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Compensation & Benefits

Focus on employee results, not face time

01/01/2004
A new OfficeTeam survey asked employees what one thing would give them more job satisfaction. The runaway winner: more schedule flexibility (33 percent). The lesson: If possible, stagger schedules to …

Figure out how much you’re worth

12/01/2003
Issue: The recent slow growth in HR pay hikes picked up speed in 2003. Benefit: Stronger pay growth nationwide gives you more bargaining power in your shop … or on …

Credit union membership: a no-cost employee benefit

12/01/2003
Issue: Offering membership in a credit union as an employee benefit is now easier than ever. Benefits: Employees gain access to low-cost financial services. And you have a new, no-cost …

It’s time for a benefit-plan refresher course

12/01/2003
Open-enrollment season provides an opportunity to host a benefit plan brush-up meeting for all employees. Do they need it? Yes! Some 43 percent of employees grade themselves a “C” or worse …

Don’t fudge or exaggerate details of insurance coverage

12/01/2003
Never exaggerate the quality or quantity of employee benefits, either in written communication or when trying to sell an applicant on your organization. Courts will make you stick to any promises, …

Give notice before changing benefit terms

12/01/2003

Q. Currently, our company pays 70 percent of employees’ health insurance premiums. But we need to either decrease the percentage or possibly ask employees to pay the entire premium. How much notice must we give employees before making such a change? —D.O., Louisiana

Court: ‘Serious health condition’ requires 3 full days of incapacity

12/01/2003
When it comes to judging whether an employee’s serious health condition qualifies for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protection, require at least three consecutive, full days of incapacity. A new …

Avoid stricter notification policy than FMLA requires

12/01/2003
Can your organization require employees to give notice of their need for FMLA in a way that’s more stringent than the standards set by federal law? Courts are split on this …

Steer clear of cutting sick worker’s job in half

12/01/2003

Q. One of our full-time employees, age 60, is ill and expected to be out six months. We’d like to make her position part time, because we need to hire an additional part-timer in another department. Essentially, we’d like to split her full-time job into two part-time positions. Is this legal? —D.H., Texas

Only 3 full days of incapacity will trigger FMLA leave

12/01/2003
Issue: Court raises threshold for employees to qualify for FMLA leave. Benefit: Workers can take FMLA leave if they have a serious condition causing three consecutive full days of incapacity, …