. 

BY DAVID E. CAROTHERS, CSP, ARM

June/July 2020

PEOS & CRISIS

“It is a pandemic. The world is coming to an end. It’s about the science. Stay closed!” The media has been trumpeting this message for the last three months. It is enough to frighten off the faint of heart. But do not let your hearts be troubled—the PEO industry is very resilient and will adapt, innovate, and ultimately accelerate out of this down market. 

BY DAN MCHENRY

June/July 2020

PREPARING NOW TO DRIVE LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE

It’s time for us to have a chat. I want to talk about assessing where you are as a PEO sales professional and making plans for long-term success. Your world has changed, and fast!  • The severity and the impact of the corona virus caught you off guard.  • You’ve made a lot of decisions that were concerning to you because you had no reference point.  •       You’ve lost some clients and some have downsized their employee counts...

BY CLAY M. KELLEY, PHR

June/July 2020

Q1 2020 SHOWS EARLY SIGNS OF COVID-19 IMPACT

Despite COVID-19 waiting until the last month of the first quarter to disrupt most parts of the U.S., all eight metrics from NAPEO’s quarterly survey fell to their lowest levels in the study’s four-year history. Highlights include: • Revenue growth was the most impacted metric, relative to previous quarters; • Gross profit was also negatively affected, though operating profit was more resilient; and • The single positive was that workers’ compensation claims plummeted, with only 6 percent reporting an increase in claims.

BY

June/July 2020

RETURNING TO WORK

Many states, if not all by the time this article is published, have relaxed shelter-in-place or similar orders and employers have begun the process of bringing employees back to work at their respective places of business. There have been lots of return-to-work webinars, instructions, and policies and procedure forms made available, and all have been helpful. What makes this time different is how fast circumstances change and how often governments issue new and updated guidance. It has kept those of us in the employment law field on our toes, to say the least. In this article, I will review broadly what employers should expect next and what they and PEOs can do to position themselves best to compete in this new environment as we move into Phase II of the COVID-19 crisis and look forward to Phase III and beyond. 

BY BRIAN M. NUGENT, ESQ.

June/July 2020

TALES FROM THE FRONT

What started as a nostalgic look back at a couple of PEOs’ oldest client relationships turned into reports from the front lines as the COVID-19 crisis unfolded. 

BY

June/July 2020

BREAKING NEWS • COVID-19 • NAPEO

• Keeping teleworkers engaged • Join NAPEO’s leadership council meet ups, community conversations, & town hall meetings • NAPEO COVID-19 survey results • NAPEO continuing education credits • How the coronavirus has affected business • COVID -19 WARN act guidance • Mistakes for businesses to avoid during COVID-19

BY

May 2020

BUSINESS DISRUPTION

With the economic downturn related to COVID-19, employers who are struggling financially may need to lay off significant numbers of employees. According to the IRS, if the layoffs cause more than 20 percent of retirement plan participants to lose the ability to participate (the “turnover rate”), this triggers a “rebuttable presumption” that a “partial termination” of the plan has occurred. 

BY ROGER J. ROVELL, J.D., LLM

May 2020

COVID-19’S IMPACT ON WC COSTS & WHAT PEOS CAN DO

As the novel coronavirus continues to change the way we live and work, uncertainty continues to grow for PEOs providing workers’ compensation (WC) coverage. To understand how PEOs can move forward, I will first look at WC costs during a more traditional recession and then discuss how this recession may be different. I will conclude with thoughts about what PEOs can do now to prepare for the future. 

BY FRANK HUANG

May 2020

CRISIS SHOWS WHY RELATIONSHIPS MATTER

COVID-19 brought devastation across America and the world, impacting life as we knew it. In fact, it almost destroyed the PEO industry if not for the most intense lobbying efforts ever put forth to fight for our survival. The federal government moved swiftly to pass laws to stabilize the economy, businesses, and employees. Within 10 days, both the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act were signed into law.

BY BRENT R. TILSON

May 2020

IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN YOUR OPERATION QUICKLY TO SUPPORT CLIENTS THROUGH COVID-19

As the harsh realities of COVID-19 began to impact small businesses everywhere, PEOs were acutely aware that the ability of many of their clients to survive was at risk and that these businesses would be leaning on their PEOs to help navigate the many challenges. In March, we saw a flood of legislative and regulatory activity as Congress and the administration took swift action to protect both businesses and workers as shelter-in-place policies went into effect across the country. 

BY THAD INGE

May 2020

MARKETING IN THE COVID-19 ERA

And just like that, first-time in-person appointments, stopping by, and shaking hands with prospects gave way to online marketing and fully virtual sales interactions. This particular crisis has no doubt revealed the strengths and weaknesses of your digital investments and your historical view about their importance in your sales operation. Whether you made the right strategic bets on digital strategy or not, you’re likely grappling with questions about what to do now and how to emerge from the economic gridlock on top.

BY RYAN MCINERNEY

May 2020

Breaking News • Member News • Coronavirus • NAPEO Gives Back

Please visit our COVID-19 Resource Center (www.napeo.org/covid19) for the latest information and analysis from NAPEO as well as important information and guidance from agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as resources from many of our partners. 

BY

April 2020

HOW DO YOU CREATE A POSITIVE WORKPLACE CULTURE WITHIN YOUR PEO & CLIENT COMPANIES?

At Erigo, we try to practice what we preach and implement the advice we would give to similarly situated clients who want to build a strong workplace culture. First, we start with the goal of creating a culture that will allow the type of employee who will help the organization achieve its goals and thrive. We admit at the outset, to ourselves and to employees, that it may not be the right fit for everyone and some employees may find our workplace to be unfulfilling. 

BY

April 2020

IMPACT OF STATE-RUN AUTO-IRA PROGRAMS STILL DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE

It’s been nearly three years since Oregon became the first state to launch an IRA program that requires private-sector employers to automatically enroll employees in the program unless they already offer retirement plans. By the end of 2019, six states (California, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, and Oregon) had some form of a so-called mandatory auto-IRA program on their books, and three of those programs (OregonSaves, Illinois Secure Choice, and CalSavers) had reached the implementation stage.

BY COURTNEY A. ZINTER, ESQ.

April 2020

IMPROVING THE BUDGETING PROCESS

Budgeting. Some love it and some loathe it. One thing we can all agree on, though, is that budgeting and continually benchmarking your budget performance against your goals is smart for business. Not only will it allow you to project revenue, expenses and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), but it will also guide you to make business decisions every step of the way.

BY TANYA YAKHNIS, CPA

April 2020
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