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Compensation & Benefits

Carefully Craft Policy to Avoid Paid-Leave ‘Stacking’

04/01/2004

Q. A pregnant employee eligible for FMLA wants to take the 12 weeks of leave. Our leave policy says an employee on FMLA must first use his or her sick, vacation and personal leave, in that order, before the leave is unpaid. In this case, the employee has enough sick leave for the 12 weeks. But should she be allowed to use sick leave for the entire 12 weeks? Is this in our best interest? —M.P., Texas

You’re free to set paid-Holiday policy

04/01/2004

Q. Can our company freely change its paid-holiday policy? Are we bound by certain federal or state laws on holiday pay, for instance? —D.C., Oklahoma

Supreme Court protects age-related benefits

03/01/2004
Issue: A key new ruling says your organization can offer benefit packages designed specifically for older employees. Benefit: More flexibility to set employee perks; eliminates the fear of “reverse” age …

MBA or MSHRM? Five questions to help you decide

03/01/2004
Issue: Is pursuing a graduate degree worth the effort? If so, which one should you pursue? Benefits: An advanced degree can build your HR and business know-how, plus boost career …

Squeeze the most value from your EAP

03/01/2004
Issue: Many organizations don’t reap the full financial benefits from their employee-assistance programs (EAPs) because employees underuse them. Benefits: When fully used …

5 ways to keep good people as the job market improves

03/01/2004
Issue: Retaining the best employees should be a high priority for your organization as the economy picks up. Benefits: Reduces recruitment and retraining …

Domestic-partner benefits: Don’t fear cost, controversy

03/01/2004
Issue: More employers are offering domestic-partner benefits to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. Benefit/risk: Such benefits can provide a good recruiting tool, but thorny legal and tax issues must be …

Shelter yourself from gathering storm of ERISA claims

03/01/2004
Issue: Spurred by corporate retirement-fund scandals, the federal government is stepping up its monitoring of benefit plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Risk: In 2003, …

Max out results from your employee-referral program

03/01/2004
Issue: Imaginative cash rewards are the key to successful employee-referral programs. Benefit: Employees hired through employee referrals have higher retention rates. Action: Read below to gauge whether your rewards …

Worker’s on-duty errand can spark liability

03/01/2004
Your organization is typically liable for injuries caused by employees when they’re “acting within the scope of employment.” You aren’t liable when employees cause injuries on their own free time. But …