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Illinois

Blago fallout leads to more ethics classes for state staff

09/14/2009

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich may be gone, but the effects of the ethics scandal that drove him from office live on. Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a package of legislation governing ethics for Illinois state employees.

OK to forgo lawyer in most unemployment cases

09/11/2009

Thanks to a recent appeals court decision, employers no longer have to hire attorneys to fight unemployment compensation cases. Employers can represent themselves or use the assistance of representatives who aren’t lawyers.

Beware discipline for FMLA-related tardiness

09/11/2009

It may be terribly annoying and very disruptive, but it is also the law: Employees eligible for intermittent FMLA leave are entitled to take that leave at the beginning of their scheduled shifts if they need to. While that may make them late for work, you can’t punish that tardiness as long as the employee follows your call-in policies and the underlying reason for being late is related to intermittent FMLA leave.

Chicago investment guru ‘stripped’ of $50 million

09/11/2009

The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a $50 million judgment against Chicago investment advisor John Orecchio for using money from six union pensions for his own private business interests. According to the SEC, Orecchio used pension assets to pay for private jet travel, Super Bowl tickets, construction at his Michigan horse farm and renovations to a Detroit strip club he owns.

You have the go-ahead: Fire employee if you discover problems during FMLA leave

09/11/2009

When an employee takes FMLA leave, chances are you’ll have to replace him with a temporary employee or assign the work to others. What happens if the fill-in worker discovers that the employee currently out on FMLA leave wasn’t doing as good a job as you thought? Can you then fire the employee while he’s on FMLA leave?

Rebound? Pay on the rise, but health insurance could lag

09/08/2009

A survey by consulting firm Watson Wyatt indicates more employers are loosening the compensation purse strings, even as employees will probably bear higher health benefits costs. According to the survey conducted in August, 44% of employers plan to reverse pay cuts made during the economic downturn.

Study shows employers cutting 401(k) matches

09/08/2009

Employees depending on 401(k) accounts for retirement are getting another shock courtesy of the economic meltdown. According to a survey by accounting firm Grant Thornton, 29% of companies have modified or intend to modify their contributions to employees’ 401(k) accounts.

The 5 steps of progressive discipline

09/02/2009

A progressive discipline system is the best way to correct employee performance problems. It’s also the best way to protect against wrongful termination lawsuits. It allows you to ensure that any employee fired because of inferior performance was treated fairly and in accordance with your company’s policies. Here’s a five-step model for progressive discipline:

Military family leave: DOL regs spell out employee rights

09/02/2009

In January 2009, the DOL issued new FMLA regulations that incorporated the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which granted new leave rights to family members of employees in the military. The regulations, for the first time, defined what a “qualifying exigency” is under the law that entitles military families to take leave. Qualified exigencies are divided into seven categories:

Porn on shared computer? Investigate carefully

08/14/2009

Your computer-usage policy no doubt prohibits visiting pornographic and other inappropriate sites. But what if someone surfs forbidden sites using a computer that an entire group of employees has access to? That makes it difficult to positively identify the guilty user. Your IT department can provide technical assistance so you can base your investigation and conclusions on facts.