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Compensation & Benefits

Workers coming in early to fire up their computers? You must pay them

02/18/2010

If your managers tell employees to show up a little early to start their computers and get ready to work, that time must be compensated. That’s true even if you don’t absolutely demand early arrival, but internal systems make it tough for employees to begin their shifts if they don’t arrive early.

Workers in early to fire up computers? You must pay

02/18/2010

If you ask workers to show up a little early to start their computers and get ready to work, be prepared to pay them for that time or risk getting sued. How to avoid such lawsuits: Design better systems so prep time is minimal—but still paid. Or simply start the actual shift a few minutes after paid time begins.

Not rehiring FMLA leave-taker? Document why

02/16/2010

Employees who run out of FMLA leave and are fired under a policy requiring mandatory dismissal for excessive absences may be invited to apply for other open positions when they recover enough to work. Be careful how you handle those reapplications, especially if one of the terminated employees was off because she was pregnant and ran out of leave before being able to return.

Aurora trucking firm sued for bilking employees on benefits

02/16/2010

The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Mid-State Express, alleging that the trucking company collected health care premiums from its employees, but never actually used them to buy insurance. As a result, employees face more than $3 million in unpaid medical bills.

Obama proposes automatic IRA enrollment

02/16/2010

President Obama used his State of the Union address in January to call on Congress to create a new kind of employer-sponsored retirement account: the “automatic workplace IRA.” By default, workers would be enrolled in a direct-deposit individual retirement account. Workers could opt out of the program, but they would proactively have to do so.

Comp & benefits outlook 2010: Perks stuck in neutral

02/15/2010

We’ve all heard the good news: The recession is crawling to a resolution and the economy will slowly get back to normal. Most of the executives I know don’t believe it. Employee-focused HR folks are hoping we’ll get back to business as usual on the comp and benefits front. But you might want to run that by your chief financial officer.

State unemployment tax rates increase this year

02/12/2010

Texas joins a number of other states that have had to increase unemployment tax rates in 2010. The recession has steadily drained the state’s Unemployment Compensation Fund.

Try 2 bonus tactics suited for tough times

02/12/2010

After two years of painful payroll reductions, there’s enough light at the end of the recessionary tunnel for some employers to begin considering pay raises. But in a volatile economy, implementing performance incentives and bonus plans is easier said than done. Experts say two tactics can help HR pros create variable pay plans that strike a balance between risk, reward and fiscal stability.

Your 10-step plan for sniffing out suspicious FMLA requests

02/12/2010

Interested in combating potential FMLA fraud? The best way to keep employees from gaming FMLA leave is to use the law’s medical certification process. To make sure employees take only FMLA leave to which they are entitled, follow these 10 steps:

Can I fire an employee who will miss work because he has been subpoenaed?

02/12/2010

Q. Do I have to allow an employee off work because he has been subpoenaed to testify in a friend’s divorce case? I would like to replace him if he misses work for more than a day or two.