Day: October 25, 2012

Crazy About Nellie

Litigation value: $0.00 provided Dwight reins in his hostility to Nellie’s anxiety meds. Amidst the costumes, bad investments, and a cappella singers (OMG COLBERT!!!!!), this week’s episode — Here Comes Treble — reminds us that harassment on the basis of disability is just as verboten in the workplace as sex- or race-based harassment. Dwight found a little yellow […]

Misclassification mistakes: Know risks and prevention strategies

It’s almost an understatement to call misclassification of employees as independent contractors a hot topic. It’s certainly the subject of a growing list of court cases, government agency investigations, and legislative initiatives. Various agencies at both the state and federal level have been in crackdown mode for a few years now, and it’s no wonder: […]

Why Is There Still a Gender Pay Gap?

It surprises many that women still earn an estimated 20 percent less than men, on average. How come? Is it bias? Or are other factors at work? According to a new study, other factors are in play. Does the gender gap happen in the job market? Two researchers, Wharton Professors Matthew Bidwell and Roxana Barbulescu […]

Managing Default Options Is a Crucial Plan Sponsor Role, Study Says

With an ever-increasing number of private-sector retirement plan participants relying on automatic enrollment and the investment choices their employers select, the best way for plan sponsors to help these workers achieve a secure retirement is to choose and manage their default options well, a new survey suggests. The defined contribution investments unit of money manager […]

Does Your Leadership Training Create Career Paths?

In recent years, Convergys (http://www.convergys.com/), a global leader in providing customer care, human resources, and billing services, implemented two training and development programs, Future Leaders and Emerging Leaders. Training magazine recognized the programs when it named Convergys to a recent Training Top 125 list. “We are honored to be named to this select list of […]

Coal Mine Pays $40K for Failing to Reassign Worker with Disability

A coal mine in Birmingham, Ala. will pay $40,000 to settle allegations it failed to reassign a worker with a disability, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Rocky Davis had hearing loss and was regularly assigned to an area of the mine that adversely affected his hearing aids, according to the U.S. Equal […]

Holiday Bonuses Result in Good Cheer — But Can Cause FLSA Overtime Problems

As the holiday season approaches, employers and employees are beginning to anticipate holiday bonuses. Whether they come in the form of material gifts, cash awards or other benefits, employers should be careful in providing them, because sometimes bonuses must be included in the employee’s pay rate. Although “improper bonus” cases are not common, they still […]

California employee classification and overtime calculations: Q&A

In a recent CER webinar titled “Exempt v. Non-Exempt in California: How to Evaluate Classifications to Determine If Employees are Entitled to Overtime,” Mark J. Jacobs and Ryan D. Wheeler outlined some guidance for California employers regarding proper employee classifications and correct calculations of overtime pay. They kindly lent their expertise to answer questions from […]

Transfer to Lesser Sales Territory Was Okay under FMLA, Court Says

Reassigning a salesperson to a new sales territory after her return from maternity leave does not violate the core principles of job restoration under the Family and Medical Leave Act, according to a recent U.S. district court decision. As long as the proposed change did not result in a base salary reduction or more burdensome […]

How SPIFs Spawn Whalewatching … and Act Like Drugs

SPIFs are also a little like heroin, Dimisa says: The more you get the more you want, and it’s difficult to kick the habit. It’s hard to take the SPIFFs away. DiMisa is Senior Vice President, Sales Effectiveness Practice Leader for Sibson Consulting, and author of best-selling business book “The Fisherman’s Guide to Selling.” What’s […]