Live Streaming Services for Corporate Meetings & Conferences

There are countless benefits that come with live-streaming services for corporate meetings and conferences. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it allows people who couldn't attend the event in person to still participate and feel like they're a part of the action. But there are other, less obvious benefits as well—benefits that can make your event more successful overall. Here are just a few of the advantages of live-streaming services for corporate meetings and conferences.

Increased Engagement
When you live stream an event, you're not just giving people the chance to watch from afar—you're also giving them the chance to interact in real-time. This increased level of engagement can lead to more excitement and anticipation for your event, both among attendees and viewers alike. And when people are excited about an event, they're more likely to actually show up and participate.

Improved Networking Opportunities
Another great benefit of live-streaming services is that they can improve networking opportunities for everyone involved. Attendees can use the chat function to connect with each other, while viewers can reach out to speakers and other attendees through social media. This increased level of connection can be invaluable for building relationships and expanding your professional network.

Better Event Coverage
Lastly, live-streaming services can provide better coverage for your event overall. With multiple cameras and angles, you can make sure that everyone who tunes in gets a front-row seat (literally). This is especially beneficial for events that have limited seating or are sold out—with a live stream, anyone can attend, no matter how limited physical space might be. Plus, if you record your live stream, you'll have a high-quality recording of your event that you can use for marketing or other purposes down the line. 

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to consider using live-streaming services for your next corporate meeting or conference. From increased engagement to better event coverage, there are countless advantages that come with live-streaming services. So if you're looking for a way to take your event to the next level, consider using a live stream!

Does the Media Have Power Over American Politics?

The Power of the Media in American Politics
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with information from a variety of sources, it's easy to forget the impact that the media can have on our lives. From the news that we see on television to the articles that we read online, the media plays a significant role in shaping our perceptions of the world around us. But nowhere is this more evident than in the arena of politics. 

In America, the media wields a great deal of power when it comes to our political landscape. They have the ability to make or break a candidate, and their endorsements can carry a lot of weight with voters. In addition, they play a vital role in holding our elected officials accountable and ensuring that the public is informed about what is happening in our government. 

Image above: THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING - Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc: Everything You Need To Know About Social Media Marketing - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, etc

Given all of this power, it's important to understand how the media operates and what their objectives are. Unfortunately, this isn't always easy to do. The media is complex, and there are a variety of different factors that go into their decisions about what to report and how to report it. 

One of the biggest challenges facing the media is the need to make a profit. In order to stay afloat, media outlets have to generate revenue through advertising and subscriptions. This means that they are constantly trying to find ways to increase their audience so that they can sell more ads and attract more paying customers. 

As a result, they sometimes resort to sensationalism and fear-mongering in order to get people to pay attention. This can lead to distorted reporting that doesn't give an accurate picture of what's really going on. It's one of the reasons why it's so important to get your news from multiple sources so that you can get a well-rounded view of current events. 

Journalism is about providing people with accurate and objective information so that they can make informed decisions about the world around them. But given the pressures of the 24-hour news cycle and the need to generate revenue, it's not always easy for journalists to stay true to this mission. As a result, it's important for consumers of news to be aware of these biases and take them into account when they're trying to understand what's going on in the world. 

The media plays an integral role in American politics, but it's important to understand how it operates in order to avoid being misled by its reporting. Given the need for profitability, sensationalism sometimes takes precedence over the accuracy, so be sure to consult multiple sources when you're trying to stay informed about current events.

Are minimum wage laws really are designed to ensure that workers are paid a fair and livable wage?

While minimum wage laws are designed to ensure that workers are paid a fair and livable wage, in practice, they often end up harming some of the most vulnerable workers. This is because these laws cannot guarantee jobs, and don't consider the market value of labor. In other words, employers are typically not willing to pay a worker more than the value of the additional product he or she produces. And for low-skilled workers, this means that wages are often driven below the cost of functioning in society. For example, an unskilled youth who produces only $4 worth of goods or services in an hour will have tremendous difficulty finding work since employers simply cannot afford to pay him or her more than this. As a result, minimum wage laws can price low-skilled workers out of the labor market entirely and cause significant economic hardship for many people who need these jobs most. 

