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Compensation & Benefits

Create wall calendars to remind staff of key HR dates

07/01/2008
Here’s a way for HR to stay top-of-mind with employees all year: Give each employee a calendar that highlights important dates during the year, such as open enrollment or when certain forms must be completed …

States settle deceptive-Practices lawsuit against Express Scripts

07/01/2008
Pharmacy benefits management giant Express Scripts has agreed to pay $9.5 million to 28 states—including Pennsylvania—to settle lawsuits alleging deceptive business practices …

Seasonal work, temps and 1099 status: Are we liable for unemployment comp?

07/01/2008
Q. We hire seasonal temps and have them sign a policy that says their employment will end on a certain date. We’re aware of the unemployment responsibilities that come with being the last employer on record. If temps are hired with 1099 status, will our company still be responsible as the last employer on record and held liable for unemployment benefits? If we use a temp agency, are we liable? …

You can’t keep withheld benefits if worker skips doc visit

07/01/2008
The Colorado Supreme Court has issued an interpretation of the suspension language in the state’s workers’ compensation law. The law says an employer can suspend total temporary disability benefits when an employee misses a doctor’s appointment …

Do you use subcontractors? Get solid advice on liability potential

07/01/2008
If your company uses subcontractors, you could end up liable for any injuries the subcontractors’ employees suffer while working for you. Or they could just collect workers’ comp. Which scenario will apply to you? A lot depends on whether or not your organization is the “statutory employer” …

Benefits on a shoestring: 8 tips

07/01/2008

Don’t waste your time and money offering benefits no one cares about. Review all your coverages. Conduct eligibility audits. Those are just some of the tips comp and benefits expert Gary Kushner has for HR pros eager to maximize the value and reduce the costs of the benefits they provide.

Can we send employees on an unpaid ‘Vacation’?

07/01/2008
Q. We are a physicians’ group with multiple sites. If one of our physicians, who has a small office with three employees, decides to go on vacation, can he legally say he wants only one employee to work and the other two have to take time off without pay? — J.B., Massachusetts …

Can we require time off as theft-Prevention measure?

07/01/2008
Q. As a theft-prevention measure, we require all employees with check-signatory power to take a 40-hour work period off every year. Can we require those employees to use accrued leave, such as vacation? Or, do we have to give them an extra paid week off? — P.B., Oklahoma …

Don’t count on vague leave language to limit care for employees’ family members

07/01/2008
The California Legislature concluded back in 1999 that employees should be able to use any sick leave their employers provide to care for sick family members—whether or not the employers’ policies allow them to do so. Employers can’t skirt that entitlement by not using the term “sick leave” or otherwise creating policies that are hard to pin down …

Can we replace a worker who is out on pregnancy disability leave?

07/01/2008

Q. One of our employees is on pregnancy disability leave. We are a small company and it will be difficult for us to keep her position open. May we hire another worker to replace her based on this hardship? …