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Compensation & Benefits

ER drama: Nurse pushed into workers’ comp award

10/01/2007

A nurse with a history of back problems won a workers’ compensation award after she proved a co-worker pushed her and caused her injury. In Illinois, injuries caused by co-workers are compensable under workers’ comp …

Tampon dispenser whiplash claim goes down the drain

10/01/2007

A Wal-Mart employee, who filed a workers’ compensation claim after a lunchtime trip to the restroom, failed to convince the Workers’ Compensation Commission of her claim’s merit …

UPS extends benefits to NJ civil-Union partners

10/01/2007

Atlanta-based UPS announced it will extend health care benefits to the civil-union partners of hourly employees in New Jersey, saying it has “received clear guidance that at least in New Jersey, the state truly views civil-union partners as married,” a company spokesman said …

Callous treatment may cost you punitive damages

10/01/2007

Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, employers that don’t reasonably accommodate disabilities may be liable for both actual and punitive damages. And those punitive damages can add up, frequently exceeding the amount of actual damages. Train all managers and supervisors on the consequences of being perceived as intentionally ignoring the law …

UC: State health care proposals won’t increase business costs

10/01/2007

The University of California Berkeley Center for Labor Research issued a research report on July 11 to determine the impact on businesses’ operating costs of two state health care proposals that aim to expand health care coverage in California. The findings: The effect will be negligible …

Continuation health care coverage: What does California require beyond COBRA?

10/01/2007

Q. I know that the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) requires employers with 20 or more workers to offer continuation health care coverage following a “qualifying event.” Does California law impose additional requirements? …

Join NJ state employees in fall fitness challenge

10/01/2007

Employees at New Jersey state agencies who want to get into better shape, live healthier and perhaps save taxpayers a few dollars in health care costs are participating in the Working Well New Jersey Fitness Challenge. Employees track their wellness and exercise efforts over a six-week period ending Nov. 3 …

Under what circumstances can an employee challenge a termination?

10/01/2007

Q. If an employee believes he has been terminated unfairly, does he have a legal right to challenge the termination? …

How to put a stop to FMLA leave abuse

10/01/2007

Q. I suspect one of the employees in our office is abusing his FMLA leave because he always seems to call off work at the end of the week or around holidays. What options are available to us to deny his suspicious leave requests? —E.L. …

Religious accommodations

10/01/2007

Q. An employee of ours is requesting a personal day off for religious observance. He is salaried and has exhausted all vacation and personal time. Are we required to give him the day off? …