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.

Goal Setting with the “SMART” Model

Dorf, who is managing director of Compensation Resources, Inc. in Upper Saddle River, NJ., recommends following the SMART approach in developing goals: Specificity Measurement Attainability Results-oriented Timing Remember, says Dorf, sometimes the pay-for-performance goal is a milestone, not the full completion of a project. For example, he says, he worked with a client that was […]

Recouping FMLA Premiums—Legal, But Not Necessarily Easy

When an employee fails to return from FMLA leave, for at least 30 calendar days, the employer may demand payment of its share of the health premiums paid during the leave. However, that may not be easy, and it may not be sensible. Most state wage and hour laws do not permit an employer to […]

Nonexempt vs. Exempt Classification: Are Salaried Employees Automatically Exempt?

When considering whether your workers are nonexempt vs. exempt, it’s tempting to classify all salaried employees as exempt employees by default. However, doing so would be a mistake because, while having a salary basis is an essential component of some of the most commonly-applied exemption categories, this is not the sole determining factor. In a […]

House to Vote on Bill to Repeal OTC Rules

Legislation that would repeal health reform rules limiting the reimbursement of over-the-counter medications is inching closer to passage. On June 5, the Restoring Access to Medication Act (H.R. 5842) was placed on the House calendar, so the full House will soon vote on the measure. The Ways and Means Committee on May 31 ordered the […]

Full 9th Circuit Refuses to Review California’s Same-sex Marriage Ban

Employers can expect continued uncertainty regarding whether they will need to adjust their plans, documents and policies to accommodate same-sex spouses. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on June 5 refused a petition that the full bench of the court rehear Perry v. Brown, Nos. 10-16696, 11-16577. That lets stand the ruling by a […]

Can’t Pay for Performance if Can’t Measure Performance

Workplace compensation is essentially a supply and demand system, says Dorf, who is managing director of Compensation Resources, Inc. in Upper Saddle River, NJ. Supply has been strong, and that means small or no raises, but that is starting to change. A bunch of studies say maybe 60 percent or more of employees would look […]

Healthcare Premiums During Leave—FMLA Hassle #12

For guidance, we consulted BLR’s Family and Medical Leave Act Compliance Guide, which states: Employers who provide group healthcare coverage typically require employees to pay a portion of the premium for the health plan, typically collected by the employer through an authorized payroll deduction. An employee on FMLA leave is required to make that same […]

Experts See Trend Against Self-funding in State Stop-loss Restrictions

While ERISA self-insured plans themselves are not subject to state regulation, states are clamping down on stop-loss coverage as a way to discourage self-funding, say attorney Ron Peck and legal administrator Chris Aguiar at the Phia Group, Braintree, Mass. The Texas Supreme Court ruling in TDI v American National Ins. Co. and the passage by […]

Seven Steps to Meaningful Market Pricing

Strand, owner of consultancy HR Dynamics Inc., offered his seven steps to successful market pricing at a recent webinar hosted by BLR/HRhero. 1. Identify Positions to Market-Price Ideally you’d like market data on all your positions, says Strand; however, in reality, you will probably obtain data on a sample of your positions, perhaps 30 to […]

Meet, Lead, or Lag the Market?

Strand, owner of consultancy HR Dynamics Inc., offered his seven steps to successful market pricing at a recent webinar hosted by BLR/HRhero. [Go here for steps 1 to 4] 5. Choose Your Rate Let’s say that in analyzing market data, you come up with a market rate of $61,400 for an Office Manager position, and […]