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Compensation & Benefits

Health, culture and freedom: The new trifecta of job satisfaction

09/25/2024
Gone are the days when a hefty paycheck alone could lure top talent. A recent Bentley-Gallup Business in Society survey reveals a seismic shift in job seekers’ priorities, with flexibility and well-being taking center stage. As the battle for skilled workers intensifies, HR professionals must adapt their strategies to meet these evolving expectations.

The ERC this week: A larger appeals window to dispute claim disallowances

09/24/2024
You now have two years, instead of the typical 30 days, to file an administrative appeal disputing the IRS’ disallowance of your ERC claims. This extension of time responds (sort of) to the National Taxpayer Advocate’s most recent criticism of the IRS’ handling of ERC claims. But weigh your options carefully: The IRS can’t issue a refund beyond this two-year period.

10 low-cost communication tips to start open enrollment right

09/23/2024
With benefits election open-enrollment season looming at organizations across the country, make sure you avoid the mistake too many employers make: plopping a benefits booklet in front of employees and telling them to figure it out. That just doesn’t work anymore. Benefits have become too complex for employees to figure them out on their own. Here are 10 ways you can do a better job of communicating with your employees.

Provide any form of short-term leave? Better cover military leave, too

09/20/2024
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act requires employers that provide any form of short-term leave to also grant leave to members of the National Guard and military reserves so they can take time off for training or short deployments. In doing so, the 9th Circuit joined several other federal circuits in finding that USERRA requires employers to provide such leave.

Federal appeals court affirms: Overtime salary test is valid

09/20/2024
Ruling in Mayfield v. DOL, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge by a Texas restaurateur who argued that nothing in the Fair Labor Standards Act gave the DOL the authority to base overtime pay on anything except the kind of work employees perform.

“Stolen time” accusation results in $82 million verdict

09/19/2024
When employees don’t log time off into the leave system, employers assume workers are trying to cheat employers. Before you make that accusation, consider whether a supervisor authorized the move.

Survey says: Consider commuter benefits

09/19/2024
The struggle to entice workers back to the office is proving to be harder than most employers anticipated. One reason is that employees are saving big on commuting costs. If your company is considering commuter benefits, here are some suggestions.

In the Payroll Mailbag: October ’24

09/19/2024
Rarely asked questions don’t have less value than frequently asked questions. And in Payroll, the rarity usually causes all the trouble. Two questions illustrate.

Guidance clarifies student loan 401(k) matches

09/19/2024
Beginning with the 2024 plan year, SECURE 2.0, the 2022 401(k) reform law, allows you to make matching contributions into the 401(k) accounts of employees who self-certify that they’re repaying their student loans. Interim guidance issued by the IRS describes the self-certification process and sets other rules.

Who can sue you if employees work remotely?

09/19/2024
The Fair Labor Standards Act sets nationwide standards for wage-and-hour compliance and also allows employees to bring collective lawsuits against their employers for FLSA violations. Can employees who work remotely in far-flung states join together in one lawsuit and sue their employer?