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Compensation & Benefits

FMLA damages are payroll taxable, court rules

09/20/2012
For a long time, damages employees received under the FMLA weren’t considered payroll taxable because courts read the FMLA’s unique damages provision—which mandates damages equal to lost pay—as not being the same as taxable back pay. A federal trial court has now turned this reasoning on its head.

Health premiums up 4% in 2012, forecast to rise 7% next year

09/19/2012
Annual premiums for employer-sponsored family health coverage reached $15,745 in 2012, up 4% from last year, with workers on average paying $4,316 toward the cost of their coverage, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) survey.  Premiums for worker-only health coverage increased 3% in 2012 to reach $5,615 annually. Here’s a full analysis:  

IRS cuts slack under final health premium tax credit regs

09/18/2012
While the legality of the Affordable Care Act health care reform law was pending before the Supreme Court, the IRS issued final regulations on the premium tax credit. Since the dust has settled, it’s time to take a closer look at the regs.

Can severance deal address unemployment?

09/17/2012
Q. We want to terminate an underperforming employee and are considering offering a severance agreement in which we agree not to contest unemployment benefits and he agrees to resign and release the company from any claims. Is that OK?

Sick pay after suspension doesn’t count against unemployment

09/17/2012
Employees who are suspended for 30 days or more without pay are considered terminated. If they then receive accumulated sick leave pay, that doesn’t count as wages—and it doesn’t lower their unemployment compensation benefits.

One way to avoid unemployment liability: Offer time off for medical problems

09/17/2012
In Minnesota, an employee who has a medical condition that prevents him from working can still collect unemployment benefits if he quits. But before he quits, he has to tell his employer about the medical problem so the employer has a chance to offer time off and continued employment when he returns.

Ohio WC seeks to curb prescription painkiller abuse

09/13/2012
Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Com­pen­sation is trying to reduce the amount of powerful narcotics prescribed for injured workers receiving workers’ comp benefits.

Census: Health coverage varies widely by state

09/12/2012
Nearly one in five Americans under age 65 lacks health insurance, according to data analyzed by the U.S. Census Bureau, but the rate of coverage varies widely depending on where people live.

Small businesses: Benchmark your employee benefits

09/11/2012
Many small employers make decisions about medical plans and other benefits based on cost alone. But here’s another factor to consider: How does your organization stack up against employers of the same size?

Court of Appeals case reinforces value of written job offers

09/10/2012
A recent decision by New York’s highest court highlights the value of spelling out the terms of employment in a written offer letter.