Guest Author:

Maria Tanski-Phillips

Maria creates helpful and practical content for Patriot’s marketing department. She began as a Content Writer in 2018.

Planning for the Worst: Disaster Recovery Payroll

September 15, 2022

As a small business owner, you have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. One of the worst things that can happen to your small business is a natural disaster.

Manager talking with team of tipped employees.

Are You Correctly Calculating Overtime for Tipped Employees?

September 13, 2022

One major blunder small business owners make is not paying their tipped employees the correct wages. And when it comes to you paying tipped employees overtime, things can get a little more complicated. So, are you using the correct overtime rate for your employees who receive tips? Read on to learn the right way to […]

How to Build a Transparent Travel Reimbursement Policy

September 13, 2022

As a business owner, you’re bound to reimburse employees for business expenses at some point, especially if they’re traveling for business purposes. If you reimburse employees for costs while traveling, you might consider creating a travel reimbursement policy.

Man sitting on the couch with his right hand to his chin.

Clarifying Temporary vs. Seasonal Employees Once and for All

September 13, 2022

As an employer, bringing in reinforcements at your small business is sometimes necessary. To keep up with customer demands during peak seasons, you might need to hire additional employees, such as seasonal or temporary workers.

What Is a Schedule H, and Are You Obligated to File One?

September 13, 2022

Do you employ a household employee? Or, are you thinking about potentially hiring one? If so, you should know that hiring a household worker is not synonymous with hiring regular employees. When it comes to being a household employer, you must prepare for additional responsibilities. One of your newfound responsibilities is filing a Schedule H […]

Table with calculator, money, and paperwork.

Family Taxation: Are You Legally Taxing Your Loved Ones?

September 13, 2022

Approximately 90% of small businesses are either family-owned or run by family members. If your business falls into the majority, you’ve likely hired a few (or more than a few) family members to work at your company. If you employ relatives, you need to make sure you’re staying legally compliant and taxing them correctly. Otherwise, […]

Man holding a bushel of apples and talking with a man taking inventory outside.

Hiring Family Members: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

September 13, 2022

It’s not unheard of for business owners to hire their family members. In fact, approximately 90% of U.S. businesses are family-owned or controlled. With so many other businesses hiring relatives, you might be itching to do the same.

Creating a Code of Conduct for Your Small Business

September 9, 2022

As a small business owner, you have certain behavior expectations for employees. To guide workers on ethics and how to represent your company, consider creating a code of conduct.

Direct Deposit vs. Check: The Pros and Cons of Payment Methods

September 7, 2022

Employers can choose from a few types of payment methods to offer employees. One popular option is direct deposit. You can also pay employees with handwritten or printed paychecks. Before deciding what is the best option for your business, you should weigh the pros and cons of each.

What to Know About Paid Leave of Absence

September 7, 2022

As an employer, you may wonder why an employee would receive a paid leave of absence and how it will affect your business. It is your responsibility to understand the laws about leaves of absence. Continue reading to learn more about types of leave, laws restricting leave of absence, and what to do when an […]