Presidential Memorandum on Temporary Deferral of Employee Payroll Tax Obligations Raises More Questions Than Answers

On August 8, 2020, President Donald Trump issued a “Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations in Light of the Ongoing COVID-19 Disaster” (the “Presidential Memo”) that directs the Secretary of Treasury to use his authority to defer the withholding, deposit, and payment of the employee share of Social Security taxes (the 6.2% tax on wages paid—not earned—up to $137,700 for 2020) on certain wages paid during the period of September 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020. READ MORE

Paying for Prospect Persuasion: How to Set Up an Effective Sales Compensation Plan

What is converting prospects into customers worth to your business? Your organization might have a phenomenal product, but if no one buys and uses it, its value will stay your little secret. Motivating salespeople to get your goods into customers’ hands is essential to the product’s success. Properly rewarding your salespeople reinforces and encourages their future successful performance. Read on to learn more about how to set up an effective sales compensation plan. READ MORE

The Kodak loan: Insider trading in a new garb?

Kodak’s executives and board members are also linked to controversial transactions. About one month before the announcement, on June 23, the company's executive chair and a director purchased over 50,000 shares of the company's stock a day during the time when the company was negotiating loans with the government. In addition, four executives were granted stock options right on July 27, just one day before the stock price skyrocketed. READ MORE

It’s time to end the law that lets businesses pay less to people with disabilities

The continued struggles of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities to achieve equality in the workplace are partly the result of societal and cultural forces, but they differ in at least one key respect: The law explicitly enables employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage of $7.25. In other words, under the law, individuals with disabilities may earn less than their colleagues who are not disabled due to a trait they cannot change. READ MORE

A wave of early retirement hits the workforce. How to negotiate the best package for you

As companies look for ways to reduce their workforce to trim costs during the pandemic, more are offering early retirement packages to their employees. And it’s not just affecting individuals in their late 50s or older. Younger workers who are in their 40s are getting offers too. The trend has become widespread in industries such as airlines, hospitality, restaurant and retail, but it’s gaining momentum across sectors. It is also an option being offered to teachers and government workers nationwide. READ MORE

Kodak addresses controversial halted $765M loan amid SEC probe

Kodak shares plummeted earlier this week after the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation said the $765 million loan was on hold amid allegations that “raise serious concerns.” The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the company’s procedure for disclosing the deal, as well as stock grants to Continenza and other top executives just hours before the loan was announced. READ MORE

Reward Your Employees — Without Breaking the Bank

As the ongoing public health crisis has metastasized into an economic slowdown, it’s difficult for many corporations to retain and reward their people. Many firms aren’t in the position to give their employees large annual bonuses. As the former CEO of CitiMortgage and now the CEO of Caliber Home Loans, I have seen how spot bonuses can be an effective alternative: We recently paid spot bonuses to almost all our employees to reward them for their diligent work in a tumultuous year. Indeed, companies can use a spot bonus like a scalpel to stimulate feelings of satisfaction among employees, incentivize group behaviors, and build a stronger sense of solidarity. READ MORE