Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Concerns are mounting in the United States about the increase in retirement plan “leakage” — hardship early withdrawals and loans being taken against such plans during tough economic times. As more Americans deplete their retirement savings to meet emergency expenses resulting from long-term unemployment, tightened credit or high medical expenses, policy makers are seeking ways […]
In 2007, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued on behalf of a class of female tractor-trailer drivers against a large interstate trucking firm. But judges in two federal courts have now virtually thrown the case out. What happened. CRST Van Expedited is the trucking firm, and one of its female trainees complained to EEOC […]
Thanks to all who participated! Here are the detailed results: Most Common HR Policies The most widely implemented policy, according to our survey respondents, is harassment and/or discrimination with 94.5% having such a policy, followed closely by employee leave at 91.1%. Also above the 90% mark are computer and Internet use, confidentiality and proprietary information, […]
HR professionals may not go looking for trouble, but that doesn’t mean trouble doesn’t go looking for HR. Complaining employees regularly find their way to HR and often demand a solution to a problem they either don’t want to handle themselves or should leave to management. One such problem is a coworker with an offensive […]
Harassment and discrimination policies are the still the most widely implemented policies, but social media policies are the most likely to cause a challenge in the coming year, according to a recent survey of HR policies conducted by BLR and the Daily Advisors. Thanks to all who participated! Here are the detailed results: Most Common […]
Police officers in Richmond, Va., will be paid $7.2 million in unpaid overtime under the terms of a settlement agreement approved July 27 by a federal judge. The settlement between more than 600 officers and the city resolved a year-long fight over whether federal Fair Labor Standards Act provisions or state laws held sway over […]
Ignorance regarding recent amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act is no excuse for noncompliance; employers “should get up to speed” on these changes, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in announcing a settlement agreement this week. The agency added that the ADA amendments make it clear that employers should not overanalyze whether an […]
Non-federal governmental plans may omit language describing how participants can seek remedies under ERISA in notices to be given when the plan makes an adverse decision. Notices of adverse benefit determinations are required as part of health reform’s claims appeal and external review rules. Such plans need not include the language because ERISA remedies are […]
A sweeping new U.S. Department of Labor enforcement initiative targeting California’s apparel industry may highlight wage and hour compliance issues for retailers and manufacturers. The companies that make, ship, market and sell clothing have long faced scrutiny over labor practices but industry proponents argue that they have made great strides. DOL appears to disagree, launching […]
Managers and Supervisors, What Do You Do When … A co-worker from another department keeps asking one of your people out, and brings candies. Your employee is not interested in dating the coworker and you are on a diet. [You should step in and put a stop to this before it turns into a lawsuit. […]