Employer Recordkeeping Requirements
February 25, 2022
Employer Recordkeeping Requirements

Federal laws, such as the Federal Insurance Contribution Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act, impose recordkeeping duties on employers. Recordkeeping duties include creating, updating and preserving information.

 

State law also imposes several recordkeeping requirements on employers. These laws operate in addition to, or in conjunction with, federal requirements. This Employment Law Summary provides an overview of various New York recordkeeping requirements that generally apply to all employers in the state. Additional requirements may apply for employers in certain industries.

 

APPRENTICESHIPS

Employers that sponsor apprenticeship programs must make and keep all records necessary to prove that their apprenticeship programs comply with all federal and state laws. These records must also be used to periodically evaluate each apprentice’s progress.

 

An apprenticeship program sponsor’s records must include:

 

•   The apprentice-to-journey-worker ratio;

•   A certification of compliance with applicable federal, state and local health and safety standards;

•   A description of the probationary apprenticeship period;

•   Apprenticeship program modification requests submitted to the New York Department of Labor (NYDOL), if applicable; and

•   Information on program processes, such as procedures to authorize wage increases, transferring apprentices to other programs or notifying apprentices of adverse actions.

 

For each apprentice, the sponsor’s records must also show:

 

•   The training provided (must be at least 144 hours per year provided by qualified training personnel);

•   The apprentice’s age (must be at least 16 years of age);

•   The skills apprentices are expected to and have actually learned (must be verified and signed at least monthly by the apprentice’s supervisor);

•   The amount of time required in each work process or rotation;

•   The placement and registration with the program;

•   Evidence of program completion (if applicable); and

•   A signed copy of the Apprenticeship Agreement (which must also be filed with the NYDOL).


 

CHILD LABOR

New York allows employers to hire minors between 16 and 17 years old to work in occupations for which they have completed an approved work training program. For these minors, employers must maintain records showing:

 

•   The name, address and age of the minor;

•   The date the minor entered and the minor’s attendance record for the approved work training program;

•   The number of hours the minor participated in the work training program;

•   The number of hours the minor received specific training in safety; and

•   The occupation and work processes for which a certificate of completion was issued.

 

In addition, employers must maintain accurate records of each minor’s employment-related injuries and illnesses, unless the injuries were minor and required only first aid treatment.

 

Additional recordkeeping requirements apply for employers that work with child performers.

 

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

Employers must keep a true and accurate record of each employee’s:

 

•   Name and Social Security number;

•   The amount of wages paid per payroll period;

•   The beginning and ending dates of each payroll period; and

•   The total amount of employee wages subject to unemployment compensation contributions under state law.

 

These records must be maintained for at least three years.

 

WAGE AND HOUR

New York employers must create and maintain contemporaneous, true and accurate payroll records for

at least six years. For each employee, these records must show:

 

•   The number of hours worked each week;

•   The regular and overtime wage rates and how they are calculated (hour, salary, piece or other, unless exempt from overtime compensation);

•   The number of regular and overtime hours worked (unless exempt from overtime compensation);

•   The amount of gross wages paid;

•   An itemized list of deductions;

•   An itemized list of allowances claimed as part of the employee’s wage (if any);

•   The amount of net wages paid; and

•   The employee’s student classification, if applicable.


 

Personnel records for student-employees must include a statement from the employee’s school indicating whether the student-employee is:

 

•   Participating in an instruction program that will lead to a degree, diploma or certificate (or is completing residence requirements for a degree); and

•   Required to obtain supervised and directed vocational experience to fulfill curriculum requirements.

 

For employees who are paid a piece rate, payroll records must include the applicable piece rate (or rates) of pay and the number of pieces completed at each piece rate.

 

Employers are subject to misdemeanor charges if they fail to keep or falsify payroll records or hinder the NYDOL’s access to these records during an investigation. Potential penalties for a first offense include a fine of between $500 and $5,000 or imprisonment for up to one year. For second or subsequent offenses within a six-year period from the first offense, employers may face felony charges punishable by a fine of between $500 and $20,000, imprisonment for up to 366 days or both. Each date an employer fails to comply with these recordkeeping requirements is considered a separate offense.

 

Additional recordkeeping requirements may apply for:

 

•   The farming industry;

•   Domestic workers and household employees;

•   The hospitality industry;

•   Employers that allow their employees to participate in tip pooling; and

•   The building service industry.

 

WORKERS' COMPENSATION

Employers subject to the state’s workers’ compensation laws must keep the following true and accurate records.

 

IDENTITY, ORGANIZATIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL RECORDS

•   Federal Employer Identification Number;

•   Business name (including certificates of assumed business names);

•   Business form (such as corporation, limited liability company or partnership);

•   Articles of incorporation or organization (including amendments to the articles, occupational license, trade licenses or certifications); and

•   A current list of the officers, partners or principals of the business.

