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Compensation & Benefits

Training, flex are rewards for good work at PwC

03/14/2014
Managers at PwC offer training, flexibility and recognition as rewards for good work. Here’s how the professional services firm pats its employees on the back.

Refund claim sinks on no proof of mailing

03/14/2014
Drop a tax return in the mail on the day it’s due and it’s considered timely filed, under the IRS’ timely-mailing-is-timely-filing rule. But you must still have proof that you mailed it—a registered or certified mail receipt, for example. A taxpayer who couldn’t present a receipt was out of luck for his refund, ruled a federal appeals court.

State-by-state chart on vacation pay-upon-termination laws

03/13/2014
A common question: Is the value of accrued vacation time due to a terminating employee? Here’s a chart summarizing state vacation pay laws.

Base pay on the job–not the job description

03/12/2014
The Equal Pay Act makes it illegal to set separate rates of pay for men and women doing the same work. But some employers don’t understand that job titles and job descriptions don’t matter much when it comes to comparing jobs.

Cash-strapped still raiding 401(k)s to pay the bills

03/12/2014
Here’s another sign that, while the economy is generally improving, flush times can still be elusive for individuals. Fully 35% of people who voluntarily or involuntarily left their jobs last year cashed out their retirement savings instead of keeping their money in tax-advantaged accounts.

What drives wellness participation?

03/11/2014
Incentives such as prizes or lower premiums aren’t the main motivators driving participation in employer-sponsored wellness programs. In fact, most employees just want better health.

Virginia financial media firm offers ‘foolish benefits’

03/11/2014
The Motley Fool tells applicants they are applying for the best job they’ll ever have, touting its flexible work schedules, competitive salaries, employee benefits and friendly work environment. Here are some of the “foolish benefits” offered by the Alexandria, Va., personal finance publisher.

IRS now provides special PINs to service bureau clients

03/11/2014
If you’re a client of a payroll service bureau or reporting agent, the IRS will provide you with an inquiry PIN. Inquiry PINs allow you to track your tax accounts so you can keep tabs on your third-party provider’s activities. Keeping tabs on your third-party provider is crucial.

No double liability for state, federal classification claims

03/07/2014

Until now, employers covered by the FLSA faced potential double liability under the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act over unpaid overtime for workers misclassified as exempt. A recent decision makes clear that the federal FLSA takes precedence.

Multitasking doesn’t destroy exempt status when managers must do hands-on work

03/07/2014
Salaried retail managers often have to step in and perform nonmanagement tasks. The fact that they do some of the same things that hourly employees do doesn’t mean they aren’t exempt under the FLSA—as long as they are also managing at the same time.