Day: July 19, 2012

Getting a handle on summer absenteeism

With summer in full swing, employers may find more than a few empty desks around the office. That’s not too much of a burden when employees plan in advance and schedule time for their vacations, but sometimes the beach beckons on short notice and employees may extend a weekend with a sick day or two. […]

Don’t be tardy to Nellie’s party!

Litigation Value: Nothing this week — unless the magician sues for emotional distress. Tonight’s “gently viewed” episode, “Welcome Party,” finds the gang dragooned by Robert California into performing favors for Robert’s newest crush, Nellie. Jim and Dwight are sent to help Nellie unpack her 30 boxes from London (and two trunks from Florida) into her […]

Pay Budget Survey Indicates Modest Rises for 2012 and 2013

BLR’s 2012-2013 Pay Budget Survey results suggest modest increases for another year, with 40% of employers awarding merit increases of up to 2.5%, 36.5% awarding increases of more than 2.5% and 2% awarding increases above 5%. Among employers awarding merit increases in 2012, the most commonly cited increases ranged from 2.5% to 3.0%. This corresponds […]

Employers Should Prepare for SBC Requirements

Employers and plan administrators have a new reporting requirement to fulfill now that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is confirmed to be the law of the land. The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in National Federation of Independent Business, et.al. v. Sebelius, No. 11-393 (June 28, 2012) eliminates any doubt regarding whether employers need to comply with […]

Transit Benefit Parity: Train Has Left the Station

Employers will not have any reason to adjust their qualified transportation fringe benefit plans — not as a result of a major highway funding bill that recently became law, anyway. That bill, known as the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, or MAP-21, once had a transit benefit parity provision in it, which […]

HRExaminer Names Steve Bruce #7 on List of Top 25 Voices in Employment Law

HR Daily Advisor editor Stephen Bruce, PHR, has been named among HRExaminer’s Top 25 Voices in Employment Law. This is the first list from HRExaminer to measure online influence concerning legal issues in the HR industry, and the third list to be released this year. Stephen Bruce was previous listed #15 on HRExaminer’s Top 25 […]

How to Balance the Power of Leadership

Sometimes people confuse leadership with power. Leaders are often portrayed as hard-driving, hardnosed, and headstrong. And many good leaders have those qualities to be sure. But it takes both force and influence to lead others effectively. The two approaches complement each other and create a powerful, yet adaptable force for action. Good leadership always balances […]