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retirement

DOL: Lifetime Income Can Be Part of Prudent QDIA

by Jane Meacham, Contributing Editor The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), in late December 2016, issued an information letter that indicated employer plan sponsors are entitled to use lifetime income products as a part of a prudent qualified default investment alternative (QDIA), even if the products contain certain liquidity and transferability restrictions.

Illinois Court Takes Charge, Finds No Charge in Disability Case

Before an individual may file a lawsuit under federal and state nondiscrimination laws—such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA)—she must first file a timely charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or a parallel state agency, such as the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR). A recent decision illustrates that not every document alleging discrimination filed with such an agency amounts to a “charge.”

‘On-Call’ and ‘Call-In’ Work Schedules: Advantages and Disadvantages for Employers (Video)

What are the benefits for employers for instituting variable work schedules for their employees such as call-in shifts and on-call status?  How do these schedules work?  Who uses them?  And why have some major employers recently abandoned such practices? Speaking to an audience of HR professionals and employers at BLR’s Advanced Employment Law Symposium (AEIS), […]

Training in the EHS Field: Job Trends

Workplace safety is important, and there are many opportunities for trainers seeking to educate organizations and their employees on the subject. Today, guest columnist Clare Condon takes a peek at what jobs look like for environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals interested in training. Here’s a hint: Bone up on technology and social media!

Is Student-Loan Assistance the Perk of the Year?

Education assistance and student-loan repayment benefits may just be the hot benefit to watch—as a growing number of employers have recently announced they will be offering the perk, and many more say they’re thinking hard about providing it.

Avoiding Mental Health Discrimination in the Workplace

Most employers are well aware that disability discrimination is illegal. But, some may not realize that many mental health issues are also covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Just like any physical disability, mental health conditions are covered by the ADA, and employers cannot discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with such conditions. […]

Safety incidents: the right to remain silent versus the obligation to speak

by Deanah Shelly What if this happens at your Canadian facility: One of your employees witnesses a workplace incident. Soon, enforcement officers are on-site investigating the incident. They may be police officers, health and safety inspectors, or environmental officers. One of the investigating officers asks the employee to assist and provide a witness statement. What […]

DOL Fiduciary Rule 101

Did you know that under existing laws, the person or organization who manages your company’s 401(k) is not legally obligated to provide advice that is in the best interest of the investor? If that seems crazy to you, then it perhaps will come as no surprise that this is about to be changed with the […]

Hints That Your Employees May Be Job Searching

In times of increased turnover, employers often wonder if they could discover which employees are about to leave and take steps to keep that from happening. While it may not always be possible to stop an employee with one foot out the door (nor would you want to in every case), there are signs that […]

Sherlock: the final problem for employers

The series four finale of Sherlock cleverly illustrates the dangers of allowing the inmates to run the asylum. The show regularly covers behaviors that would alarm any employer, such as Sherlock abusing drugs, firing guns indoors whenever frustrated, and generally being delightfully bizarre. These oddities are some of the many reasons that Sherlock is a consultant […]