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Compensation & Benefits

Bereavement leave: How to manage time off when an employee’s loved one dies

04/26/2023
Is HR’s focus on leave related to childbirth misplaced? According to the Census Bureau, there were more deaths than births in most U.S. counties during the 12 months that ended June 30, 2022. Any employer that offers reasonable bereavement leave—especially paid leave—sets itself apart as a workplace that values work-life balance.

A Texas court ruling could affect your group health plan

04/20/2023
The Affordable Care Act requires group health plans to follow the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force and cover certain preventive services cost-free. That’s why COVID shots are free. That’s also why childhood immunizations are cost-free. No longer, at least temporarily.

Post-pandemic, enforcement agencies step up oversight of hospitality and leisure industries

04/20/2023
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Start developing your open-enrollment communications plan now

04/19/2023
Experts say HR should begin making plans for open enrollment at least six months before employees make their benefits choices. If your 2024 open-enrollment period will start in November, that means your preparations must begin within weeks.

As workforce demographics change, consider offering benefits to help employees start families

04/17/2023
If you’re like most employers, chances are your workforce is changing. With baby boomers retiring, it’s likely skewing somewhat younger. The benefits you offer may need to change if you expect to stay competitive in an incredibly tight hiring environment. Here are some possible benefit additions.

A father-daughter chat about money and financial literacy

04/13/2023
April is National Financial Literacy Month. Payroll is the company department holding employees’ money, so take some time to educate them about it.

How much and when? The increase in the FLSA’s salary level for exempts is near (or not)

04/04/2023
Let’s be clear—no one knows what these regulations will contain. Nevertheless, it’s prudent to proceed as if these regulations will see the light of day next month.

DOL fills in details about the end of the COVID emergencies

04/03/2023
Once the two pandemic-related emergencies—the national emergency and the public health emergency—end May 11, group health plans can quit providing some benefits free of charge. On July 10, the statutory deadlines for electing health benefits snap back to their pre-pandemic normal. But there’s more to it, and the Department of Labor has issued FAQs clarifying just what’s going to happen on May 11 and July 10.

Biden’s first veto preserves ESG retirement plan fiduciary rule

04/03/2023
President Biden saved his first use of the presidential veto pen for an issue affecting HR. On March 20, he vetoed a bipartisan congressional resolution that would have overturned a Department of Labor rule that allows retirement plan fiduciaries to weigh environmental, social and governance factors when deciding how to invest plan funds.

Feel free to contact worker who’s on sick leave

04/03/2023
Employers should make it a point not to pester employees who are out on sick leave or ask them to perform work during their time off. However, that general principle doesn’t mean employers are absolutely forbidden to seek basic information from employees who are out sick.