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Compensation & Benefits

IRS releases a potpourri of ACA guidance

02/17/2016
The IRS has released guidance covering an assortment of issues under the Affordable Care Act, including how certain cafeteria plan flex contributions affect affordability, adjustments to the affordability safe harbors and penalty relief for failing to file correct Forms 1095-C/1094-C or 1095-B/1094-B.

‘Ghosts’ on payroll haunt HR, but not hallways

02/15/2016
Here’s a new worry for employers: “Ghost” employees who receive paychecks and benefits but never actually show up for work.

DOL targets West Coast fast food franchises for wage enforcement

02/13/2016

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has launched an enforcement initiative on the West Coast aimed at ensuring workers at fast food establishments are being paid the proper minimum wage and receiving overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours per week.

DOL sues to wind down old 401(k) in Eagan

02/12/2016
We’ve all seen those commercials asking if employees have left something behind at an old employer such as an old 401(k) plan. Well, if the U.S. Department of Labor allegations are true, Carr Freight Systems forgot about its plan as well.

A couple tips on unemployment

02/12/2016

No do-overs on resignation reason … Employer deserves chance to fix problem

2015 W-2s cast their last shadows

02/12/2016
Groundhogs scurry back home after they see their shadows. You have no such luxury. Paper W-2s are due to the Social Security Administration by the end of the month; e-filed forms are due by March 31. This checklist applies to e-filers who are using the SSA’s EFW2 filing specs.

No pay for bathroom breaks costs Pa. firm $1.75M

02/06/2016
A federal court last month ordered a Pennsylvania media company to pay more than $1.75 million to 6,000 employees who were docked pay for bathroom breaks and other types of short breaks.

In the mailbag this month …

02/05/2016

Payroll’s Super Bowl, also known as year-end, is done. Congratulations. Now it’s time to tackle what’s piled up during the last several months.

State workers’ minimum wage increasing to $15

02/04/2016
All New York state employees will make at least $15 per hour within six years, per the order of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. For workers in New York City, the rate will be in force by the end of 2018.

EEO-1 filings to require reporting employee pay

02/02/2016
The Obama administration is stepping up federal efforts to make corporate pay practices more transparent and spotlight discriminatory pay disparities.