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Compensation & Benefits

At Whole Foods, employee benefits are chosen through workplace vote

05/01/2007

Elections occur every three years, not four, at the Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market company. But employees aren’t voting for politicians. They’re choosing their benefits package …

Wellness rewards and ‘Biggest Loser’ contest help trim costs

05/01/2007

Employees at the pet products company PetSafe in Knoxville, Tenn., really like their wellness program. In fact, they created it …

8 ways to help employees cut their own health care costs

05/01/2007

Shifting some health care costs to employees can help control an organization’s ballooning expenses, but it doesn’t make employees healthier or reduce their need for services. Help your organization progress down the path toward employee engagement by using these eight tips …

Employer-Provided health insurance to become exception?

05/01/2007

About 60 percent of Michigan residents still receive health insurance through work, but that may not be true for very long …

Employees to pay $2.26 million as workers’ comp suit backfires

05/01/2007

In a highly unusual decision, a U.S. District judge issued a default judgment against 84 former factory workers who filed workers’ compensation claims against their employer, Bath Unlimited, owned by Michigan-based Masco …

Umbrella policy covers only listed underlying policies

05/01/2007

The Michigan Court of Appeals recently affirmed that an umbrella policy does not cover primary insurance policies unless those policies are specifically listed in the schedule of underlying insurance …

Staph infection breeds claims in addition to bacteria

05/01/2007

A former registered nurse for the Oakland County jail has sued the county after she contracted a drug-resistant, flesh-eating staphylococcus bacterial infection while working at the jail …

Employer can require injured employee to work

05/01/2007

Q. We have an employee who is out with a workers’ compensation injury on a medical leave of absence. We have a job that this employee should be able to perform, but it is not the same job that he was performing when he was injured. We called him in and told him about the job, but he refuses to do the job because he doesn’t like it. Can we stop his workers’ compensation benefits?—G.J.

Status of Domestic-Partner Benefits in Michigan

05/01/2007

Q. In November 2006, Michigan passed a constitutional amendment that prohibits the state from recognizing non-marital unions. We have employees who are seeking health insurance benefits for their domestic partners, who are of the same sex. Does the Michigan constitution preclude us from agreeing to provide health insurance for our employees and their domestic partners?—L.S.

Injury that occurs on way to time clock is covered by workers’ comp

05/01/2007

If you haven’t checked for obstructions, hazards or other safety problems around the company time clock or on the way to it, you should. Check the lunchroom for hazards, too. Ohio’s workers’ compensation law covers employees who are injured while on their way to clock in or out, or while on unpaid breaks or at lunch …