Compensation & Benefits

Fed contractors can’t gag pay talk

09/15/2015

A new rule issued by the Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs explicitly gives employees of federal contractors and subcontractors the right to discuss how much they are paid.

Regulatory alert: Sec. 83(b) elections, address for refunds

09/15/2015

The IRS has been busy adding to its regulatory agenda. Here’s the latest news from the regulations front.

Don’t procrastinate: Plan now for a smoother year-end process

09/14/2015

Take the time to get some administrative duties out of the way now. Your employees can do likewise. The result will be a less hectic year-end process.

Q&As from the American Payroll Association’s Annual Congress

09/11/2015

Here are questions put to reps from federal agencies at the American Payroll Association’s Annual Congress, held this year in Las Vegas.

Consider phased retirement process to retain expertise

09/10/2015

Why not hold onto what a skilled worker can give you as long as you can, rather than letting that knowledge walk out the door all at once?

Executive order grants paid sick leave to fed contractors’ employees

09/09/2015

President Obama picked Labor Day to announce an executive order requiring federal contractors to provide paid sick leave benefits to their employees, including 300,000 workers who currently have no paid leave.

Who’s an employee? Everyone chimes in

09/09/2015

Which test should you apply to determine who’s an independent contractor and who’s really part of the staff? Here’s a guide.

Boost communication before open season

09/07/2015

In many organizations, open season for benefits enrollment is right around the corner. Make this year’s sign-up process more successful by ramping up your benefits communication. Try these tips.

Can we require proof of a same-sex marriage?

09/07/2015

Q. We received our first request for a same-sex spouse to be covered under our insurance. We’re fine doing this, as long as they are actually married. (We don’t cover domestic partners.) Can we ask for proof of marriage even if we don’t ask it from opposite-sex spouses? I’d like to create a policy that says if your last name is different than your spouse you wish to cover, we need proof of marriage. Is that legal?

EEOC proposes regulations on wellness plans

09/05/2015

The EEOC recently proposed regulations on wellness plans that focus on disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Although these proposed regs hew closely to the IRS’ rules, there are some significant differences.