Journey Education Corner: Blog
Discover valuable insights, tips, and tools to simplify your payroll and HR processes from the Journey Payroll & HR team.
How to Handle Payroll & HR During Mergers, Acquisitions, or Business Restructuring
Mergers, acquisitions, and business restructures can be exciting opportunities, but they also come with complex challenges, especially around payroll and HR. Overlooking the “people side” of these transitions can create compliance issues, employee confusion, and even...
Paid Leave Laws in New York Explained: What Employers Need to Know (2025)
If you have employees in New York, paid leave isn’t just a nice-to-have it’s table stakes for compliance and retention. 2025 brought a few meaningful updates, and there are also local rules in places like New York City and Westchester County that sit on top of the...
The Role of AI & Automation in Payroll & HR: What’s Real, What’s Hype
AI is everywhere in today’s business world, including in payroll and HR. But with all the buzz, it’s hard to tell what’s truly helpful and what’s overhyped. At Journey Payroll & HR, we believe in pairing technology with real people to deliver the best service...
Scaling Your Business? Don’t Let Payroll Become a Bottleneck
Growth is the goal but it comes with growing pains. And if you’re not careful, payroll can be one of the biggest ones. As businesses scale, things like new locations, larger teams, multiple pay structures, and compliance requirements pile up fast. What worked for 10...
Paid Leave Laws in Arizona Explained: What Employers Need to Know (2025)
Quick overview Arizona requires most employers to provide earned paid sick time (EPST). There is no statewide paid family & medical leave (PFML) program for private-sector employers; the State of Arizona runs a paid parental leave pilot for state employees only. ...
Compensation Reviews: When and How Often Should You Do Them?
Paychecks keep people employed. Fair pay keeps them engaged. Compensation reviews aren’t just a formality they’re a vital part of retention, equity, and budgeting. But many businesses still struggle with one simple question: How often should we review employee pay? ...
A Mid-Year Payroll Audit That Actually Saves You Time (and Headaches)
Mid-year is the perfect moment to give your payroll a tune-up. You’ve accumulated enough data to spot trends, but you still have time to fix issues before year-end taxes, bonuses, and open enrollment pile on. Think of this as preventative maintenance for your...
Idaho Payroll in 2025 – Tax Rate Drops, Withholding Changes & What to Check Now
If you’ve got employees in Idaho or plan to there are a few 2025 payroll changes you need to know to stay compliant and avoid under-withholding. Idaho’s Income Tax Rate Drops to 5.3% As of January 1, 2025, Idaho’s flat personal income tax rate was reduced from...
Trust, Transparency & Insurance: What Every Business Should Expect from Their Payroll Partner
When it comes to payroll and HR, trust isn’t just a nice-to-have it’s essential. At Journey Payroll & HR, we understand that when you entrust us with your payroll and employee data, you're relying on us to uphold the highest standards of security, accuracy, and...
Payroll Fraud: Common Schemes and How to Protect Your Business
Payroll fraud isn’t just a big business problem it hits small businesses harder. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) reports small businesses are twice as likely to experience payroll fraud, with median losses over $62,000 per case. Here’s what to...
Florida Payroll in 2025 – Wage Increases, New Rules & What Employers Need to Know
Florida employers, your payroll playbook is changing. Between minimum wage hikes and legislative updates, there are critical changes you need to track before year-end. Minimum Wage Increase – Effective Sept. 30, 2025 Florida’s minimum wage increases to: $14.00/hour...
“Oops” Isn’t a Payroll Strategy: Top Mistakes That Cost Businesses Big (And How to Avoid Them)
Payroll: it's one of those behind-the-scenes functions that no one really notices until something goes wrong. A misclassified employee here, a missed tax deadline there, and suddenly your business is facing fines, frustrated employees, and an HR headache the size of...
Is Group Life Insurance Right for Your Business? Pros, Cons, and Tax Insights
As a business owner, you're always looking for ways to support and retain great employees and benefits like group life insurance can play a big role. But is it the right move for your company? Let’s break down the key reasons why you might (or might not) want to offer...
Virginia Payroll Compliance Tips for Mid‑2025
As we pass the halfway point of 2025, it’s the perfect time for Virginia employers to double-check key payroll compliance requirements. Here’s what matters most right now and what lies just ahead. Minimum Wage Is Now $12.41/hour Effective January 1, 2025, Virginia’s...
Should You Offer Supplemental Insurance to Your Team? Here’s What You Need to Know
At Journey Payroll & HR, we believe smart benefits build strong teams. One option more employers are exploring is supplemental insurance, especially policies designed to help cover serious illnesses like cancer, unexpected accidents, and critical care needs. But...
Top 10 Payroll Mistakes Businesses Make and How to Prevent Them
Getting payroll right is essential for protecting your business, earning employee trust, and staying compliant. Here are the most common payroll mistakes, with practical tips to avoid them: Misclassifying Workers Mislabeling employees as independent contractors or...
Texas Payroll Compliance: Mid‑2025 Snapshot
As we reach the midpoint of 2025, this is a great moment for Texas employers to ensure payroll systems are current and compliant. Here’s what needs your attention: Minimum Wage Still $7.25/hour Texas continues to follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr, unchanged...
“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Is Your Employee Experience the Fairest of Them All?”
When we think of exceptional customer experiences, we often picture friendly service, personalized interactions, and seamless processes. But here's a twist: we believe the magic behind those stellar customer moments often starts within your own walls, with your team...
HSA Limits Level Up for 2026: What You Need to Know (and Why Your Wallet Might Thank You)
If you’re a fan of saving money on healthcare and who isn’t? then it’s time to celebrate: the IRS has announced new Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution limits for 2026. The increases are modest but meaningful for anyone looking to bolster tax‑advantaged...
Massachusetts Employment Law Updates, Mid‑Year 2025 Check-In
As we pass the midpoint of 2025, it's a good time for Massachusetts employers to review important new laws that affect everything from paid leave to pay transparency. Here’s what’s in effect, plus what’s coming later this year. Paid Family & Medical Leave (MA...
How Accurate Payroll Supports Employee Retention
In today’s job market, employees aren’t just leaving for bigger paychecks, they're leaving for better experiences. And few experiences sour faster than payroll problems. Late payments. Incorrect deductions. Overtime miscalculations. These mistakes don’t just cause...
Are You Leading or Just Managing? How to Be a Leader Your Team Trusts
At Journey Payroll & HR, we know that great leadership goes far beyond job titles. Whether you’re a manager, supervisor, or business owner, your leadership style directly influences team morale, productivity, and overall workplace culture. But in the day-to-day...
Mid-Year Check-In: Oregon’s 2025 Employment Law Updates
Now that we’re halfway through 2025, it’s a great time for Oregon employers to pause and make sure they’re up to speed on this year’s important employment law changes. From paid leave updates to new wage thresholds and expanded protections for workers, there’s a lot...
Why Who You Sign With Matters in Payroll: Sales Rep vs. Owner Experience
Who You Sign with Matters: Sales Rep vs. Owner in Payroll Services At Journey Payroll & HR, we believe in long-term partnerships, not quick wins. When you're choosing a Payroll and HR provider, one often-overlooked detail can make a major difference: who you sign...