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Bulletin Item: Workers’ Compensation Reform Developments Continue

The Assembly Insurance Committee was recently scheduled to vote on the controversial reform measure (ABX4 1) proposed by Gov. Schwarzenegger just after he took office in November. However, the committee postponed the vote, which likely would have resulted in the bill’s defeat. The governor and legislators have now entered into talks to reach a compromise […]

Bulletin: U.S. Supreme Court rules on ERISA case

In a unanimous decision favorable to employees, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that individual 401(k) plan participants can sue plan administrators under the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) for breach of fiduciary duty. James LaRue had initiated the lawsuit after his employer failed to follow his investment instructions, which he said resulted […]

News Notes: Self-Insured Employer On The Hook For Insolvent Insurer’s Portion Of Workers’ Comp Benefits

As some workers’ comp insurers struggle to stay afloat, you may be wondering what would happen if yours became insolvent. In a recent case, a Denny’s employee’s work-related cumulative injury occurred over a one-year period that overlapped two months with the time Denny’s was self-insured for workers’ comp. During the other 10 months, Denny’s was […]

News Notes: DOL Unveils New E-Laws Advisor For Federal Contractors

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced the latest in its series of e-laws Advisors. The new Advisor assists federal contractors and subcontractors in understanding basic coverage and compliance information for several laws that the DOL’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs enforces. You can access the new Advisor on the DOL website.

Employers can restrict use of company email for union activities

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled 3-2 that an employer didn’t violate federal labor relations law by having a policy that barred employees from using the company’s email system for union activities and other non-job-related solicitations. Employers have basic property rights to regulate and restrict the use of company property, including an email […]

HRAs with Incentives Are Popular Wellness Offering

Yesterday’s Advisor presented findings from The Alliance for Wellness ROI, Inc.’s (Alliance) 4th Annual Survey of Corporate Wellness Programs. Today’s Advisor covers more survey data and introduces a unique program to help you with your wellness program. The Alliance for Wellness ROI, Inc. (Alliance), the organization that conducted the survey, is a nonprofit intercompany cooperative […]

No Kidding: Labor to Revise Its Proposal Restricting Child Labor on Farms

The Labor Department, in response to strong opposition from farm families, is revising its proposed rule restricting child labor on farms. As part of a package of child labor reforms unveiled Sept. 2, 2011, Labor proposed narrowing the so-called parental exemption that allows children of any age who are employed by their parent, or a […]

Social Media Affecting (Infecting?) HR in Many Ways

Social media. It’s affecting—or is that infecting—a lot of HR’s territory from recruiting to productivity to community. In today’s Advisor, attorney Margaret (Molly) DiBianca sorts out the key elements for your social media policy. DiBianca, who is with Young, Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP in Wilmington, Delaware, offered her tips at the BLR’s Advanced Employment […]