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Compensation & Benefits

Can ‘kiddie wellness’ programs cut your health costs?

09/25/2008

HR professionals do a lot of hand-wringing over how to cut health care costs. But one aspect often remains overlooked: the health of employees’ children. Here are five tips for including kids in wellness programs …

The prodigal employee: Should you let staff ‘unresign’?

09/25/2008

Q. An employee who resigned last week called and said it was a mistake to leave. He wants to come back. He left on good terms. Should we let him return? If so, how do we handle seniority, accrued vacation, etc.?

Feds: Record number of businesses ignore payroll taxes

09/25/2008

The number of employers with substantial payroll tax debts has ballooned in the past decade. About 1.6 million businesses failed to send taxes to the IRS regarding employees’ wages and FICA taxes, and that totals about $58 billion in unpaid taxes …

Auto enrollment in 401(k) plans becoming the norm

09/25/2008

According to a Deloitte study, 42% of 401(k) plans now include an auto-enroll feature, nearly double the 23% in 2006.

DOL proposal calls for more 401(k) disclosures

09/25/2008

New regulations proposed by the U.S. Department of Labor would require employers with 401(k) plans to disclose more information to employees about plan-related fees and investment performance …

Trouble in the air: The legal ailments of sick-building syndrome

09/24/2008

Although it may seem like the far-fetched excuse of an employee hoping to take a few days off from work, a condition known as “sick building syndrome” (SBS) is real. Some employees suffering from SBS have brought claims under the ADA. Others have sought recovery under state workers’ compensation laws …

What should we do if we suspect an employee is abusing workers’ comp?

09/24/2008

Q. How far can we go to make sure employees aren’t taking advantage of our company while they’re out on workers’ comp leave? Can we, for example, call them at home to make sure they are resting and not out working another job or otherwise abusing the system? …

Company owes back wages after misclassifying traveling workers

09/24/2008

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor (DOL) has ordered Lebanon-based Pennsylvania Counseling Services (PCS) to pay $196,477 in back wages to 203 mobile employees who were improperly classified as exempt from overtime …

Cop is fired over sex charges, but he’ll still get pension

09/24/2008

The Altoona City Council fired Police Officer Herrick Johnson on Sept. 10 for allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old girl he met online. Johnson, 49, met the girl through a web site that promoted law enforcement careers …

Portlock Maintenance Systems workers got a bum deal

09/24/2008

An investigation by the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) revealed that restroom attendants at numerous state fairs in western New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were not only unpaid, but were forced to give 50% of their tips to their employer, Easton-based Portlock Maintenance Systems …