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Compensation & Benefits

Health care reform: Prepare now for employer mandate in 2014

05/30/2013
Although the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate takes effect in 2014, implementation of several requirements will depend on circumstances that unfold this year. Employers should plan ahead to avoid unexpected negative consequences. Immediate actions may be necessary.

If exempt employee fields calls or emails on a sick day, is it still a sick day?

05/28/2013
Q. If a salaried manager is contacted via phone or email while out on a sick day and she responds, would that constitute work performed? Would that still be considered a sick day?

Should we track exempts’ sick time?

05/28/2013
Q. Our company gives eight hours of sick leave per month to nonexempt employees. We’ve been told that, under the FLSA, exempt employees are to be paid whenever they are sick. So our exempt employees have virtually an unlimited sick-leave balance. Is this a correct way to interpret the FLSA? Should we have some type of sick-leave accrual and tracking for our exempts?

When using temps, make sure temp agency retains control of employment relationship

05/28/2013
Using temporary workers can be an effective way to stretch your labor budget without making a long-term staffing commitment. But if a temp sues over alleged discrimination, you may not have saved much money. To prevent surprises, make sure you treat the temp as a guest—leave the employment details to the agency that supplies the temp.

Walmart pay saga continues with appeal to Pa. Supreme Court

05/28/2013

Retail giant Walmart has appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, asking it to overturn a $187.6 million class-action verdict issued two years ago. That decision followed a 32-day trial in 2006 that sent shock waves through the Pennsylvania employer community.

OK to vary pay–as long as there’s no sex bias

05/28/2013
Employees are supposed to receive the same compensation for the same work regardless of sex. But that doesn’t mean you can’t pay some men more than some women, even if it’s crystal clear that they’re doing the exact same job. That’s because the Equal Pay Act allows for differences that can be accounted for by any factor other than sex.

Hey, kid, get a job! Rules for employing teens

05/27/2013
If you’re tempted to say that to the teenagers in your house, and thankful that someone else will be employing them this summer, remember that somewhere out there other parents are saying the very same thing to their teens. And you may end up employing them.

Make the case: Direct deposit saves big bucks

05/27/2013
According to research by the Electronic Payments Association and the American Payroll Association, an employer currently printing 500 weekly paychecks can save $82,000 each year by switching to direct deposit.

Game on! Competition is favored wellness motivator

05/25/2013
When U.S. employers seek better worker wellness, 62% of them turn to games and contests to encourage healthier behavior. Competition is widely seen as the most effective way to promote health engagement among employees, according to researchers at WorldatWork and Buck Consultants.

June 2013: Employer’s business tax calendar

05/25/2013
NOTE: Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays as observed in the District of Columbia are taken into account to determine due dates. Under the federal deposit rules, you’re allowed a deposit shortfall of the greater of $100 or 2% of your tax liability.