Month: September 2015

As Obama term winds down, employers adjust to changes and brace for future

Employers may be reeling from what they see as swift and dramatic changes related to employment regulation. In recent months, they’ve found themselves dealing with new rules on union representation elections, an impending expansion of who is eligible for overtime, a more restricted view of the use of independent contractors, as well as an array […]

What Is the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act?

While Title VII of the Civil Rights Act already prohibits gender-based discrimination, including pay discrimination, there was an unfortunate problem created by a court interpretation back in 2007. Namely, the courts decided that the original pay decision was what started the statute of limitations to bring a claim—not the ongoing unfair pay. This all came […]

Employers Tested by Detail Required in ACA Health Coverage Reporting

Information reporting of minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act is like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, insurers and many employer plan sponsors must keep records about their coverage and lives covered for every month of 2015. Details include Social Security numbers (for self-insured plans) and […]

Solving the Lipstick Problem and Drying Out the Wet Blankets

Yesterday’s Advisor presented psychologist Bruce Christopher’s tips for dealing with the challenging personalities, or “Godzillas,” that you may occasionally face in the workplace. Today, we have three scenarios that illustrate Christopher’s “Surprise Effect” technique for dealing with difficult people.

New Connecticut law makes wage infractions more dangerous

by John Herrington A new Connecticut law taking effect October 1 requires courts to award double damages plus court costs and attorneys’ fees for most employee wage claims. Under the new law—Public Act 15-86, the “Act Concerning an Employer’s Failure to Pay Wages”—a court must award, as a baseline default, double damages plus court costs […]

View Your Mistakes as a Learning Opportunity, Not as a Failure

Sometimes it’s not about how you win but how you lose. That was the lesson Coach Dave Belisle taught his Rhode Island baseball team last year when they lost 8–7 in a Little League World Series elimination game. This video clip shows the story of the team and the words the coach used following their […]

Health Benefits For Employee On Disability

Can we ask an employee to pay their monthly portion for their health insurance while they are on disability? Thank you for your inquiry regarding employee health benefits while the employee is out on leave for a disability. The term “on disability” is a broad one that may encompass a variety of leave scenarios. For […]

Complementary Services Fill In High Deductible Gaps

A common problem with traditional health insurance is that even when the premium is paid by an employer, the copays and deductibles can be unaffordable. Potential answers are benefits such as telemedicine and health advocates. Click here to read more.