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Compensation & Benefits

Rework your severance plan: More prospective employees seeking this safety net

02/01/2002
Even if your company has avoided layoffs, it’s still time to rethink whether your severance plan is achieving …

Don’t be tempted by corporate ministry services

02/01/2002

Q. Since Sept. 11 and due to the economic doldrums, some of our employees have not been the same emotionally. We’ve tried to be patient and understanding, but they seem to need something else. We’ve heard that some companies are contracting with corporate ministry services. Is this practice legal or advisable? —S.S., Virginia

Don’t Withhold Pay as Punishment

02/01/2002

Q. When an employee fails to clock in or out properly, our payroll department withholds that day’s pay until the next pay period as a form of employee discipline. My understanding is that an employer can’t hold back portions of pay as punishment. Am I right? —J.A., Georgia

FMLA AND HOLIDAY PAY, PART II

02/01/2002

In last month’s Business Talk column, a subscriber asked about holiday pay for workers taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Several of you asked us to elaborate …

How to pay employees for fluctuating workweeks

02/01/2002

Q. Our workers have irregular schedules. They may work for two weeks and then be off for three. They typically earn $60,000 to $70,000. Can we pay them every two weeks based on their average yearly income and, if they work more, pay them at an hourly rate? —D.D., Louisiana

One instance of sex-based pay is enough to prove discrimination

02/01/2002
Despite having applied for the position of route manager, Michelle Hennick was hired for the lower-level job of new account specialist for Schwans, a direct frozen-food seller. Hennick later sued the …

Be crystal clear about status of employee’s bonus

01/01/2002
Joe Fitzpatrick told his supervisor that he was considering resigning and asked about getting one of the bonus checks that other members of his work group had received. “I have a …

Employee or contractor? Failing to check can double damages

01/01/2002
Bell Atlantic Corp., now Verizon, hired drivers for its senior executives. While some drivers were considered Bell employees, others were independent contractors paid a flat hourly rate. They had to carry …

Laying off the layoffs

01/01/2002
Layoffs that aren’t handled well can trigger lawsuits, particularly if workers feel they weren’t treated fairly. But a recent survey shows that businesses are taking many steps to ease the impact. …

EPLI coverage: Shopping for lawsuit security

01/01/2002

Even if you draft airtight employment policies and provide expert training, your company could still end up among the increasing number of businesses facing …