Most Popular
Whistleblowers: Supreme Court Scales Back Whistleblower Rights
The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a new ruling that limits the right of whistleblowers to recover a slice of the damages paid by government contractors whose violations are exposed. Engineer James Stone filed a lawsuit under the Federal False Claims Act (FCA), charging Boeing Co. made false statements regarding safety and environmental issues at […]
Tip Six: Follow the Certificate
–Hold the employee precisely to the certified time off. For example, if the certificate says ‘three one-day absences a month, don’t let the employee take 1 three-day absence. If required time off changes significantly, require a new certification. Go to Tip Seven
Off-Duty Conduct: Employer Heads to Trial to Defend Charges that Employee Was Fired Because of His Politics
A new ruling from a California appeal court demonstrates why you can’t interfere with the away-from-work activities—including political activities—of your employees.
Bulletin Item: Workers’ Comp Rate Increases Pending
In addition to a 7.2 percent increase to premiums approved by Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi, it appears the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Board will seek a 22.5 percent increase to rates. Watch future issues of CEA for additional workers’ compensation information.
Bulletin: Government revises Form I-9
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a new Form I-9, which you can access at www.uscis.gov. Five documents, which employees previously could have submitted for proof of identity and employment eligibility, were removed from List A because they lack sufficient features to help deter counterfeiting, tampering, and fraud. Employers can no longer accept […]
IRS Gives Tax Break on Leave Donations to Benefit Storm Victims
Employees who want to help victims of Hurricane Sandy through leave donation may do so without being taxed on the monetary value of the vacation days, sick days and personal leave they donate, the IRS announced Nov. 6. In a leave donation program, employees forgo vacation, sick or personal leave and return it to their […]
News Notes: Health Care Costs Expected To Jump In 1999-2000
Health care premiums are predicted to rise as much as 12% in the coming 12 months, according to a new survey by the human resource consulting firm Buck Consultants. Although managed care has come under attack recently for failing to live up to its promise of keeping health care costs in check, health maintenance organizations […]
News Notes: Federal Labor Law Superseded Lawsuit Claiming Pay for Family Leave Time
Verizon employee Denise Harris was granted family and medical leave for a bad back. Under the union contract covering Harris’ employment, Verizon paid Harris sick pay benefits during the first part of her leave, but cut off her benefits when she didn’t provide a physician’s report confirming she couldn’t work. Harris sued, claiming the failure […]
News Notes: New ADA and Hiring Fact Sheet Available
The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has published a new fact sheet with guidance on how the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to the hiring process. The fact sheet, available at www.eeoc.gov, addresses employer obligations to accommodate disabled applicants and medical inquiries that are and are not permissible during the hiring process.