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Compensation & Benefits

Boring Benefits? Perk ‘Em Up With 10 Real-Life Solutions

11/01/2006

When you rattle off your employee benefit offerings to prospective employees, what raises their eyebrows? It’s probably not the basics: People have come to expect health/life/dental, 401(k), etc. What really catches a prospect’s attention are the creative perks that prove your organization has their interests in mind …

Prepare for even more disclosure of exec compensation

10/01/2006

A federal investigation of companies that allegedly backdated employees’ stock options already involves more than 100 companies, and it has prompted the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require more disclosure of executive pay …

Attract and Retain Part-Timers With Dental Discount Plans

10/01/2006

It’s obviously easier to recruit and keep good part-time or entry-level employees if you offer some type of health benefit. That’s why more employers are turning to the growing number of low-cost dental discount plans available from big health insurers …

No immigration papers = No unemployment check

10/01/2006

Texas employers who fire employees for failing to comply with federal immigration laws needn’t fear that doing so will mean that the employees can later collect unemployment compensation payments. When employees are terminated because they have not provided work authorization papers, you can protest the unemployment application on the basis of "misconduct"…

TWC enhances online filing for unemployment claims

10/01/2006

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) recently announced that it will allow people to file biweekly continuing claims for unemployment benefits online …

Staff who quit over benefit changes can earn unemployment

10/01/2006

Before making big changes to your benefit plans, calculate the cost savings against the possible cost of paying your share of unemployment compensation for employees who quit in protest over those benefit changes …

Commute isn’t on the clock, Even 100+ miles

10/01/2006

Q. Should we pay for travel time if the employee’s drive from home to the first job site is a very long distance (example: Los Angeles to San Diego)? —L.S., California

Favoring older applicants: Is it discrimination?

10/01/2006

The EEOC has provided more legal cover for employers that actively recruit older applicants and offer better perks to their older employees. New proposed EEOC regulations, which reflect a 2004 Supreme Court decision, say you won’t violate federal age-discrimination law if you favor older employees over younger ones …

Design your bonus program with the FMLA in mind

10/01/2006

Pennsylvania employers can look to a recent 3rd Circuit Court decision to keep their bonus plans in compliance with the FMLA. The case is the first of its kind in the country and provides employers with guidance beyond that found in the FMLA’s regulations. The decision is now law in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and the Virgin Islands …

Opting out of workers’ comp? You risk negligence lawsuit

10/01/2006

The federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which regulates employee benefit plans, usually covers employees’ claims related to their benefits. However, Texas employers who opt out of the state workers’ compensation program may receive a nasty surprise …