Sequent Insights
Articles of Interest
Workers' Compensation, Culture and the Economic Environment
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The drastic downsizing of recently booming industries not only places great financial stress on companies, but also results in shifts in culture and behavior.
Read More...

Skills vs. Job Function
Friday, May 01, 2009
There is a difference between the job function that you perform and the skills that you acquire. However, too often we are confused by the difference.
Read More...

Pre-employment Screening – How critical is it?
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Regardless of the job you are filling, accepting a candidate’s statement on good faith alone is dangerous. Here are several steps to take in screening every applicant you are serious about
Read More...

Retaining Great Employees
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
When you focus on retaining your people and making them happy, they are generally more loyal, creative and productive which helps you improve and grow your business.
Read More...

Navigating the Complex World of Workers’ Compensation
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Keeping it simple is paramount to understanding how to manage your workers’ compensation costs.
Read More...

Why Invest in a Human Resource Information System?
Friday, December 05, 2008
For many small and mid-size companies, Payroll and Human Resource (HR) administration seems like a “necessary evil” with little tangible return on “investment.”
Read More...

Benefits Administration
‘Keep-Your-House’ Coverage
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
According to the Housing and Home Finance Agency, 48% of mortgage foreclosures are due to illness or injury that keeps people from earning their living.
Read More...

Solutions for Your Retirement Savings Plan
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Retirement plan sponsors have even greater fiduciary responsibility now due to new legislation. Sequent can relieve you of these responsibilities through our partnership with John Hancock Retirement Plan Services.
Read More...

Learn about the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Friday, July 02, 2010
Did you know that The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides low-cost health insurance assistance for qualifying children?
Read More...

Navigating Health Care Insurance
Friday, March 12, 2010
Insurance companies have rules. Sometimes it's easy to forget that rules are everywhere.
Read More...

Get a Helping Hand When You Need It - Learn About Our EAP
Friday, March 12, 2010
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider is now provided through UniCare.
Read More...

Three Letter Acronyms have Business Owners using Four Letter Words
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
We all know that the economy is creating significant challenges for small business owners these days. And, as if that wasn't enough, new governmental regulations and agencies are placing additional requirements on business owners.
Read More...

Long Term Care - Who Me?
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
The odds of a homeowners' insurance claim are 5 in every 1,000; for an auto accident the odds are 7 for every 100. Your odds of needing assistance with the Activities of Daily Living are 60 for every 100 (American Society of Actuaries). So, what's the best way to prepare?
Read More...

Retirement Account Contribution Limits for 2010
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Sequent Retirement & Benefits Group would like to notify you of the maximum amount you may contribute to your Sequent Retirement Savings Plan.
Read More...

Health Care Costs Continue to Outpace the Rate of Inflation
Monday, June 01, 2009
You’ve heard it for years now – health care costs continue to outpace the rate of inflation. The news this year isn’t any different.
Read More...

What is Sequent's Role in Administering the Health Care Plan?
Monday, June 01, 2009
This article is intended to provide a little background information on our role in providing health care benefits to our client companies and employees.
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Health Costs Spiraling: Will it Ever Stop?
Monday, June 01, 2009
The cost of health insurance is daunting, and there seems to be nothing on the horizon to slow this runaway tain of health care.
Read More...

HR Support
Top Five Questions from Sequent Professional Employer Service Clients
Monday, August 23, 2010
Our Sequent Client Account Managers serve as a resource for the business owners and leadership teams of our Professional Employer Service clients.
Read More...

Your Resume: Advertising You in a Buyer’s Market
Friday, July 02, 2010
This is the second in a series of articles providing how-to's for the job seeker. This article addresses the role of your Resume in the job search process.
Read More...

Career Development: Who Owns It?
Friday, July 02, 2010
Your Success Depends on Your Ability to Take "Ownership" of Your Career Development.
Read More...

Thinking of hiring an employee? Now may be the time!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Recent legislation referred to as the HIRE (Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment) Act encourages employers to hire unemployed workers.
Read More...

Independent Contractors – Just How Do You Classify Them?
Monday, June 28, 2010
Regulatory agencies have a renewed interest in how workers are classified, especially in certain industries that have historically used independent contractors.
Read More...

Employee Engagement in this “New Economy”
Monday, June 28, 2010
The key to innovation in this current economic situation lies in having the right people in and having strong leadership to create an environment where people are engaged.
Read More...

