Category: Benefits and Compensation

This topic provides guidance on how to handle compensation issues in a way that attracts and retains the best talent and advances the strategic goals of your business. You get news and tips on what’s going on nationally and in the states, and updates on changes in regulations, possible governmental action, and emerging compensation trends.

Even the C-Suite Can Understand Why Wellness Works

The wellness agenda is surprisingly uncluttered, says Dr. W. Smith Chandler in California Employment Law Answers.  We can break it down, he says, by asking a simple question: “Why do people die?” The answer is not as complex as people think, Chandler maintains. He explains that 40 percent of all Americans die of cardiovascular diseases, […]

ISS Losing Influence on Say-on-Pay? Not So

During the 2011 proxy season, shareholders seemed to be less influenced by ISS on say on pay, says Fichthorn, vice president in the Philadelphia office of Hay Group. He was joined in his presentation at a recent BLR/HRhero webinar by Martin Somelofske, a senior principal in Hay Group’s Metro New York office. Only a handful […]

Critical HR Policies—What Are Best Practice Companies Doing?

For years, BLR® has surveyed HR and compensation/benefits professionals to find trends in policy and practice. We appreciate your participation in our series of brief, targeted surveys. Today’s survey topic: HR Policies. (We’ll publish the results in a future issue.) Please participate in this brief survey and we’ll determine what employers are doing with this […]

Wait … I Have to Pay Unauthorized Overtime?

Lott, who counsels employers on policy building and lawsuit avoidance from www.Hunterlott.com, offered his suggestions at SHRM’s Annual Conference and Exposition, held recently in Atlanta Georgia. Personal Relationships Policy Lott is fascinated by personal relationship policies. They typically read about like this, says Lott: “Personal relationships in the workplace are strongly discouraged. A company employee […]

Health Reform Will Spawn More Audits, Lawsuits and Liability, Expert Predicts

Government audits, participant lawsuits and the dreaded play-or-pay rule could heap liability and risk on employer plans, all as a result of the reform law that was just affirmed by a majority of the U.S. Supreme Court. Employers must take into account new liabilities when they move workers to part-time status or divert retirees into […]

Alice is Smoking in the Dynamite Shack

Lott, one of SHRM’s most popular speakers, counsels employers on lawsuit avoidance from www.Hunterlott.com. Alice is Smoking in the Dynamite Shack Here’s the typical progressive discipline policy that I see, says Lott: “To insure that business is conducted properly and efficiently, you must conform to certain standards of attendance, conduct, work performance and other work […]

Flights Aboard Company Jet Could Be ‘Taxable Transportation’

Employers that own corporate jets and pay a management company to fly them  were not pleased by a recent IRS memo on tax treatment of such arrangements, and two private aviation trade associations have been working with IRS on relief. Chief Counsel Advice Memorandum 20120026 , although not binding (see note at end of this […]

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Human Resources–STILL Not a Strategic Partner?

Meanwhile, at the same conference, consultant Hunter Lott says he often hears, “HR, the people that keep me from doing what I want to do.” Where Is HR Really? Mundy, Vice President, Human Resources and Communications for the Climate Solutions sector of Ingersoll Rand, asserts that one of the problems is that HR managers lack […]

You Want a Seat at the Table? You ARE the Table!

Collins, who offered his remarks at the SHRM Annual Conference and Exposition in Atlanta, says that one theme runs through every study his team has done—the biggest question is “who should be on the bus.” The 20-Mile March Every leader needs a 20-mile march, says Collins. His reference is to polar explorers Amundsen and Scott […]

A Lumpsum Payment Beats a Merit Increase Every Time

Rubino, who is founder and president of Rubino Consulting Services in Pound Ridge, New York, offered his suggestions at the 64th SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition, held recently in Atlanta, Georgia. Here are the rest of Rubino’s tips: [Go here for tips 1, 2, and 3.]                                   4. A Successful Plan Sets Total Compensation Integrated With […]