Issue 11, August 2007   SECTIONS Articles & Insights Case Study EmpCenter Archived Webinars Upcoming Events by Roger A. Smith, CPP & Payroll Consultant Payroll as a Career Path If anyone had suggested writing an article about “Payroll as a Career Path” when I first got involved with payroll many years ago, they probably would have been laughed out of town. In those days, no one ever got promoted out of payroll. Actually, it seemed like no one ever got out of payroll at all. You stayed there until you retired. [more]   OTHER ISSUES July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 SUBSCRIBE   Welcome to The Workforce Chronicle! In this issue of The Workforce Chronicle we reveal how process modeling can reduce payroll processing costs. You'll also learn how a Connecticut-based utility company automated their workforce management. Congratulations to Phyllis Long from the City of Pontiac, Michigan and Dale McLeod from Seton Hall University for winning the BLR Special Report on FLSA Overtime: Making Your Way Through the Exempt/Nonexempt Minefield. Featured Article Process Modeling to Reduce Payroll Processing Costs Today’s global economy has a common theme – cut costs. Yet, at the same time, organizations do not want to give up quality or results. In fact, better quality and better results are expected. As a payroll professional, how do you accomplish this and how do you get started? Process modeling can be a good method to help you get started. Process modeling communicates an understanding of current practices and facilitates process improvement. Often times, there are initiating factors or events that require process improvement, such as in the payroll area, it could be non-compliance of labor laws or union contracts, or it could be that the employer took notice in current payroll processing costs. Both of these examples are important, and even critical, to an employer. COMPLETE ARTICLE Articles & Insights United States: Final Section 409A Regulations Issued The U.S. Treasury Department ("Treasury") and the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") have published final regulations (the "Final Regulations") under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Section 409A"), which impose strict timing and form of payment requirements on all covered deferred compensation. The Final Regulations become applicable on January 1, 2008, but may be relied upon as early as April 17, 2007. [more] More emergency staff demand OT from city of Houston A year after the city of Houston made the last payment in a $79.7 million overtime settlement, more Houston Fire Department emergency workers are seeking unpaid overtime. A new group of 46 paramedics and emergency medical technicians have filed suit in Houston federal court. [more] BUSINESS LAW column: A tale of two updates from courts A month ago or so, we discussed an issue pending before the United States Supreme Court. As you remember, the Fair Labor Standards Act governs issues of overtime and minimum wage. One exception from the FLSA's requirement that employers pay overtime, extends to persons employed in domestic service employment to provide companionship services for individuals unable to care for themselves. This exception clearly applies when the caregiver is hired directly by the person receiving the care. [more]   WorkForce News WorkForce Software Announces the Release of Industry-specific Versions of its EmpCenter WorkForce Software’s EmpCenter System to Consolidate Time Collection Methods for Clackamas County, Oregon WorkForce Software In The News   Case Study The United Illuminating Company UI Reaches its Goal of Workforce Management Automation Customer Since: March 2006 No. of Employees: 1,000 Industry: Utilities EmpCenter Solution: Time & Attendance Base,Activity Based Costing, Accruals & Absence Manager, FMLA Manager, Employee Self-Service Platform: Windows Other ERP Solutions: Ceridian HR & Payroll COMPLETE CASE STUDY   EmpCenter for K-12 School Districts When compared to private sector companies, many K-12 school districts are already lean running organizations. Yet, they face increasing demands to improve performance and reduce costs. Labor is still one of the largest areas of cost for K-12 school districts and technology is still one of the best resources to help manage those costs. EmpCenter for K-12 School Districts is WorkForce Software’s comprehensive workforce management system that automates the complex policies focused on how employees accrue time on the job. Designed to meet the unique needs of teachers, substitute teachers, bus drivers, and others employee groups, EmpCenter for K-12 School Districts helps administrators and their payroll and HR departments better manage costs. Contact WorkForce Software for more information at info@workforcesoftware.com.   Archived Webinars Strategic Planning in the Payroll Department Payroll Technologies: Past, Present and Emerging Top 5 Essential Practices for Payroll Professionals Controlling Overtime Pay with Scheduling Automation Trends and Myths of Workforce Management The Fair Labor Standards Act - A Review   Events Stop by the WorkForce Booth to receive your free gift and register for our drawings! APA Leadership Forum Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas August 15 – 16, 2007 Booth 14 APA Rocky Mountain Conference Fort Collins Marriott, Colorado September 13, 2007 APA Rainer Conference La Quinta Inn Hotel & Conference Center Tacoma, WA September 20, 2007 APA Texas Statewide Conference Booth #38 Renaissance Austin Hotel September 27 – 28, 2007 HR Technology Navy Pier, Chicago October 10 – 12, 2007 Booth 1112 APA Michigan Statewide Conference Crowne Plaza Grand Rapids Airport October 18, 2007 CUPA-HR National Conference & Expo Baltimore Marriott Waterfront November 8 – 11, 2007 Booth 614     Sponsored by: