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Compensation & Benefits

The right way to prepare for layoffs … and some alternatives

07/01/2008
Because of the nationwide economic slump, layoffs are a hot topic these days. What sort of employment law issues should HR professionals consider when the possibility of laying off workers becomes increasingly likely? Here’s a step-by-step guide for smoothing out a difficult and painful process …

Paying for noncompete agreement?

07/01/2008
Q. We are a small company that has to aggressively market ourselves to our customers in order to compete with larger suppliers. To protect our client base, our COO wants to require our sales force to sign a noncompete/
nonsolicitation agreement. If we want our salespeople to sign off on a noncompete agreement, do we have to give them anything in exchange, like a bonus? …

Be prepared to justify bonuses based on work performance

07/01/2008
It seems inevitable. Anytime you award variable bonuses to some employees, there’s apt to be some grumbling from those who got less or nothing at all. But if you make sure to base bonus calculations on reasonable and legitimate business reasons, that grumbling won’t turn into a lawsuit you lose …

Good news: Court upholds limits on employee visits to chiropractors

07/01/2008
Good news for employers that ultimately bear the cost of workers’ compensation insurance and medical treatments: The Court of Appeal of California has refused to overturn legislation that limits the number of chiropractic treatments an employee can receive for any one industrial accident …

Sweep of garment manufacturers nets labor law violations

07/01/2008
California’s Economic Employment Enforcement Coalition (EEEC) has issued 42 citations following a California Labor and Workforce Development Agency sweep of 22 garment manufacturers in Los Angeles and Orange counties. In addition to citations, the EEEC issued fines totaling $457,000 …

Brother, can you spare some tuna?

07/01/2008
Jevic Transportation employees, dumped unceremoniously when the company went bankrupt, have been fighting to get in the gate, not to voice their anger or serve a court summons, but to feed a half dozen feral cats that were accustomed to being cared for by Jevic workers …

Don’t let them eat cake: Join HR’s war on fat

07/01/2008

The focus on overweight employees has always been on the extra expense they add to an organization’s health care costs. But the issue also spills over into a productivity problem, according to a recent study. Aggressive wellness efforts can help trim the workforce size—in a good way …

Top 10 concerns of American HR professionals

07/01/2008
While the continuing high cost of health care ranks first among HR’s greatest concerns, No. 2 on the list is the large number of baby boomers (1945–1964) retiring at about the same time, according to SHRM’s 2008 Trends Report …

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 …