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Compensation & Benefits

Free but taxable? Frequent-flier miles raise questions at IRS

04/12/2012
It’s a frequently recurring headache for employers and the IRS: Determining whether the value of frequent-flier miles employees accumulate when they travel on business is a tax-free fringe benefit or taxable compensation. Share this latest guidance with your colleagues in the payroll department.

Don’t treat pregnancy-related absences differently than other medical absences

04/11/2012
If you provide additional leave or special arrangements for someone recovering from a heart attack or broken leg, you must provide them for a pregnant employee, too. Otherwise, you may be violating the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

Are your employees ready for retirement? 6 smart steps

04/11/2012
How many of your retirement-age em­­ployees are just hanging around so they can receive benefits and collect paychecks, simply because they can’t afford to stop working? It’s in employers’ best interests to improve the retirement outcomes for their employees by creating a culture of retirement readiness.

U.S. Supreme Court will decide the fate of health care reform

04/10/2012
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide the fate of health care reform before the end of June. No matter how the court rules on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, its decision will affect employer-provided benefits for years to come.

Indiana finance firm opens on-site health clinic

04/04/2012

CNO Financial Group has opened a medical clinic on its Carmel, Ind., campus for employees and their families. OurClinic@Carmel offers primary, preventive and urgent medical care 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday.

Court: No arbitration for government retirement plan disputes

04/03/2012

A state appeals court has reversed a lower court ruling and held that the city of Yonkers’ refusal to reimburse new employees for their statutorily required Tier V retirement plan contributions was not subject to arbitration. Our firm—Bond, Schoeneck & King—represented the city of Yonkers in the litigation.

Former ‘Charlie Rose’ intern seeks class-action lawsuit

04/03/2012
Public television shows often operate on a shoestring. According to Lucy Bickerton, the PBS “Charlie Rose” interview show was so cheap, it used interns like her to fill in for actual employees.

Batali’s employees rake in millions in belated tip income

04/03/2012
Manhattan celebrity chef Mario Batali has agreed to a $5.25 million settlement with waiters, bartenders, busboys and other floor staff at several of his restaurants.

April showers and Form 941: Wow, it must be spring!

04/03/2012
April is the cruelest month not because it rains ­buckets, but because it’s time to file your first-quarter Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return. Here’s help for Payroll:

Recognize the power of public ‘kudos’

04/03/2012
The nonprofit group Food & Friends has a low turnover rate—more than 70% of employees having been with the organization for at least five years. One key retention strategy: “Kudos” are read at weekly staff meetings.