Short Takes: New Hires Reporting
What’s the rule on reporting new hires?
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White House Expands Domestic Partner Benefits
President Barack Obama recently issued a memo directing federal agencies to extend benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of federal employees to the extent permitted by current law. The memo begins: For far too long, many of our Government’s hard-working, dedicated LGBT employees have been denied equal access to the basic rights and benefits their […]
Bulletin Item: California Workers’ Compensation Bills Moved to a Two-House Conference Committee
In an effort to keep workers’ compensation reform from becoming bogged down, all bills have been moved into a bicameral conference committee. With a number of bills pending it remains to be seen whether this move will facilitate negotiations and whether any significant reform will result.
News Notes: Court Tosses Out $15 Million Race-Bias Settlement
The Ninth Circuit has thrown out a $15 million class-action settlement in a case accusing Boeing Co. of workplace bias. A group of employees had challenged the settlement, arguing that it was inequitable because some victims would have received up to 16 times more money than others, and that it didn’t do enough to prevent […]
Legislation Special Report: Preventing Harassment by Clients and Customers
Because the new law opens all California employers up to liability for harassment of workers by nonemployees, it’s critical to take steps to prevent and address these situations. Here’s what you can do to avoid potential harassment complaints—and expensive liability—involving your customers, vendors, or other nonemployee business associates:
News Notes: Largest Ever Gender Bias Suit Files Against Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart is facing what could be the largest discrimination lawsuit ever brought against a private U.S. employer. Six female employees of Wal-Mart have filed a lawsuit in federal court in San Francisco charging the retailing giant with widespread discrimination against women. They are asking that the case be certified as a class action on behalf […]
Baby Boomers Encouraged To Use Direct Deposit
Bulletin Item: HIPAA Compliance Nears
On April 14, employers with small health plans must be in compliance with HIPAA privacy rules. If you aren’t yet in compliance, you must take steps immediately to avoid potential fines and criminal penalties.
News Notes: NIOSH Recommends Ways To Prevent Work-Related Roadway Deaths
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published a new report with practical recommendations for how employers can prevent work-related roadway crashes, which have become the leading cause of job-related fatalities nationwide. The tips are useful not just for companies that employ full-time professional drivers such as truckers but also for employers […]
News Flash: Bills Sent To Governor On E-Mail Monitoring And Personal Liability For Sexual Harassment Of Co-Workers
Our story on a host of important bill spending in the legislature. As we go to press a couple of them have already been passed and are now on the governor’s desk for approval. They include the legislation requiring employersto notify employees if their e-mail will be monitored (A.B. 1822) and the measure that would […]