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Novartis Agrees to Pay Drug Reps $99 Million to Settle Long-standing Overtime Dispute

The New Jersey drug manufacturer Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation has reached a $99 million settlement with its drug sales representatives. The agreement, announced jointly by management and plaintiff representatives Jan. 26, resolves overtime pay disputes pending since 2006. “We believe this settlement is in the best interest of our employees and the company,” said Novartis President […]

News Note: Government Increases Cost Estimate For Use Of Unemployment Insurance Funds For Family Leave

The federal Department of Labor has increased its projections of the cost of allowing states to pay unemployment insurance benefits to employees out on family leave. Original estimates were as high as $68 million based on the four to six states that initially expressed interest. But now the agency says that the new program could […]

Harrah’s chief diversity officer redefines inclusion

Traditionally, companies have thought that diversity is all about race and gender. Nowhere is that more the case than in the hospitality industry, which, in many jurisdictions, is held to certain legal standards. But Fred Keeton didn’t want to just meet those standards. As Harrah’s Entertainment’s chief diversity officer, he has spent the past three […]

Hot List: New York Times Bestselling Paperback Business Books

The following is a list of the bestselling paperback business books as ranked by the New York Times on June 20. 1. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink. A look at what truly motivates us, and how we can use that knowledge to work smarter and live better. 2. […]

News Notes: Controversy Over Arbitration Rages On

Finding the right language to ensure that arbitration agreements will stand up to legal scrutiny can be tricky. And a new decision by the California Court of Appeal adds to the confusion. When executive William Stirlen sued Northern California-based Supercuts for wrongful discharge, Supercuts tried to enforce an arbitration clause in Stirlen’s employment agreement. But […]

Hot List: Bestselling “Business Life” Books on Amazon.com

Amazon.com updates its list of the bestselling books every hour. Here is a snapshot of what is hot right now, this Monday morning, June 6, in the “Business Life” section of the “Business and Investing” category. 1. Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Professional and Personal Life by Richard Paul and and Linda […]

California Same-sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional, 9th Circuit Says

Employers and plan administrators in California should continue to watch the pendulum regarding same-sex marriage in the Golden State, which has swung again. A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 on Feb. 8 in Perry v. Brown, Nos. 10-16696, 11-16577, that Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that amended the […]

Documentation, Consistency Protect Employer from FMLA Retaliation Claim

By Charlie Plumb, JD, McAfee & Taft Taking action against an employee after she returns from a Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) absence can expose an employer to claims of FMLA retaliation. But sometimes it takes an employee’s absence to learn about her performance issues. So how should an employer handle disciplining someone who is returning […]