Ultimately, such policies only serve to limit opportunities for those who already face many barriers in getting ahead in life. As mentioned in chapter 4.3, Government Intervention in the Market: Price Floors via Price Ceilings and Price Floors in Labor Markets: The Debate over Minimum Wage Policy of our textbook, “The minimum wage may be the most controversial price floor.” Minimum wage laws are often seen as a way to protect low-skilled workers, but they may in fact do more harm than good. Specifically, these laws can make it harder for these workers to find jobs, as employers are less willing to hire individuals who will be expensive to employ due to the minimum wage. Additionally, even if these workers do manage to secure jobs, setting a legal minimum wage can change how they are compensated. 

Since many workers earn less than the legal minimum, employers may no longer be willing to provide additional perks and benefits that were previously offered. Ultimately, then, minimum wage laws may not be able to guarantee jobs or provide adequate compensation for low-skilled workers. Currently, only a few cities and states plan to eventually raise their minimum wage to a level that meets the high cost of living in those areas. However, while this may seem like a promising solution to the issue of low wages and unemployment, there are several critical factors that need to be considered. For one thing, research has shown that raising the minimum wage can have negative consequences for low-skilled workers. This is especially true when it comes to jobs that require little or no skill, as these workers will often be forced out of the workforce entirely as businesses struggle to stay afloat. 

Additionally, while a higher minimum wage may make life easier in some areas with a higher cost of living, it could put an additional strain on less affluent regions where even essential goods and services are out of reach for many residents. In short, while increasing the minimum wage may seem like an attractive solution for improving job opportunities and addressing socioeconomic disparities among different groups, more research needs to be done before we can fully understand its impact on different communities and industries. Ultimately, any policy decision regarding this issue must carefully consider all stakeholders involved and take into account their unique needs and circumstances. In light of all these considerations, any policy decision regarding the minimum wage must take all stakeholders into account, including employers and workers alike. Ultimately, while increasing the minimum wage may seem like a tempting solution at first glance, we cannot overlook the potential costs and complexities associated with this policy change. Rather than rushing forward without fully understanding its implications and unintended consequences, we must approach this issue with careful deliberation and open minds if we want to create a truly equitable system for all our citizens.

 

How to Identify Important Payroll procedures and Pay Cycles

 Identify Important Payroll procedures and Pay Cycles 

1. EIN = employer documentation needed before any employees are hired 
2. FLSA = requires certain info in every employee file
3. US DOL = requires the following to be included in employee files
4. Full name as shown on the SSN card
5. Full address, with zip code
6. DOB if younger than 19
7. Sex and occupation type
8. Employee's workweek = time and day that the workweek begins
9. Hours = worked each day & worked each workweek
10. Employee's wages = basis on how they are paid
11. Hourly pay rate = regular rate
12. Straight-time earnings = total daily/weekly
13. Overtime = total workweek earnings
14. Additions & deductions = all taken or added to employee's wages
15. Pay period = total wages paid
16. Date of payment
17. Pay period covered by the payment

There is a wide range of questions that a company needs to ask itself prior to hiring employees. 

• How are new hires handled
• Employee files maintenance and security
• Employee termination and transfer procedures
• Government compliance as related to employee hiring and files record keeping
• Time and attendance tracking
• Employee record-keeping SOPs
• Where will mandatory posters be hung?

Payroll documentation regulations

• Protect employees
• Regulations keep employers in compliance with tax regulations
• Doc requirements provide an audit trail for government bodies
• Employee files are maintained by HR
• Employee info form is maintained by the payroll dept (some FLSA elements may not appear on the form)

New hire reporting ensures that new employees pay 

• Child support
• Garnishments

EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

• Accurate and correctly maintained payroll records are important
• They reflect the treatment of the employees
• These records are private (i.e. not available to the employee) except in Illinois

Pay cycles/pay periods = how often should a company pay its employees?

• Daily payroll = usually related to daily labor often 1099.365/366 pay periods in a year.
• Weekly: 5-day workweek, usually paid every Friday (grocery/construction/prof offices). 52 pay periods in a year.
• Biweekly: 2-week period (26/sometimes 27 pay periods)
• Semimonthly: Paid twice per month. Not the same as bi-weekly. (24 pay periods per year)
• Monthly: Less freq used. Payroll paid once per month with occasional sem-monthly access to funds for employees. (12 payroll cycles).

