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Compensation & Benefits

Can worker who is out on unpaid leave suspend payments to her 401(k) loan?

10/15/2010
Q. We have an employee out on an unpaid leave of absence. She has informed us she would like to suspend payment on a loan she took out against her 401(k). Is that permitted?

What’s the downside of employee leave pools?

10/15/2010
Q. We would like to set up an employee leave-sharing program in which employees would contribute unused paid time off to a “pool” that could then be used by other employees who have run out of paid time-off hours. Are there any issues we should be aware of in setting up an arrangement like this?

Cash out or carry over: Can we offer employees that choice for accrued paid time off?

10/15/2010
Q. Our policy lets employees carry over up to 100 hours of unused paid time off from year to year. We would like to change the policy to permit employees the choice between cashing out paid time off and carrying it over into the next year in order to encourage them to reduce their paid time-off accruals. Is this a problem?

Benefits primer: How to stop worrying and love your 401(k) plan

10/15/2010

Admit it. Administering your company’s retirement plan is probably one aspect of the job you wish you could leave behind. But it’s an important one. A retirement plan is a legally binding document that gives enforceable rights to plan participants. Failing to follow plan terms can be a headache—and costly! Fortunately, a few easy steps can help keep your retirement plan on track and in compliance.

The 4 key factors to keep ’em happy & in their seats

10/14/2010

The “at least I have a job” feeling is starting to wear off among employed Americans. After years of taking on new duties at their old pay, many are feeling overworked, underpaid and underpromoted. Two in five of them are seeking new jobs. Here are four key things your employees will look for elsewhere if you’re not providing it:

When is it legal to round pay to nearest 15 minutes?

10/14/2010
Q. We have an hourly employee who consistently arrives late—about seven to 10 minutes each time. Can we cut her pay to the nearest quarter hour? We would, of course, pay her for staying later.

Business and tax provisions in the Small Business Jobs & Credit Act of 2010

10/13/2010

With the economy still struggling and lawmakers looking to take some sort of pro-business action before the November elections, Congress passed the Small Business Jobs Act in September, a $42 billion measure to provide tax breaks and loan assistance to small businesses. President Obama signed the bill on Sept. 27, 2010. Here are the highlights of this legislation that affect businesses:

New rules make it easier to appeal health claim denials

10/13/2010
Regulations released last month by the U.S. Department of Labor guarantee people the right to appeal health insurance claims denials directly to their insurers—and then, if necessary, to an external review board.

The HR I.Q. Test: October ’10

10/13/2010
Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz …

On eve of flu season, know what FMLA covers

10/12/2010

After last year’s swine flu scare, there’s good reason to worry about the upcoming flu season. A serious outbreak could incapacitate employers operating with lean staffing. Some employees may want to take time off if they suspect they’re coming down with the flu. And at least some of those workers may assume that sick time off will be covered by the FMLA. That’s where things get tricky.