Three Letter Acronyms have Business Owners using Four Letter Words
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
We all know that the economy is creating significant challenges for small business owners these days. And, as if that wasn't enough, new governmental regulations and agencies are placing additional requirements on business owners.
Read More...

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The provisions of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which was signed into law in May 2008, went into effect on November 21, 2009.
Read More...

GINA - New Worksite Posting is Mandated by Federal Labor Law
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A poster supplement to your current all-in-one Labor Law poster is now available. This poster supplement reflects a recent legislative change in federal labor law.
Read More...

Important Form I-9 Updates
Friday, September 18, 2009
We would like to call your attention to two very important updates regarding Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Sequent is offering Online Form I-9 Training, and there is a new Form I-9 effective August 7, 2009

Read More...

Form I-9 Audit Initiatives from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
The number one priority on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement list is Form I-9 inspection and verification of employees’ eligibility to legally work in the United States.
Read More...

Health Care Reform – Now is the Time to Act
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Napoleon Hill once said, “Do not wait; time will never be ‘just right”. Start where you stand.”
Read More...

So You're Thinking of Creating an Internship Program?
Monday, August 31, 2009
There is a lot of misinformation about internships in the marketplace. By answering the question, “Can interns work for free,” we hope to help ensure your success with your own internship program.
Read More...

Skills vs. Job Function
Friday, May 01, 2009
There is a difference between the job function that you perform and the skills that you acquire. However, too often we are confused by the difference.
Read More...

Has Your Business Made a Material Change
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Over the years, a company can experience many changes. It's important to know how these changes can affect certain aspects of managing your business.
Read More...

Retaining Great Employees
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
When you focus on retaining your people and making them happy, they are generally more loyal, creative and productive which helps you improve and grow your business.
Read More...

Legal Pitfalls of the Hiring Process
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Most of us have seen the devastating impact a poor hiring decision can have on a company. It can be just as damaging, however, if your hiring process does not comply with state and federal law.
Read More...

HRMS
Embracing the Latest HR Technology Trends
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Advancements in communication and software technology are creating significant productivity improvements, particularly for the human resource professionals who use contemporary human resource and talent management systems. Click “Full Article” to learn about three state of the art features.
Read More...

Why Invest in a Human Resource Information System?
Friday, December 05, 2008
For many small and mid-size companies, Payroll and Human Resource (HR) administration seems like a “necessary evil” with little tangible return on “investment.”
Read More...

Leadership Development
Need to Change your Business, but Don’t Know Where to Begin?
Friday, July 16, 2010
With today's changing business needs and economic climate, companies need to be dynamic and morph to the new business rules and processes in order to stay competitive.
Read More...

You Don’t Understand…
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Over the years, I enjoyed the opportunity to work with a great variety of people and organizations. Each one of them taught me something valuable. As diverse as these individuals are, they almost all share a number of things in common. Probably most notable is the announcement that they are completely different than anyone I have ever worked with before.
Read More...

Legal Compliance
Three Letter Acronyms have Business Owners using Four Letter Words
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
We all know that the economy is creating significant challenges for small business owners these days. And, as if that wasn't enough, new governmental regulations and agencies are placing additional requirements on business owners.
Read More...

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The provisions of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which was signed into law in May 2008, went into effect on November 21, 2009.
Read More...

Form I-9 Audit Initiatives from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
The number one priority on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement list is Form I-9 inspection and verification of employees’ eligibility to legally work in the United States.
Read More...

Legal Pitfalls of the Hiring Process
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Most of us have seen the devastating impact a poor hiring decision can have on a company. It can be just as damaging, however, if your hiring process does not comply with state and federal law.
Read More...

Organizational Development
Need to Change your Business, but Don’t Know Where to Begin?
Friday, July 16, 2010
With today's changing business needs and economic climate, companies need to be dynamic and morph to the new business rules and processes in order to stay competitive.
Read More...

Career Development: Who Owns It?
Friday, July 02, 2010
Your Success Depends on Your Ability to Take "Ownership" of Your Career Development.
Read More...

Employee Engagement in this “New Economy”
Monday, June 28, 2010
The key to innovation in this current economic situation lies in having the right people in and having strong leadership to create an environment where people are engaged.
Read More...

Leading Complex Change Initiatives
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Even successful change initiatives encounter obstacles that impact meeting deadlines, staying on budget, getting everyone on board and overall success.
Read More...

