How our New HR Tools Webpage Works -
to make your research job faster and easier!

By now we hope you’ve checked out Employers Group’s new HR Tools section on our Web site. This valuable new addition to your membership was created in partnership with the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) and contains regularly updated resources for the busy HR professional. BNA is the largest independent publisher of specialized news and information for professionals in business and government, and its reputation in regulatory circles is unmatched.

Now you can access sample policies, including California-specific issues and surveys on: job absence and turnover; employment outlooks; holiday practices; HR department benchmarks; etc. Additionally, federal and state forms and notices are available and you get the added bonus of state notices from all 50 states. More than that, there are two very exciting interactive tools, discussed below.

Using HR Tools
Here is some information about the section to help you make the most out of HR Tools:

The HR Tools section replaces the previous EG Web site section called Forms & Checklists. California-specific forms are available in the California Materials section of the HR Tools page and checklists have been moved to the “Articles” section of the Knowledge Center. Other general forms previously in Forms & Checklists will be accessible by linking to the tools entitled HR Policy Handbook and Sample Policies and Forms.

What do you need to know about each tool?

• California Materials are just that—forms and notices California requires employers to use, as well as sample policies the Employers Group has always provided (job applications, leave forms that reference California’s laws, etc.).
  
• The Notices and Posters section addresses notices and posters the federal government requires and posters published by government agencies in all 50 states (but no state notices).
  
• In addition to notices and posters, there is also a Federal Forms tool, which lists federal forms like the I-9, W-2, etc.
  
• HR Policy Handbook - Arranged by subjects like “personnel files” or “relocation,” the HR Policy Handbook provides you a summary of practical and legal considerations on various HR issues followed by sample policies and forms (where applicable).
  
• Sample Policies & Forms - the Sample Policies and Forms page is similar, but without the general discussion of practical and legal considerations.

Interactive Tools
Another added attraction in the HR Tools section are these two interactive tools:

• Interactive governmental forms. This will allow you to not only see the format of the federal forms but actually fill them in on-line. You will need to download software to perform this function and you may want to check with your IT department for help in setting up this function.
  
• Custom job descriptions. You will be required to establish a separate username and password, so that all your job descriptions you create will be stored. We suggest using the same username and password you use to access our website.

If you have questions?
Call our Member Services Center at (800) 748- 8484 for technical issues or an Employers Group Helpline Consultant to go over the HR content on the website.

Written Policies

Q: Why are written policies important?
A: Even though written policies are not generally required by law, there are exceptions. Written notices are required in the areas of leaves of absence, workers compensation, sexual harassment, and wage issues. Certain federal contractors must have written equal employment opportunity policies. Carefully written policies can be used to illustrate your commitment to a positive work environment and nondiscriminatory employment practices. They provide the framework within which an organization governs its employee relations. For both managers and employees written policies are a guide to what is expected and can prevent misunderstandings about employer policy. Putting policies in writing also helps to insure uniformity and consistency in application.

HR Tools is a new feature of the EG web site, has many sample policies that will greatly assist members in drafting their own policies.

Job Descriptions
Q: Are employers required to have job descriptions?
A: No, the law does not require job descriptions, but they are extremely helpful when they are well written and accurate. By identifying the essential functions of a job and its physical and mental requirements, job descriptions help to determine how to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the California version in the Fair Employment and Housing Act. Job descriptions are also used to determine where the job belongs in the pay scale, and are a tool to use in training and coaching employees.

Another outstanding feature of EG's new HR Tools section on our Web site is that members can prepare customized job descriptions using the interactive tools page.

Time to Find a Better HRMS/Payroll Solution?
eeAccess* is your answer!

Tired of answering employee’s questions such as:

“How much vacation time do I have left?”
“Can I have a copy of my pay stub from 3 months ago?”
“I need to change my address and phone number.”

Spending too much time creating reports for the management team when you can’t find the data, or have to pull multiple sources of data together to get them what they need?

Are your managers frustrated because they don’t have access to their employees’ data?

Is your IT department spending too much time maintaining your HR or Payroll system rather than focusing on the core systems for your business?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, than you need to take a look at eeAccess, Employers Group’s offering of a truly integrated HRMS/Payroll System, powered by Ultipro from Ultimate Software.

This award winning, fully integrated, real time, web-based solution provides you all of the convenience of outsourcing and all of the flexibility of an in-house system. Just imagine…

…with eeAccess Employee Self-Service, your employees can look up their own PTO or past payroll stubs, change their name, address and accomplish other record maintenance, and even request PTO.

…with eeAccess Manager Self-Service, your managers can access their employees’ data for reviews and pay adjustments, access management reports for their employees and approve employee PTO requests.

…because eeAccess is fully integrated, with payroll and HR data all residing in one place, reporting becomes much easier, with over 100 standard reports, ad-hoc reporting capabilities and workforce analytics. Now your management can truly understand the dynamic changes, shifts and trends within their workforce.

…because eeAccess is fully hosted, your IT department no longer needs to maintain the system, do upgrades, manage security, etc. All of this is done for you so that your IT department can focus on the internal systems that will help keep the business growing!

For more information on the amazing new eeAccess solution, send an e-mail to eeAccess@employersgroup.com or call 1-800-748-8484 and ask for the eeAccess Manager.

Becoming Invaluable
A NEW book about Navigating a Permanently Changed Workplace

In the instability and turbulence that characterize the modern workplace most Americans are increasingly fearful about the security of their jobs as the corporate ax swings in ever wider arcs. We are not living in our parent’s world and by no means is this our father’s labor market. Long gone are the days of the lengthy career with a single company and a gold watch to commemorate the passage into retirement.

There are, however, very few reliable resources to help workers find their way through the ever changing topography of today’s workplace—that is, until now!

In his new book “Employed for Life: An Insider’s Secrets for Guaranteed Employment in our Permanently Changed Workplace,” P.Anthony (“Tony”)Burnham uses his 35 years of experience on both sides of the corporate desk to examine the “new rules” of the business landscape. He also explains how to navigate this new-fangled terrain by using your own value as a resource to current or prospective employers. By realizing the “Value of YOU” and marketing your personal “product,” Tony shows how “self-empowerment” is the new watchword for maintaining and improving your employability over your lifetime.

In addition, this must-have book also serves as a guide for employers who want to survive by competing for your services, and shows how they can both attract and keep you in their organizations. According to Tony, who has recently joined EG as a Senior Vice President and Employment Counsel, “All of the insight you need to thrive in today’s changed workplace is entirely learnable and, like riding a bicycle, once learned, you’ll never forget it.”

This publication and many others are available through the EG Store at discounted member rates. To purchase “Employed for Life” or for more information on this and other titles please visit our bookstore or you may call our Member Service Center at 800-748-8484 to speak to a representative.

2005 Professional Compensation Survey
Compensation Data for your EXEMPT (Non Supervisory Employees) is currently available for purchase

The 2005 Professional Compensation Survey covers all major Metro areas in California with breakdowns separated by County, Industry, and Employment Size. Within the report, you’ll find the most current pay levels for over 110 Professional Exempt Positions spanning the following 10 functional areas:

10 Functional Areas, Over 110 Professional Jobs

Survey Scope

Order your copy today

To order contact us at surveys@employersgroup.com or at (213) 765-3920, please mention code # 41-05E. Your choice of the classic Book or CD-ROM. For your convenience, a free e-book version is available upon purchase of the report.

- A great addition to your Employers Group 2004/2005 Survey Library.

**$5 handling, $5 shipping, and county sales tax will be added to each order.