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Compensation & Benefits

Auto enrollment in 401(k) plans becoming the norm

09/25/2008

According to a Deloitte study, 42% of 401(k) plans now include an auto-enroll feature, nearly double the 23% in 2006.

DOL proposal calls for more 401(k) disclosures

09/25/2008

New regulations proposed by the U.S. Department of Labor would require employers with 401(k) plans to disclose more information to employees about plan-related fees and investment performance …

Trouble in the air: The legal ailments of sick-building syndrome

09/24/2008

Although it may seem like the far-fetched excuse of an employee hoping to take a few days off from work, a condition known as “sick building syndrome” (SBS) is real. Some employees suffering from SBS have brought claims under the ADA. Others have sought recovery under state workers’ compensation laws …

What should we do if we suspect an employee is abusing workers’ comp?

09/24/2008

Q. How far can we go to make sure employees aren’t taking advantage of our company while they’re out on workers’ comp leave? Can we, for example, call them at home to make sure they are resting and not out working another job or otherwise abusing the system? …

Company owes back wages after misclassifying traveling workers

09/24/2008

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor (DOL) has ordered Lebanon-based Pennsylvania Counseling Services (PCS) to pay $196,477 in back wages to 203 mobile employees who were improperly classified as exempt from overtime …

Cop is fired over sex charges, but he’ll still get pension

09/24/2008

The Altoona City Council fired Police Officer Herrick Johnson on Sept. 10 for allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old girl he met online. Johnson, 49, met the girl through a web site that promoted law enforcement careers …

Portlock Maintenance Systems workers got a bum deal

09/24/2008

An investigation by the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) revealed that restroom attendants at numerous state fairs in western New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were not only unpaid, but were forced to give 50% of their tips to their employer, Easton-based Portlock Maintenance Systems …

Is it OK to exclude vacation pay when figuring base rate for overtime?

09/24/2008

Q. When we are figuring employees’ base pay for overtime calculations, can we exclude their vacation pay?

Indiana employers overlooked health incentive tax break

09/23/2008

Only two companies in the state took advantage of the health insurance tax credit introduced under the Indiana Check-Up Plan last year. The plan granted credits of $50 per employee to businesses that provided employee health care coverage for their workers under a Section 125 cafeteria plan …

Count minutes—not just hours—when figuring FMLA eligibility

09/23/2008

The FMLA limits leave eligibility to those employees who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the previous 12 months. Employers are perfectly within their rights to stick scrupulously to that 1,250-hour benchmark. They don’t have to round the hours up if the employee comes up short …