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Creating a Sales Compensation Philosophy

Sales compensation philosophies should be in alignment with company objectives while still motivating the sales team—all without going over budget. This can be a challenge, but there are some tips to help employers get it right. The 5 ‘Rights’ of Sales Compensation “When we’re talking about sales compensation objectives, we define them as the 5 […]

Mitigating Measures—Heads Employee Wins … Tails Employer Loses

What’s a Mitigating Measure? According to the Job Accommodation Network, a mitigating measure is a treatment, therapy, or device that eliminates or reduces the limitations of a disability. Medications, including widely prescribed depression and anxiety medications Medical supplies, equipment, or appliances, low-vision devices (defined as devices that magnify, enhance, or otherwise augment a visual image, […]

As Wellness Rule Deadline Approaches, Questions Remain

As the 2014 plan year nears, plan sponsors are still sifting through the recently finalized changes to HIPAA’s nondiscrimination rules on wellness programs. The rules, issued June 3 (78 Fed. Reg. 33158), legally took effect Aug. 2 and must be met for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014. Along with raising the […]

Same-Sex Marriages Legally Recognized: How Do Healthcare Benefits Change?

With the DOMA ban on same-sex marriage being ruled unconstitutional, what does this mean for healthcare benefits—will a same-sex marriage be recognized in the same way as other marriages, thus allowing the same-sex partner to receive spousal healthcare benefits paid for at the pre-tax rate? This is just one of the many questions employers are […]

Do Your Supervisors Need “Back-to-Basics” Training?

The information in this issue is adapted from the Ask the Trainer feature on BLR’s HR.BLR.com®. The training question is, “How can back-to-basics training help supervisors develop a proactive, hands-on approach?” Here is how our training expert responded: Since many supervisors don’t receive training in basic supervisory skills, they tend to manage employees only when […]

Payroll Taxes Went Up in Smoke

Smoking is a nasty habit, especially when it results in a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation and a $67,000 penalty from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)! The owner of a New York City construction company and several related companies recently pleaded guilty of willfully failing to pay payroll taxes. Prosecutors for the IRS and the […]

What Jobs are Overrated?

Advertising account executive, surgeon, and stockbroker were on the top of CareerCast.com’s “Overrated Jobs” list. While each of these sound like lucrative positions, the ranking process took stress and long hours into consideration. Other “overrated” fields include public relations manager, event coordinator, commercial airline pilot, and attorney. Not to be left out, the website also […]

That’s the Ticket: Employers and Employees Can Be Fined for Breaking the Rules!

Health and safety isn’t just an employer’s responsibility; it’s an employee’s job too. That’s the message Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) agency is making clear with its new ticketing penalties. Now, workers in the Canadian province can face fines for breaking safety rules! Effective January 1, 2014, workers and employers that violate “ticketable provisions” […]

Are You Using Pinterest for Business?

Using Pinterest for business may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of this relative newcomer to the social media scene. But with explosive growth and the ability to drive traffic to your website, Pinterest is certainly a tool worth considering. How to Use Pinterest for Business Before you get […]

Danger—Managers’ Myths and Misconceptions About Mental Disabilities

Misguided assumptions about accommodation of mental disabilities—held by your managers and supervisors—create legal landmines in the courtroom, says Attorney Patricia Eyres. In today’s Advisor, she shares the seven worst myths. HR needs to be alert to the attitudes of supervisors and coworkers, says Eyres, who is managing partner of the Eyres Law Group LLP in […]