Prepare Required Employee Documentation 

Employees vs Independent Contractors

Definition of employee:

• Employer directs worker’s performance
• Provides primary tools to complete assigned work
• Material contribution = The work employee completes involves effort 
• Employer provides benefits
• Employer includes worker on gov reports
• Employer withholds payroll taxes

Definition of Independent Contractor:

• Employer does not direct the worker’s specific actions
• Employer does not provide tools to complete work
• Independent Contractor is responsible for their own payroll taxes
• Do not receive OT

Statutory employees
Norm classified as an independent contractor, if specific situations are at hand they need to be included as an employee and not an independent contractor. Here is a summary of this.

• (Statutory employee rule) Certain driver positions are not eligible to be an independent contractor
• (Statutory employee rule) FT life insurance agents
  
• (Statutory employee rule) some at home workers that develop materials at home then return them to the employer
• (Statutory employee rule) FT traveling salesperson who works on a single company's behalf (other rules apply) 
  
• Other situations applicable per the IRS current regulations

The IRS uses three common tests to clarify if a worker is an employee or an Independent Contractor.  

• 1) Behavioral control: the extent that the employer has the right to control and direct worker actions
  
• 2) Financial Control: guidelines on how a worker is paid (reimbursements, tools, payments)
  
• 3) Relationship of the parties: work-related contract info between the employer and the worker; benefits, how long this is expected to last, and the business operations summary.
  

IRS

• Firm/employer may request info from IRS on how to file
• Info can be found in IRS publication 1779
• Definition of Independent Contractor: = IRS Form SS-8
  
• Form W-4 file each January

Reporting new employees to the IRS

• Why is reporting imperative? immigration, registry monitoring, court- ordered applications, ethical violations, COBRA & child support
• Minimum doc allowed is: W2 and I-9 Forms 
• W2: helps employers determine the correct amount of federal income taxes to withhold from the employee’s payroll
• I-9: eligibility to work on the US and all new hires be reported within 3 days of their start date 
• Employer/payroll accountant must maintain W4 and I9 in permanent employee file
  

Reporting new employees to the State Offices

• Immigration Reform and Control Act mandates that employers notify state offices within 20 days of an employee’s start date 
• Fines for not reporting new employees: $25 per unreported employee & $500 for intentional nonreporting 
• Reporting new hires is complex/a lot of room for errors
• Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has a multi-state form to help (OMB Control No 0970-0166)

Foriegn workers

• Hiring foreign workers has additional challenges
• I-9, sometimes additional paperwork is needed
• Visa is needed or other immigration paperwork
• Employer will be fined if the correct paperwork is not submitted ($500 - $5,000)
• Employer must file IRS form 1042

Differentiations Between Exempt and Nonexempt Workers 

• Nonexempt and exempt details are mained in payroll records
• Diff types of workers can be either exempt or nonexempt
• Exempt worker = Highly skilled workers (managers/salaried workers etc
• Nonexempt worker =
  
• US DOL = issues guidelines for exempt/nonexempt employee guidelines

Exempt workers

• Generally salaried employees (do not receive OT for work over 40-hours)
• Not all salaried employees are classified as exmept
• Exempt from FLSA provisions
• Not subject to the FLSA wage and hour provisions
• To be marked as exempt, employee must meet all of the "Executive Exemption" requirements (salary, work type, knowledge)

Nonexempt workers

• Receive OT pay for work over 40-hours
• Wage and hour laws pertain to  
• To be exempt, must meet the following guidelines

Leased and Temp Employees

• Temp employee = employee of an employment agency
• Leased employee = leased from recipient company, FT work, directed by the recipient company
• IRS code 414 has guidelines on the diff between an employee and a leased employees
• No more than 20% of a company's employees may be leased/temps
• Tax cuts: PEO (Proff Employer Org)= deductions may apply via sections 199A (temp or PT)

Pay records and employee file maintenance

• Payroll private personal records are the responsibility of the company's chosen payroll dept
• Most important part of a payroll dept is the maintenance dept
• Physical records of pay advice, time off, tardiness and OT
• Digital record keeping recommended 
• Pay records = payroll freq, income tax schedules (IRS Pub 15-T)
• Internal controls are critical in insure the payroll system (time records are confidential)
• Strategics payroll system design should be completed prior to setting up payroll
• Set up scheduled payroll SOP review times
• File maintenance = Per the Int. Rev. Code record labeling and backup copies are required
• Maintenance procedures are regulated by the IRS Proc. 98-25
• FLSA = has min 3-year and 2 year record retainment standards
• Electronic records = record and safeguarding procedures

Pay rates

• Pay rate = Min wage rates + other wages
• Living wage calculator = http://livingwage.mit.edu 
• OT rates are calculated by FLSA (CA OT is 8+ hours per day)
• Commissions = receiving a % of sales
• Piece rate compensation = connects employee compensation with the sale of a good or service that they prepared via work. CA has specific guidelines relating to piece rate time regarding back pay.

