tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15449462610147166012009-07-14T08:40:53.110-07:00This site was created for the clients and friends of Xenium Resources, "XPowering" employers in Oregon, the Pacific Northwest and beyond.About Xenium HRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804550704694673628noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-81307343538738681522009-07-10T12:22:00.000-07:002009-07-10T12:26:36.371-07:00

Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") Secretary Janet Napolitano, on Wednesday, July 8, 2009, announced the DHS's intention to rescind the Bush-era Social Security No-Match Letter rule. The No-Match letter rule established a 'safe harbor' procedure that would have established a 90-day window for employers to resolve employment eligibility issues or terminate the employee in question. The

Brandon Lawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13570498561050362048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-14841181624166699012009-06-30T08:48:00.000-07:002009-06-30T08:52:19.678-07:00

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") division of the Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday, June 26, 2009, that it was extending the validity of the current and approved Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 ("I-9") beyond its present expiration date of June 30, 2009. The current I-9 was last revised in February 2009 and reflects this revision as

Brandon Lawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13570498561050362048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-14322255883846701482009-06-16T11:59:00.000-07:002009-06-29T10:30:24.309-07:00

With an advancing technological world, the Internet has reached new heights – especially with the ability to broadcast one’s personal life for others to view through social networking.Due to the growth of social networking websites such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter, privacy is dwindling; with users continually updating personal information and opinions through their accounts; potentially

Brandon Lawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13570498561050362048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-12040849844592113492009-05-18T12:28:00.000-07:002009-05-18T12:41:59.813-07:00

Here comes the Seussian parade of tank tops and flip flops, knock-offs, cutoffs and crop tops. The sun is shining and temperatures and temptation are on the rise. It’s summer, and dress codes are out the window. Suits, dress slacks and formal wool trousers are being shoved aside in favor of polos, khakis and capris. Soon, stockings will be abandoned in favor of a simple pedicure and peep toes

Brandon Lawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13570498561050362048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-59721886564922756382009-05-01T15:04:00.000-07:002009-05-01T15:39:14.044-07:00

Readers of our February 16 and April 6 eAlerts know that the federal stimulus bill, titled the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (and now known as ARRA), provides a subsidy for continuation coverage in certain cases and opened a window that would permit certain qualified beneficiaries who are not on COBRA coverage to elect such coverage. In our April 6 eAlert, we cautioned that the

Brandon Lawshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13570498561050362048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-6607447461495164832009-04-23T14:25:00.000-07:002009-04-23T14:32:15.650-07:00

Barran Liebman Electronic AlertsElectronic AlertSM Volume 12, Issue 15 April 17, 2009 On April 16, 2009, the federal government issued yet another delay in the implementation of the new E-Verify requirement for federal contractors. The E-Verify requirement is now scheduled to become effective on June 30, 2009. The details of the new E-Verify requirement were discussed in two previous alerts, here

Brandon Lawsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-34632744847691739272009-04-21T09:05:00.000-07:002009-04-21T09:10:00.873-07:00

As the world economy shudders and contracts, businesses across the globe are struggling to come to terms with the changing economic landscape. Financial collapse, layoffs and work shortages have rippled across national borders, dominating our media and our thoughts. Employees and managers alike are worried about the health of their company and wonder about their likelihood of retaining their

Brandon Lawsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-10895144181123608202009-04-09T15:34:00.000-07:002009-04-09T22:00:05.979-07:00

The COBRA Subsidy is continually evolving. In a notice published March 31, 2009, the IRS addresses a number of significant issues resulting from the new COBRA Subsidy. Most important, the new notice clarifies the term “involuntary termination” and how the COBRA premium reduction is calculated. For example, when an employee accepts a severance package rather than face the prospect of an announced

Brandon Lawsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-67041394976135149702009-04-01T13:07:00.000-07:002009-04-01T13:12:26.144-07:00

(Thank you to our partner, Jordan Schrader PC for sharing this alert.)The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a department of the Department of Homeland Security, will implement the revised Form I-9 beginning April 3, 2009. All employers that hire or rehire employees on or after April 3, 2009 must begin using the revised Form I-9.In preparation for the use of the revised Form I-9,

Libbi3noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-53615948937908253862009-03-30T11:52:00.000-07:002009-03-30T11:58:33.148-07:00

New joint employer coverage regulation changes the way PEOs and their clients will be treated under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Prior to the new rules effective January 16, 2009, clients and administrative employers, such as Professional Employer Organizations (PEO), were considered joint employers for purposes of determining coverage under the federal leave law. This joint employer

Libbi3noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-18210053668709501882009-03-26T16:00:00.000-07:002009-03-26T18:02:39.308-07:00

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the Stimulus Package, was signed into law February 17th, 2009. The Act contains significant changes for COBRA including an employer and employee subsidy of COBRA premiums for employees who were involuntarily terminated from September 1st, 2008 through December 31, 2009 and a special election period for qualified individuals who

Libbi3noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-48397557072944905442008-12-01T17:10:00.000-08:002008-12-01T17:18:05.585-08:00

"What are you seeing on the employment front?"This has been the most frequently asked question of me over the past month. Employers are looking for any insights or trends to best prepare themselves for the months ahead. We are already seeing record highs in Oregon unemployment and anticipating the "free fall" of initial workforce cuts and layoffs to level off by Q2 2009.While the number of

Libbi3noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-78370291288358137932008-11-21T12:27:00.000-08:002008-12-02T10:38:09.650-08:00

(from the November 2008 newsletter)Company holiday parties are a great chance for employees to celebrate a successful year of business, recognize and reward employees for their hard work and provide them opportunity to mix and mingle and get to know each other outside of the workplace. They can also be a human resource tight rope walk, as employers try to create a fun event while mitigating risk