 

EMPLOYMENT RECORDS

•   The number of employees;

•   Each employee’s name, Social Security number or other identifying number;

•   Each day, month, year or pay period worked by each employee;

•   Each employee’s classification;

•   A description of each employee’s general duties (must provide enough information for a proper employee classification);

•   The amount of wages paid or owed to each employee;

•   The method of payment used to calculate each employee’s wages;

•   Wage payment records;

•   The value of credits and allowanced claimed for each employee’s wages (tips, employer-provided meals, lodging or similar benefits);

•   Annual wage or earnings statements for each employee (including IRS Forms 1099 and W-2);

•   Any written contracts or agreements that describe the terms of employment;

•   Documentation of all and any employee accidents and injuries;

•   Tax records (federal, state and the New York State Department of Labor filings);

•   Financial account records (general ledgers and monthly, quarterly or annual statements of all opened or closed business accounts); and

•   Insurance coverage and eligibility records.

 

PENALTIES

Employers that violate these recordkeeping requirements may face criminal and administrative penalties. Criminal penalties include misdemeanor charges and fines of between $5,000 and $10,000 for failing to keep or falsifying these records. Second and subsequent violations can lead to class E felony charges and fines of between $10,000 and $25,000. Administrative penalties include a $1,000 fine for every ten-day period of non-compliance or a fine equal to twice the cost of compensation for the employer’s payroll for the period when the violation takes place.

 

In general, employers must maintain these records for a period of at least four calendar years.

 

EMPLOYEE INJURIES

Employers must record every injury and illness employees suffer in the course of employment on a form prescribed by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. This injury record must be kept for at least 18 years. The Workers’ Compensation Board does not require employers to file an injury or illness report, unless the injury or illness causes the employee to:

 

•   Miss a day of work beyond the shift or day when the injury or illness took place; or

•   Receive medical treatment beyond ordinary first aid or more than two treatments by a person rendering first aid.

 

Employers that refuse or neglect to keep employee injury and illness records may be charged with a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and an additional administrative fine (imposed by the Workers’ Compensation Board) of up to $2,000.

Sign up for our newsletter.

How the Right Payroll Tech Simplifies W-2s and Tax Filing

April 15, 2025
It’s April 15—Tax Day in the U.S.—and if you’re a business owner or HR professional, chances are W-2s, filings, and compliance have been front and center for weeks (if not months). But here’s the thing: tax season doesn’t have to be stressful. The right payroll and HCM technology can turn what’s traditionally a time-consuming, error-prone scramble into a streamlined, accurate, and surprisingly painless process. From automatically balancing year-to-date totals to generating and distributing W-2s on time, a robust payroll system ensures nothing slips through the cracks. No more cross-checking data across platforms, no more last-minute tax filings, and no more anxiety about penalties or missed deadlines. At Simco, we get it—because we help businesses simplify this process every single day. The Challenges of Traditional Payroll Tax Management If you're still managing payroll taxes manually—or using disconnected software systems—it’s all too easy to fall behind. Some common issues employers face include: Human error : Tax calculations, forms, and deadlines are complex. A small mistake can lead to penalties or costly overpayments. Time-consuming manual work : Without automation, payroll processing can involve endless imports, exports, and reconciling data across multiple platforms. Compliance risk : With ever-changing tax laws at the federal, state, and local levels, staying compliant can become overwhelming without the right tools. How the Right Technology Can Make Tax Season a Breeze Today’s modern payroll and HCM systems are designed to simplify these challenges. Here’s how the right technology can help: 1. Automated Tax Filing and Payments: An integrated payroll system automates tax calculations, deductions, and filings. Forms like W-2s and W-3s are automatically generated, filed, and paid—without manual input. This reduces the risk of late filings, penalties, and missed deadlines, ensuring compliance with the IRS and state tax agencies. 2. Streamlined W-2 Management: W-2s can be a headache to manage—especially if you have complex tax scenarios like multi-state employment. With an automated system, W-2s are generated and distributed electronically, ensuring accuracy even in complex situations. Employees receive the correct form without you having to spend valuable time cross-checking or manually making corrections. 3. Self-Balancing Capabilities: A self-balancing payroll system ensures that your year-to-date totals and tax filings are accurate, eliminating the need for extensive manual reconciliation. By automatically matching figures in real-time, it streamlines year-end reporting, providing peace of mind when the filing deadline approaches. 4. Fewer Third-Party Imports and Exports: With everything integrated into a single platform, you won’t need to rely on third-party software or services for tax filing and reporting. This means fewer opportunities for errors, fewer manual imports and exports, and significant time saved during payroll processing. 5. Automated Adjustments and Updates: Tax laws and rates change frequently. With the right payroll system, you won’t have to worry about manually updating deductions or tax rates. The system automatically applies changes—whether it’s an update to federal tax rates or state-specific deductions—so your payroll is always up to date. 6. Expert Support When You Need It: Even with the best technology, tax season can present complex challenges. That’s why it’s important to have access to expert support. Whether you need help with multi-jurisdiction filings, audit preparation, or just have questions about tax return procedures, our team of HCM Specialists at Simco is here to provide guidance and ensure that you’re compliant every step of the way. Why Choose Simco for Smarter Payroll and Tax Management? As an isolved Network Partner, we offer a fully integrated payroll and tax management system that is built to handle the complexities of tax season—and beyond. We provide businesses with the tools they need to automate tax filings, ensure compliance, and streamline payroll processing. Here's how we do it: All-in-One Payroll & Tax Platform : From payroll processing to tax deposits and W-2 filings, everything happens within one system, reducing manual work and the risk of errors. Automatic Filing & Timely Accuracy : Federal, state, and local tax filings are completed automatically and on time, ensuring your employees receive only one accurate W-2 form—even in multi-state tax scenarios. Error-Free Tax Reporting : Our self-balancing ledger helps reduce errors and simplifies reconciliation, making tax reporting easier and faster. Expert Support : Whether it’s navigating multi-jurisdictional filings, preparing for an audit, or handling amendments, our team is always available to offer expert advice and assistance. Cost-Effective Solutions : We offer top-tier tech at competitive pricing, often matching or beating our competitors (learn about the Simco Price Match Commitment here !), while providing the personalized service that large providers can’t. Let’s Make Next Tax Season Easier, Starting Today It’s never too early to think about next year. With our unified payroll/HCM solution at Simco, you can save time, reduce stress, and ensure compliance all year long. It’s time to upgrade your payroll system to one that works smarter, not harder. Let’s chat and explore how we can help streamline your payroll and tax processes, so you can focus on growing your business with confidence.

