Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
By Brian P. Smeenk Canadian labor arbitrators are not legally bound to court-made legal rules. Rules of evidence, for example, are more relaxed. Rules of contract interpretation may also vary. But just how far arbitrators can deviate from general rules of law has been an open question. A recent decision by the Supreme Court of […]
Fiduciaries of a major Western lumber producer’s group health plan have agreed to settle the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) allegations that the plan violated claims procedure and other requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
Every year at this time, it’s tradition to make a few resolutions for the new year. And most resolutions are very personal. Many people really want to lose a few pounds, so more exercise and a better diet will be on their list for 2010. Or it may be the desire to be a better […]
Federal officials are hoping that federal job-driven training initiatives will equip jobseekers with in-demand skills and then match them with employers looking for skilled labor. “To put people on the path to meaningful careers, we need to provide them with the skills, credentials, and certifications that businesses are looking for right now. We must ask […]
The current recession has taken its toll on the United States, and many Americans are still fighting to stay financially afloat. Consumer confidence is down. According to the American Bankruptcy Institute, consumer bankruptcies rose by 24 percent nationwide in August from the same period a year ago, and during the first six months of 2009, […]
Yesterday’s Advisor introduced the Red Flags Rules for preventing identity theft. Today, we learn more about red flags, and we introduce an up-coming webinar on how to protect your customers’ and employees’ identities. Here are more typical red flags for identity theft. (Go here for the first three types of flags) 4. Suspicious Account Activity […]
Employers struggling to decode the service provider fee disclosures from their retirement plans may be getting some relief. Nearly two years after the U.S. Department of Labor published a proposed rule requiring covered service providers to disclose the cost of what they do for employer-sponsored 401(k)s, the agency is requesting more help for plan sponsors […]
by Gary S. Fealk Businesses often find it advantageous to hire independent contractors to perform a variety of duties in place of employees. Using independent contractors can reduce expenses for payroll taxes and benefits, avoid the impact of laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and […]
The more perspectives in a room, the greater the chance for innovation. There are many factors that go into creating a strong workforce, and diverse perspectives play a big role. According to Harvard Business Review (HBR), a more diverse team creates a smarter team.
As the public grows somewhat used to data breaches, simply having to acknowledge one might no longer be devastating to customer relationships, but how and when to communicate remains critical to damage control, a data security expert said in a recent webinar. In 2005 or 2006, when customers would be notified of a breach, “many would […]