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.

Knock, Knock, DOL Calling

When the DOL (Department of Labor) comes calling, there could be big bucks at stake, says BLR® Legal Editor Susan Prince, JD. In today’s Advisor, Prince clarifies DOL’s rights during investigations. Although no industry is immune from a wage and hour investigation, the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has targeted low-wage industries with vulnerable, and […]

Retirement Benefits 2014—What’s Really Happening?

Please participate in our brief survey and see how what you are doing stacks up against what other successful companies are doing. We’ll get answers to these questions and more: What’s your company’s 401k match level? What changes are you making with pensions and 401(k) plans? What types of retirement/savings/investment plans do you offer? How […]

9 Most Common Mistakes on I-9 Forms

Tsai, who is Of Counsel at Holland & Hart LLP in the Salt Lake City office, delivered his practical tips at BLR’s Advanced Employment Issues Symposium held recently in Las Vegas. The 9 Most Common I-9 Mistakes Tsai says he most commonly encounters the following I-9 mistakes: The employee fails to sign and date the […]

Mercer Infographic: Taking Health Management to a New Level

This infographic via Mercer indicates that employers are increasingly willing to invest in health management — and they believe their programs are making a difference. “US employers believe that health management is helping to slow medical trend, and they are putting more emphasis on these programs,” says Beth Umland, Director of Research for Mercer’s Health […]

I-9s Are Still a Hassle, and ICE Is Heating Up Audits

IRCA’s Requirements The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) requires every employer to complete and retain the Form I-9 for all new employees and current employees hired on or after November 6, 1986, who will perform work for pay or other compensation, says Tsai, who is Of Counsel in the Salt Lake City […]

Great Incentive Plan + Poor Communication = Poor Incentive Plan

Communicating the Sales Incentive Plan Sometimes Pasteris sees the situation in which there was a great sales plan design but it failed because it was not well understood and appreciated by the salespeople. To avoid that situation, make sure that you: Send an announcement letter, particularly with the new plan that spells out its features. […]

Vague Appeal Letters Help Overturn Denial for Dental Work

The claims administrator of an employer-sponsored health plan abused its discretion when it rejected a health benefits claim because it: (1) denied it without an explanation or plausible support; (2) had a structural conflict of interest because it was also the insurer; and (3) violated ERISA regulations by merely reciting its policy without refuting the […]

Employers in Tax-break Pilot May Offer myRA Accounts by Late 2014

Employers may not feel much of an administrative burden from the new “starter” retirement savings accounts announced Jan. 28 in President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, but those opting to participate should be prepared for employees’ questions about the My Retirement Account or “myRA” program ahead of its launch late this year. While […]

Incentives to Keep Sales Pros Focused Where You Want Them Focused

Sales Organization Sales compensation plans often fail because they are not rooted in careful analysis beforehand. Your plan has to be defined by the market you are in and who your customers and competitors are. For example, if your customers are all young, you may do your sales work over the Internet; if you sell […]

Devil Is in Details of Final Mental Health Parity Rules

Pre-authorization procedures, plan disclosures and geographical restrictions are just a few features  group health plans will need to re-examine by the time the recently finalized mental health parity rules take effect. For calendar-year plans, this means Jan. 1, 2015 — less than a year away. The interaction of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity […]