Hello, August!

With July behind us, hopefully you’ve managed to catch up on some lingering projects. As summer break winds down and the back-to-school season begins, your team might be settling into a more regular rhythm, making this an ideal time to focus on key HR housekeeping.  

Here’s your HR checklist for August.

Review & Communicate Work Schedules

• If you implemented summer or adjusted work hours, set a clear end date and communicate it to employees. 
• If you have employees with school-age or college-age children, be mindful of upcoming first days of school and college drop-off schedules. This can be a busy and emotional time for families, and a little flexibility can go a long way in supporting your team. 

What you can do now:

• Confirm end dates for seasonal schedules.
• Communicate updates through email, team meetings, or HR software.
• Review 2026 compliance changes in advance.

Keep in mind…

Some cities require predictive scheduling laws, meaning employers must give advance notice of schedule changes—or face penalties. Learn more from the Department of Labor.

Double-Check Minimum Wage Compliance

• Several state minimum wage increases took effect on July 1. Check local ordinances; cities like Berkeley, Los Angeles, and San Francisco often have higher rates than the states. 

What you can do now:

• Review state and city-specific minimum wage rates.
• Adjust payroll systems accordingly.
• Communicate changes to managers to ensure budgeting accuracy.

Did You Know?

Cities like Berkeley, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have higher minimum wages than the California state rate—sometimes by more than $2/hour. Check California city minimum wage rates here.

Prepare for Open Enrollment

• Review your health insurance and employee benefits packages now to determine if adjustments are needed. Early preparation avoids last-minute rushes when open enrollment season arrives. 

What to do now:

• Review current benefits utilization rates.
• Meet with your broker to discuss plan options and costs.
• Draft communications for employees.

Did You Know?

Ignite HR Solutions offers complimentary employee benefits planning for all businesses—helping you attract top talent without added cost. Chat with our Benefits Specialist today!

Audit PTO Balances

• After summer vacations, check PTO balances to ensure accurate tracking. Communicate remaining balances to employees so they can plan accordingly. If you utilize an “unlimited” PTO policy, ensure employees are reporting their time off. Even though the time is “unlimited,” employers should still track the time taken off for reporting purposes. 

What to do now:

• Audit PTO balances in your HRIS or tracking system.
• Communicate balances to employees.
• Remind teams of any year-end “use it or lose it” policies.

Did You Know?

Unpaid PTO liability can add up quickly—especially in states like California, where unused vacation must be paid out at termination. Read more on California PTO laws here.

Begin Holiday Hiring Plans

Determine how many seasonal employees you’ll need and decide how you’ll recruit (job boards, recruiters, employee referrals). Set competitive pay rates and highlight what makes working for your company appealing. 

What you can do now:

• Forecast seasonal staffing needs.
• Decide recruitment methods (job boards, referrals, recruiters).
• Offer competitive pay and highlight perks.

Gauge Employee Engagement

• Consider sending an Employee Satisfaction Survey or Engagement Survey now that summer schedules are over. Use feedback to address concerns and boost morale before the busy holiday season. 

 

What you can do now:

• Send an engagement or satisfaction survey.
• Review results and share action steps.
• Implement at least one morale-boosting initiative.

August Awareness Dates

Linking company initiatives to national observances can increase employee participation by up to 50%. Recognizing national events not only boosts culture and inclusion, but also community engagement:

• All Month: National Wellness Month – Host wellness challenges or workshops.
• Aug 17: National Non-Profit Day – Spotlight charitable partnerships or volunteer opportunities.
• Aug 26: National Women’s Equality Day – Celebrate progress and promote DEI initiatives.

August offers a rare opportunity to get ahead on HR projects before Q4 deadlines hit. By focusing on compliance checks, benefits planning, and employee engagement now, you can set your organization up for a smoother, more productive close to the year.

At Ignite HR Solutions, we help businesses navigate compliance, streamline HR processes, and design benefit packages that keep employees engaged year-round.

📞 Contact us today to start your open enrollment planning early—and finish the year strong.