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Compensation & Benefits

What are the laws on correcting timecards?

08/27/2010
Q. We use a timecard punch-in/punch-out system. If an employee forgets to punch in, and we manually do it, do any labor laws apply?

When must we announce new benefit terms?

08/27/2010
Q. Currently, our company pays 70% of employees’ health insurance premiums. Now we need to either decrease the percentage or possibly ask employees to pay the entire premium. How much notice must we give employees before making such a change?

Is pay required for after-hours work functions?

08/27/2010
Q. Can we require full-time nonexempt employees to attend work-related functions after regular hours? If so, should this time be compensated?

Fired for dozing, employee may still get unemployment

08/27/2010
Don’t expect to escape unemployment compensation liability if you fire someone for sleeping on the job. If the reason is an underlying medical condition, the employee may be able to prove she wasn’t fired for cause.

Positive drug test? Get worker to admit drug use, too

08/27/2010
Here’s a step you can take to guard against challenges to your drug-testing procedures. When you tell an employee he failed the test, get him to admit he used drugs. That can ensure he doesn’t receive unemployment compensation.

Pick an FMLA leave calculation method, stick with it–and inform employees

08/27/2010

The FMLA provides 12 weeks of leave per year, but employers have flexibility for determining when those 12 weeks start and end. Choose one of four possible calculations and let employees know which one you’re using. Otherwise, courts will use the one that gives employees the best deal.

Health care reform: U.S. employees dazed and confused about the new law

08/27/2010
If you’re still not exactly sure what’s in the massive new health reform law, you’re not alone. A Harris Interactive survey gave 2,100 adults a list of 18 reform items and asked people to identify which were actually included in the new law. Only four items were correctly identified by the majority of respondents.

Princeton Healthcare System hit with ADA suit

08/26/2010
The EEOC has filed suit against Princeton Healthcare System, claiming its leave policies violated the ADA. According to the EEOC complaint, Princeton Healthcare fires employees who aren’t eligible for leave under the FMLA if they cannot return to work in seven days.

FMLA eligibility: DOL expands definition of ‘son and daughter’

08/25/2010
The U.S. Department of Labor recently clarified the definition of “son and daughter” under the FMLA, effectively requiring employers to include same-sex partners, grandparents and other nontraditional family caregivers within the universe of employees eligible for FMLA leave.

Overwork not enough reason to quit, collect unemployment

08/25/2010
Employees these days are working harder and longer than ever. And that can be stressful. Some employees may believe they can escape the pressure by quitting because of stress and applying for unemployment compensation benefits. That usually won’t work.