Happy 2014 from Astron

When the clock struck midnight on 2014, I was in Central Park watching the fireworks go overhead, about to run a race to kick off the New Year. As I ran through the frigid cold, I realized that 2014 meant a lot of different things for Human Resources and that we were going to have a lot to cover this year.

It meant new Affordable Care Act measures which The Daily Journal writes that business need to be prepared for: "2014 is a big year for the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare"). Beginning Jan. 1, 2015, employers with more than 50 full-time equivalent employees must offer health insurance to all of them or pay a monthly penalty on their federal income tax return. If your business has fewer than 50 total employees, you're probably exempt from the mandate. But watch out if you have lots of part-time employees: the calculation of full-time equivalent status under Obamacare is very tricky."

There will be a lot of other national issues to address but that will be a big one in 2014.

There are some state issues as well. In the states of Colorado and Washington, marijuana legalization may mean new workplace rules and regulations may need to be initiated--and employee education towards these rules will need to be in place ASAP. But, as SHRM wrote back in November: "Despite the dramatic headlines, a close look at the measures approved reveals that it is unlikely that employers in the affected states will need to take any swift action to amend their drug-free workplace policies or their drug-testing programs on account of these laws."

And, most exciting of all, 2014 will mark the 15th anniversary of Astron Solutions. It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating year #10 but we're on to 15. Thank you all for a great 2013 and to you and your families, we wish all the best in 2014 as we continue to provide you great information about a variety of Human Resources issues.