How an employee enters their workweek hours

• Web based applications (TimeStation, ClockShark, TImeDock) IPs and GPS locations
• Companies will need to set up with a precise way to track employee hours
• Time cards must be verified for accuracy by someone that knows the company's needs and the employee's sched (underpayment/overpayment issues)
• OT approval 

Employee termination and documentation Procedures

• Keep records
• When an employee leaves a company the payroll dept needs to accomplish a few tasks related to the company's policies
• This includes the final paycheck with vacation or sick time and benefit info
• Severance packages are generally not-mandated (states have more info on this)
• DOL has guidelines on dates and procedures (CA w/i 72 hrs)
• Paper doc destruction  = incineration or shredding
• Digital doc destruction (electronic accounting records) = follow cyber security procedures (DoD 5220.22-M
  
• Separate employee documentation into three separate privacy paper files for privacy requirements )private personal, Empl benefits, Investigative legal)

Other important payroll considerations

• Know your local and federal laws regarding OT pay, sick pay
• Prior approval for Leave of absence & time off (Keep a paper trail of requests for tracking)
• File security = all payroll files must be kept secure
• Regulation E = Electronic Funds Transfer Act, regulates paycard related fees & other paycard related info
• Payroll as a non-solo record/have multiple eyes on the payroll procedures and dept
• Sep of duties also applies to payroll accounting
• Data breach issues = ACT QUICKLY (fol the taxadmin.org procedures)
• If an employee is terminated (keep records for a min of 3 years), 6 years for empl benefits, 4 years for W4s and local tax, 3-5 years for payroll
• Even if a company outsources their payroll the company is still responsible for accurate reporting and payroll procedures

Summary

1. Plan your payroll procedures wisely
2. Plan with growth in mind
3. Plan with payroll record security parameter safeguarding
4. Plan based on your company's own limitations and strengths
5. Consider record keeping and maintenance requirements (retention and destruction)
6. Payroll is only as accurate as the info provided

INFLATION and the Cryptocurrency Transition

Whether you subscribe to a capitalist system or a socialist economic system you will need a reliable and stable currency to complete transactions. The Federal Reserve regulates the money in America, but what is it doing to rectify the inflation issues at hand?  With so much at stake, it is no wonder that inflation has become such a pressing issue within our economy. Rising prices are challenging businesses and consumers alike as they struggle to deal with inflationary pressures. Many questions about what exactly the Federal Reserve is doing to address these issues, but unfortunately there do not seem to be any easy solutions in sight other than raising interest rates that affect all of us.

Perhaps the biggest problem facing the Federal Reserve is that inflation is difficult to predict and understand. Changes in consumer preferences, shifts in supply and demand, and higher import costs due to tariffs - all of these factors can play a role in inflation levels and have a significant impact on business activity. As a result, it can be extremely challenging for investors and policymakers alike to predict inflation trends with any degree of accuracy or certainty.

What is the outlook for getting inflation under control? Currently, The FED is hiking interest rates, essentially forcing us into an economic depression in order to slow down demand so that we can essentially catch up on both production and financially from the burdens that we took on during the COVID pandemic. One issue may be that we are so used to the fast-paced get everything that we need an economic system that we are unwilling to SLOW down. Can we reduce demand and drive down inflation? Page 24 of our textbook, the section features details about the roles that our government plays in our American economic system. "When the economy expands so fast that inflation results the government may intervene to reduce inflation by slowing down economic growth. This can be accomplished by raising interest rates to discourage spending by businesses and consumers."

This seems hard to get my mind around and it feels as if there is another option than stunting our economic growth. Described in this article as using a blunt tool that they are unable to control or predict, so what now? Interestingly the author discusses the idea that money doesn't really exist until humans create the power associated with it (supply and demand), create the rules, and also the issues that regulate it. This includes inflation. "

"We don't think of money or paper money as technology, but we should. It was. It was a tool, in this case, that made a transaction, made exchange much more efficient." Jacob Goldstein

The author continues on for some time exploring the concepts regarding how money was created and the inefficiencies of paper money; all of which leaves me to wonder if this is truly the world's transition into Cryptocurrency. 

Is the American Dream of owning a home DEAD?

