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Compensation & Benefits

‘Willful’ violation can extend employees’ time to file FMLA suit

03/01/2004
Typically, employees can file Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) lawsuits no later than two years after the alleged violation. But if a worker can prove that your organization “willfully” violated …

Avoid arbitrary policy on reinstating job titles

03/01/2004

Q. An assistant manager has been out on disability leave for four months, and she’s requested another two months. I want to eliminate the position. How long do I have to keep the position closed before reactivating the job title and responsibilities? —K.J., Mississippi

Help employees through the grieving process

03/01/2004
The death of a loved one affects more than just the people who suffer the loss; it also affects the organizations where they work. The Grief Recovery Institute estimates that employees’ grief costs U.S. companies $37.5 billion a year in lost productivity. Here’s what a survey of newly bereaved employees found: 90 percent said they […]

How to spot warning signs of chronic absenteeism

03/01/2004
Issue: Employees who miss work frequently often show predictable patterns.
Benefit: Knowing which people are likely to avoid work can help cut costly absenteeism.
Action: Once you know how …

Vague policy could entitle employees to extra vacation pay

02/01/2004
Issue: Must unused vacation time always be paid when employees leave?
Risk: An unclear vacation policy could allow terminated employees to sue your organization and collect additional pay.
Action: …

4 ways to improve your disability-management program

02/01/2004
Issue: Poorly managed disability-management programs and rising costs can reduce your organization’s profits. Benefit: By making disability programs more efficient, you boost the bottom line and your stature in the …

You decide definitions for full- and part-Time status

02/01/2004

Q. How many hours must employees work to be considered full time? Part time? —D.S., Texas

Don’t break severance promise to employee

02/01/2004
If your organization’s execs grumble about not wanting to pay a promised severance package, point them to this case: A company president refused to fully honor Donald Chisholm’s severance package as …

Cut lost work days with earlier disability-claim notice

02/01/2004
Short-term disabilities don’t last as long at organizations where em-ployees report their disability claims quickly, a new report indicates.
CIGNA Group Insurance found that organizations whose claims are reported within …

Business trip injury qualifies for workers’ comp

02/01/2004

Q. One of our nonexempt employees was traveling with her boss to other company sites to conduct meetings. After one meeting, she and the boss went to dinner, which the company paid for. During the meal, the employee broke a crown on her front tooth, requiring emergency dental work. Would this fall under workers’ compensation? —R.B., Alabama