Pre-employment Screenings & Assessments
Pre-employment Screening – How critical is it?
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Regardless of the job you are filling, accepting a candidate’s statement on good faith alone is dangerous. Here are several steps to take in screening every applicant you are serious about
Read More...

Professional Employer Services
Top Five Questions from Sequent Professional Employer Service Clients
Monday, August 23, 2010
Our Sequent Client Account Managers serve as a resource for the business owners and leadership teams of our Professional Employer Service clients.
Read More...

‘Keep-Your-House’ Coverage
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
According to the Housing and Home Finance Agency, 48% of mortgage foreclosures are due to illness or injury that keeps people from earning their living.
Read More...

Working to Manage Ever-Increasing Unemployment Costs
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sequent is always looking for ways to reduce long-term employment costs, especially during these economically challenging times.
Read More...

Three Letter Acronyms have Business Owners using Four Letter Words
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
We all know that the economy is creating significant challenges for small business owners these days. And, as if that wasn't enough, new governmental regulations and agencies are placing additional requirements on business owners.
Read More...

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The provisions of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which was signed into law in May 2008, went into effect on November 21, 2009.
Read More...

GINA - New Worksite Posting is Mandated by Federal Labor Law
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A poster supplement to your current all-in-one Labor Law poster is now available. This poster supplement reflects a recent legislative change in federal labor law.
Read More...

Benefits of Membership in Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Since 2000, Sequent has been offering our clients the peace on mind that comes with accreditation from the Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC).
Read More...

Important Form I-9 Updates
Friday, September 18, 2009
We would like to call your attention to two very important updates regarding Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Sequent is offering Online Form I-9 Training, and there is a new Form I-9 effective August 7, 2009

Read More...

Do You Expect Your Business to Die When You Do?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
By investing now in Succession Planning for your business, you can benefit for years to come.
Read More...

Form I-9 Audit Initiatives from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
The number one priority on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement list is Form I-9 inspection and verification of employees’ eligibility to legally work in the United States.
Read More...

Health Care Reform – Now is the Time to Act
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Napoleon Hill once said, “Do not wait; time will never be ‘just right”. Start where you stand.”
Read More...

So You're Thinking of Creating an Internship Program?
Monday, August 31, 2009
There is a lot of misinformation about internships in the marketplace. By answering the question, “Can interns work for free,” we hope to help ensure your success with your own internship program.
Read More...

Skills vs. Job Function
Friday, May 01, 2009
There is a difference between the job function that you perform and the skills that you acquire. However, too often we are confused by the difference.
Read More...

Has Your Business Made a Material Change
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Over the years, a company can experience many changes. It's important to know how these changes can affect certain aspects of managing your business.
Read More...

Professional Practice Services
Do You Expect Your Business to Die When You Do?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
By investing now in Succession Planning for your business, you can benefit for years to come.
Read More...

From Practitioner to Practice Leader
Monday, June 01, 2009
Many doctors are faced with the challenge of transitioning their practice to its next level of performance. This transition comes in many forms.
Read More...

Sometimes it’s the Simple Things That are Missed . . .
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
As a practice grows from five to ten to twenty people, we all make decisions that seemed to be based on common sense. Most of the time we think we are making the right decision for the right reasons; but in hindsight, it can turn out differently than we originally intended.
Read More...

Who's Diagnosing Your Practice
Sunday, February 01, 2009
An effective HRO provider can work directly with you to craft a solution that compliments the administrator and allows him or her to focus more time on the practice’s operational challenges.
Read More...

Professional Recruiting
So You're Thinking of Creating an Internship Program?
Monday, August 31, 2009
There is a lot of misinformation about internships in the marketplace. By answering the question, “Can interns work for free,” we hope to help ensure your success with your own internship program.
Read More...

New Challenges Require New Approaches for Recruiting Success
Saturday, March 01, 2008
One of the common challenges we continue to face is finding and keeping the right people in our business.
Read More...

Succession Planning
Do You Expect Your Business to Die When You Do?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
By investing now in Succession Planning for your business, you can benefit for years to come.
Read More...

Succession Planning: More than just forecasting a vision
Friday, April 03, 2009
American businesses often fail to transition key roles, or entire small businesses, to the next generation of leaders. These alarming statistics vary little by organization size.
Read More...

