ClearPath - Latest News

ClearPath joins industry leaders at vendor management conference

Thu, 14 May 2015 20:00:00 +0800

ClearPath Workforce Management was represented in Las Vegas this week at an event focused on issues related to the use of managed service providers and vendor management systems. Over 200 industry leaders gathered for the three day event at the Wynn, Las Vegas, to share knowledge and best practices around the procurement and engagement of contingent workers and vendors.

"Over 50% of the more than $1 trillion spent by companies on contingent labor is through Managed Service Providers" said Jason Posel, SVP Strategy and Solutions, "we are happy to share our experiences both working as the contractor payroll and Independent Contractor compliance vendor under an MSP model, as we well as providing vendor management and consolidation services for medium size businesses".

About VMSA Live:
VMSA Live is a semi-annual executive conference that addresses the unique challenges facing companies using a program governance model, VMS (Vendor Management System) and MSP (Managed Service Provider) to acquire and manage contingent labor and SOW-based services.

Legal & Compliance Update

Thu, 30 Apr 2015 20:00:00 +0800

Several states have taken steps forward in approving legislation that deals with definitons of Indepenent Contractors and penalties for misclassification:

GEORGIA: HB500 seeks to define employment and deal with reporting of IC misclassification instances
NEVADA: SB224 seeks to create a standard definition of an Independent Contractor”
NEW HAMPSHIRE: HB450 seeks to define employment and introduce specific guidelines as to what would constitute an Independent Contractor relationship
TEXAS: SB927 seeks to make the assumption that workers are employees unless the benefactor of the work can prove otherwise. It also proposes harsh new penalties for Independent Contractor misclassification

New legislation targeting companies who misclassify workers, combined with increasingly aggressive state and federal agencies who are conducting unprecedented numbers of employer audits, means that businesses need to understand how best to protect themselves.

Learn how to protect your company from the risks of misclassification.
Contact us today on 1 800 664 5508.

ClearPath contingent labor compliance experts to present best practices at HR West 2015

Thu, 05 Feb 2015 20:00:00 +0800

The use of contract workers, consultants and temps has grown exponentially over the last several years to become a core part of the workforce mix. However, many companies struggle to implement the best method for engaging their contractors or effectively deal with the associated compliance issues.

ClearPath Workforce Management’s VP of Compliance and Client Services, Sue Ortiz, along with Jason Posel, SVP, Strategy and Solutions will be hosting an educational seminar titled ‘Effectively Engaging the Contingent or Temporary Worker’. The session is being held on March 3rd and will provide an excellent introductory session for those wanting to get to grips with the underlying aspects of using contract workers including payment options and potential risks.

For more information or to register for the event, please visit:
http://hrwest.org/live/register.

The session will cover the following topics:

Contractor Compliance:
The webinar will look at the importance of correctly classify your contract workers and the challenges HR reps face when trying to stay in compliance with IC regulations, co-employment issues, and wage & hour rules. Also covered are the financial ramifications of misclassifying workers and a look at some real numbers to provide an idea of the potential financial risk companies face should they be audited.

Cost-effective Options to Engage and Pay Contract Workers:
Get a high level view of best-practice models that companies use to engage and pay contract workers. Understand how best to engage contractors sourced internally without the use of a staffing firm, and examine options to help determine the best model for your firm. Having the right partners in place can help to significantly reduce costs, streamline processes and minimize internal administration.

Learn critical compliance best practices as well as ways to consolidate your contracts and administration.

Event
HR West 2015, California's premier HR event, brought to you by the NCHRA.

Location
Oakland Convention Center

Who Should Attend?
• HR Professionals
• Hiring Managers
• Recruiters

Most sessions qualify for recertification credits toward your PHR, SPHR, PHR-CA, SPHR-CA and GPHR.
For more information visit: www.hrwest.org.

ClearPath ranked among nations Top 100 woman-owned businesses

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 20:00:00 +0800

ClearPath Workforce Management, a leading HRO with a focus on contingent workforce management solutions, announced today that it has again been acknowledged by DiversityBusiness.com as among the nation’s most successful privately owned businesses.

