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HHS Approves Almost 2,000 Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Applications

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced that almost 2,000 employers were accepted into the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program created by the health care reform legislation. These employers will start receiving reimbursements for employee claims from the program this fall. The approved applicants represent the broad spectrum of the economy, including […]

Christmas Wish

On Saturday, a friend and I were returning home from a hunting trip with our two sons. About halfway home, on our four-hour-plus trip, we stopped for gas and to grab a sandwich. After filling up the truck with gas, I sat outside the sandwich shop waiting for my friend and the two boys to […]

Employer Fears Lead to Discrimination Against Disabled Workers, Agency Charges

Employers need more guidance on their responsibilities under the ADA Amendments Act, according to the National Council on Disability, an independent federal agency. “NCD’s stakeholders consistently list discrimination as one of the primary barriers keeping them out of the workforce,” according to a progress report released by the NCD in October. Because of employers’ fears […]

Survey looks at the difference in work styles of younger, older workers

Online job website CareerBuilder conducted a national survey between May 14 and June 4, polling more than 3,800 full-time workers and more than 2,200 hiring managers across industries and functions. Managers and workers ages 25 to 34 and managers and workers 55 and older were surveyed to get a picture of how the styles of […]

Personal Liability Of Supervisors: Latest Ruling Increases Your Risk Of Getting Sued

Late last year, the California Supreme Court ruled that only employers-not individual managers and supervisors-can be forced to pay damages for workplace discrimination claims arising out of routine employment decisions. But the ruling left the door open for lawsuits against individual managers for harassment or retaliation. Now, a new decision illustrates just how easily a […]

OFCCP Issues New Directive on Gender Identity, Sex Discrimination

Another step in tightening the employment law obligations of federal contractors has begun with an Aug. 19 directive that protects individuals with claims of gender identity and transgender status from discrimination. The directive, from the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs under the U.S. Department of Labor, was spurred by an executive order issued by […]

FLSA: Do Tipped Workers Have a Minimum Wage Claim?

by Steven L. Brenneman Employers with workers who earn tips have long struggled with adhering to special rules for tipped employees, especially when those employees may also perform duties that don’t produce tips. A recent decision by the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals—which covers Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin—provides some much needed clarity and comfort […]

Ask the Expert: If an exempt employee has no leave time and he is sick for 2 full days, can we deduct these 2 days from his pay?

October 24, 2009 As you know, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, exempt employees must receive their full salary for any week in which they perform any work, without regard to the number of days or hours worked. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Sickness and disability deductions are an area of confusion […]

HHS Kicks Off HITECH Privacy Audits

A wave of HIPAA privacy audits far more comprehensive than anything attempted to date was officially launched Nov. 8 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). While their official purpose is not enforcement, these audits are likely to cast a broader net than HHS scrutiny has to date — including possibly group […]