Talent Management
Got Talent But Not the Results You're Looking For?
Monday, August 23, 2010
It's tough out there ... especially for small- and mid-size businesses. Navigating through the rough waters of this economy requires a steady hand, a strong stomach, and all hands on deck. What if you have all that, and yet your business still seems to be underperforming?
Read More...

Need to Change your Business, but Don’t Know Where to Begin?
Friday, July 16, 2010
With today's changing business needs and economic climate, companies need to be dynamic and morph to the new business rules and processes in order to stay competitive.
Read More...

Career Development: Who Owns It?
Friday, July 02, 2010
Your Success Depends on Your Ability to Take "Ownership" of Your Career Development.
Read More...

Employee Engagement in this “New Economy”
Monday, June 28, 2010
The key to innovation in this current economic situation lies in having the right people in and having strong leadership to create an environment where people are engaged.
Read More...

Technology Resources
Steps to Protect your Confidential Information from Social Engineering
Monday, January 19, 2009
In today’s digital economy, it's easier and more efficient to use technology like email to facilitate the theft of identities and sensitive data. Learn how to protect your confidential and sensitive information.
Read More...

Do’s and Don’ts of Social Networking Sites
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Using MySpace, Facebook, Blogs, LinkedIn or your own Personal Web Site are great ways to promote your company and yourself. But wading into the murky waters of social networking can carry certain risks.
Read More...

Technology Solutions
Embracing the Latest HR Technology Trends
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Advancements in communication and software technology are creating significant productivity improvements, particularly for the human resource professionals who use contemporary human resource and talent management systems. Click “Full Article” to learn about three state of the art features.
Read More...

Workers' Compensation & Risk Management
Keeping Employees Safe From Afar
Monday, August 23, 2010
Over 40 million Americans are either telecommuters or home-based employees. In addition think about all of the sales and service personnel, healthcare workers, and many others who work "in the field" every day. OSHA regulations mandate a safe and healthy workplace for all employees. So how do you accomplish this when employees work outside of your facility?
Read More...

Independent Contractors – Just How Do You Classify Them?
Monday, June 28, 2010
Regulatory agencies have a renewed interest in how workers are classified, especially in certain industries that have historically used independent contractors.
Read More...

Working to Manage Ever-Increasing Unemployment Costs
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sequent is always looking for ways to reduce long-term employment costs, especially during these economically challenging times.
Read More...

Risk Management – What does that mean?
Friday, October 02, 2009
Learn about the Four Tiers of Workers’ Compensation Risk Management and More.
Read More...

Workers' Compensation, Culture and the Economic Environment
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The drastic downsizing of recently booming industries not only places great financial stress on companies, but also results in shifts in culture and behavior.
Read More...

Navigating the Complex World of Workers’ Compensation
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Keeping it simple is paramount to understanding how to manage your workers’ compensation costs.
Read More...

Workplace Safety & Compliance
Keeping Employees Safe From Afar
Monday, August 23, 2010
Over 40 million Americans are either telecommuters or home-based employees. In addition think about all of the sales and service personnel, healthcare workers, and many others who work "in the field" every day. OSHA regulations mandate a safe and healthy workplace for all employees. So how do you accomplish this when employees work outside of your facility?
Read More...

Management Safety Responsibilities
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Managers who make safety a priority and who involve their employees in establishing and practicing effective safety in the workplace can attain a safe and accident-free work environment.
Read More...

Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Update
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
On April 22, 2010 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will begin enforcing the Lead Based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule.
Read More...

Disaster Planning - What’s at Stake?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
You've worked hard to grow your business into what it is today. You'd do anything to protect your business from disaster, right?
Read More...

Risk Management – What does that mean?
Friday, October 02, 2009
Learn about the Four Tiers of Workers’ Compensation Risk Management and More.
Read More...

Workers' Compensation, Culture and the Economic Environment
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The drastic downsizing of recently booming industries not only places great financial stress on companies, but also results in shifts in culture and behavior.
Read More...

H1N1 (Swine Flu S-OIV) Precautionary Efforts and Planning
Monday, June 01, 2009
It is a fact that there is a recent outbreak of illness in people caused by a new subtype A influenza virus of swine/avian origin in Mexico that has reached the US and other countries.
Read More...

Ergonomics and Posture at Work and Home
Monday, June 01, 2009
Today it seems like computers are everywhere we go. The prevalence of computers and the improper posture of the users have led to an increase of injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones nationwide. Many of us have suffered from soreness or injury as a result of using computers; or know someone who has.
Read More...