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Less Employee Compensation Going to Wages

The share of employee compensation going to health benefits has risen substantially, while the share for wages has fallen, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a Menlo Park-headquartered nonprofit health policy organization. Kaiser’s Health Care Costs Snapshot report, “Wages and Benefits: A Long-Term View,” explains that health insurance premiums rose 78 percent between 2001 and […]

Retaliation Claims: Employee Wins Half-Million Dollars For Backing Co-Worker’s Complaint; Preventive Measures You Can Take

Most employers are aware that it’s illegal to retaliate against an employee who complains about discrimination. But did you know you are also at risk if you discipline or fire someone who merely supports a co-worker’s bias complaint? A Los Angeles employer recently learned this costly lesson when it was hit with a big jury […]

Georgia Governor Set to Sign Aggressive Immigration Law

By Geetha Adinata, Ford & Harrison LLP Another domino has fallen in the changing landscape of immigration law. Following in the footsteps of states such as Arizona, Georgia has passed legislation addressing the issue of illegal immigration within its borders. Last week, the Georgia Senate adopted and amended HB 87, which includes numerous provisions that […]

Court Reversal Allows Participants to Sue Fifth Third for Company Stock Drop

Plan sponsors that offer company stock in their retirement plan should watch carefully the results of a recent appellate court reversal that will allow participants in .’s defined contribution retirement plan to pursue an ERISA class action against the bank. They claim it endangered their savings by including company stock in their retirement plan shortly […]

Must-Know Facts about Employment Contracts in Canada

McCarthy Tetrault Q. When does an employer have an employment contract with its employees? A. Every employer in Canada has an employment contract, whether written or unwritten, with each of its nonunion employees. Sometimes, only some of the terms are in writing. When necessary, courts will imply reasonable terms in the absence of any express […]

3 Tips To Ring in 2011 the Right Way

Yesterday, we looked at 3 New Year’s HR tips from James J. McDonald, Jr., managing partner of the Irvine office of Fisher & Phillips, LLP (www.laborlawyers.com). Today, 3 more tips from McDonald, and an invitation to a can’t-miss webinar on California recordkeeping.

Paid FMLA Leave: Our Readers Talk Back!

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady Bob’s support of Family and Medical Act (FLMA) leave paid for by … somebody … generated a lot of heat … and several proposed solutions. Bob Brady is off covering a conference this week, so we thought we would give you a taste of the e-mails he’s received […]

Employees Not Helped by Slow Health Premium Growth

Employers have been shifting more premium costs to workers and increasing their deductibles. That, in addition to the fact that price growth in the health sector outpaces growth for the rest of the economy,  has resulted in a disproportionate increase in employee out-of-pocket costs, a new Commonwealth Fund report says. Growth in health plan costs […]

Accommodating Disabled Employees: New Case Says Union Contract Doesn’t Have To Bend To ADA Accommodations; Tips On Avoiding Problems

Last year, the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a seniority system must give way to accommodations unless they cause an undue hardship. The case involved an employer-created seniority system, but it left open the question of its application to seniority provisions contained in union contracts. Now, […]

Election Reflections from Dozens of Employment Law Attorneys

Tuesday’s election brought tremendous change to Congress and many state legislatures and swept in a number of new governors. Many of the promises made by these newly elected government officials will affect employers. Following the election, various members of the Employers Counsel Network took the time to provide their insight on the local and national […]