Tax Provisions Bail Out "Rescue" Measure
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, a "financial rescue" measure originally focused only on stabilizing financial institutions by removing "toxic" debt from their portfolios, was finally signed by the President after some 290 changes to the tax code were added to its provisions, many of which benefit small businesses, according to CCH.
Small Business Optimism Creeps Upward
The National Federation of Independent Business Index of Small Business Optimism rose 2.9 points to 91.1 in August, but continued one of the longest strings of recession-level readings in the history of the survey -- dating back to 1973. Two-thirds of the gain was due to a new confidence among small business owners who expect business conditions to improve over the next six months.
Moderate Health Care Cost Increases Attributed to More Aggressive Plan Management, Deeper Emphasis on Employee Health
After enjoying a steady decline in health care cost trends over the past eight years, U.S. companies have seen average rate increases settle in around 6 percent to 7 percent, according to Hewitt Associates. To keep rate increases in the 6 percent to 7 percent range, employers continue to take proactive steps to mitigate costs and implement initiatives focused on improving employee health and productivity.
Hiring: Conducting Background Checks
When it comes to background checks, employers should be aware of the reasons for performing a background check, what basic information to request, and what legal boundaries exist to protect an employee's privacy.
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