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Compensation & Benefits

For OT, it’s the truck’s weight classification–not the load–that counts

09/16/2013

Employers have long relied on the truck weight classification—not the actual weight the truck is carrying—to determine whether a driver received overtime. That was recently challenged in a class-action lawsuit.

Don’t expect to get away with paying undocumented workers less than law requires

09/16/2013
In a case that shows courts are losing patience with employers that hire undocumented ­workers and then flout wage-and-hour laws, a federal court has zapped an em­­ployer almost $285,000 in unpaid wages and penalties, and another $150,000 to pay the former em­­ployees’ legal fees.

3 unusual workplace perks

09/16/2013
The Wall Street Journal recently unearthed these three unique employee benefits programs: far-flung telecommuting, $400 per year to spend on personal tech gadgets, a break every Friday to do an hour of yoga.

Employers Face Oct. 1 Deadline to Explain Health Insurance Options (7 Tips to Spread the Word)

09/13/2013

This year, the traditional open enrollment season for health benefits coincides with the rollout of massive changes driven by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The law requires employers to inform employees about their coverage options by Oct. 1. Here are seven tips on how to improve your benefits communication during this open enrollment season …

Wellness incentives: Offer some carrots with those sticks

09/13/2013
More than three-fourths of large employers are moving to penalties and/or rewards to help improve employee health, says a recent Midwest Business Group on Health survey. Some companies will offer penalties but no incentives. That could be a mistake. Experts say that incentives alone or combined with penalties work best.

Let’s Go SHOPping

09/13/2013
The one-year delay in the employer play-or-pay provisions of the Affordable Care Act health care reform law has no impact on the individual health insurance exchanges and the health exchanges for small employers, called SHOPs, which open for business this month.

Worksheet for Fourth-Quarter 2013 941 Forms

09/12/2013
In preparation for the end of the year, download a free worksheet to assist you in filling out your quarterly Form 941.

Business can’t dodge ACA on religious grounds

09/11/2013
A panel of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has tossed out one of the first lawsuits objecting to parts of the Affordable Care Act, ruling that a corporation can’t object to the law on moral grounds.

Brokerage firm lends bikes to fitness-minded employees

09/11/2013
For years, managers at Heffernan Insurance Brokers have organized bike outings for employees who participate in team-building and fitness activities. Now, employees can borrow bicycles from their employer for exercise or running errands.

IRS extends tax-free benefits to all same-sex married couples

09/10/2013
New IRS guidance affirms: Same-sex married employees are entitled to all federal spousal tax benefits, even if they live in a state that doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage.