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HR Management

State pension data available online

10/03/2008

Here’s a new resource for HR pros who work for state and local governments: You’ll find detailed, defined-contribution data for the 20 primary plans operated by state governments at http://tinyurl.com/SLGEstatepensiondata.

SSA unveils online calculator

10/03/2008

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has unveiled a new online calculator that allows people to estimate their monthly Social Security benefit checks based on their retirement dates. Go to www.socialsecurity/gov.estimator.

DOL offers help to employees who are disaster victims

10/03/2008

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has resources for your employees who live in areas devastated by floods, fires or other disasters. Employees in flooded areas can call (866) 487-2365 for information about unemployment benefits, federal One-Stop Career Centers, wages and safety issues …

Strickland orders DPS to stop destroying records

10/03/2008

Gov. Ted Strickland has ordered the Ohio Department of Safety to stop destroying records about employee misconduct and discipline. The request came after the Columbus Dispatch sought records concerning the discipline of a state trooper …

Handbook must explain leave payout terms

10/03/2008

Employee handbooks should spell out exactly what it takes to earn time off—and what happens when an employee resigns or is fired. Make sure you spell out the limitations, or you may end up stuck paying for accrued time when you discharge an employee for serious problems, such as a failed drug test …

Prepare now for changes resulting from ADA Amendments Act

10/03/2008

On Sept. 25, President Bush signed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, providing greater protection to disabled employees under the ADA. The amendments, which passed the House and Senate with broad bipartisan support, dramatically expand the class of people who are entitled to protection under the ADA.

Employee out on maternity leave: How long must we hold her position?

10/03/2008

Q. How long am I required to hold a position open for an employee who is on leave due to pregnancy? …

No liability if psych patient cleared to work

10/03/2008

Employers must reinstate employees following FMLA leave if a doctor says they are ready to return to work without restrictions. That’s true even if the serious health condition was a serious psychiatric problem. Fortunately, if the employee goes on to injure another employee, the medical release will protect the employer from negligent supervision claims …

Gov’t employees must use workers’ comp — not courts — to handle injury cases

10/03/2008

Good news for public employers: The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has clarified that government employees cannot do an end-run around the workers’ comp system by trying to call their injuries a Constitutional deprivation of due process and suing in federal court …

Employees climb mountains to improve their health

10/03/2008

Employees of Lincoln Industries will climb any mountain to improve their health. Seventy-four employees of the Lincoln, Neb.-based, steel-finishing firm climbed a 14,000-foot peak in Colorado as part of the firm’s wellness program.