Day: October 18, 2011

Survey: Modest Pay Budget Increases for 2012

BLR’s 2012 Pay Budget Survey results suggest another marginal improvement in economic conditions from one year ago. The average planned merit increase for 2012 is 2.07%, according to the survey results, while the average actual merit increase for 2011 was 1.87%. In last year’s 2011 Pay Budget Survey, employers reported that their average planned merit […]

Twelve for ’12: A Dozen Ideas for Flexible Benefits

The year 2011 will soon be in the history books so it is not too early to work on the master “to do” list for 2012. Here are a dozen suggestions for benefits and insurance professionals who are involved with flexible benefits, by Rich Glass, JD, Chief Compliance Officer, Infinisource, Inc. Keep an eye on […]

No Travel Reimbursement for Feds Who Stay at Lodging They Own

Federal employees who stay at lodgings they own while on job-related travel should not even try to obtain a reimbursement for their lodging expenses. So says the General Services Administration (GSA), the federal agency that sets the rules for reimbursement of federal employees’ employment-related travel expenses. The GSA issued a final rule on Oct. 14 […]

A Stream of Guidance on Shy Bladder Syndrome

What is HR to do when a job applicant or worker claims to have shy bladder syndrome and refuses to urinate in a cup as part of a drug test? Consider testing the worker’s hair or saliva instead, according to new informal advice from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Shy bladder syndrome, also known […]

Gallup Data on Obese Workers: Time to Dust Off ‘Lighter’ Workplace Tips

Most U.S. workers are either obese or suffering from at least one chronic condition, which costs employers $153 billion in lost productivity, says a new Gallup-Healthways survey. That’s the bad news. The good news is employers can take steps to lighten their workforce, and I’ll provide a refresher on some of those steps later below. […]

Comment Period on Child Labor Regulations

By Judith E. Kramer Fortney & Scott, LLC Update: November 1, 2011: The U.S. Department of Labor has extended the comment period until December 1, 2011. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is accepting comments through November 1 on revisions to its proposed regulations aimed at strengthening safety requirements for young workers employed in agriculture […]

Promotions, Execution, and Carve-Outs Under Big Bang Theory

Hellerman and Kochanski, who are Sr. Vice Presidents at Sibson Consulting, offered their tips at WorldatWork’s Total Rewards Conference and Exhibition, held recently in San Diego. Promotions as Performance Reward Big Bang Companies manage promotions and the accompanying promotional increase as a key reward for high performance, says Hellerman. Sameness Big Bang Promotion is an […]