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Mental Impairment Accommodation in Action

In yesterday’s Advisor, we got attorney Audra Hamilton’s take on mental disability accommodation. Today, her examples of accommodation in action, plus an introduction to BLR’s popular pre-written policy collection, SmartPolicies. Hamilton’s remarks came at BLR’s Advanced Employment Issues Symposium, held recently in Nashville, Tennessee. Hamilton practices law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Accommodation Example #1: Depression John […]

Feds Freeze Per Diem Rates for FY 2013

Reimbursement rates for lodging, meals and incidental expenses for fiscal year 2013, which begins Oct. 1, will be frozen at FY 2012 levels, the U.S. General Services Administration announced Aug. 27. GSA is the arm of the federal government that sets travel policy for federal employees. The reimbursement rates, commonly called per diems, determine the […]

Majority of Fortune 100 Companies Offer Only DC Plans to New Hires

The latest annual survey of Fortune 100 companies’ retirement plan types confirms the familiar shift to defined contribution plans by most of the largest U.S. firms. As of 2012, 70 of the Fortune 100 companies offered only DC plans to new, salaried employees. Just 11 still offer a traditional defined benefit pension plan to new […]

Comment period on $10.10 minimum wage rules ends July 28

by Rachael E. Luzietti The comment period for the proposed rule to implement President Barack Obama’s Executive Order to raise the minimum wage for employees working on government contracts ends July 28. Those interested in having their voices heard should submit comments at www.regulations.gov. In February, Obama issued Executive Order 13658, which mandates a minimum […]

Nappers Respond—’Bravo!’ and ‘You’ve got to Be Kidding!

By Stephen D. Bruce, PHR Editor, HR Daily Advisor Four weeks ago our e-pinion featured tips for napping at work. Our readers responded quickly. Two brief responses sum up the views on napping: 1. “We do not permit napping. You’ve got to be kidding me!” 2. “Bravo! I love your topic—it helps me feel better […]

Expert Gives Tips on Preventing Intermittent Leave Abuse

This content was originally published in January 2010. For the latest FMLA regulation changes, visit our FMLA article archives or try our practical FMLA compliance guide. Barbara Dahlen, Human Resources manager for Bellefontaine Habilitation Center in St. Louis, Missouri, knows a few things about preventing intermittent leave abuse. As a speaker at a recent seminar […]

News Notes: Half-Million-Dollar Slander Verdict For Employee Accused Of Theft

A recent verdict provides a good reminder ofwhy it’s important to listen to and follow up on employee complaints. A juryawarded maintenance technician Bob Haist $500,000 on his clam that his managerat Chula Vista–based Goodrich Aerostructures slandered him by accusing him infront of his co-workers of stealing from the company. Haist’s co-workers alsoallegedly watched managers […]

Court Multiplies Award, Saying Insurer Profited from Denial

Rather than merely finding that an individual was entitled to benefits due, a federal appeals court ordered an insurer to pay a large monetary award under ERISA based on the equitable theories of unjust enrichment and disgorgement of ill-gotten profits. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that the insurer used money it should […]

Starbucks Baristas Win $100 Million for Tip-Pooling Violations

A San Diego judge has ordered Starbucks Corp. to pay its California coffee baristas a caffeine-jolting $100 million in back tips and interest, after finding that the coffee chain violated California wage and hour law by allowing shift supervisors to share in employee tips. The lawsuit was filed as a class action in 2004 by […]