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Compensation & Benefits

Ambulance service president pleads guilty to fraud

09/10/2008
Clayton Hobbs, former president of Mercy Regional Health Systems, which provided ambulance services in Franklin County, has pleaded guilty to 16 counts of failure to pay federal income taxes, to the tune of a whopping $1.7 million …

Hearings before the IDES: ‘The People’s Court’ or the Supreme Court?

09/10/2008
Should you contest a fired employee’s Illinois unemployment compensation claim if you really believe the employee isn’t eligible for the benefits due to misconduct? Is it worth the hassle and expense? Generally, the process is informal and sometimes resembles the television show “The People’s Court.” At other times, it may seem like you’ve landed in the Supreme Court …

How does VESSA work?

09/10/2008
Q. What are the key elements of Illinois’ Victim Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA)? …

Fire employees who take FMLA leave? Yes, with reason

09/10/2008
Employees sometimes think taking FMLA leave gives them special protection. Some may even attempt to go out on leave when they know they are about to get into trouble at work. Don’t fall into that trap. The fact is, if you would have fired the employee even if she had never taken FMLA leave, you can do so if she has taken leave …

Can VESSA and FMLA leave run consecutively?

09/10/2008
Q. May an employee in Illinois take 12 weeks of unpaid time under the Victim Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) and then take 12 weeks unpaid FMLA leave? …

Employ commercial drivers? They have special protection

09/10/2008
Commercial drivers are protected from retaliation if they refuse to operate their vehicles in violation of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) safety rules that restrict the number of hours they may drive without resting. Firing or demoting someone for refusing to break those rules may be retaliation …

Governor proposes health care overhaul for state workers

09/09/2008
Gov. Tim Pawlenty recently released a set of proposals designed to make the state’s health care system “market-driven, patient-centered and quality-focused.” Pawlenty said the plan will “lead the nation in the development of portable personal health records and expanded consumer-directed health care spending accounts for state employees.” …

Election Day: Is paid time off required?

09/09/2008
Q. Are we obligated to pay employees for the time they take off to vote? …

Election Day: Mandatory time off to work the polls?

09/09/2008
Q. An employee who has already used all of his PTO for the year recently requested a day off on Nov. 4, 2008, to serve as an election judge. Do we have to give him the day off? …

WMI hit with overtime suit contesting break practices

09/09/2008
A group of current and former drivers and ride-along helpers for Waste Management Inc. (WMI) has filed a lawsuit claiming the company routinely required them to work through breaks without pay to finish their routes on time …