Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Few dispute research showing that a diverse workforce contributes to an employer’s success, but diversity efforts often don’t explore the benefits of recruiting people with disabilities. However, that’s beginning to change.
Darcy Jensen, a module team builder for Amgen Inc., filed a workers’ comp claim as a result of health problems that she believed stemmed from exposure to laboratory animals. Several months later, the company discovered mold in the building where Jensen had worked. Jensen eventually sued Amgen under an exception to the workers’ compensation system […]
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) updated its special per diem rates for the transportation industry, incidental expenses, and the “high-low” substantiation method. These rates, announced September 26 in Notice 2016-58, apply to allowances paid to employees on or after October 1 for travel on or after that date.
Properly executed arbitration agreements can prohibit employees from bringing Fair Labor Standards Act collective actions in some federal courts. This is despite a National Labor Relations Board decision holding that mandatory arbitration for employment disputes violates the National Labor Relations Act, a federal district court has ruled. In doing so, the court joined other courts […]
Diversity and inclusion were once considered “fluffy” company goals that were pursued by bleeding hearts or, more cynically, the PR-minded, but that view has steadily changed over the last few decades.
The IRS recently released Form W-11, Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act Employee Affidavit. The HIRE Act (H.R. 2847), a jobs bill President Barack Obama signed into law on March 18, 2010, provides tax breaks to employers that hire unemployed workers or individuals who were working only part-time in 2010. Under the HIRE Act, […]
The Social Security Administration (SSA) resumed sending “no-match” letters to employers this month, three years after discontinuing the practice in response to litigation. The SSA posted a notice on its Program Operations Manual System website saying letters are to go to employers for data received for tax year 2010. The SSA won’t send letters it held […]
While most courts agree that coming to work regularly is an essential job function, many courts also have found that leave for a specified period of time is a reasonable accommodation if it does not cause an undue hardship. Chai Feldblum, a commissioner with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, discussed “leave as a reasonable accommodation” under the ADA […]
Update Dec. 16: House Passes COBRA Subsidy Extension and Expansion You’re probably well aware by now that the $787 billion economic stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama this week will provide many out-of-work employees and their families with a reduced rate on continuing health care coverage under COBRA. Because the stimulus plan was adopted […]
Just before the Memorial Day weekend, President Bush signed the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 (H.R. 2206) to boost the federal minimum wage to $7.25 per hour in three steps over 26 months. The first increase to $5.85/hour will take effect on July 24, 2007. On July 24, 2008, the rate will increase to […]