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Compensation & Benefits

State orders steep reduction in workers’ compensation rates

12/01/2006

Good news for Florida employers: You can look forward to the fourth consecutive rate decrease since the state enacted workers’ comp reforms in 2003 …

Be wary of discussing sensitive personnel issues via e-mail

12/01/2006

You’ve got (legally explosive) e-mail. That’s the message a Broward Circuit Court jury recently delivered to United Parcel Service in a court decision that hinged on a single e-mail sent by a company official …

Employers benefiting from latest round of prescription drug price wars

12/01/2006

In a move that is spurring big competition among pharmacies, Wal-Mart is quickly expanding its low-cost prescription program, which began in Florida in October, to an additional 27 states. The retailing giant will offer $4 prescriptions for 30-day supplies of about 300 common generic drugs, whether the customer carries insurance or not …

State cut in unemployment tax to save employers 13 percent

12/01/2006

Most of Georgia’s 200,000 employers will soon see an average savings of roughly 13 percent on their unemployment insurance taxes …

Wal-Mart’s Low-Cost Drug Plan May Help Cure Employer Woes

12/01/2006

Wal-Mart’s recent expansion of its popular generic drug plan into Georgia and 26 other states bodes well for employers struggling to keep up with rising health insurance rates …

‘Intentional’ harm can trigger separate lawsuit

12/01/2006

Employees injured on the job typically have only one legal remedy: workers’ compensation benefits. But that restriction is blown out of the water if an employee proves that your organization’s actions amounted to “intentional” harm …

Pill for a health cost headache: Wal-Mart’s Low-Cost Drugs in N.J.

12/01/2006

Health insurance premiums for New Jersey families covered by employer plans rose about 80 percent over the past six years and grew a whopping 5.5 times faster than their income, according to a Families USA study. On the bright side, Wal-Mart recently expanded its new low-cost generic drug program to New Jersey …

Learn from the best: 5 retention tips from top companies

12/01/2006

When it comes to recruiting and retaining, organizations don’t need to reinvent the wheel or create bold initiatives to attract and keep the best workers. Sometimes, simply doing the tried-and-true things right are all you need …

UI benefits due unless you prove independent contractor status

12/01/2006

The Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law includes a presumption that out-of-work individuals are employees, not independent contractors (who aren’t eligible for UI benefits). It’s up to you—not the worker—to prove that he or she is an independent contractor …

Pa. legislature weighs health insurance tax credit

12/01/2006

The Pennsylvania legislature is considering an important bill that would create a special tax credit for Pennsylvania small businesses …