• The HR Specialist - Print Newsletter
  • HR Specialist: Employment Law
  • The HR Weekly

Insurance

Employee recovering? Offer light-Duty job to cut off unemployment benefits

11/01/2007

When an employee gets hurt on the job, she is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to help replace lost wages. But that doesn’t mean her employer has to keep paying full benefits forever—if the employee can return to a light-duty or modified job. And employees who don’t follow up on those kinds of alternative job offers could lose their benefits …

More employers try to regulate employees’ off-Duty behavior

11/01/2007

To help control significant health care cost increases, many employers are trying to regulate employees’ off-duty behavior when they believe that it creates health risks. Although motivated by legitimate economic concerns, are these employers overstepping the boundaries of individual privacy? …

Workers’ comp for injury at social event?

11/01/2007

Q. Is an employee who injures herself at a company-sponsored picnic eligible for workers’ compensation? …

COBRA notice for new hires

11/01/2007

Q. What are our obligations under COBRA when we hire a new worker?—T.J. …

Attract and keep great employees with these 5 ‘Best practices’ benefits

10/23/2007

As the HR profession celebrates National Work and Family Month—you knew October was National Work and Family Month, didn’t you?—it’s time to stock up on innovative benefits ideas from U.S. employers. From wellness incentives to “future leave,” these best practices help attract and retain great workers …

This cup’s for you: The right way to test for drugs

10/01/2007

With an increasing number of employees just saying “yes” to drugs these days, you can expect more Indiana companies to develop random drug-testing programs and establish rules that allow them to fire workers who test positive or don’t cooperate with the test. One note of caution: Make sure you can demonstrate that your drug test results are accurate and reliable …

South Bend contractor hit with max fine for fall-Protection error

10/01/2007

OSHA inspectors slapped steel contractor National Store Fixtures Division of United Fixtures in South Bend with a $79,500 fine for failing to protect workers at a construction site last year. Following a tip, OSHA conducted a site inspection and found employees working more than 15 feet off the ground without fall protection while installing steel walls …

At Indy-Based trucking firm, the biggest losers are winners

10/01/2007

Employees of Indianapolis-based trucking company Celadon Group have lost nearly 1,000 pounds through the company’s Highway 2 Health wellness initiative. More than 70 employees participated, completing a 12-week on-site Weight Watchers course …

Is return to work after workers’ comp guaranteed?

10/01/2007

Q. An employee has been out for the past few months on workers’ comp. During his recovery, we placed someone else in his position. His replacement has performed better than the injured employee, and we want to keep the replacement. Do we have to return the original employee to his job following his return from workers’ comp leave? —R.P. …

Unintended consequences: Co-Pays up, productivity down

10/01/2007

If your employees have to shell out for co-pays that they believe are too high, they might opt not to buy their medicine or even seek treatment, even for major health ailments. That can be a problem for your organization because sick employees are not productive …