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Employee Benefits: U.S. Supreme Court Says Individuals Can Recover Damages for Mishandling of Retirement Accounts; Self-Protection Options for Employers

In an important new development, the U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that when fiduciary misconduct diminishes the value of an individual account in a defined contribution plan, such as a 401(k), the harmed employee can sue for damages. In the past, courts have taken the contrary position that the federal employee benefits law only […]

Reverse Mentoring and Other Joys of Managing Gens X and Y

Having explained generational baggage in yesterday’s Advisor, n-gen People Performance Inc. consultant Giselle Kovary moves on to tips for getting, keeping, and growing employees of different generations. You have to be able to tell a story that’s appealing to all four generations, says Kovary. Analyze your current approach:  What is your unique selling proposition?  What […]

Internet Giving Workers the Upper Hand in Salary Negotiations

Web-based providers of salary information, such as Compensation.BLR.com, allow job seekers or workers lobbying for a raise to tell you “what I’m worth” even before you make an offer. Here’s what to do to counter the trend. It used to be that, when buying a car, the dealers held all the cards. They alone knew […]

Readers’ Stories: From Midriffs to Jogging Suits

In a previous SBT we asked readers, “What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen or heard in an interview?” Here are a few responses, all with a common element, inappropriate attire (and attitude for story #2): One reader wrote: Applicant came to interview for office manager/receptionist job, with short (midriff showing) sleeveless blouse with cropped jeans. Not […]

Workers’ Compensation: Employee Gets Six Years to File Comp Claim Because Employer Didn’t Provide Notice of Rights

Thomas Davenport worked for Michael Faeth Cleaners (MFC) under its contract with Camp Pendleton to dry-clean military clothing. He lived in a hotel on the base and MFC paid for his room and board. One day, while Davenport was cooking in his hotel room, a grease fire started and Davenport was burned on his arms, […]

Hard-Core Approach to Intermittent FMLA Gets Results

It takes a lot of time and effort to deal with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) issues, especially intermittent leave, says HR Manager Barbara Dahlen. Her pragmatic approach works, although she says she’s "not the most popular person" in her workplace. Dahlen says she’s "not a lawyer and doesn’t play one on TV." But […]

Tippling in the Barrel of Untruth: How Not to Handle a Termination

By Stephen Acker and Joel Henderson Four years ago in Ottawa, the Federal Canadian Government nipped a nascent spending scandal in the bud when it fired two employees of the Canadian Department of Public Works, Douglas Tipple and David Rotor. Tipple successfully grieved his termination before the Public Service Labour Relations Board, winning the largest […]

New Accessory Promises to Keep Workers’ Hands Clean

By Kyle Emshwiller Have you ever witnessed a sickness spread from coworker to coworker? Chances are, you answered “Yes.” But fear not. There’s a new accessory that promises to keep coworkers’ hands clean and germ-free. Workplaces can be a haven for the flu, colds, and other viruses, and the results can be costly. From absences, […]