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Compensation & Benefits

Courts: Truckers’ breaks covered by federal–not California–law

11/16/2012
In a significant decision for transportation companies operating in California, a federal district court judge recently dismissed several class-action claims brought by truck drivers who alleged meal and rest break violations under California law.

IRS faces tough choices for 2013 withholding tables

11/16/2012
Next year is shaping up to be complicated for the IRS. The question: Should the IRS issue the withholding tables based on what the law says is supposed to happen on Jan. 1—the expiration of most income tax rates—or keep the rates the same, and assume that Congress will come to some agreement about the rate structure?

What break time rules do we need to follow?

11/15/2012

Q. We are changing our break policy. What breaks are required and can I require employees to take an unpaid meal break?

Looking for work requires more than four hours a week

11/15/2012
Some workers aren’t terribly diligent about finding work once they are laid off and deemed eligible for unemployment compensation. A court has ruled that a good-faith effort to find work certainly requires more than a handful of hours a week making phone calls and searching the web.

Beware discipline following benefits complaint

11/15/2012
Not every complaint about what might be construed as a benefit amounts to protected activity under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Cause for Thanksgiving: You control Payroll destiny

11/15/2012
As you’re feasting on your Thanksgiving dinner this year, don’t let year-end responsibilities eat you up. You can ease year-end Payroll concerns by ticking off some key tasks now.

Need health insurance options for your small business?

11/14/2012

Locate plans that suit your workforce at finder.healthcare.gov. The site, run by the U.S. Depart­­ment of Health and Human Ser­­v­­ices, identifies health insurance carriers serving the small business market in your area.

Do holidays require extra pay?

11/13/2012
Q. We need some of our employees to work during the holidays. Are we required to pay them extra for those days?

DOL sues Houston emergency medical services companies

11/13/2012
The DOL has filed a lawsuit against three Houston-based ambulance companies—Pride EMS, Allyn Medical EMS and North Cypress EMS—and their common owners, seeking an injunction for alleged Fair Labor Standards Act violations.

Pay-for-performance raises to dominate 2013

11/12/2012

This year’s merit increases will hover around 3%, according to a survey of 270 large multinational companies by compensation consulting firm Empsight Inter­na­tional. Say farewell to across-the-board pay hikes and years-of-service bumps. Instead, look for renewed emphasis on raises linked to meeting or beating organizational goals. Here are the compensation trends to watch in 2013.