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Compensation & Benefits

Help employees cope with the new stress of working from home

04/28/2020
With everything company leaders are facing, they might not have given much thought to the emotional well-being of their employees. That’s a big mistake, in both the short and long terms. Here are some tips from Stacey Engle of Fierce Conversations to help line managers and HR pros lessen the stress that remote employees may be feeling.

DOL: No pause in wage-and-hour lawsuits

04/23/2020
Don’t expect a decline in lawsuits during the coronavirus pandemic. Be sure you continue to follow all your usual protocols for responding to EEOC complaints, subpoenas and other legal notices.

Payroll deferrals vs. Reduced payroll deposits

04/22/2020
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act provides employers with what seems like a bewildering array of choices: reduce your payroll deposits in anticipation of taking a credit, get an advance on your tax credits, defer your share of Social Security taxes. After surfing around and reading comments from payroll pros, it’s abundantly clear that confusion still abounds.

Back to basics: Managing termination pay

04/21/2020
The coronavirus pandemic has forced some employers to make tough choices about terminating employees. If that’s the case in your company, you need to consider what goes into a final paycheck and when that check must be given to employees you’re letting go.

Employers broadening their health and well-being efforts

04/21/2020
Employers are broadening their efforts to help their workers cope with COVID-19 while at the same time preparing for an eventual return to a stable workplace, according to a survey conducted March 30 by the Willis Towers Watson consulting firm.

5 meaningful ways to recognize remote employees’ hard work

04/21/2020
Employees want co-workers and managers to see that they are doing their best to turn out quality work, even if they have kids at home, loved ones or friends who may be sick and a heightened sense of anxiety. Here are five things employers can do to recognize the work their employees are doing during this tough time.

After epic losses, what should 401(k) investors do?

04/21/2020
The Standard & Poor’s 500 index ended the first quarter down more than 20%, delivering a gut-punch to the more than 1 million Americans whose retirement savings are tied up in defined-contribution plans.

Almost 10 million lost health benefits in just one month

04/21/2020
An estimated 9.2 million workers probably lost their employer-provided health insurance in the four weeks between March 15 and April 15, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Economic Policy Institute,

Coronavirus rescue laws reach into benefit plans

04/17/2020
Together, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (P.L. 116-136) loosen up the 401(k) rules and some rules for high-deductible health plans and health savings accounts. A new provision allows you to defray employees’ student loans.

In the Payroll Mailbag: May ’20

04/17/2020
Are direct child care payments to employees taxable? … Who pays employees’ expenses if they’re working at home?