Category: Benefits and Compensation

This topic provides guidance on how to handle compensation issues in a way that attracts and retains the best talent and advances the strategic goals of your business. You get news and tips on what’s going on nationally and in the states, and updates on changes in regulations, possible governmental action, and emerging compensation trends.

DOMA Invalidation Complicates Surviving-spouse Beneficiary Matters

Now that the federal Defense of Marriage Act has been invalidated, some same-gender surviving spouses are asking retirement plan sponsors to take a second look at their previously denied eligibility for a death benefit. A favorable court ruling in a newly filed case could further complicate beneficiary matters for plan sponsors. The case was recently […]

What Can Be Deducted From Employee Wages?

Making wage deductions isn’t always as simple as it may seem. The problem lies in whether a particular deduction is legally allowed for a particular employee. In short, allowable pay deductions are highly case-specific. That is, a deduction that is allowed for one person may not be allowed for another, even in the same company. […]

Multiple DOL/IRS Filings Needed to Avoid Penalties for Late Form 5500s

So you thought you were all caught up on annual-report tasks when you filed your Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program form with the U.S. Department of Labor? Well … not exactly. Some plan sponsors that filed under the DFVCP may still find themselves with tasks to complete before Dec. 1. Bottom line: Avoiding Form 5500 […]

Win-Win Approach to Managing ‘Unplanned’ FMLA Leave

Caraway, who is a member of Miller & Martin PLLC, in the Chattanooga office, offered six tips for reducing FMLA abuse during a recent webinar sponsored by BLR. Here are tips four to six for dealing with FMLA abuse. [Go here for tips 1 to 3] Tip #4—Planned vs. Unplanned Leave It’s important to pay […]

Danger Zone—FMLA Certs Are Like a Pre-Nup

Caraway, who is a member of Miller & Martin PLLC, in the Chattanooga office, offered six tips for reducing FMLA abuse during a recent webinar sponsored by BLR®. Here are her six tips for dealing with FMLA abuse. Tip # 1—Don’t Accept ‘Unknown’ Certs FMLA certifications (certs) are like an “FMLA prenuptial agreement,” says Caraway. […]

Lots of LinkedIn Connections Means Lots of LinkedIn Results

[Go here for tips 1 to 5] 6. Build Connections It’s important to have a lot of connections, Serdula says. This is because first connections can look at each other’s first connections. You get to see their updates/posts, and if they know someone you want to know, you can ask for an introduction via LinkedIn. […]

10 Secrets to a Powerful LinkedIn Presence

Donna Serdula, author of LinkedIn Makeover: Professional Secrets to a POWERFUL LinkedIn Profile, shared her tips at the recent Employers Counsel Network meeting in Austin, Texas. (The Employers Counsel Network is comprised of the attorneys from all 50 states who write BLR’s state-law-based Employment Law Letters.) First of all, what is LinkedIn? It’s a social […]

Incentive Options for Sales Comp–Pay Level and Pay Mix

The most important design features in a sales compensation program are the pay level (how much) and pay mix (proportion of incentive pay to base pay). Pay levels will generally reflect industry practices, but the pay mix should be designed to meet the marketing strategy of the company. The degree of risk in the incentive […]

‘Why You Hate Work’ (Only 30 Percent of Employees Engaged?)

The article claims it’s very likely that I’m not excited about my work, I don’t feel appreciated while there, I find it difficult to get my most important tasks accomplished, and I really don’t feel like what I do makes a difference. How dare these people tell me what I’m thinking and feeling?! They don’t […]

In Case You Missed It: Plan Administrator Must Give Providers ERISA Appeal Process

The ruling in Penn. Chiropractic Ass’n v. BCBSA threatens to make recoveries more difficult for all insurers and may complicate the claims administration of self-funded plans. It also may necessitate self-insured plan sponsors reviewing network contracts with providers. Here’s what happened: a federal district court gave  providers ERISA beneficiary status instead of following the language in […]