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Compensation & Benefits

DHR posts same-sex marriage guidance for employers

11/19/2013
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights website has posted a list of frequently asked questions to help employers understand their obligations now that same-sex marriage has been legal in Minnesota since August.

Found misclassification problem? Fix it fast

11/19/2013
Avoid costly litigation by reviewing how you classify your em­­ployees as exempt or nonexempt. If you discover you have made a mistake, fix it right away. You’ll cut your misclassification liability.

72 AEP employees use $3,000 adoption benefit

11/19/2013

American Electric Power employees who adopt children get a little help from their employer: 30 hours of paid leave and $3,000 per child. One of the largest utilities in the country, American Electric Power has helped 72 of its employees with adoptions.

Holiday bonuses: Pass the bucks

11/18/2013
Good, bad or sluggish economy, there are valid reasons—mostly sustaining employee morale—to pay holiday bonuses. If your company will be doing so, now’s the time for Payroll to plan for them.

Regs continue to outline affordability under the ACA

11/18/2013
Under the Affordable Care Act, employees who don’t have access to affordable group health insurance that provides minimum value may obtain individual insurance through the exchanges. As part of their core responsibilities, exchanges determine whether employees qualify for advance premium tax credits and other cost-sharing reductions. Two sets of regulations relate to the concept of affordable health insurance.

How much is that paid internship worth?

11/15/2013
Undergrads working in organizations that offer paid internships earn a mean hourly rate of $12.74, according to a SHRM survey.

Don’t let court take employee’s word on hours; keep your own time records for all staff

11/15/2013
Here’s a case that should send chills down your spine if you don’t keep meticulous records of every hour worked. A court has allowed an employee’s lawsuit to proceed based on little more than her vague allegation that she wasn’t paid overtime for hours in excess of 40 per week.

Final New York wage deduction regulations now in effect

11/14/2013
The New York State Department of Labor has published final regulations—effective Oct. 9, 2013—governing employee wage deductions under Section 193 of the Labor Law.

Manhattan strippers gain minimum wage, overtime

11/14/2013
A federal judge has ruled that federal labor law covers strippers at Rick’s Cabaret in midtown Manhattan. As a result, they must be paid the minimum wage and are entitled to overtime when they work more than 40 hours in a week.

Will photocopy for … what?

11/13/2013
Paid internships pay off. Unpaid internships, not so much. Here’s how internship experience affects starting salaries: