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Health Plans Can Expect Cost Reductions by Bundling Payments, AHRQ Indicates
Health plans and insurers long have been thinking of ways to compensate providers not for volume of care, but for value of care, as an important tool in curbing runaway health inflation. Research over the last two decades recently compiled and reviewed by the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality shows consistent reductions in what […]
Michigan to vote on employment initiatives
Michigan voters will decide the fate of two initiatives in the November 6 election that can change the climate toward collective bargaining and union organization in the state. One initiative–Proposal 2, dubbed the “Protect our Jobs” proposal–is a union-backed measure asking voters to pass a constitutional amendment guaranteeing workers the right to bargain collectively. If […]
Crazy About Nellie
Litigation value: $0.00 provided Dwight reins in his hostility to Nellie’s anxiety meds. Amidst the costumes, bad investments, and a cappella singers (OMG COLBERT!!!!!), this week’s episode — Here Comes Treble — reminds us that harassment on the basis of disability is just as verboten in the workplace as sex- or race-based harassment. Dwight found a little yellow […]
Misclassification mistakes: Know risks and prevention strategies
It’s almost an understatement to call misclassification of employees as independent contractors a hot topic. It’s certainly the subject of a growing list of court cases, government agency investigations, and legislative initiatives. Various agencies at both the state and federal level have been in crackdown mode for a few years now, and it’s no wonder: […]
Why Is There Still a Gender Pay Gap?
It surprises many that women still earn an estimated 20 percent less than men, on average. How come? Is it bias? Or are other factors at work? According to a new study, other factors are in play. Does the gender gap happen in the job market? Two researchers, Wharton Professors Matthew Bidwell and Roxana Barbulescu […]
Managing Default Options Is a Crucial Plan Sponsor Role, Study Says
With an ever-increasing number of private-sector retirement plan participants relying on automatic enrollment and the investment choices their employers select, the best way for plan sponsors to help these workers achieve a secure retirement is to choose and manage their default options well, a new survey suggests. The defined contribution investments unit of money manager […]
Does Your Leadership Training Create Career Paths?
In recent years, Convergys (http://www.convergys.com/), a global leader in providing customer care, human resources, and billing services, implemented two training and development programs, Future Leaders and Emerging Leaders. Training magazine recognized the programs when it named Convergys to a recent Training Top 125 list. “We are honored to be named to this select list of […]
Coal Mine Pays $40K for Failing to Reassign Worker with Disability
A coal mine in Birmingham, Ala. will pay $40,000 to settle allegations it failed to reassign a worker with a disability, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Rocky Davis had hearing loss and was regularly assigned to an area of the mine that adversely affected his hearing aids, according to the U.S. Equal […]
Holiday Bonuses Result in Good Cheer — But Can Cause FLSA Overtime Problems
As the holiday season approaches, employers and employees are beginning to anticipate holiday bonuses. Whether they come in the form of material gifts, cash awards or other benefits, employers should be careful in providing them, because sometimes bonuses must be included in the employee’s pay rate. Although “improper bonus” cases are not common, they still […]