DiversityBusiness.com’s annual listing of America’s top businesses - known as the Div500 - recognizes businesses for their overall leadership and economic achievements. ClearPath has been included in several categories:

Top 100 Women Owned Businesses in California [Rank: 16]
Top 100 Women Owned Businesses in the U.S. [Rank: 96]
Top 500 Diversity Owned Businesses in the U.S. [Rank: 279]

“Through our involvement in organizations such as WBENC and the Astra Women’s Business Alliance, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to developing relationships and opportunities among woman and diversity-owned businesses” said Renee Fink, CEO and President for ClearPath.”We have long been a leader in providing payroll and compliance services for temporary workers and Independent Contractors, and it is always nice to receive this type of recognition”.

With the recent government focus on worker classification, the demand for its ClearIC program has helped ensure ClearPath’s continued success. ClearIC helps protect companies from the significant financial risks of misclassifying Independent Contractors through a simple, web-based evaluation process that determines if they should be a 1099 or an employee.

Learn how to protect your company from the risks of misclassification.
Contact us today on 1 800 664 5508.

Be Better Protected.

ClearPath CEO appointed co-chair of Northern California Leadership Forum for woman owned business alliance

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:00:00 +0800

Renee Fink, President and CEO of ClearPath Workforce Management, has been appointed as co-chair of Astra's Northern California Leadership Forum. This prestigious position reflects Fink’s commitment to enhancing the opportunities for diversity companies to grow their businesses.

The Leadership Forum represents a partnership and a powerful link between Astra and WBENC, the national organization for women that provides certification. Led by successful women business owners from the north-west region of the US – the Astra Leadership Forum represents the views of its members, communicating with WBENC, as well as connecting local women-owned businesses so that they can network, share ideas and offer solutions. All of these efforts working together help to generate opportunities for women business owners so they can promote their companies, build relationships and do more business.

ClearPath, a leading HRO with a focus on contingent/temporary labor compliance and engagement, has been a certified Women Business Enterprise since 2011. ClearPath was recently named inside the top 100 woman-owned businesses in the US by DiversityBusiness.com.

“It is very rewarding to work with Astra to help promote other women business owners,” said Fink. “The women on the Northern California Leadership Committee are an incredible and impressive group of women business owners with a wealth of knowledge and a willingness to help others. It’s a privilege to serve in this role.”

About ClearPath
ClearPath is a leading certified woman-owned HRO with a focus on the contingent labor market. With over 20 years of experience in delivering contractor engagement, payroll and compliance programs, the firm’s solutions include Employer of Record and Independent Contractor classification services. ClearPath delivers solutions throughout the US, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada.
For more information visit: www.clearpathwm.com.

About Astra Women’s Business Alliance (Astra)
Astra is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and a regional partner of WBENC. Astra provides WBENC and WOSB National certification to qualified women-owned businesses in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Northern California, Oregon, & Washington. Astra promotes business growth by creating opportunities for contracts with Fortune 500 companies while providing these corporations with highly qualified strategic resources.
For more information visit: www.astrawba.org.

Legal & Compliance Update: Feds offer $10m â€œbonusâ€ to States that successfully identify and prosecute employers

Mon, 13 May 2013 20:00:00 +0800

Federal Update:

Feds offer “high performance bonus” to states that successfully identify and prosecute employers

More details have emerged from the US DOL budget, with $10 million being allocated to boost State enforcement of existing worker classification rules. The program is aimed as an incentive to states to identify companies who fail to pay their fair share of taxes due to misclassifying workers as Independent Contractors (ICs) when they should be employees. States will be able to use these incentive funds to upgrade their misclassification detection and enforcement programs.

View more information here.

