techVer la versión en español aquí In January, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) brought suit in a San Francisco administrative court against Google, Inc. to require Google, as a federal contractor, to allow the government to inspect Google’s pay records. While the DOL was demanding various documents regarding employees’ compensation history for compliance purposes, it was clear the underlying reason was … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Employers are always looking for ways to improve work-life balance for their employees. The objective, of course, is to reduce employee burnout and turnover, while increasing employee satisfaction, productivity and creativity. Some companies have gone the untraditional route, such as Daimler’s “Mail on Holiday program” which gives employees the … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí SunTrust Banks learned an expensive lesson about COBRA compliance recently. It was sued for failure to send proper COBRA election notices after employees terminated employment. SunTrust’s agent for COBRA notice purposes, Xerox HR Solutions, actually sent timely COBRA notices to the former employees. But two former employees/plaintiffs claimed that … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí A new law passed by Congress reinstates the ability of eligible small employers to reimburse employee paid premiums to purchase individual health insurance policies. The law reverses the application of huge penalties that would have applied to such reimbursement actions under the IRS’ interpretation of the Affordable Care Act. … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Applicable large employers – those with 50+ full-time employees (ALEs) – under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) must satisfy the law’s “employer mandate,” meaning that they may be assessed penalties for: Failing to offer minimum essential coverage to full-time employees and their dependents Offering eligible employer-sponsored coverage that is … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí The final chapter of an unusual FICA tax saga recently was ordered in the form of a settlement between Henkel Corporation and a group of its retirees. Although framed as a case involving retiree benefits, the case’s application is not that narrow. Henkel sponsored a nonqualified deferred compensation (“NQDC”) … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí As we become increasingly more mobile, telecommuting programs are among the fastest growing benefit for employees. While the term “work from home” may trigger visions of a 24-year-old with a laptop at a Starbucks, the typical telecommuter is actually a 49-year old college graduate. Having an endless supply of … Continue Reading
Employees are taking back Thanksgiving!!! What impact will that have on your business if the trend continues? Is the trend driven by a return to more traditional values surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday or is it just plain good business sense? Employers are asking themselves these questions ever since Recreational Equipment, Inc., otherwise known as “REI,” … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí You just finished the torture of the RFP process for a new vendor for your benefit plan (doesn’t matter what kind of plan – 401(k), group health plan, section 125 plan, stock purchase, etc.). You carefully compiled all the information from the 100-page responses, checked the references, asked pointed … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Did you watch the Democratic presidential debate on October 13, 2015? If so, you heard the candidates make many promises, among them paid family leave. True, we already have the FMLA, but it only requires unpaid leave, it only applies to employers with 50 or more employees, and it … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí You’ve always treated your employees fairly, even when the relationship doesn’t work out and you have to let the employee go or when you’ve had to terminate employees due to downsizing. Often, you agree to continue the employee’s benefits for a few months during a severance period. You know … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Wow, how time flies! We are quickly approaching our 25th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar this Spring. Mark your calendars now because this year’s seminar is not to be missed! Join us on Friday, May 8th from 8 am-4:00 pm at the InterContinental Miami hotel as we reveal … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Earlier this year, the IRS announced that employers are permitted to allow employees to drop coverage under the employer’s fiscal year group health plan and sign up for marketplace coverage. The employer may do this based on the employee’s “reasonable representation” that he or she (and family members) have … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí As I sit here watching professional wrestling with my son, it hits me. Vincent Kennedy McMahon, the Chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment, is a genius. First, Mr. McMahon has kept me interested in staged fights (with predetermined outcomes) for the majority of my life. Second, I marvel at how … Continue Reading
The rules on the Affordable Care Act keep pouring out of Washington. Reporting for “pay or play” compliance requires a huge recordkeeping burden on employers. This seminar covers everything you need to know as we head into the first year of “pay or play” compliance and what to expect down the road. Join us in … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Surveys are conducted periodically to compile lists of “best employee benefits.” Those lists have included items such as: free lunch (yes, there is such a thing for some lucky employees); fully-paid insurance premiums; gym membership and fitness classes; flexible schedules, including 4-day workweeks; telecommuting options; transportation subsidies; paid maternity … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Last month, I wrote a post about one company’s new “Mail on Holiday” program where emails are automatically deleted during an employee’s vacation. What if, in combination with such a program, an employee could have unlimited vacation time? For most employees, it’s a dream. But if you work for … Continue Reading
Ver la versión en español aquí Much publicized court cases in the last several weeks make us wonder whether the federal Health Care Reform law will survive. We leave the answer to that question to the U.S. Supreme Court. For now, employers should adopt the “business as usual” approach and continue to prepare for implementation … Continue Reading
It is prime time of the year for hiring “interns.” With the Affordable Care Act’s “pay or play” rules scheduled to go into full swing next year for large companies (50+ employees), employers have to know how to treat interns. The federal tax code imposes special taxes on large employers if their employees receive premium … Continue Reading
Many companies tout themselves as a “flexible workplace.” But what exactly does that mean? Does the company permit employees to have a regular telecommuting schedule or just work from home occasionally? Does the company offer modified start and stop times or compressed workweeks? All of these options and more can be components of a flexible … Continue Reading
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has decided not to seek U.S. Supreme Court review of two U.S. Court of Appeals decisions invalidating the NLRB’s Notice Posting Rule. As you may recall, the rule would have required most private sector employers to post a notice notifying employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations … Continue Reading
On Tuesday, a federal court judge in New York ruled that Fox Searchlight Pictures violated federal and state wage laws by not paying production interns. The production interns, Eric Glatt and Alexander Footman, worked on the psychological thriller “Black Swan” performing work such as reconciling purchase orders and invoices, drafting cover letters, filing, making copies, arranging … Continue Reading
In August 2011, we blogged about the amendments to the unemployment compensation statutes, which included a new definition of misconduct (see Florida Employers Get Immediate Unemployment Compensation Relief). The definition of misconduct is: A violation of an employer’s rule, unless the claimant can demonstrate that: He or she did not know, and could not reasonably … Continue Reading
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over Florida, ruled on Monday that Broward County’s wellness program, which required employees to undergo a biometric screening and fill out a health assessment questionnaire, did not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The ADA generally prohibits medical examinations and disability-related inquiries unless job-related and … Continue Reading
