The HR Team July 2008 Newsletter

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September, 2008
August, 2008
July, 2008
June, 2008
May, 2008
April, 2008
March, 2008
February, 2008
January, 2008
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November 2007
October, 2007

I attended the SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) conference last month. It was quite interesting. As usual I listened to some good speakers, some not too interesting ones, and some fabulous speakers.

One speaker stood out. At the opening session, the CEO of SHRM, Susan Meisinger, told the crowd of 15,000 or so HR people to stop asking for a seat at the table. "Everyone wants a seat", she said, "but it is only those who prove themselves invaluable to the CEO are asked to take a seat." Of course, who could argue with that? It's true, many times HR and other disciplines expect to be at "the table" from day one. As HR professionals, the staff at my firm have interviewed many fabulous managers who really don't understand that the "seat" they desire needs to be earned.

So, for all you managers out there who desire a seat, stay tuned. The HR Team is working on something to help you get there.

Revised I-9 form

US Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS" ) has again revised the I-9 form. The new form now reflects a form expiration date. The form can be downloaded from: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-9.pdf

The I-9 is in addition to E-Verify. E-Verify (formerly known as the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program) is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

Executive Order (Amending Executive Order 12989) dated June 9th, 2008, instructs federal agencies to require contractor participation in E-Verify, and the proposed rule provides detailed guidance on how that requirement is to be implemented. However, the proposed rule is not a final rule; it is a proposal that is open for public comment at this time.

E-Verify is open to all employers. However, until such time as the FAR rule is deemed final and effective, employers are prohibited from verifying or re-verifying current employees through E-Verify

More details can be found on the USCIS frequently asked questions area:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/
?vgnextoid=00ccb85299d6a110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&
vgnextchannel=75bce2e261405110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

New IRS Mileage Rate Effective July 1, 2008

In recognition of recent gasoline price increases, the IRS made a special adjustment for the final months of 2008. The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for the next calendar year. Therefore, on July 1, The IRS increased the optional standard business mileage rate to 58.5 cents from 50.5 cents.

The new six-month rate for computing deductible medical or moving expenses will also increase by eight (8) cents to 27 cents a mile, up from 19 cents for the first six months of 2008. The rate for providing services for charitable organizations is set by statute, not the IRS, and remains at 14 cents a mile.

The new rates are contained in Announcement 2008-63 on the optional standard mileage rates.

HR Team News

Mariela Leary recently earned certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

The certification, awarded by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), signifies that Mariela possesses the theoretical knowledge and practical experience in human resource management necessary to pass a rigorous examination demonstrating a mastery of the body of knowledge in the field.

Congratulations Dani and Ben Schuman and big brother Joey Schuman on the birth of Marguerite Ananda Schuman. Maggie was born on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at 1:56 pm. She weighed 6 lbs., 9.4 oz. at birth, and was 19.5 inches long. Per Dad "According to the preliminary tests done by the pediatricians, she reads on a third-grade level and speaks several languages fluently."

Newsletter Article Update

Last month we spoke about Carnegie Mellon University's Randy Pausch and his last lecture. We have had so much response that we wanted to give you the information on where to view it.

• Long Version (one hour +):
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo&NR=1
• Short Version (10 minutes
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjZwhcWY-KE

The Lighter Side - Life's Little Truths

Age is a high price to pay for maturity.
If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you have never tried before.
If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
Experience is wonderful. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it.
By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.

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