State Update:

New York bill relating to misclassified Independent Contractors reaches next stage in State assembly

S02556 reached its third reading last month, as the state looks to clamp down on companies who incorrectly pay workers on a 1099 basis instead of as an employee. The bill seeks to make it easier for misclassified workers to claim compensation, authorizes more aggressive investigations by the department of labor, and introduces penalties up to $25,000 per violation or up to one year imprisonment.

View more information on S02556 here.

North Carolina bill will impose fines for misclassifying Independent Contractors

A new bill was introduced into the State assembly that would require companies to provide written notice to workers of their employment status and rights. The bill aims to make it harder for employers to misclassify workers as ICs when they should be employees and imposes fines for each incident of non-compliance.

View more information on HB826 here.

Learn how to protect your company from the risks of misclassification.
Contact us today on 1 800 664 5508.

Be Better Protected.

April Legal & Compliance Update: USDOL requests $14 million to combat the misclassification of workers as Independent Contractors

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:00:00 +0800

The 2014 federal budget underlines the government’s determination to crack down on Independent Contractor misclassification and increase tax revenues by increasing resources that will enable greater enforcement through increased federal and state investigations and audits.

According to the USDOL, employee misclassification “deprives workers of benefits and protections to which they are legally entitled and puts law-abiding businesses at a disadvantage against employers who violate the law”.

The request for multi-million dollar funding is based on the agencies estimates that up to 30 percent of companies have misclassified Independent Contractors. Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) have been signed with California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Utah, and Washington, as well as with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The USDOL has also announced that “MOUs with additional states are being explored, which will increase the coordination and sharing of information between WHD and other stakeholders.”

The agency will "use its resources as part of an initiative to detect and deter the inappropriate misclassification of employees as independent contractors and strengthen and coordinate Federal and State efforts to enforce labor violations arising from misclassification. Individuals wrongly classified as independent contractors are denied access to critical benefits and protections — such as family and medical leave, overtime, civil rights laws, and unemployment insurance — to which they may be entitled as regular employees. Worker misclassification also generates substantial losses to the Treasury and the Social Security, Medicare and Unemployment Insurance Trust Funds."

For more information see:

www.dol.gov/dol/budget/2014/PDF/CBJ-2014-V2-09.pdf - see page 29
www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20130661.htm

Learn how to protect your company from the risks of misclassification.
Contact us today on 1 800 664 5508.

Be Better Protected.

ClearPath joins industry leaders for Institute for Human Resources discussion on the trends in contingent workforce management

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 20:00:00 +0800

ClearPath Workforce Management, a leading HRO with a focus on contingent labor compliance and engagement, has been invited to share its expertise on key trends and issues for companies using contract workers, during the Institute for Human Resources Virtual Workshop on January 30^th at 11am EST. The webcast is part of a two day virtual conference that is the fourth in a series of workshops in the IHR Contract Workforce & Talent Exchange Certification Program.

The panel will focus their attention on looking at ways in which organizations can be positioned to properly address the challenges today’s economic climate places on their contingent workforce planning and management. Jason Posel, senior vice president of strategy and solutions for ClearPath, will join Matt Rivera from Yoh Services, Jerome Gerber from Volt Workforce Solutions, John Martin from IQ Navigator, and Jeff Nugent from Contingent Workforce Solutions on the panel.

Topics on the agenda to discuss include:

What trends can we expect to see in relation to contingent worker compliance?
What does the re-election of President Obama mean for companies using independent contractors?
What were companies doing related to contract workforce management in 2012, and what should they do/not do in 2013?
Is use of more contract employees the new norm, and if so what are some best practices for managing/engaging them going forward?
Is RPO the new VMS?
What are self-managed MSPs and why would companies choose to manage it themselves?

Click here for more information on attending.

“Compliance is becoming an increasingly important factor when engaging temporary workers, particularly when it comes to classifying Independent Contractors and exempt versus non-exempt status”, says Jason Posel, senior vice president for ClearPath, “but it can be challenging to manage all risk areas and one of the continuing trends for 2013 will be for companies to leverage a specialist firm to ensure they are compliant with the ever changing federal and state laws and regulations”.

