Summer officially starts on June 20th this year, but any HR pro knows that summer really starts in May when school’s out and working parents get a lot busier. That means summer is upon us!
Soon enough, employee needs may change and the workplace can start to look and feel a bit different. This is also the time employees start booking vacations and HR pros typically have a lot more time off requests to manage. Here are a few HR reminders for this summer.
May:
May is Global Employee Health and Fitness Month as well as Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a great opportunity to kickstart a wellness program, which is a workplace initiative designed to improve and promote health and fitness. If you don’t have an Employee Assistance Program in place, it’s also a great time to look into implementing one.
May 15, 2024– Form 990 is due. Form 990 is an IRS reporting document used by tax-exempt organizations, nonexempt charitable trusts, and section 527 political organizations to provide the information required by section 6033.
May 27, 2024– Since 1868, Memorial Day has been celebrated to recognize the sacrifices of our armed forces and remember those who have died serving the United States.
With your workforce submitting long PTO requests this summer, it may feel like taking some time off yourself isn’t feasible. This mental health awareness month, aim to prioritize your mental well-being the same way you prioritize your workforce’s mental well-being. Remember, you’re a person too, and you deserve a break!
June:
Pride month is during the month of June. Pride celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and represents a good time for employers to promote an inclusive workplace.
June 19, 2024– Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
June 30, 2024– End of Quarter 2. Take some time to consider the year so far. Review quarterly goals, half-year goals, and fiscal-year goals to see how you have progressed.
July:
July 4, 2024– Independence Day recognizes the day in 1796 when the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence to birth the United States and begin the Revolutionary War to win our Independence.
July 31, 2024– This is a big day in the summer! The following forms are due:
Form 5500 is due seven months after the end of the plan year, unless extension Form 5558 is filed. Form 5500 is a DOL reporting document used to detail retirement plan information, such as a 401 (k)’s operation, investments, and financial condition.
Form 5558 is due if employers need an extension. Form 5558 is an IRS reporting document used to apply for a one-time deadline extension to file DOL Form 5500 Series documents. If this form is filed, the deadline for Form 5500 shifts to October 15, 2024.
Form 720 and Form 941 are reporting documents employers must file on a quarterly basis.
August:
There aren’t many important HR compliance reminders for August, but August does mark the start of back-to-school season! Employers can help ease back-to-school stress by offering these family friendly benefits and encouraging employees to use them:
Dependent Care FSAs
Paid Family Leave
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Paid Time Off
September:
September 2, 2024– Labor Day notes the contributions of America’s workers to the country’s success and prosperity. Many organizations give employees this day off to say ‘thank you’ for their hard work throughout the year.
September 3, 2024-September 7, 2024– National Payroll Week recognizes payroll professionals. Payroll can be frustrating, and in many small to midsize businesses, it’s HR’s responsibility. So, this is a week to celebrate YOU!
September 30, 2024– Quarter 3 ends and Summary Annual Reports must be distributed to plan participants. This satisfies the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) annual requirements.
HR can also use the month of September to plan ahead for October. Check out our free 2024 HR Calendar for more information on key dates!
Employees will likely be submitting much more paid time off (PTO) requests during the summer. If summer is your busy season, evaluate PTO blackout periods and other PTO reminders for your workforce. Check out these additional resources on PTO:
Paid Time Off Employer FAQs: What to Know About PTO Policies
Key PTO Strategies: Rollover, Blackout Dates, and Block Leave
Template: PTO Communication to Remind Employees to Use Time Off Hours
How HR Can Audit and Update an Existing PTO Policy– and Why it Matters
Using an all-in-one HRIS can help busy HR pros manage summer PTO. With BerniePortal’s PTO feature, employees can self-service their PTO requests so you no longer have to pass around spreadsheets or calendars. The feature also enables employees to access a PTO calendar and see days that have been approved off for team members so they can make the most informed and strategic decisions for their time off.
Summer is also a great time of the year to remind employees to take advantage of their other benefits. These reminders could include the following:
Scheduling annual physicals and eye exams
Contributing to and spending HSAs and FSAs
Using EAP benefits.
Because the summer is a lighter month for HR pros, you can make use of time off by taking some personal development courses. Consider taking the following free courses to earn SHRM and HRCI CE credits:
HR Hiring Guide: Recruiting Tips, Trends, and Best Practices
Paid Time Off Tutorial: How to Build and Audit a Great PTO Policy
The Ultimate Guide to Benefits Administration & Open Enrollment
BernieU, our online learning platform, will also be debuting an HR course on Business Ethics in June, so keep an eye out for that!
You can stay informed, educated, and up to date with important HR topics using BerniePortal’s comprehensive resources: