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Compensation & Benefits

Software firm’s staff average 10 years of tenure

04/07/2014

The 108 employees who work for Quakertown, Pa.-based Synergis Technologies have been with the organization for an average of 10 years. President and CEO David Sharp III attributes employee longevity to the organization’s core values

SC Johnson touts ‘respect for life outside work’

04/04/2014
At SC Johnson, work/life benefits are the company’s signal that it respects employees’ lives outside of work.

Fast track settlement opens to small employers

04/04/2014
Fast track settlement, which up until now has been available only to businesses with more than $10 million in assets, has made its way down the line to businesses in the IRS’ Small Business/Self-Employed division. That’s good news, considering penalties and interest continue to mount while your case remains open.

Ensure collective bargaining agreements spell out exact wage-and-hour terms

04/03/2014
Here’s a case that illustrates at least one advantage for em­­ployers to a union workplace. If your collective bargaining agreement spells out how pay is calculated and excludes time spent donning and doffing work clothes and safety equipment, a contrary state wage-and-hour law doesn’t apply.

Ambiguities cut against employers in vacation pay cases

04/03/2014
Most states allow employers to determine whether they will pay terminating employees for their accrued, unused vacation time. But be warned: Any ambiguity in your company’s vacation pay policy or how that policy is executed will most likely be resolved in employees’ favor.

Most indexed 401(k)s beat managed funds

04/02/2014
Only about 20% of managed 401(k) funds deliver better returns that those that are simply indexed to broader market performance, according to research conducted by the Vanguard mutual fund investment company.

33% of firms eye private health exchanges

04/02/2014
Most employers plan to continue sponsoring health benefits for their employees, but will change the way those benefits are managed and delivered in the coming years. New research finds that traditional models for providing employer-sponsored health benefits will continue, while private insurance exchanges are emerging as corporate America’s new favored way to provide coverage.

Supreme Court: Severance is FICA-taxable

04/01/2014
The U.S. Supreme Court on March 25 unanimously ruled that severance pay is subject to withholding of FICA taxes, which employers and employees pay to fund Social Security and Medicare.

Final business: 5 steps to take when an employee dies

04/01/2014

Beyond its obvious emotional impact, an employee’s death almost always leaves unfinished business for HR and payroll. Follow these steps to help smooth the process when you’re notified of an employee’s death …

Set one standard for tardiness, stick with it

03/31/2014
Make sure you set one standard for determining how late “tardy“ is and how it’s measured. The best bet: Use a time clock.