Attendees to this webcast will:

Gain insights from an extremely knowledgeable panel of industry experts
Have an opportunity to ask questions and engage with the panel
Learn from the panels observations of changes that have impacted this sector over the last 12 months and look ahead to the challenges and opportunities of 2013

IHR’s certification and accreditation process is developed through an independent Advisory Board composed of industry experts including ClearPath President and CEO, Renee Fink.

Attendees are not required to be enrolled in the certification program; however, the event is eligible for IHR, PHR, SPHR, and GPHR credits.

ClearPath also provides access to a range of pre-recorded educational presentations related to managing contract workers that is available in the webinar library section of its website.

March Legal & Compliance Update

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:00:00 +0800

Federal Update:

14th State Signs Information Sharing Agreement with US Labor Department (USDOL) to Combat Independent Contractor Misclassification

Iowa has become the latest state to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the USDOL aimed at preventing, detecting and jointly enforcing worker misclassification. It joins 13 other states including California, Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington who have all signed similar agreements in which they have agreed to perform joint investigations and share their audit findings.
View more information by clicking here.

Federal Judge Orders Firm to Pay $1.3 Million in Back Wages; Company Misclassified Employees as Independent Contractors
Following an investigation by the USDOL, Pennsylvania based kgb USA Inc. was deemed to have misclassified workers and subsequently to have failed to pay minimum wage to current and former employees in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
View more information by clicking here.

State Update:

Washington: New Independent Contractor Law Introduced Into State Legislature

The Employee Fair Classification Act (HB 1440) defines misclassification as “designating an employee as not an employee of the employer” and proposes fines up to $25,000 per misclassified worker. Additionally, it seeks to prohibit the use of a business entity such as a corporation or LLC to circumvent the appropriate worker classification.
View more information by clicking here.

California: Staffing Company Exposed as having Misclassified Workers
A recent court case highlights the risks of staffing firms placing ICs at client sites. Arise Solutions, a supplier to companies including AT&T and Apple, reportedly settled a class action lawsuit for a $1.25 million having misclassified more than 200 service providers as ICs when they should have been employees.
View more information by clicking here.

Learn how to protect your company from the risks of misclassification.
Contact us today on 1 800 664 5508.

Be Better Protected.

WEBINAR: Getting Ready for 2013: 7 Tips to Build Your Business Case for a 1099 IC Compliance Program

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 20:00:00 +0800

Date / Time
Thu, Oct 25, 2012 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT
Tue, Oct 30, 2012 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

Speakers
Denis S. Kenny, Esq - Attorney and Partner, Scherer Smith & Kenny LLP
Jason Posel - SVP, Strategy & Solutions, ClearPath Workforce Management

Cost
Complimentary

Summary
A lack of education or awareness about 1099 risk can have disastrous repercussions, while often the problem is simply convincing people that a solution could be easily implemented with minimal business disruption.

This webinar will:

Provide the key justifications for needing an IC evaluation program
Summarize the financial risks of misclassification
Examine the increased enforcement from state and federal agencies
Explain the complexities of determining correct worker classification
Demonstrate low-cost, easy to implement strategies for ensuring your 1099s are compliant

REGISTER NOW by clicking on one of the dates above.

Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration with information you need to join the Webinar.

Learn how to protect your company from the risks of misclassification.
Contact us today on 1 800 664 5508.

Be Better Protected.

HR.com Webcast: Best Practices for Compliantly & Cost-effectively Paying Temps, Consultants & 1099s

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:00:00 +0800

Date
January 17, 2013 at 1pm ET

Speakers
Jason Posel, SVP, Strategy & Solutions, ClearPath Workforce Management

Cost
Complimentary

Summary
The use of contract workers continues to grow in importance and visibility, and has become a staple of the workforce mix. Whereas historically the main type of contingent labor was basic office temps, this category now commonly includes skilled alumni, retirees, consultants, project-based and seasonal workers.

Yet, the amount of time to administer these workers can be a huge burden, and the risk involved in making compliance mistakes continues to grow. New legislation targeting companies who misclassify workers, combined with increasingly aggressive state and federal agencies who are conducting unprecedented numbers of employer audits, means that businesses need to understand how best to protect themselves.

This webinar will:

- Demonstrate how to streamline paying contractors as 1099s or W-2s, and reduce your admin burden
- Examine risks & strategies for minimizing Independent Contractor misclassification risk
- Look at cost-effective alternatives to using a staffing firm to payroll contractors, such as Employer of Record services and Independent Contractor Engagement specialists.
- Assess options to engage and pay workers who do not qualify to be ICs

If you are already a member of HR.com, please login to register for the webcast. If you are not a member of HR.com, you will need to sign up for a FREE HR.com membership, this will only take you a moment to fill in the required information. Once you have confirmation of your membership, you will be able to register for this complimentary webcast.

IHR Certification Credits.
HRCI General Credit.

Learn how to protect your company from the risks of misclassification.
Contact us today on 1 800 664 5508.

Be Better Protected.

October Legal & Compliance Update

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0800

California: Increase in lawsuits from Independent Contractors (IC) claiming misclassification
Several recent cases have highlighted the risk of improperly classifying ICs. Randstad US LP settled a class action suit that alleged worker misclassification for $4.9 million, and Farmers Insurance is being sued for $13.8 million for allegedly deliberately misclassifying managers as ICs in order to avoid tax obligations required by the state Labor Code.

View more information by clicking here and here.

Maine: New IC law imposes penalties of up to $10,000 per violation
Employers in Maine are gearing up for a new IC classification law that becomes effective on December 31st, 2012. The law seeks to standardize the definition of an IC, with penalties of between $2,000 and $10,000 per incident of misclassification.

View more information by clicking here.

New York: Report highlights 19,600 instances of employee misclassification; $412 million in unreported wages
The most recent report of the Joint Enforcement Task Force on Employee Misclassification showed the state had identified over 19,600 instances of employee misclassification, discovered over $412 million in unreported wages, and assessed over $14.5 million in unemployment insurance taxes.

View more information by clicking here.

North Carolina: New task force setup to investigate and enforce worker classification
NC became the latest state to enact a task force to investigate employee misclassification. The principal aim is to “decrease instances by which persons and entities violate the law” by incorrectly paying workers as ICs and ensure collection of the appropriate tax revenues.

View more information by clicking here.

Learn how to protect your company from the risks of misclassification.
Contact us today on 1 800 664 5508.

Be Better Protected.

ClearPath CEO joins experts to discuss contingent workforce compliance risks and remedies

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:00:00 +0800

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – September. 18, 2012 –
ClearPath Workforce Management, a leading HRO with a focus on contingent labor compliance and engagement, has been invited to share its expertise during the inaugural Contract Talent Symposiumin San Diego.

Renee Fink, CEO, will represent ClearPath on a panel titled “DOL & IRS Audit Best Practices & Other Legal Things to Know”. She will be joined by attorney Denis Sullivan Kenny, Partner – Scherer Smith & Kenny, as well as several other industry experts. The panel will be advising companies on the risks of non-compliance with a range of issues related to contract labor, including wage and hour regulations and Independent Contractor classifications.

“ClearPath has long been a pioneer in the area of contractor compliance,” commented Fink, “and with the risk of an IRS, DOL or state audit becoming ever more likely, it is critical companies are educated in the steps needed to ensure compliance and defend themselves from an auditor. ClearIC, our Independent Contractor classification program is the most comprehensive evaluation service available to companies, and we are happy to have this opportunity share our expertise and experience”.

ClearPath has a number of pre-recorded educational presentations available in the webinar library section of its website, and is regularly invited to speak on contingent workforce compliance issues.

