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Compensation & Benefits

The case against perfect-attendance awards

07/25/2025
With absenteeism a major drain on productivity, more employers are using a trick from the third grade—perfect-attendance awards—to motivate employees to come to work. Here’s why such awards probably aren’t the best carrots.

Equal pay: Document how and why jobs differ

07/22/2025
The Equal Pay Act requires employers to pay members of each sex the same for performing work that is substantially the same. The only way for an employer to defend an EPA lawsuit is to prove that the jobs aren’t substantially similar—or that the pay difference is attributable to some factor other than sex.

Student loan repayments return Aug. 1: How to help your team

07/21/2025
If you have employees who owe federal student loans for their or their children’s education, chances are they’re worried. Here’s what you can do for them and other workers struggling with student loan debt.

Subminimum wage reinstated

07/14/2025
The DOL announced on July 7 that it was withdrawing a proposed rule allowing some employers to pay workers a subminimum wage.

OBBBA may trigger overtime requests

07/14/2025
Already, news stories and social media posts are circulating suggesting ways for employees to take advantage of new tax savings even if they don’t currently earn overtime “required under the FLSA.” Because the tax shelter is immediately effective, expect employees to ask HR for ways to take advantage of the savings.

Extended leave for disabled spouse? Maybe

07/09/2025
Under the ADA, there’s no obligation to reasonably accommodate a spouse’s illness. But a recent case in California under that state’s ADA equivalent may portend a trend.

Trump DOL won’t charge double if you fix wage mistakes

07/07/2025
New DOL guidance tells investigators not to assess liquidated damages if the employer agrees to pay what it owes employees in back pay because of a mistake. That’s great news because it keeps the employer from having to pay double the amount otherwise due.

Paid caregiving leave is still missing from many benefits packages

07/07/2025
Paid parental leave may be common, but its lesser-offered counterpart, paid caregiving leave, is gaining ground as a top employee demand.

Health care remains king, but flexible work sees dip

07/07/2025
Health care and retirement plans continue to dominate the benefits landscape, but flexible work offerings may be losing steam, according to the Society for Human Resource Management’s newly released 2025 Employee Benefits Survey.

Retirement savings gaps highlight deeper equity divides

06/30/2025
New Gallup research reveals that only 59% of U.S. adults report having money invested in a retirement savings plan such as a 401(k), 403(b) or IRA—a number that conceals stark disparities in access and preparedness.