Legislative Proposals: Congress Considers Controversial Employment Measures
A number of bills that would significantly impact employers are pending in Washington.
Tag: benefits
News Notes: Domestic Partner Ordinance Upheld as to Air Carriers
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld San Francisco’s groundbreaking domestic partner ordinance, which requires certain businesses to offer the same benefits to heterosexual and gay partners of unmarried employees as they offer to married spouses. The court rejected an argument by United Air Lines, FedEx and an airline association that the ordinance, […]
News Notes: Nonmembers Can’t Be Forced to Pay for Union Organizing
A long-standing ruling by the National Labor Relations Board permitted unions to charge workers who were not union members fees that were used in organizing efforts in other workplaces. The rationale behind the rule was that nonunion workers derived a benefit from organizing efforts elsewhere because nonunion employers in the area would be forced to […]
Hiring Independent Contractors: New Case Says Contractor’s Employees Can’t Sue You For On-The-Job Injuries, But Caution Still Required
If an employee of a contractor you’ve hired gets injured on the job, the person can seek workers’ comp benefits from the contractor. But can the worker also come after you with a lawsuit for damages—arguing that you put them at risk by not ensuring that the contractor was competent to perform the work? The […]
Pregnancy Discrimination: Huge Verdict For Teacher Who Wasn’t Rehired After Principal Said She Wouldn’t Want To Work; How To Manage Pregnant Workers To Avoid Lawsuits
Nina Hagan was hired under a one-year teaching contract at St. Martin of Tours, a Catholic elementary school in Los Angeles. She received a glowing performance evaluation her first semester. But, she claimed, after the principal discovered she was pregnant, her work situation deteriorated and she wasn’t rehired for the next school year. Now a […]
News Notes: EEOC Suspends Rule On Retiree Medicare Bridge Coverage
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has rescinded a policy under which the agency viewed employer-sponsored health plans that were reduced or eliminated on the basis of age or Medicare eligibility as violating the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act. The agency acted after receiving input from employer and labor groups suggesting that the rule discouraged […]
Workers’ Compensation: When You Could Be Liable For Injuries During An Employee’s Commute
San Diego police officer Stephen Molnar was subpoenaed to testify in court on a work-related matter on a day he wasn’t scheduled to report for duty. While driving his personal car from home to the courthouse, he was injured in an automobile accident. Molnar filed a workers’ compensation claim, which was ultimately denied. We’ll explain […]
Tax Legislation: New Pension Laws Boost Retirement Savings And Accelerate Vesting
Congress recently approved expanded benefits for retirement savings as part of President Bush’s massive tax cut bill. We’ll run down the major changes that will affect employers and employees.
News Notes: Court Upholds San Francisco Domestic Partner Law
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld San Francisco’s landmark domestic partner benefits ordinance, which requires that companies doing business with the city must offer equal benefits to domestic partners and married spouses of employees. The court rejected a constitutional challenge by an Ohio company whose bid for a contract with the city was […]
Employee Leaves Of Absence: A Simple Explanation Of FMLA Requirements For Managers
Figuring out your obligations under the Family and Medical Leave Act can be tricky. But you can make compliance easier by educating your managers about the law’s basic requirements and some special rules under the California Family Rights Act. Here’s a checklist of basic facts and practical tips to help supervisors avoid the most common […]