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.

Equality in Expectations of Personal Life Obligations

Workplace flexibility has become increasingly important in recent years. That trend has accelerated in the wake of a pandemic involving illness and a forced shift to remote work for many organizations. More than ever, employees expect some flexibility to leave work early or take a long lunch to run an errand, work remotely, and take […]

wellness

Why Recruiters Need to Lean into Flexibility and Wellness

There’s never been a time when a greater number of people collectively quit their jobs in search of something else. In September 2021 alone, over 4.4 million people left their jobs, according to the latest numbers shared by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And in a survey of freelancers we worked on with Opinium […]

Former Employees Can’t Sue Employers Under Utah’s Mini-COBRA Statute

In Greek mythology, Panacea was the goddess of universal remedy. She supposedly had a potion of herbs to cure almost any ailment. From the fabled goddess, the English language has adopted the word “panacea” to mean a cure-all or solution to all problems. Often, filing a lawsuit is seen as the way to get all […]

2022 State Minimum Wage Increases Map

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but the FLSA does not supersede any state or local laws that are more favorable to employees. Therefore, if a state or municipality has a minimum wage that is higher than the federal minimum, employers subject to the state […]

Make Sure Your Parental Leave Policy Is Ready for Post-COVID-19 Baby Boom

Early during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was speculation about a baby boom in the coming months because couples were spending virtually all their time at home together, perhaps with too much “downtime.” An immediate boom ended up not occurring, according to a recent study by University of Michigan researchers. But, the slight pause in pregnancy and childbirths […]

Navigating Employee Retention Amid the Great Resignation

It’s no secret that leaders are facing unprecedented challenges when it comes to retaining employees. New data from PWC’s August 2021 US Pulse Survey found 65% of employees are looking for a new job. Consequently, 88% of executives have reported seeing higher turnover. Amid what the industry is calling The Great Resignation, it’s vital that […]

The Intersection of COBRA and State ‘Mini-COBRA’ Laws

Nearly all states have enacted some type of healthcare continuation coverage law (sometimes referred to colloquially as a “mini-COBRA” statute) that is similar to the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) or that supplements the federal requirements. Many of these laws predate federal COBRA but remain in effect after COBRA became law. This column […]

mental health

5 Ways Companies Can Support Mental Health, Beginning with Empathy

With much of the workforce still working from home, personal demands continue to spill into work demands and vice versa. Combined with raising children and maintaining relationships in a COVID world, it is easy to understand why self-reported mental health symptoms such as anxiety and depression have nearly doubled since before the pandemic.  These mounting […]

HR Works Podcast: A New Approach to Workplace Wellness

Guest: Cassidy Rouse, Global General Manager, Corporate Wellness at Peloton In episode 169 of the HR Works Podcast, we are joined by Cassidy Rouse, Global General Manager of Corporate Wellness at Peloton, to discuss the connection between employee wellness, engagement, and business outcomes.  Cassidy explains why employers should consider integrating employee-sponsored wellness programs into their […]

Ruling Helps Employers Ending Union Pension Funding

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals (which covers Michigan employers) recently issued a long-awaited decision about the appropriateness of interest rate assumptions used by union pension funds to calculate withdrawal liability. The court affirmed a district court’s opinion holding the Ohio Operating Engineers Pension Fund’s use of the “Segal Blend” violated the Employee Retirement […]