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Compensation & Benefits

Health incentive plans must comply with HIPAA rules

02/01/2008

As another year of double-digit increases in health care costs looms, employers are looking to save money wherever they can. Recently, many have tried to do so by implementing incentive programs designed to improve the health of their employees. But health incentive plans must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s privacy and nondiscrimination rules …

New Jersey partners with IRS on employment tax enforcement

02/01/2008

New Jersey is one of 29 states that have signed memoranda of understanding with the IRS to share enforcement information on employment tax collection matters. The move is part of the IRS’ Questionable Employment Tax Practices (QETP) initiative …

Despite ERISA workers’ comp plan, employee can still sue for negligence

02/01/2008

Texas employers that opt out of the state workers’ compensation system often adopt separate insurance plans to cover employees’ on-the-job injuries. Those plans usually provide no-fault benefits and are governed by ERISA. That doesn’t mean, however, that employees can’t sue under other state laws …

Colorado Employment Security Act

02/01/2008
Colorado’s unemployment compensation fund, like that of many other states, provides temporary payments to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE) administers the Employment Security Act through its Division of Employment and Training …

Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act

02/01/2008
Colorado’s workers’ compensation system protects employees who are injured on the job by replacing lost wages while they recover. The state’s Division of Workers’ Compensation (www.coworkforce.com/DWC) administers the law …

Colorado Lifestyle Discrimination Law

02/01/2008
The Colorado Lifestyle Discrimination Law protects employees who engage in legal activities, such as using tobacco or alcohol when not at work. And unlike the lifestyle discrimination laws in other states, Colorado’s statute has an unusual twist: It specifically lists marriage and planning to marry as protected legal activities …

Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Law

02/01/2008
Minnesota’s unemployment compensation fund, like that of many other states, provides temporary payments to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The state administers the law through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) …

Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Law

02/01/2008
Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system protects employees who are injured on the job by replacing lost wages while they recover. The Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry administers the law. The system works as a no-fault guarantee …

No need to reinstate if disability leave extends past FMLA

02/01/2008

After using up their available 12 weeks’ unpaid FMLA leave, many new mothers request additional time off. If you agree to additional time off to be covered by a short-term disability policy, check to see if that policy includes job protection. If it doesn’t, you don’t have to hold her job or even reinstate her. Don’t, however, start the search for her replacement while the employee is still on FMLA leave …

Message to sick employees: We want you to stay home!

02/01/2008

More than half of employees admit they show up for work when they’re sick, according to a CCH Unscheduled Absence Survey. Here are a few simple ways to help your organization reverse the trend of "presenteeism" so employees can recuperate from the flu or other illnesses and return to work focused and productive …