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.

401(k) Disclosures: How to Handle Employee Questions

Studies show that the vast majority of 401(k) participants believe their plan is free. There may be a rude awakening the first time you inform them of the fees being charged. What to do? Again, we turn to BLR’s New 401(k) Fee Disclosure Compliance Download Report for help. Preparing Staff to Handle Questions/Concerns Preparing staff […]

5 Basic Rules for Understanding Travel Pay in California

Experts say travel pay disputes – from business trips and mandatory off-site training to commuting time, waiting time, and on-call time – could fuel an enormous surge in lawsuits filed by workers in 2012 and beyond. Why? Many employers haven’t updated their workplace policies in recent years to keep up with changing federal and state […]

401(k) Fiduciary? Personal Liability If You Get It Wrong

Changes to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) mean that sponsors of 401(k)s and other retirement plans have new responsibilities. If you are a fiduciary, and you get it wrong, your own assets could be at risk. The changes, which take effect July 1, 2012, are big. As a plan sponsor, you […]

HHS to Step Up HIPAA Privacy Enforcement in ‘Abject Failure’ Cases

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is refocusing its HIPAA privacy enforcement efforts on seeking monetary penalties in cases of “abject failure” to comply, the head of HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) indicated. “The majority of matters we handle are going to be resolved through education” as they have in the […]

Labor Extends Comment Period for Caregiver Rule

The Labor Department  has extended the comment period for its proposed rule to provide minimum wage and overtime protections for in-home companions by nine days, the agency announced in a March 9 release. The division published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register on Dec. 27, 2011, with a comment period originally set […]

Dependent Coverage Can Pose Challenges

Many, perhaps most, employers provide some coverage to employees’ dependents under the benefit plans they offer. But an employer needs to be careful when it does so. Many factors can complicate this coverage. Following are examples that highlight complicated situations that can arise for an employer that covers employees’ dependents and how an employer should address […]

The California Rules on Workplace Interns

Yesterday, we looked at a wage/hour lawsuit involving interns who worked on the Oscar-winning film “Black Swan.” Today, the California-specific rules on interns— and an introduction to a can’t-miss event later this year that will get you fully up to speed on all things workplace-compliance related in California.

Courts, Colds, and the FMLA

In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney Susan Schoenfeld briefed readers on the issue of colds, flu, and the FMLA. Today, what the courts have to say, plus a solution that may eliminate the problem—a corporate wellness program What the Courts Say At least two federal appeals courts have weighed in on the issue of flus and colds […]