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Compensation & Benefits

Is it time to reevaluate your intern program?

05/13/2014
In the wake of some high-profile lawsuits, here’s a rundown of the problems that can arise when interns work for free.

Retirement is biggest financial worry

05/13/2014
Not having enough money for retirement tops the list of money woes that have Americans “very” or “moderately worried,” according to a new poll.

Lawsuits allege McDonald’s workers suffered wage theft

05/12/2014
McDonald’s workers in three states have filed class-action suits alleging the company super-sized its profits at the employees’ expense.

State document requirements for employing teens

05/12/2014
Federal law sets the ground rules for employing teens, but state law controls the age at which they must obtain age certificates, working papers or parental consent letters and how long you must retain those documents. Here’s a chart that lists requirements.

N.J. law office makes staff celebrations routine

05/12/2014
It’s not too early for the Newark, N.J., office of the Patton Boggs law firm to start planning its annual holiday celebrations—because it throws two separate parties every December.

The boss’s son: Employee or independent contractor?

05/09/2014

Q: Our company president’s teenage son has been hired to do what the president calls incidental work around our office this summer. He’s signed a “Professional Services Agreement,” which specifies that he will be paid $10 an hour. Payroll has been told not to put him on the payroll because he’s an independent contractor. We think he should be put on the payroll. Who’s correct?


Employee hurt while driving out of company parking lot: Is she due workers’ comp?

05/09/2014
Each state’s workers’ compensation law is different, but most say employees’ injuries are covered if they occur during the “course of employment.” Sometimes that can be a close call … in this case, one foot.

Leasing organizations may be liable for clients’ payroll taxes

05/08/2014
The IRS can only collect payroll taxes once—either from you or your designated third party. Final regulations, which became effective March 31, 2014, clarify when employee leasing organizations are liable for their clients’ payroll taxes. Warning: Even though the regs heap liability on leasing organizations, they stress that you remain on the hook for your payroll taxes.

After five years, Wage and Hour Division finally has an administrator

05/06/2014
Boston University management professor David Weil has been confirmed as the next administrator of the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD). Nominated in September 2013, the Senate confirmed Weil on a party-line vote: 51 Democrats yea, 42 Republicans nay.

Reference pricing could reduce health costs

05/06/2014
A new health insurance approach called “reference pricing” may help control employers’ health costs, according to a new analysis by the Employee Benefit Research Institute.