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A pharmacy chain is being sued over its requirement that employees undergo a “wellness exam” or pay a $600 surcharge on their health plan contribution. The lawsuit, filed in California state court as a class action, characterizes the surcharge as an illegal “wage deduction,” and contends that employees who did take the exam should have […]
President Obama announced a proposed rule to “modernize” and expand overtime protections for workers on March 13. The administration signaled that it would like to expand overtime protections through a U.S. Department of Labor rule change that would raise the salary threshold defining which workers are exempt from overtime and potentially evaluate some of the […]
Beginning next month, employers can be fined $210 per incidence for failing to post notices required by federal nondiscrimination laws. The change, which raises the fine from $100 per incidence, was announced in the Federal Register Wednesday (29 C.F.R. Part 1601). It takes effect April 18. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, […]
Yesterday’s Advisor featured consultant Mollie Lombardi and product manager Jim Mansfield’s tips for automating time and attendance. Today, more of their practical advice, plus an introduction to the all-things-HR-in-one-place website, HR.BLR.com. What Can Be Gained with Technology and Integration? In a word, efficiency and productivity, says Mansfield. An employee asks for a day off. The […]
The “best in breed” approach to HR automation is out, and integration is in, says consultant Mollie Lombardi. Companies look for best practices, but take that with a grain of salt, she warns. Best practice for another company may not be best practice for your company. You have to find the right processes for your […]
Yesterday’s Advisor covered the first five sins of wage and hour; today, more sins, plus we offer a free white paper that shows you how to focus your compliance training for maximum effect. [Go here for sins 1 to 5] Sin #6. Inappropriate deductions Just because you’re a manager, it doesn’t mean you can come […]
Pay the minimum wage and pay overtime where due—how hard could it be? Wage and hour should be simple, but it’s just not. We’ve identified the 10 most common “sins” managers and supervisors commit in paying—or not paying—employees what they are owed. Sin #1. Failure to pay the minimum wage We’ll pay you $5 […]
In the Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet case, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has sued to recover nearly $2 million in unpaid wages and damages for 84 employees.
HR’s watchdog agencies—the DOL, EEOC, and OFCCP—are looking at a new variant on discrimination they call “steering.” It’s not immediate discrimination, but long-range discrimination. What Is Steering? “Steering” may be charged when people in a protected class are “steered” to jobs with lower long-term potential than other similar jobs. For example, in a grocery store, […]
Collective wage/hour suits can turn relatively small and inexpensive problems into very large and very expensive ones, but there may be a technique that makes the collective action moot, says Attorney Deanna Brinkerhoff. In Genesis Healthcare Corp. v. Symczyk, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that, at least in this case, action by the employer to […]