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.

Feds Provide Form for Companies to Attest Objections to Reform’s Contraceptive-coverage Mandate

New health reform rules finalize policies for non-profit organizations that object on religious or moral grounds to gain an exemption from having to “contract, arrange, pay or refer for” contraceptive coverage.  The final rules reflect public feedback received in response to Feb. 6, 2013 proposed rules (78 Fed. Reg. 8456). In the proposed rule, the […]

Small Business Worried about Retirement Readiness, Not Big on Plans

Most U.S. small business owners think the country’s lack of retirement readiness threatens business and the economy, yet that concern doesn’t necessarily translate to concrete action to address it, a new survey has found. Only about one-third of small-business owners offer a retirement plan for their employees, according to “Poll Report: Small Business Owners’ Views on […]

Employer’s Negligence Results in $1.85 Million COBRA Notice Penalty

A large employer was socked with $1.85 million in COBRA notice penalties, plus still-to-be determined attorney’s fees, for neglecting its duty as plan administrator to ensure that COBRA election notices were sent on a timely basis. The company’s negligence occurred over several years, affecting hundreds of former employees who participated in a class action lawsuit. […]

Workers’ Compensation: Avoid Adverse Action Claims

“Most state workers’ compensation laws provide that it is unlawful for an employer to discharge or otherwise discriminate/retaliate against a worker for claiming worker’s comp or testifying at a workers’ comp hearing.” Adele Abrams explained in a recent BLR webinar. And this goes beyond just standard discipline or firing: “Anything that is an adverse action […]

Reform Rule Broadens Plans Considered to Be Minimum Essential Coverage

Self-funded student health plans and state high-risk pool coverage will be considered minimum essential coverage for calendar year 2014, but they will have to get approved by a health insurance exchange to gain such consideration in 2015, under rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Carrying minimum essential coverage is required for an […]

High Court Advances Same-sex Marriage and Impacts Employers

As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court rulings on same-sex marriage, employers throughout the United States will have to adjust their benefits plans, policies and documents to accommodate employees’ same-sex spouses for purposes of federal law and regulations. California employers will need to do the same for purposes of state law. On June 26, […]

College Graduate? Now Start Learning

Oswald, CEO of BLR, offered his advice to his son in a recent edition of The Oswald Letter: My first thought was that I had the order of those two things reversed—that I should be providing him advice on life first and career second. The most precious things in life aren’t “things” at all—they’re people. […]

Top 10: Compensation & Benefits Daily Advisor Review

10 Phrases Successful Managers Never Use Whether you’re making a formal request, pitching an applicant, or proposing an idea, there are ten phrases that can ruin your pitch, says author Darlene Price. Editor’s Choice: How To Handle Employee Pay During Winter Weather Closures: INFOGRAPHIC For this edition of the Compensation Daily Advisor, we present you […]

Are You ‘Cost of Sales’ or ‘Cost of Labor’?

DiMisa, who is senior vice president, Sales Force Effectiveness, at Sibson Consulting, clarified the difference between the two approaches during a recent webinar sponsored by BLR® and HR Hero®. “Cost of Sales” or “Cost of Labor” Philosophy? Approach Concept Example Market Cost of Sales Payouts are based on a percentage of volume or $ per […]

Feds Push to Publicize Exchanges in Wake of Unpreparedness Charges

More than a month after Max Baucus, D-Mont., an early proponent of health reform, said the implementation of state-based health insurance marketplaces was going so poorly that a “train wreck” would ensue, the Obama administration is now launching a public relations effort aimed at teaching consumers how to buy marketplace coverage. Marketplaces are supposed to […]