Weak economy effects casual dining

by Ted

From CNNFN: Complete article. Economic weakness and food inflation are hurting casual dining restaurant chains as families shun moderately-priced restaurants for cheaper alternatives. Restaurants claimed a big casualty Tuesday, when S&A Restaurant Corp., owner of chains including Bennigan’s Grill & Tavern and Steak & Ale, said it filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The private company, […]

California signs law banning trans fats in restaurants

by Ted

Most California eateries must stop cooking with all but small amounts of the substances by 2010. California became the first state to require restaurants to cook without artery-clogging trans fats, such as those in many oils and margarine, under restrictions signed into law Friday by the health-conscious governor. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a physical-fitness advocate and […]

State minimum wage chart (July 24 2008)

by Ted

Current minimum wage rates for all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. State Minimum Wage Tip Credit Actual Tip Minimum % Allowed Credit $ Cash Wage Alabama none Alaska $7.15 0% $0.00 $7.15 Arizona $6.90 $3.00 $3.90 Arkansas $6.25 $3.62 $2.63 California $8.00 0% $0.00 $8.00 Colorado $7.02 $3.02 $4.00 Connecticut $7.65 29.3% […]

On Vacation!

by Ted

I will be out of the office July 14th-18th and will return on Monday the 21st. Support will be handled out of the VA office. I hope you all can go a whole week without a Payroll News update !

Auto Update Your SSN Database.

by Ted

Each month the SSA releases an updated list of Social Security Numbers that are newly issued as of that date. PayMaster uses this list to double check your input when you enter a new hire.  If you get a message when entering a SSN , it could mean that its a newly issued number and […]

Gov’t tells you what to eat?

by Ted

This month, restaurant inspectors from New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will add a new violation to their checklist: the failure to display, in large type and directly on the menu board, the calorie counts of every item on the menu. The city claims that the new law, which applies to restaurants […]

Wal-Mart violating labor laws, Again.

by Ted

A state district court has ordered Wal-Mart to pay $6.5 million to nearly 56,000 workers. Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, violated the law more than 2 million times over  a six-year period by denying workers time for breaks and forcing them to work “off the clock” for no pay, a Minnesota judge has ruled. Dakota […]

Maryland Withholding Update

by Ted

July 1st update for MD state taxes. Maryland has made a slight change in their tax rates that are effective July 1, 2008. Their website is not updated yet ! But comparing it to the update that went out Jan 1, 2008, it seems the only change is an additional bracket for employees making over […]

Minimum Wage Increases in 5 States Today, July 1st

by Ted

Five states increased their minimum wages effective July 1, 2008. In Illinois, the state minimum wage increased from $7.50 to $7.75 per hour.  Credit for tips may not exceed 40% of the applicable minimum wage. Michigan’s minimum wage also increased from $7.15 to $7.40.   Tipped employees make $2.65 making the state tip credit $4.75. The […]