Category: HR Management & Compliance

There are dozens of details to take care of in the day-to-day operation of your department and your company. We give you case studies, news updates, best practices and training tips that keep your organization fully in compliance with ever-changing employment law, and you fully aware of emerging HR trends.

Bulletin Item: A Massive Overtime Class Verdict Reduced

In Bell v. Farmers Insurance, an appellate court threw out part of the verdict awarding employees more than $1 million allegedly owed for unpaid double-time compensation. The court, however, let stand the jury’s unanimous verdict for unpaid time-and-a-half overtime compensation totaling nearly $88.8 million.

Workplace Investigations: New Law Clears Way For Employers To Use Outside Investigators; What You Need To Know

For several years, employers have struggled with whether they have to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act’s (FCRA) detailed notice and disclosure rules when they use outside experts to investigate employee misconduct, such as harassment. The uncertainty stemmed from a now infamous opinion letter from the Fair Trade Commission that stated reports prepared by […]

Employee Dating: Court Upholds Employer’s Nonfraternization Policy After Supervisor Terminated For Dating Subordinate

Given how much time employees spend at work, it’s no surprise that romantic liaisons often develop. Many turn into happy relationships, but some end in disaster—for both the participants and their employer. This is particularly true when one person has direct or indirect control over the other at work, which can lead to allegations of […]

Health Insurance: New Health Savings Accounts–What They Are And How They May Impact Benefits Plan Choices

When the sweeping new Medicare law was recently signed into law, bundled within it was an unrelated but key provision for employers—the creation of tax-free Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). We’ll explain what HSAs are, who’s eligible, and what they could mean for you and your employees. We’ll also highlight a few potential downsides you should […]

News Notes: Court Says Employer Can’t Charge Independent Contractors For Workers’ Comp Coverag

  Although the workers’ compensation system is designed to provide protection for injured employees, employers can obtain workers’ comp coverage for independent contractors under certain circumstances. Now a California appeal court has ruled that providing them with coverage will subject both the employer and the contractor to other workers’ comp law provisions—including the prohibition on […]

News Notes: Free Pension Plan Guide Available

The Small Business Administration has partnered with insurer Nationwide to publish a guide to inform business owners about their pension plan options and compliance responsibilities. The guide includes information on: how to determine whether to offer a plan and what type of plan to offer; fiduciary responsibilities; and how to find a qualified pension plan […]