Event Detailsâ€¨
Date: September 18, 2012
â€¨Location: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California

About ClearPath
ClearPath is a leading certified woman-owned HRO with a focus on the contingent labor market. With almost 20 years of experience in delivering contractor engagement, payroll and compliance programs, the firm’s solutions include ClearPayroll and ClearIC. ClearPath provides its clients with seamlessly integrated solutions that enable them to engage the contract talent they require in a compliant, cost-effective and efficient manner. ClearPath delivers solutions throughout the US, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada.
For more information visit: www.clearpathwm.com

About the Contract Talent Symposium
The Contract Talent Symposium is bringing together the top minds in the Contingent Workforce, Human Resource and Procurement Industry to network and discuss trends, best practices and "What's New" in the management of contract and temporary workers. As the only event geared towards Human Resource Professionals, the Contract Talent Symposium will provide attendees with insight into how the workforce is changing and how employers can develop tangible strategies in getting the most out of this growing category of talent. For more information visit: www.contracttalentsymposium.com

August Regulatory Update

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 20:00:00 +0800

State Update:

California Examines Unifying Definition of Independent Contractor
A bill being examined by the California State Assembly, AB 2373, is seeking to add a new Section 22 to the Corporations Code to define an Independent Contractor using the criteria in Section 30 of the Labor Code. If passed, the bill would expand the definition and use 17 factors to determine worker status.

View more information on AB 2373

New Independent Contractor Law Approved in Louisiana
Louisiana has become the latest state to introduce new regulations pertaining to misclassifying workers as Independent Contractors. SB 472 imposes posting notices on employers that informs workers of their rights, including how to make complaints for possible misclassification. It also introduces financial penalties for misclassification.

View more information on SB 472

WEBINAR: 8 Key Red Flags the IRS Look for During an Employee Misclassification Audit

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:00:00 +0800

With the huge increase in audits targeting companies of all sizes, learn how to avoid common mistakes and the fundamentals of correctly classifying contract workers.

Thursday, August 23 -11am PST / 2pm EST

Tuesday, August 28 -11am PST / 2pm EST

Speakers
Douglas J. Farmer - Attorney & Managing Shareholder for Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Jason Posel - SVP, Strategy & Solutions for ClearPath

Cost
Complimentary

Summary
If you use Independent Contractors, join us to make sure you know how to protect your company before an auditor comes knocking. Learn which factors are important and which are not, and key issues to evaluate when determining if a worker qualifies to be an IC.

This webinar will:

Provide an overview of the risks of misclassifying workers as Independent Contractors, and triggers for an audit
Summarize the latest legislative issues
Explain key determining factors to evaluate who qualifies as a 1099 contractor and who should be a W-2
Highlight key facts the IRS will review during an audit
Demonstrate how to prevent misclassification and prepare for an audit

July Federal and State Regulatory Update

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 20:00:00 +0800

Federal Update:

Increase in Targeted Wage & Hour Audits Department by USDOL
The Wage & Hour Division (WHD) of the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) has announced plans for more directed investigations (no complaining employee). In part due to the potential for increased revenues from fines and penalties, the division expects to increase the proportion of targeted audits to increase from 29% in 2011 to 38% in 2013.

View the budget Congressional Budget Justification

State Update:

Report Claims Virginia Missing Out On Up To $28 Million Due to Misclassified Workers
A report by the Virginia legislature's watchdog commission has estimated the state could have as many as 40,000 employers who are misclassifying workers as ICs (Independent Contractors), costing the state as much as $28m in lost revenue. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission has recommended making incorrectly classifying ICs illegal and subject to fines, as well as setting up a task force to determine how to increase enforcement.

V iew the report

New Independent Contractor Law Passed in Louisiana
SB 472 takes effect on August 1st, 2012 and introduces new requirements for companies using ICs and financial penalties for misclassification of workers as ICs. Companies will have to publicly post notices pertaining to the tax reporting requirements for ICs, as well as information for individuals to file complaints if they believe they are being misclassified.

