GSA Chastened Over ‘Lavish’ Conference Expenses
Federal offices have to follow federal travel guidelines, and federal rates form the basis of tax treatment of private sector business travel reimbursements as well. But what happens when the federal government agency that develops travel policy goes astray from…
6th Circuit: Failure to Pay Employee Salary Removed his ‘Exempt’ Status
An exempt employee must actually be paid in order to retain that exempt status, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently held. The case, Orton v. Johnny’s Lunch Franchise, involved a salaried employee who sued his employer for wages…
How to Implement a Workplace Breastfeeding Policy
The letter of the law may only require employers to extend breaks and access to a lactation room to eligible employees on an as needed basis, but many companies are taking a proactive approach and looking to implement policies that…
Why You Need a Retaliation Prevention Policy
Employee retaliation claims are skyrocketing, and in 2011 these claims were the number one complaint to the EEOC. As a result, you need to know how to prevent retaliation claims from happening. At SHRM’s legislative conference in Washington, D.C. earlier…
No Matter How You Pay Them, Tips Belong to Employees
Even non-exempt employees can cause confusion and employer liability under the FLSA. Often, employers run into trouble when attempting to classify their employees for purposes of pay exemptions. But equally tricky is how to pay non-exempt employees who have non-traditional…
IRS Voluntary Classification Settlement Program: Proceed With Caution
In a recent move to encourage employers to correct past misclassification of workers, the IRS has established a voluntary compliance program, called the Voluntary Classification Settlement Program, or VCSP. The program permits employers to voluntarily reclassify their workers as employees…
Site-specific Approaches Help Drive Wellness Improvement
Employee incentives can bring about improved wellness outcomes — if the goals are adequately tailored to the organization and the individual. Depending on the company culture, you could take the “little league” approach of “everybody wins,” or decide to “raise…
Definitions of ‘Fiduciary’ Will Soon be More ‘Economical’
Employers and plan administrators can have a better understanding of what a fiduciary is, courtesy of Phyllis C. Borzi, Department of Labor (DOL) assistant secretary for the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). She shed some light on the department’s thought…
Cut 403(b) Retirement Plans a Break, ERISA Advisory Council Tells DOL
Government efforts to bring 403(b) retirement plans up to regulatory par with 401(k) plans has resulted in a rough transition for 403(b) plan sponsors, and in recognition of that fact, an ERISA advisory council gave the U.S. Department of Labor…
Learn Elements of ERISA Plan Status to Help Avoid State-law Claims
A former employee’s failed attempt to call COBRA coverage a “privately paid” policy, rather than an ERISA plan, in order to maintain state-law claims against a group health insurer offers a chance to remind employers about importance of knowing the…