Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
The Indiana Court of Appeals recently heard a claim from a former employee who was injured on the job, but was subsequently fired for cause. Does the employee have a claim for workers’ compensation benefits?
“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” Michael Jordan wasn’t talking here about retirement, and in fact, we don’t know that he ever has. But his words can certainly apply to the subject. In today’s world, each individual must take charge of his or her own retirement. Still, there are many ways others […]
With low unemployment comes an increasing risk of turnover—and this makes employers weary in times when the economy is growing but not skyrocketing. Employers today are facing these risks and trying to determine how to keep employees happy and motivated—and keep them from job searching in their spare time. Some employers are opting to provide […]
While many Americans are preparing for summer vacations, many are likely not. According to a new survey from Glassdoor, the average U.S. employee (of those who receive vacation/paid time off) has only taken about half (54%) of his or her eligible vacation time/paid time off in the past 12 months. This is relatively consistent with […]
Most employers in Chicago and Cook County will be required to offer paid sick leave beginning July 1. The city of Chicago passed a sick leave ordinance last summer, and Cook County (where Chicago is located) passed a nearly identical law in October. The ordinances apply to all businesses that are located in the city […]
Many employers offer employee wellness programs with the intent of improving overall employee health levels. Improving employee health has the long-term benefit reducing unplanned absences and can even boost productivity. It can reduce healthcare costs for the employee, which then may, in turn, reduce healthcare benefit costs for everyone. It can have the added benefit […]
Lump-sum windows that offer defined benefit (DB) retirement plan participants a chance to convert their vested accrued monthly benefit into a one-time lump-sum cashout have gained popularity as a way for pensions to “derisk” their balance sheets and lower their headcount for U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premiums.
If there is one word that describes the current debate in Congress over the proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA), it is uncertainty. Almost everything about the proposed bill is currently unclear, including whether it will pass, what it will look like if it does, and how it will affect people if it does get […]
Beneficiary designations, and disputes over them, can be a disproportionate drain of time and other resources spent by administrators of tax-qualified retirement plans. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) does not prescribe a particular manner by which participants in ERISA-covered plans must designate their beneficiaries.
Benefits specialists identify providing financial wellness training and tools as a key workplace trend for 2017. “Financial wellness is hot. In the past year, the number of employers recognizing the impact financial stress has on employee productivity reached critical mass. As a result, we are seeing a big jump in the number of companies saying […]