Mortgage rates are hovering around 7%, this is a 3 - 4% increase from last year. Is the American Dream of owning a home DEAD? Many people are moving back home with their parents, if this is not an option others are being forced to make alternative plans. Unfortunately for many these options include homelessness. This article follows the path of a couple that had the hopes that they would be in a home that they built by now. However, due to ongoing supply chain issues, their house has not been built and they are still living in a trailer. 

As mentioned in the article, they are willing to accept the additional $800 - $1000 that they project they will need for the mortgage per month, but this will disrupt everything else that they want to do. This includes vacations, events, outings, dates, and basically anything that requires them to spend extra money. Redfin representative mentions that we are now experiencing a type of housing market hangover, i.e. some of us may have spent too much and now we have to deal with the overall side-effects. Inflation is ending this party!

Housing supply shortages, large increases in mortgage rates, and inflation are recking our lives and the housing market is part of this issue.  But does this affect the primary goal of a business? As mentioned in our textbook chapter one and "The Nature of Business". The overall goal of business is just one thing, profit. Although I am mostly listing human struggles much of the backbone of this situation is business related to supply and demand and profit and loss. 

One possible solution to these problems is investing in solutions that reduce demand for housing while simultaneously increasing the availability of affordable options. This could involve implementing new housing policies at the local or national level, providing incentives for businesses to invest in solutions like modular homes or micro-apartments, or even encouraging greater involvement from private investors who are willing to take on some risk in exchange for a potential return. Additionally, reducing inflation can help to lower mortgage rates and ease borrowing costs for buyers and homeowners, helping them to better manage their expenses and make more sustainable long-term investment decisions.

While solving the current housing crisis will be no easy task, addressing it through solutions that prioritize both business interests and the needs of people is crucial for ensuring a sustainable future for all. Ultimately, it is imperative that we continue working together not only as individuals but also as a society to resolve these pressing challenges facing our nation's economy today.

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NPR article referenced is by Chris Arnold.
"With mortgage rates near 7%, the housing party is over. Now it's hangover time."

Current payroll issues for gig workers.

Subject: Current payroll issues for gig workers.

Gig work AKA side hustles and how and when to use a 1099 form?

The gig economy is part of an independent workforce that finds flexible jobs usually through online platforms like Craigslist, Uber, Doordash, and Upwork. Most of the time, someone will need to work a full-time job to receive full health benefits, workplace protections, and vacation time. Where does this leave gig workers?

Are there payroll options available for Gig workers?

What are the current California and federal regulations for Gig workers? 

Does working a gig really pay off if there are no benefits and a gig worker has to pay and file their own taxes under a 1099 form?

Per the "University of Pennsylvania Law Review" suggestions were made to create special tax options for UBER workers and other gig workers that choose this line of work and are not provided options for benefits or tax withholdings. Whatever happened to protecting the worker? Where does our current economy fall in line with Union based practices that provide support for the worker and their family? Are our priorities correct? Who will fight for our basic needs to be met? Is someone fighting for the gig worker's basic hierarchal needs to be met? Where do our tax reporting and obligations fall in line with this overall support focus?

Cite works:

Thomas, Kathleen DeLaney. “TAXING THE GIG ECONOMY.” University of Pennsylvania Law Review, vol. 166, no. 6, 2018, pp. 1415–73. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/45154965. Accessed 14 Jun. 2022.

5-Step Method to Address a Customer's Request for IT Support

My 5-step method to address a customer's request for IT support. This simplified process allows for me to calmly and thoroughly assist the customer (or person in need of technical support). 

 Step 1:
Identify the customer's problem = Some problems are simple to solve, some problems take longer. Overall the first step is to identify what problem the customer is facing. Understanding their problem will enable me to find the correct solution. 

   
Image above: Apple Mac Mini with Apple M1 Chip

Step 2:
Determine the customer's level of technical expertise = is the customer able to understand technical terms or should I simplify the process? A basic understanding of their knowledge will help me to provide them with accurate and effective instructions. 

 Step 3:
Provide a solution = Using the guidelines provided to me I will provide the customer with a solution. 

 Step 4:
Be supportive = technical issues can be very stressful and not everyone deals with them the same way. Some people yell, others cry, being supportive can make a big difference. 

 Step 5:
Finalize and follow up = determine if the fix worked and follow up if necessary. 

To sum it up this is my procedure in helping others with their technical issues.

Image above: Curved 49 inch Gaming Monitor