SMART Goals: The Key to Crushing Your Business Objectives

April 4, 2025
New month, fresh start! But let’s be real—how many times have you set a goal, only to watch it fizzle out? Maybe it was too vague, too ambitious, or just got buried under the daily chaos. If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, it’s time to take a smarter approach—literally. Enter SMART goals —your secret weapon for turning ideas into reality. Whether you’re looking to improve employee retention, streamline operations, or boost revenue, this framework ensures your goals don’t just sound good but actually get done . The SMART Formula for Success Specific – Get laser-focused. A goal like “improve employee morale” is too broad. Instead, ask yourself: What does success look like? Are you reducing turnover? Increasing engagement scores? Define it. Measurable – Numbers don’t lie. How will you know if you’ve succeeded? Instead of saying, “increase engagement,” set a target: “Boost employee engagement scores by 5%.” Tracking progress keeps you accountable. Achievable – Dream big, but stay realistic. Sure, we’d all love zero employee turnover, but is it feasible? Probably not. However, reducing turnover by 15%? Now that’s a goal within reach. Relevant – Align with the bigger picture. Every goal should move your business forward. If your focus is employee retention, then prioritizing revenue growth over culture initiatives might not be the best move. Keep your goals aligned. Time-Bound – Set the clock. “Improve retention” is a nice thought, but without a deadline, it’s just wishful thinking. Instead, say, “Increase retention by 5% by the end of the year.” A firm timeline drives action. Track It or Lose It A goal without tracking is just a wish. You wouldn’t set out on a road trip without checking the map, so why leave your goals to chance? Regular progress check-ins—whether through weekly reports, monthly reviews, or real-time dashboards—help keep you on course. Tracking not only highlights wins but also flags roadblocks early, giving you the chance to pivot before it’s too late. And here’s the key: don’t just track for the sake of tracking—use the data to refine your approach. For example, imagine you're aiming to improve employee engagement scores by 5% by the end of the year. After tracking progress for a few months, you notice that engagement is lagging in one department. Instead of waiting until the year-end review, you dig deeper. Perhaps it’s due to lack of recognition or unclear communication—adjustments are made, and suddenly, the department starts seeing improvement. Tracking allows you to course-correct in real-time, ensuring that you hit your target rather than missing the mark. The most successful businesses aren’t the ones that never face setbacks—they’re the ones that track, adapt, and push forward. How We Use SMART Goals to Stay Ahead At Simco, we don’t just talk about SMART goals—we live by them. Our team follows the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) , which helps us stay focused, aligned, and results-driven. A big part of EOS is setting Rocks —key priorities for the next 90 days. And guess what? Every Rock follows the SMART framework: Clearly defined objectives Measurable success markers Challenging yet attainable goals Aligned with our company vision Locked in with a firm 90-day deadline This system keeps us accountable, making sure we’re always moving the needle in the right direction. Your Turn: Take Action Today No more “someday” goals— today is the day to take control. Whether you’re aiming to increase revenue, refine your processes, or boost employee satisfaction, the SMART approach ensures you’re not just busy—you’re making real progress. Need help aligning your HR, payroll, or benefits strategy with your business goals? Simco is here to help . Let’s make this your most productive quarter yet!

