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Compensation & Benefits

Game on! Supreme Court hears health care reform arguments

03/27/2012
The U.S. Supreme Court case everyone has been waiting for is finally here. The High Court began hearing oral arguments on the constitutionality of the landmark Affordable Care Act on March 26. An unprecedented six hours of arguments will set the stage for a decision—probably in late June—on whether “Obamacare” stays or goes. No matter how the court rules, it will affect HR for years to come.

Help employees save money through wellness programs

03/26/2012
CFOs aren’t the only ones with their eyes on the bottom line when it comes to health and wellness. Your organization’s workers also can—and want to—save money by participating in employer-sponsored programs.

Rocky Mount company faces huge pay lawsuit in California

03/23/2012
Rocky Mount-based Premier Ware­­housing Ventures is being sued over pay practices at its former facility in Jurupa Valley, Calif. Premier no longer operates the facility, but current and former employees have filed a lawsuit alleging wage-and-hour violations dating back to 2003.

Worker returning after leave? Just say, ‘Welcome back!’

03/23/2012
Here’s a tip that doesn’t cost anything to implement and may prevent a lawsuit: When employees return from an illness, medical leave or other absences, make them feel welcome—and don’t publicly focus on any lingering problems.

Equal pay? Not if jobs aren’t really equal

03/23/2012
The Equal Pay Act says that men and women who perform jobs requiring equal skill, effort and responsibility should be paid the same. But that doesn’t mean everyone with the same title or similar job responsibilities falls into the same pay category.

Health savings accounts growing again

03/23/2012
After a recession-induced lull, health savings accounts (HSAs) regained popularity in 2011, and now total $12.4 billion in assets, spread over 8.4 million accounts.

How does the state’s civil union law affect employer-provided health benefits?

03/22/2012
Q. How does the Illinois Religious Freedom Pro­­tec­­tion and Civil Union Act affect health benefits?

After Wal-Mart, Illinois court & 7th Circuit uphold class certification

03/22/2012
Class-action litigation returned to the spotlight with last year’s Supreme Court decision in Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes. In Wal-Mart v. Dukes, the Supreme Court refused to certify what would have been the largest-ever employment class action against a private employer. Now the 7th Circuit has weighed in.

Small amount at stake in employee suit? Know when it’s best to consider settling

03/22/2012

Sometimes, it’s better to settle than to fight. If a case is pretty clear and the potential liability small, it makes sense to pony up the settlement money. Otherwise, a court may punish bullheadedness with a large award for attorneys’ fees.

How to make ‘no unauthorized OT’ policy work

03/22/2012
The first step to controlling overtime costs is to establish a sound policy forbidding unauthorized extra work for hourly employees. But a “no unauthorized overtime” policy is just the beginning. It’s what you do after implementing the policy that counts.