Compensation & Benefits

How to Wipe Out Fraud and Abuse Under FMLA

02/16/2024

The medical certification process is your most potent weapon for combating potential FMLA fraud. But obtaining a certification is only the first fraud-stopping step. Here are 10 more things you can do to keep employees from gaming the FMLA system.

DOL orders extra helpings of damages against restaurants

02/12/2024

The Depart of Labor is cracking down hard on restaurants that cheat workers out of tips and otherwise fail to pay them properly. On Feb. 7 alone, the DOL announced it had recovered more than $850,000 from eateries in Florida, Hawaii and Oregon.

3 ways to handle use of sick leave with employee well-being and productivity in mind

02/09/2024

Studies show that since the pandemic, employees are taking much-needed sick days to prioritize their physical and mental well-being. Based on data from more than 30,000 small and mid-sized businesses that use Gusto, a payroll and HR platform, 30% of all employees have taken sick leave. That’s a 42% jump compared to 2019.

Federal contractor? Beware DOL probes of wage-and-hour violations

02/05/2024

Department of Labor investigators are going after federal contractors that cheat employees out of pay and leave—and the DOL is winning. The latest example: On Jan. 29, the DOL announced it had recovered nearly $16 million in back wages and restored more than 24,700 paid sick-leave hours for more than 2,800 employees who worked for 62 contractors and subcontractors.

Docking pay for snow-day absences: When is it legal?

02/04/2024

The snow’s coming down pretty good and an exempt employee calls to say she can’t make it in today because her car is stuck. Can you deduct a full day’s pay from her salary for that missed day? What if she’s non-exempt? What if you close work because of bad weather? Here’s guidance—and a handy flowchart—to help you make the call.

First Friday wrap of February: IRS advises on 2023 W-2s, House passes a tax bill and more

02/02/2024

Did the groundhog see its shadow in our first Friday wrap of February?

March 2024: Employer’s business tax calendar

01/31/2024

Here’s your monthly guide to critical payroll due dates.

Recruiting: Offer work-from-home option, tout opportunities to advance

01/29/2024

It’s tough to attract the best new hires if you can’t pay as much as larger employers can. However, you may have a couple competitive advantages big companies can’t offer: the option for employees to work remotely full-time and the promise of promotion opportunities.

Friday wrap: Affordable health benefits, IRS continues enhancing online services and more

01/26/2024

Affordable health benefits, Form 990-T, Maryland taxpayer break and more as January winds down.

Develop a process for extending FMLA leave