The Do’s and Don’ts of Office Pranks

April 1, 2025
April Fools' Day is often the perfect opportunity for some lighthearted fun at the office. Whether it's a harmless prank, a funny email, or a playful desk setup, these moments of levity can help break up the monotony of the workday and bring smiles to your team. However, as many HR professionals know, it’s essential to strike a balance between fun and professionalism. While the intention behind pranks is typically harmless, they can sometimes cross boundaries and lead to uncomfortable situations, or worse, legal risks. Recently, an example came to light where one employee thought it would be funny to place a suggestive image on a coworker's desk. The issue arose when another employee saw the image and was offended, leading to a formal complaint. This scenario highlights the importance of knowing where to draw the line between lighthearted fun and inappropriate behavior. A Fine Line: When Fun Turns into Harassment Even if a prank isn't directly targeted at the offended person, it can still create a hostile work environment, especially if it makes someone uncomfortable. As an employer, it's crucial to ensure that your workplace remains respectful and free from harassment. If a prank results in a complaint, it's essential to follow your company's policies to investigate and address the situation. Proper documentation of your investigation and the actions taken is vital to demonstrate that you've fulfilled your obligations as an employer and to protect the organization in case of any future disputes. Setting Clear Expectations To avoid similar issues in the future, it's a good idea to review and clarify your company's stance on pranks and personal conduct in the workplace. Setting expectations starts with having a clear written policy that outlines what is and isn’t acceptable behavior, especially regarding pranks. Consider creating a set of guidelines that all employees can refer to, and be sure these expectations are communicated effectively to everyone. Here are a few tips to guide you: Establish a Formal Policy: Clearly define the boundaries of acceptable humor in your workplace. The policy should cover both pranks and jokes, specifying that while fun is encouraged, it should not come at the expense of respect, inclusion, or professionalism. Communicate Expectations Clearly: Include these guidelines in your employee handbooks or conduct policies, and ensure they’re reviewed during onboarding. Hold periodic team meetings to remind everyone about the importance of maintaining a respectful environment and reinforcing your stance on pranks. Set the Tone from Leadership: Managers and leaders should set an example when it comes to humor in the workplace. They should demonstrate the type of jokes or pranks that are acceptable and ensure their actions align with company policy. Employees are more likely to follow suit when they see their leaders taking these matters seriously. Encourage Open Communication: Foster a culture where employees feel comfortable speaking up if they feel a joke or prank crosses the line. Providing a safe outlet to discuss concerns without fear of retribution will help create an open, transparent environment where everyone feels heard. Categories of Pranks and Jokes That Cross the Line While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, there are certain categories of pranks and jokes that should generally be off limits in the workplace . These pranks have the potential to cause harm, create discomfort, or violate company policies. By categorizing these behaviors, you can help employees better understand where to draw the line. Sexual or Gender-Based Humor : Avoid pranks with suggestive content, gestures, or language that can create a hostile work environment or be considered harassment. Discriminatory Jokes : Refrain from jokes targeting someone's race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics, as they can be harmful and illegal.  Invasive Pranks : Don’t tamper with personal belongings or invade others' personal space, as this undermines comfort and respect. Work Disruptions : Pranks that interfere with productivity or damage equipment should be avoided, as they can hurt overall efficiency. Aggressive or Harmful Pranks : Any prank that causes physical harm or emotional distress, including pranks involving physical touch or intimidation, is off-limits. Creating a Culture of Respect and Fun The key to managing pranks and other fun activities is to cultivate a workplace culture where employees feel comfortable, respected, and empowered. Rather than banning all pranks, focus on fostering a professional environment where employees understand the line between harmless fun and actions that could potentially harm or offend others. Encourage employees to engage in team-building activities and moments of levity that unite them in a positive and inclusive way, without crossing into territory that could lead to complaints or workplace tensions. As April Fools' Day passes, it’s important to remember that while pranks can provide a bit of comic relief, they should never come at the expense of respect or professionalism. By setting clear boundaries, encouraging open communication, and ensuring all employees understand your policies, you can create a workplace where everyone feels comfortable—whether they're laughing at a harmless joke or focusing on their next big project. Have fun in the workplace—but always ensure that a good laugh never comes at the expense of respect or professionalism!

Have a question? Get in touch.