Category: Tips for Hiring Managers
Dynamic Staffing Duos
It takes a unified front to win the battle for top-notch contract engineers By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman Imagine heading into combat without support from allies or a strategic battle plan. Unthinkable, you say? Well the unthinkable happens every day when managers try to win the war for top-notch engineering contractors by relying on vague connections with… Read more »
Ten Engineering Recruitment Interview Questions to Avoid and What to Ask Instead
By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman Managers performing engineering recruitment need to evaluate a contract engineer’s commitment and work ethic in addition to their engineering skills. However, they often ask illegal questions to uncover relevant information. Unless each probe is carefully worded, it may violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or a slew of… Read more »
Maximizing Profit and Morale
Optimizing the Balance between Core and Augmented Staff By Joseph Salvucci Every company confronts the essential question of how much core staff is needed. Too few and you run the risk of diluting your core competency. Too many and you wind up with bloated salaries and benefits you staffed up for during peaks. When the… Read more »
What Microsoft’s Worker Misclassification Suit Tells Us About the Future of Contingent Workers
By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman It was the shot heard ’round the employment world back in 1999, when the U.S. District Court ruled that Microsoft’s long-term contractors were entitled to participate in the company’s tax-qualified employee stock purchase plan. While some companies responded by capping the length of contract assignments and scrutinizing the status of independent workers,… Read more »
Trends: Four Priorities for Engineering Hiring Managers
Growing reliance on flexible workers requires new strategies By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman Were the first contractors the American builders and engineers who traveled to Russia to help rebuild the country after the Russian Revolution? By accepting 6 to 12 month assignments and offering their talents on a freelance basis, those early trendsetters may have unknowingly launched the… Read more »
Six Steps to Jump Start Contractor Productivity
Effective assimilation helps contractors make an immediate impact on projects By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman Even veteran contractors can feel a bit uncomfortable and apprehensive when starting a new project. After all, jumping into the middle of an engineering venture and bonding with a diverse group of unfamiliar teammates is like trying to board a moving freight… Read more »
Six Tips for a Smooth Start for Your Contract Engineers
Help contractors make a smooth transition by giving them ample information before an assignment By: Leslie Stevens-Huffman Finding and securing the right contractor for your project is only part of the battle. Next you want to ensure that you’re creating the best possible environment for your contractor to thrive. Starting on a new project can… Read more »
7 Mistakes That Lead To 1099 Worker Misclassification Liability
By using 1099 contractors, your company can take advantage of many tax benefits. Unfortunately, the use of contractors has been somewhat reduced over the past few years due to the increased risk of worker misclassification liability. Misclassification of independent contractors, who the government views as employees, can result in substantial liability and penalties for back… Read more »