View more information on SB 472

ClearPath experts to present on best practices for compliantly paying contract workers and reducing costs in HR.com webinar

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:00:00 +0800

The use of contract workers has grown exponentially over the last several years to become a core part of the workforce mix. However, many companies struggle to implement the best method for engaging their contractors or deal with the associated compliance issues.

ClearPath Workforce Management’s VP of Compliance and Client Services, Sue Ortiz, along with Jason Posel, SVP, Strategy and Solutions will be hosting an educational webinar titled ‘Best Practice Basics for Compliantly and Cost-effectively Paying your Contract Workers’. The webinar is being held on June 27th and will provide an excellent introductory session for those wanting to get to grips with the underlying aspects of using contract workers including payment options and potential risks.

The event is eligible for IHR and PHR credits.

The webinar will cover the following topics:

For more information or to register click here.

About ClearPath
ClearPath is a leading certified woman-owned HRO with a focus on the contingent labor market. With almost 20 years of experience in delivering contractor engagement, payroll and compliance programs, the firm’s solutions include ClearPayroll and ClearIC. ClearPath provides its clients with seamlessly integrated solutions that enable them to engage the contract talent they require in a compliant, cost-effective and efficient manner. ClearPath delivers solutions throughout the US, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada.

WEBINAR: Independent Contractor Classification: Recognizing your risks and how to manage them

Wed, 09 May 2012 20:00:00 +0800

The IRS estimates there are over 8 million Independent Contractors in the US and that a large percentage of them should actually be classified as employees.

While the basic rules and guidelines for classifying Independent Contractors have been in place for years, the level of risk for non-compliance has grown exponentially over the last few years and the legal framework continues to evolve. Claiming a tax gap of billions of dollars, federal and state agencies, led by the IRS, are pursuing corporations who might be misclassifying workers more aggressively than ever. Companies need to understand how best to protect themselves from the risks involved in this critical workforce component.

"Over 70 percent of all audits result in finding misclassified workers, and the IRS and EDD prevail in over 90 percent of cases that go to hearing or trial," said Jason Posel, senior vice president. "Employers need to look at how they currently deal with independent contractors and implement processes for ensuring compliance with all regulations."

With audits going back three years, most companies have a hard time proving past compliance when without a reliable process in place.

This webinar will:

Cover the latest legislative and regulatory issues focused on worker misclassification
Evaluate the risks companies have who misclassify workers, including financial penalties
Examine ways to determine who qualifies as a 1099 contractor and who should be a W-2
Demonstrate key steps to prepare for an IRS/EDD audit or litigation
Reveal best practices for engaging contingent labor and Independent Contractors

Webinar Details

Title: Independent Contractor Classification: Recognizing your risks and how to manage them

Dates and Times: Thursday, May 31 - 11am PST / 2pm EST
Tuesday, June 5 - 11am PST / 2pm EST

Presenters: Jason Posel - SVP, Strategy & Solutions for ClearPath
Denis S. Kenny, Esq. - Attorney and Partner, Scherer Smith & Kenny LLP

Cost: Complimentary

April/May Federal and State Regulatory Update

Fri, 04 May 2012 20:00:00 +0800

Federal Update:

Another state signs information sharing agreement with U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to combat Independent Contractor misclassification
Louisiana has become the latest state to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DOL aimed at preventing, detecting and jointly enforcing worker misclassification. It joins California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Utah and Washington who have all signed similar agreements in which they have agreed to perform joint investigations and share their audit findings.

Coupled with the 2011 agreement between the DOL and IRS, the risks of non-compliance continue to increase, as does the importance of having a comprehensive evaluation process for ensuring correct classification for 1099s.

V iew the DOL Press Release on MOU with Louisiana to reduce misclassification of employees

State Update:

Victory for California employers in much anticipated ruling on meal & rest breaks
In what has become commonly known as the Brinker case, the California Supreme Court clarified a number of items that will largely be seen as beneficial to businesses and staffing firms. The key rulings include that although employers must relieve employees of all their duties during meal breaks, they are not required to prevent people from working; and also that there is no penalty for having an employee work five consecutive hours without a break.

V iew the court's written rulling in full

Massachusetts reports recovery of $11 million from companies who misclassified Independent Contractors
The recently released 2011 Annual Report that revealed the state had doubled the amount of fines, penalties and overdue taxes collected in the previous year from firms who had, among other infractions, misclassified workers as ICs. As one of the states with an MOU with the DOL, firms in MA with infractions can also now expect to be audited by the DOL and IRS.

R ead the full Joint Enforcement Task Force on the Underground Economy and Employee Misclassification 2011 Annual Report

ClearPath recognized as one of the Nationâ€™s Top Businesses for 2012

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:00:00 +0800

ClearPath Workforce Management, a leading HRO with a focus on contingent labor payroll and compliance, announced today that it has been acknowledged by DiversityBusiness.com as among the nation’s most successful privately owned businesses.

DiversityBusiness.com’s annual listing of America’s top businesses - known as the Div500 -recognizes businesses for their overall leadership and economic achievements. ClearPath has been included in several categories:

Top 100 Women Owned Businesses in California [Rank: 13]
Top 100 Diversity Owned Businesses in California [Rank: 42]
Top 500 Women Owned Businesses in the U.S [Rank: 80]
Top 100 Privately-held Businesses in California [Rank: 92]
Top 500 Privately-held Businesses in the U.S [Rank: 221]
Top 500 Diversity Owned Businesses in the U.S [Rank: 341]

“ClearPath has long been acknowledged as a pioneer and leader in field of contractor payroll and compliance, and this type of recognition is always welcome” said Renee Fink, CEO and President for ClearPath.

The rankings coincide with the launch of a new series of webinars by ClearPath that are aimed at helping educate companies on how to cost-effectively engage contract workers, the risks of misclassifying Independent Contractors, and how to mitigate the risks.

The webinar schedule is as follows:

ClearPath - Latest News

ClearPath joins industry leaders at vendor management conference

Legal & Compliance Update

ClearPath contingent labor compliance experts to present best practices at HR West 2015

ClearPath ranked among nations Top 100 woman-owned businesses

ClearPath CEO appointed co-chair of Northern California Leadership Forum for woman owned business alliance

Legal & Compliance Update: Feds offer $10m â€œbonusâ€ to States that successfully identify and prosecute employers

Federal Update:

Feds offer “high performance bonus” to states that successfully identify and prosecute employers

State Update:

New York bill relating to misclassified Independent Contractors reaches next stage in State assembly

North Carolina bill will impose fines for misclassifying Independent Contractors

April Legal & Compliance Update: USDOL requests $14 million to combat the misclassification of workers as Independent Contractors

ClearPath joins industry leaders for Institute for Human Resources discussion on the trends in contingent workforce management

March Legal & Compliance Update

Federal Update:

14th State Signs Information Sharing Agreement with US Labor Department (USDOL) to Combat Independent Contractor Misclassification

State Update:

Washington: New Independent Contractor Law Introduced Into State Legislature

WEBINAR: Getting Ready for 2013: 7 Tips to Build Your Business Case for a 1099 IC Compliance Program

HR.com Webcast: Best Practices for Compliantly & Cost-effectively Paying Temps, Consultants & 1099s

October Legal & Compliance Update

ClearPath CEO joins experts to discuss contingent workforce compliance risks and remedies

August Regulatory Update

State Update:

WEBINAR: 8 Key Red Flags the IRS Look for During an Employee Misclassification Audit

July Federal and State Regulatory Update

Federal Update:

State Update:

ClearPath experts to present on best practices for compliantly paying contract workers and reducing costs in HR.com webinar

WEBINAR: Independent Contractor Classification: Recognizing your risks and how to manage them

April/May Federal and State Regulatory Update

Federal Update:

State Update:

ClearPath recognized as one of the Nationâ€™s Top Businesses for 2012

Legal & Compliance Update: Feds offer $10m â€œbonusâ€ to States that successfully identify and prosecute employers