04/23/2013
Q. A while ago two of our employees developed a romantic relationship. They are now expecting a baby and both workers put in a request for family leave to bond with their newborn. Are we required to give both workers leave for the birth of their child—even if they are not married?
|
04/23/2013
States will play an important role in implementing the provisions of the ACA, and state regulations will likely have a particularly significant effect on employers in the small-group market. For California employers with between 50 and 100 employees, recent legislative developments may add some complexity to ongoing discussions about the ACA’s “shared responsibility” or “play-or-pay” requirements.
|
04/23/2013
Before offering a retirement package that’s contingent on giving up the right to sue, make sure you comply with the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA) requirements. That includes giving the employee time to review the agreement and talk to a lawyer.
|
04/23/2013
Here’s incentive to give managers more control over their own schedules. It could prevent one disgruntled employee from turning a simple lawsuit into a class action that covers everyone else with a similar job. That might make the difference between a small verdict and a huge one.
|
04/23/2013
Do you employ workers on a piece-rate basis but require them to stick around when things are slow or perform other tasks between the piecework? If so, watch out!
|
04/23/2013
A California Court of Appeal recently held that an arbitration agreement was unenforceable because it was unconscionably one-sided.
|
04/23/2013
Q. Many of our 60 employees fail to correctly clock in or out and it’s creating major payroll issues. I’ve met with employees who are chronic time-clock abusers and placed warnings in their files. Can we dock an employee for failing to clock in or out?
|
04/22/2013
Most employees ditched paper checks in favor of direct deposit decades ago. So your job is done, right? Wrong. Some employees remain wary of direct deposit. How can you eliminate those pesky paper checks once and for all?
|
04/19/2013
Federal law enforcement authorities urge employers that outsource payroll operations to be on the alert for phony emails from third-party providers.
|
04/19/2013
Tax season just came to a close for most taxpayers. Exception: A late-season update to the IRS’ website informs employees who had more than $125 a month withheld for qualified mass transit benefits during 2012 on how to claim a refund for their excess income and FICA taxes.
|
04/18/2013
Employers plan to spend an average of $521 per employee on wellness incentives this year, according to a survey by the National Business Group on Health. That’s 13% more than in 2011, and double the $260 average reported in 2009.
|
04/17/2013
New York-based public relations firm Weber Shandwick is helping its employees recharge mind, body and soul through an array of programs that encourage them to engage in new experiences, take care of themselves and keep in touch with one another.
|
04/16/2013
Employee participation rates in their employers' 401(k)s are up, according to a new survey by WorldatWork and the American Benefits Council. But fewer than 10% of employees contribute the maximum to their retirement plans.
|
04/15/2013
In 2005, Georgia Power discovered that more than 53% of its 8,500 employees had or were at risk of developing a chronic health condition. Since then, the utility has enrolled thousands of employees in its “Southern LifeStyle” wellness program, helping workers slim down, eat healthier and cut their risk for diseases.
|
04/12/2013
Many employers use perfect-attendance awards as a tool to cure their absenteeism problems. But for both legal and non-legal reasons, these may not be the right carrots. Here’s why:
|