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Compensation & Benefits

You can terminate employees on FMLA leave

07/11/2008
Employees who are in trouble often ask for FMLA leave. They seem to believe that asking for or taking FMLA leave protects them from disciplinary action. That’s a myth. The fact is, being on FMLA leave doesn’t protect employees from legitimate disciplinary action unrelated to their time off …

Consult attorney on union contract—Because every word counts

07/11/2008
If your organization just became a union shop, chances are you will soon be knee-deep in contract negotiations. Before you sit down and begin drafting language you think is reasonable, consider this: From now on, interpretation of workplace rules will probably be out of your hands and will rest with an arbitrator …

Michigan considers four-Day week for state government employees

07/11/2008
Gov. Jennifer Granholm is considering four-day workweeks for some state workers to help cut commuting costs in light of skyrocketing fuel prices. More than a third of state workers already enjoy alternative work schedules …

Before canceling health insurance, beware FMLA trap that could cost big bucks

07/09/2008
If, like many employers, you provide health insurance benefits to full-time employees but not part-time ones, you may be tempted to cancel coverage as soon as an employee falls to part-time status. But what if the employee is eligible for FMLA leave? Canceling may not be an option—and can lead to a big jury award …

Metropolis kicks butts

07/09/2008
The city of Metropolis—Illinois’ adopted home of Superman—has offered to pay its employees $1,000 each if they can give up smoking for one year …

Former steelworkers suffer huge pension meltdown

07/09/2008
Hundreds of retired Illinois steelworkers once employed by Republic Technologies International (RTI) recently received some unwelcome notices in the mail: Due to miscalculations, their pensions are being cut by as much as 75%, some to as little as $300 per month …

DOL can pursue visa pay violations even without a complaint

07/09/2008
Here’s a word of warning to employers that hire workers from overseas to fill critical jobs: A federal court has ruled that the DOL can investigate alleged violations of the H-1A visa program’s equal-pay requirements, even if no particular employee has complained. The ruling may mean more employers will find DOL investigators on their doorsteps …

Companies try doctors’ bonuses to reduce employee depression

07/08/2008
A group of Minnesota employers is piloting a pay-for-performance program to combat employee depression. The program is sponsored by the Buyers Health Care Action Group (BHCAG) …

Roseville company sued for pocketing health insurance funds

07/08/2008
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has filed suit against Catherine Ellingen, owner and president of Plywood Industries in Roseville, over violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) …

How to regain wages paid after worker falsified timecards

07/08/2008
Q. We recently discovered that one of our employees has been falsifying her timecards. When we confronted her, she admitted it but said that she only began doing this recently. An internal investigation showed that this has been going on for several years. Over the past two years our company overpaid her at least $5,000 as a result of her fraud. She resigned. Her final paycheck, including wages and accrued paid time off, is $1,500. Can we refuse to pay her final paycheck and use that money to offset the $5,000 she owes us? How do we recover the remaining $3,500? …