Tag: benefits

Can an Early Retirement Nudge Lead to a Lawsuit?

Employers are often reluctant to follow up on allegations made against employees nearing retirement age, both because of the fear of age bias claims, and because these employees stand to lose valuable retirement and other benefits if they’re terminated. For these reasons, employers sometimes suggest that the employee take early retirement rather than risk termination.

Prop 8 Upheld by California Supreme Court

On Tuesday, the California Supreme Court upheld the November amendment to the state constitution—Prop 8—that prohibits same-sex marriage. The court did, however, rule that the 18,000+ same-sex marriages already performed in California will remain legally valid.

New Health Benefits Law Goes into Effect this Year

On October 9 of this year a new federal law—called Michelle’s Law—regarding who’s entitled to health benefits will go into effect. The law is named for Michelle Morse, a New Hampshire college student with cancer who continued with a full course load against her doctor’s advice in order to maintain health benefits under her parents’ […]

Age Bias Becoming Battleground Issue for Employers

Earlier this month, a statewide class-action lawsuit was filed in a Northern California federal court, alleging that Minnesota-based giant 3M systematically discriminates against older employees. The lawsuit follows a similar case already pending in 3M’s home state.

Pro-Union Bill Highlights Need for Good Internal Problem Solving

Earlier this week, the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) was introduced into both the U.S. House and Senate. Both supporters and opponents of the bill anticipate that the proposed legislation will spark fierce battles over the next few months. Employer advocacy groups have already launched aggressive lobbying efforts to defeat the bill. On the other […]

New Index Measures Unretirement

The changing attitudes and expectations of American workers regarding retirement have been measured in Sun Life Financial Inc.’s first “Unretirement Index.” Unretirement is defined as working at least 20 hours per week after reaching the age when one is eligible to receive full social security benefits. The Unretirement Index measures consumer opinions toward five factors […]

Economy Affecting Workers’ Comp Leaves?

Headlines heralding ever-increasing job loss numbers may motivate workers already out with legitimate work-related injuries to try to extend their workers’ compensation benefits, especially if their positions have been, or will be, eliminated.

New Stimulus Package Contains Employment-Related Provisions

On Tuesday, President Obama signed the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Obama called the package the “first part” of a larger strategy to help give the nation’s economy a boost. While some of the finer details are still being worked out, the package does include benefits that employers and employees alike […]