Following the 2012 election, when Congress convenes to determine whether to extend the federal income tax cuts launched by President George W. Bush, it is unlikely that it will extend the 2010 payroll tax reduction.

Employers need to plan now to update payroll systems to address any changes, and to communicate to employees how their take-home pay might be affected.

As Election Day approaches, political passions are spilling over into the workplace. If not handled correctly, opposing viewpoints may become a source of tension and conflict among co-workers. Employers face the challenge of maintaining a tone of respect and cooperation in the workplace and not denying the civil rights of their employees.

If any good news can be gleaned from a recent spate of mass shootings in the United States, it’s that these horrific incidents tend to raise awareness and spur employers to find new and better ways to improve the safety and security of their workplaces.