HR News You Need

As an HR professional, you are looking for the latest news to remain in the know and compliant. Each month, we compile the most valuable information in the industry to help with managing and supporting your most important resource — your people!

In this edition:

• Upcoming Webinar
• Notable Calendar Dates and Month-Long Recognition
• HR Updates: Tax Due Dates, HR Compliance, HR in the News, Benefits, Payroll, Performance, and Health & Safety.
• Additional Guidance from Clark Schaefer Strategic HR

Upcoming Webinar

Hear from Clark Schaefer Strategic HR 's very own Cathleen Snyder SPHR, SHRM-SCP , Director of Training & Development as she and other experts uncover the strategies and trends you need to know to drive growth and efficiency across your business. We’re diving deep into:

• Cybersecurity advancements to keep you ahead of threats
• Human resources strategies to attract and retain top talent
• Cutting-edge technology applications to transform operations
• Mergers and acquisitions insights for smart growth
• Streamlining operations for unstoppable efficiency

Walk away with actionable insights and a roadmap to make this year your best yet.

Register today and take the first step toward your 2025 transformation!

Notable Calendar Dates

Celebrating cultural holidays can provide opportunities for employees to learn about each other's backgrounds and traditions. Are you interested in promoting understanding and strengthening interpersonal relationships in your organization but aren't sure where to start?

Check out the dates below to learn more about the holidays different religions and cultures celebrate throughout this month.

• January 7th: Orthodox Christmas (Coptic Orthodox Christian)
• January 7th: Bodhi Day (Buddhist)
• January 13th: Maghi (Hindu)
• January 14th: Makar Sankranti/Pongal (Hindu)
• January 14th: Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
• January 19th: World Religion Day (Bahá'í Faith)
• January 20th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• January 26th: Lailat al Miraj (Islamist)
• January 29th: Lunar New Year (Year of the Snake)

Month-Long Recognition

• January has been proclaimed National Mentoring Month to bring awareness to how important mentors are for young people. Does your organization encourage mentoring? If not, how can your organization help nurture these very important relationships?
• January is?National Blood Donor Month, a month designated to encourage volunteers to donate lifesaving blood. Did you know that blood must come from donors in the US? Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured and must come from living donors. Consider inviting the blood bus to your location or offering paid time off for employees to donate.
• Martin Luther King Day is observed as a day of service. Consider organizing a volunteer opportunity for employees to honor Dr. King’s legacy through community service activities together.

Tax Due Dates

• January 31st – Forms W-2 & 1099 Distribution & Filing Deadlines
• January 31st – Forms 1095-B and 1095-C must be delivered to employees
• January 31st – Quarterly Forms 720 and 941 Due
• January 31st – Annual Form 940 Due

HR Compliance

• Kick the New Year off with a great start by completing a quick audit of your HR function. Learn more in our article, "Tips for Getting the Most From Your HR Audit."
• The new year brings multiple state labor law updates in states such as CA, CT, IL, KY, LA, MA, MN, NY and OR. Employers should review state-specific legislation for work locations.
• The EEOC has released guidance for employers collecting information from wearable technologies that track physical or mental factors, movement and location. We've linked their article, "Wearables in the Workplace," so you can learn more.

HR in the News

• In anticipation of the administration shift in 2025, SHRM is warning employers to prepare for I-9 audits and immigration raids. Learn more about how to prepare for immigration raids and how to conduct an I-9 audit in the respective links.

Benefits

• Affordable Care Act (ACA) Reporting is required for employers with 50+ full-time equivalent employees. Forms 1095-B and 1095-C must be distributed to employees by the end of January. Clark Schaefer Strategic HR can relieve you from the burden of reporting by doing it for you or by providing ACA reporting expertise to help you avoid penalties. Learn more in our article, "What to do if the IRS notifies you of Affordable Care Act (ACA) penalty fees?"
• The ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment period closes on January 15th. For more information about enrolling in 2025 ACA health insurance plans, visit?healthcare.gov.

Payroll

• Ohio’s minimum wage increases to $10.70 an hour for non-tipped employees and $5.35 an hour for tipped employees beginning January 1, 2025. Ensure payroll updates are made before the new year, and an updated OH Minimum Wage poster is displayed. ?
• The Department of Labor withdrew the 80/20 Rule for tipped employees and amended the Dual Jobs Rule. Employers should review tip credit policies to ensure compliance.?
• Update new hire onboarding documents with the revised?2025 Form W-4,?and ensure that state withholding forms are reviewed for updates as well.
• Distribute payroll calendar and holiday schedule to employees for 2025.
• If applicable, update paid time off banks with rollover or forfeiture of time based on company policy.?

Performance

• January is an excellent time to review performance and set a vision for the new year. Developing individual strategic plans is the first step in creating a truly effective performance management system.

Health & Safety

• Finalize your forms OSHA 300, 300A and 301 for 2024.

Additional Guidance from Clark Schaefer Strategic HR

• Do I Need a New I-9 Form for a Name Change?
• Do I Have to Give Performance Bonuses to Employees on FMLA?
• What are the Best HR Practices for the End of the Year?
• What Are Some Resources and Strategies to Recruit Veterans?

The recommendations and opinions provided by Clark Schaefer Strategic HR and its staff are advisory only and are based on general human resource management fundamentals, practices, and principles; they are not legal opinions or guaranteed outcomes. This information is provided with the understanding that the user assumes the risk of verifying information used from this site when interpreting it for their own use. We strongly recommend, as part of a team approach to management, that companies consult with their legal counsel to address specific legal concerns related to human resource issues.

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