Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
A surprising 86% of employers offer either a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement savings plan to employees, according to the 1261 respondents to our recent survey of retirement benefit practices. Only 33% of those who answered the question, however, automatically enroll employees, though 2.5% plan to implement auto-enrollment in the future. Other survey highlights: Most common […]
Employer-sponsored plans that are secondary to Medicare are not subject to health reform’s expensive transitional reinsurance fee, nor are health flexible spending arrangements, health savings accounts and most health reimbursement arrangements. On March 11, 2013, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published its final regulation on the transitional reinsurance fee, which takes effect […]
Three monthly measures of defined benefit pension plans’ funded status slipped or remained flat in February after a strong start to 2013, due mostly to weakening interest rates. The Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index, which monitors funding for the U.S.’s largest corporate DB plans, posted a decrease in funded status for the month to 81.5 […]
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced on March 12 it will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review an appeals court decision that says the appointment of two Board members is invalid. In consultation with the Justice Department, the NLRB said it intends to file a petition by the April 25 deadline for Supreme […]
As we learned yesterday, the ultimate success of any business derives from the attitude of its employees. Good-natured employees not only diligently carry out their assigned tasks, but do so positively and creatively. They project good feelings and may find solutions to customer problems even where solutions don’t currently exist. That’s something even the best […]
Your wellness program may get much more important under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), says Morris, a member of the firm Epstein Becker Green in its Washington, D.C., office who specializes in benefits. There are already many benefits to wellness programs, but Morris is convinced they will become even more crucial as the ACA unfolds […]
Independent medical review (IMR) is the largest change in California’s SB 863, which has been widely lauded as a “new and improved” workers’ compensation reform package. The new law addresses problems that arose out of the 2004 reforms by minimizing delays in medical treatment and improving access to care.
These questions and answers on the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit are adapted from the IRS web site for companies considering getting federal subsidies to help pay premiums for their workers to get health insurance. The subsidies are authorized by health reform law. Q: Which companies qualify for a federal health care tax credit? A: […]
Two employers entered into settlement agreements with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in February after the federal agency alleged the companies had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Both employers, the commission said, fired employees who were entitled to leave as accommodations for their disabilities. The first involved Doneen King, an employee with the […]
If you were a general fielding an army, you’d know that no matter how good your tactics, success in battle eventually will ride on the quality and morale of your troops. Business is the same, and especially that aspect of business in which your organization is most likely to run into “hostile forces.” That’s customer […]