Author: Connor Beatty, Brann & Isaacson

teambuilding

New Research Highlights the Science Behind Team Effectiveness

Understanding team effectiveness is becoming increasingly important. Organizations are rapidly dismantling traditional hierarchies in search of new and dynamic ways to respond to changing market conditions. In their place, teams are stepping up to underpin new business models and drive performance. Which raises the following question: how do you describe an effective team and the […]

independent contractor

DOL Rescinds Joint Employment, Independent Contractor Guidance

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has withdrawn two major Obama-era guidance documents, one addressing joint employment and one on independent contractors. The move, while not a surprise, is good news for employers, according to H. Juanita Beecher, of counsel with Fortney & Scott and an editor of Federal Employment Law Insider. The Obama administration […]

vacation

U.S. Workers Only Using Half of Eligible Vacation Time

While many Americans are preparing for summer vacations, many are likely not. According to a new survey from Glassdoor, the average U.S. employee (of those who receive vacation/paid time off) has only taken about half (54%) of his or her eligible vacation time/paid time off in the past 12 months. This is relatively consistent with […]

Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment Prevention: The Easiest Thing to Teach and the Hardest Thing to Accomplish

When we reported last year about the ouster of recently deceased Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, we noted that Ailes’ repeated pattern of “couch casting” didn’t occur in a vacuum; rather, it sent a message throughout the organization that sexually harassing behavior was condoned at the highest level. We noted that it would take more to […]

Defined benefit retirement plan

Consider These Steps When Administering DB Plan Lump-Sum Windows

Lump-sum windows that offer defined benefit (DB) retirement plan participants a chance to convert their vested accrued monthly benefit into a one-time lump-sum cashout have gained popularity as a way for pensions to “derisk” their balance sheets and lower their headcount for U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premiums.