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Compensation & Benefits

Feds Standardize Process for ‘Abandoned’ 401(k) Plans

06/01/2006

Each year, an average of 1,650 sponsors of 401(k) plans abandon their plans, often because the employer goes out of business or merges with another. When that happened, the U.S. Labor typically petitioned the courts to take control of the plan and distribute the 401(k) assets to employees. But new Labor Department rules streamline that process …

Rid handbooks of risky outdated policies

06/01/2006

If it’s been awhile since the last overhaul of your employee handbook, you may be courting danger. Establish a regular revision schedule for your handbook, updating it once a year or whenever significant statutory changes occur …

Professional exemption limited when applied to medical staff

06/01/2006

Don’t assume that medical employees with advanced training and licenses meet the FLSA’s "learned profession" exemption, which allows employers to pay lawyers and doctors by the hour and still not pay them …

Capping Salaries Won’t Violate Age-Bias Law

06/01/2006

Q. I have a question about capping employees’ salaries when they reach the top of the pay scale. I’m concerned because the only employees affected are those with many years of service and who happen to be over age 40. Have we made a legal error? Some of the affected employees are angry and have mentioned discrimination based on the residual effect of the cap. —M.M., California

Paying for driving time depends on departure point

06/01/2006

Q. We have a sports reporter (an hourly employee) who is being sent to cover a state tournament. Should we pay for the time it takes her to drive to the event and back? —D.L., Washington

Low-Cost Summer Camp Help

06/01/2006

The HR department at AstraZeneca’s U.S. headquarters helps employees who are parents line up summer camps for their kids by hosting a “camp fair” every spring …

Solving Day-Care Dilemmas

06/01/2006

When they heard rumblings from staff that finding reliable and affordable in-home infant and child care was becoming more difficult all the time, the benefits and work/life pros at the University of Washington in Seattle started working on a solution …

Trim health insurance costs by identifying duplicate coverage

05/01/2006

If you’re not doing so already, take steps to discourage employees and dependents from holding duplicate health coverage …

Boost health screening turnout with mix of carrots, sticks

05/01/2006

More employers are turning to incentives and penalties to increase participation in on-site health-risk assessments. Attracting employees to this first step can improve their health, which cuts your costs. Use the advice below to choose the best approach for your organization …

Cut costs on duplicate health coverage

05/01/2006

If you’re not doing so already, take steps to discourage employees and dependents from holding duplicate health coverage. Example: Ford Motor Co. now requires employees to pay extra toward their health premiums if their covered spouses have duplicate health coverage …