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Compensation & Benefits

Not complying with new COBRA notice rules yet? Don’t panic

03/01/2004
The U.S. Labor Department published new rules last year saying that companies offering health insurance must give employees more specifics on their rights to COBRA continuing health coverage.
The rules …

Use caution in firing employee after On-the-Job injury

03/01/2004

Q. An employee in our plant was directed by a replacement line supervisor to use a machine that he wasn’t trained to operate. The employee stuck his hand into the machine to clear a jam and was injured. The plant supervisor fired the employee while he was still in the hospital for operating machinery he hadn’t been trained on. Does the employee have a right to sue us if he was actually ordered by the line supervisor to do this job? —K.C.

Your ‘so-so’ employee is on leave; can you keep his replacement?

03/01/2004
It’s not uncommon to realize that employees on Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave aren’t as productive as their temporary replacements. That puts you in the sticky situation of wishing you …

‘Willful’ violation can extend employees’ time to file FMLA suit

03/01/2004
Typically, employees can file Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) lawsuits no later than two years after the alleged violation. But if a worker can prove that your organization “willfully” violated …

Avoid arbitrary policy on reinstating job titles

03/01/2004

Q. An assistant manager has been out on disability leave for four months, and she’s requested another two months. I want to eliminate the position. How long do I have to keep the position closed before reactivating the job title and responsibilities? —K.J., Mississippi

Help employees through the grieving process

03/01/2004
The death of a loved one affects more than just the people who suffer the loss; it also affects the organizations where they work. The Grief Recovery Institute estimates that employees’ grief costs U.S. companies $37.5 billion a year in lost productivity. Here’s what a survey of newly bereaved employees found: 90 percent said they […]

How to spot warning signs of chronic absenteeism

03/01/2004
Issue: Employees who miss work frequently often show predictable patterns.
Benefit: Knowing which people are likely to avoid work can help cut costly absenteeism.
Action: Once you know how …

Vague policy could entitle employees to extra vacation pay

02/01/2004
Issue: Must unused vacation time always be paid when employees leave?
Risk: An unclear vacation policy could allow terminated employees to sue your organization and collect additional pay.
Action: …

4 ways to improve your disability-management program

02/01/2004
Issue: Poorly managed disability-management programs and rising costs can reduce your organization’s profits. Benefit: By making disability programs more efficient, you boost the bottom line and your stature in the …

You decide definitions for full- and part-Time status

02/01/2004

Q. How many hours must employees work to be considered full time? Part time? —D.S., Texas