Author:

Mike Kappel

Mike Kappel, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Patriot Software, offers payroll advice from more than 30 years of experience to small business owners.

Business owner calculating severance pay on calculator.

What Is Severance Pay?

By Mike Kappel

At some point, you might have to terminate an employee. You might eliminate their position, make layoffs, fire for misconduct, or mutually part ways. No matter the reason, you might consider giving the employee severance pay. But what is severance pay? Before you make a decision about severance pay, learn more about it, what you […]

Small Business Attendance Policy

By Mike Kappel

Employees streamline business operations, but what happens when they frequently skip work or show up late? Those streamlined business operations will start to become inefficient. You need a small business attendance policy to encourage attendance and monitor employees.

Pros and Cons of Direct Deposit

By Mike Kappel

There are a few different payment options you can offer your employees. Direct deposit is one popular choice for both employees and employers. Before implementing it at your business, weigh the pros and cons of direct deposit.

Employee Pay Adjustment: A Definitive Guide to Effectively Manage Changes in Wages

By Mike Kappel

Sometimes you need to change an employee’s pay—for good or bad. You must do certain things to ensure a smooth adjustment of the employee’s wages. Before you change an employee’s wages, make sure you understand pay adjustments and how to make them.

Smiling female construction worker in an orange vest.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act): Ensuring Safe Workplaces

By Mike Kappel

As an employer, it’s your job to make sure your employees stay safe at work. You must ensure they don’t become ill or get injured from anything at your business. To ensure workplace safety, you must follow the Occupational Safety and Health Act, otherwise known as the OSH Act.

Federal and State Labor Law Posting Requirements

By Mike Kappel

Labor law posters are federal and state notices that tell employees about their legal employment rights. If you have even one employee, you must hang labor law posters. It is your responsibility to hang the correct posters and keep them up to date as statutes change.

Assorted objects including coffee, a piggy bank, and a calculator on purple background.

What Is Double-time Pay?

By Mike Kappel

Payroll is a notoriously intricate subject, and is not as simple as cutting someone a check that was calculated at a single rate of pay. As an employer, it is likely that you will encounter the issue of double-time pay. But, what is double-time pay? Read on for the scoop.

The Deadline for Depositing 401(k) Deferrals (and What to Do If You’re Late)

By Mike Kappel

If you provide a 401(k) account as a benefit to your employees, you need to know the deadline for depositing the employee deferrals into their accounts. If you don’t deposit 401(k) contributions on time, you might face multiple consequences.

Bereavement Time Off: How to Handle Leave for Your Employees

By Mike Kappel

The death of a loved one can be difficult to go through. When an employee loses a loved one, offering bereavement time off can give your employee time to cope. Employees can use bereavement leave to make funeral arrangements, attend the funeral, and manage the estate.

What Is Form 941? Reporting Employee Wages and Payroll Taxes

By Mike Kappel

If you’re an employer, you typically must withhold and remit federal income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes from employee wages. And to report wages paid and certain taxes withheld, you likely need to fill out Form 941. Read on to learn what is Form 941 and familiarize yourself with the form.