Article updated: 03.23.2026 Compensation is more than merely wage for work performed. While $$$ to pay the bills is important, an equally important element of compensation is job fulfillment. A few years back, I (Doris) had a memorable conversation with one of the housekeeping staff at the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics. “Anna” is always…
Employee or Independent Contractor? Classification Simplification
In layman’s terms, the question is often “Do I W-2 this person or 1099 them?” We have to ask, is the individual performing work on behalf of a company, an independent contractor, or an employee? It’s an age old discussion we, as many HR professionals and accounting/bookkeeping personnel have had with employers over the years. The real question to the government is, “Do I get my payroll taxes upfront, or can I trust this ‘independent contractor’ to pay his income taxes?” Again, this is perhaps oversimplified, but it is indeed the essence of the issue.
Positioning Yourself for Success After Layoff
By Jonathan W.12/23/2025 You believed your spot in the company made a difference, and you worked hard to prove it. Then, out of nowhere, you’re laid off. You may have saw it coming, or not. That shock hits hard. Now, you’re asking yourself, What’s next? Is this a setback or a fresh start? As with most things,…
Is There A STAR In Your Future?
What’s your favorite interview question? Maybe it’s: “What are your current job responsibilities?” What questions do you ask to help find that perfect employee? Your answers to these two questions are critical to the success of your business or organization. Recruiting is one of your more important roles, because it is your opportunity to get…
The Value of Training
If your mama was like mine, she trained you. Sometimes it was intentional training; sometimes it was her consistent example. What Mom didn’t train in me, my first boss did. I can still remember that steely voice “See this and this? This was filed in the wrong place and the client missed out on a…