Libbi3noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-24284110630989810772008-11-21T12:24:00.000-08:002008-11-21T12:27:24.291-08:00

(from the November 2008 newsletter)Do you know what to do when one of your employees ask to file a workers’ compensation claim for an injury on the job? And do you complete everything in a timely manner? Filling out the correct paperwork, taking the correct steps and turning it in on time can save you money and frustration.If your employee has received or plans to receive medical attention,

Libbi3noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-78154846835734926692008-11-21T12:16:00.000-08:002008-11-21T12:27:42.630-08:00

(from the November 2008 newsletter)Effective January 1, 2009, commuters who go by bike may be eligible for a greater reimbursement for bicycle related expenses. The benefit can be up to $20 per month. Employers may reimburse employees, tax-free, for "reasonable" expenses related to their bike commute, including equipment purchases, bike purchases, repairs and storage if the bicycle is used as a "

Libbi3noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-11694680278318129342008-10-23T18:00:00.000-07:002008-10-23T18:05:49.473-07:00

(From the October 2008 Newsletter)Uncertain times require certain and strong leadership. The following Key Leadership Actions are recommended Keith McFarland, author of The Breakthrough Company, a book highlighting an elite nine of 8,000 companies producing the highest growth and profitability performance sustained over a 20 year period. One of the featured companies is that of Xenium’s CEO/

Libbi3noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-2746527177881594042008-10-14T11:27:00.000-07:002008-10-15T12:56:36.439-07:00

Xenium recently lent a hand to local non-profit, Our Family Adoptions. OFA partners with families and the community to provide loving homes and support to orphans from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Xenium employees and clients donated generously to support this cause. Check out the photo to see the donated good arrive in Congo. Thanks to Xenium employee, Kristy Roberts for sharing this

Libbi3noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-45228453588260254832008-09-04T12:03:00.000-07:002008-09-04T12:11:38.048-07:00

Top employers understand that compensation and benefits are an important part of an employee's satisfaction, but there are other non-financial factors that become equally important to your employees. Below are 10 Employee Motivator suggestions to get you started. We're also curious to know what you've done. Leave a comment to share some of your company's employee motivators.1. Redecorate Break

About Xenium HRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804550704694673628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-74676734748370804072008-09-04T10:43:00.000-07:002008-09-04T12:48:08.029-07:00

Most days, we like working at Xenium. But on the days that involve sunny skies and golf, we LOVE working here. We recently celebrated at the Stoller Group Invitational Golf Event benefiting Big Brother Big Sisters held July 16, 2008 at Stonecreek Golf Club in Oregon City.Left to right: Alishia Young, HR Account Manager at Xenium; Angela Bricker, ESM Group; Paul Hauer (guest) BCT; and Cristi

Libbi3noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-59962286641430230882008-08-27T12:27:00.000-07:002008-09-04T12:34:46.572-07:00

Thanks to Dave Mullan at Vistage, for sending us this article written by another Vistage member, Barbara Bry.As a business leader, you have to delegate certain tasks in order to keep your perspective and generate ideas to grow the business -- even if you run a small business. But when you don't have the talent in house, should you hire or outsource? Many Vistage companies are finding great

About Xenium HRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804550704694673628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-8404119120874184122008-06-23T17:49:00.000-07:002008-06-23T17:59:29.187-07:00

Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that comprehensive worksite health promotion programs, or Corporate Wellness Programs, can lower health care and insurance costs, decrease absenteeism, and improve performance and productivity. Other benefits demonstrated in studies include improved ability to attract and retain key personnel, greater employee allegiance, and improved public image of the

About Xenium HRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804550704694673628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-87459548930763050622008-06-20T01:24:00.000-07:002008-12-11T06:34:19.353-08:00

On May 30, Xenium hosted our first ever vitality fair for the employees of Express Employment Professionals. More than 50 people attended the event where they learned more about the benefits they receive through Xenium. One attendee told us ''Getting all this information in one place made it much easier to grasp.''Vendors at the event focused on helping improve financial and physical vitality

About Xenium HRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804550704694673628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-21273561694124957292008-05-31T19:21:00.000-07:002008-05-31T19:34:00.833-07:00

Our partners at Bullard Smith Jernstedt Wilson have shared this important update with us. In an important decision issued on May 15, the Oregon Supreme Court held that employees may not bring wage claims to recover for alleged rest break violations. The Supreme Court's decision reverses a prior lower appellate court decision in the same matter. Bullard's eAlert discusses the Oregon Supreme

About Xenium HRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804550704694673628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-84596615859380314282008-05-31T19:17:00.000-07:002008-05-31T19:20:50.291-07:00

We've always been crazy about what we do -- helping well intended Northwest employers be their best -- but we can take added pride as a leader in our industry with the highest percentage (87%) of certified staff.According to National Industry Best Practices Operating Ratio's leading PEOs strive for 50% certified staff holding PHR or SPHR designations. Professional in HR (PHR) or Senior

About Xenium HRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804550704694673628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1544946261014716601.post-83442948058190474522008-05-31T19:04:00.000-07:002008-05-31T19:08:57.888-07:00

MyLifeBalance is a component of the LifeBalance Program that includes personalized tools, content and more. Current features include: NEW! The LifeBalance Activity Planner: Plan out your weekly exercise and activity regimen and calculate how many calories you can burn.The LifeBalance Activity Tracker & Journal: Record exercise and activities. Calculate calories, set personal fitness goals, keep

About Xenium HRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10804550704694673628noreply@blogger.com0