Month: June 2012

Workplace Violence–The Problem You Can’t Afford to Ignore

By Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR Jun 3, 2012 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Jun 3, 2012

Potential violence is easy to ignore, and there’s no law requiring you to have policy or a program; however, the threats—physical, mental, and financial—are very real. Consider the following: Ours is a violent society and some of that violence finds its way into the workplace. One sixth of violent crimes occur in the workplace—nearly 2 […]

Ways and Means Okays Bill to Repeal OTC Rules

By John Iekel Jun 1, 2012 Benefits and Compensation

Updated: Jun 1, 2012

Employers and plan administrators that find the over-the-counter drug rules put in place by the health care reform law to be onerous may have relief, if the Ways and Means Committee has its way. The committee on May 31 in a 24-9 vote ordered H.R. 5842, the Restoring Access to Medication Act, reported to the […]

2012-2013 Pay Budget Survey

By HR Hero Jun 1, 2012 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Jun 1, 2012

It’s time for BLR and HRHero’s annual Pay Budget Survey. What’s happening with salary increases and bonuses in 2012 and 2013? How do your plans compare to those of your competitors? Let’s find out. By sharing your insight, opinions, and experience, you can help highlight trends and define benchmarks — by industry, geographic location, and […]

Indemnity Plan’s Recovery Provision Does Not Bind Providers, So Lawsuit to Force Pay-back Is Dismissed

By Todd Leeuwenburgh Jun 1, 2012 Benefits and Compensation

Updated: Jun 1, 2012

ERISA can be the key to upholding benefit decisions based on plan language before money is paid, but it may be far less helpful once overpaid money goes out the door, particularly when the plan is indemnity-based with no provider contracts. This situation became evident in Int’l Longshore & Warehouse Union v. Sharp Surgery Center, […]

Court Ruling in Defense of Marriage Act Case Leaves Uncertainty for Employers

By HR Hero Alerts Jun 1, 2012 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Jun 1, 2012

By Kathy Carlson A federal appeals court in Massachusetts ruled Thursday that the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional because it prevents same-sex married couples from receiving benefits available to heterosexual married couples. The U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled that in enacting DOMA, the federal government was intruding into domestic […]

Moments Like This

By Jaclyn West Jun 1, 2012 That's What She Said

Updated: Jun 1, 2012

Litigation Value: It’s been quite a season. ‘Nuff said. We’re into the summer re-run season, and I’m still rolling with my love of the top-10 list. And even though we missed Michael Scott this season — oh, how we missed him — our favorite crew of paper salesmen and women definitely delivered their share of […]