Month: March 2014

Comment period nears end for NLRB ‘quickie election’ rule

by Lauren E.M. Russell April 7 marks the end of the comment period for proposed rules from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that would shorten the time needed to hold union representation elections. This latest effort is the second time the NLRB has broached the subject of what foes call “quickie elections.” The first […]

No paydirt yet: Northwestern players have ground to cover before unionization

Last week, we brought you an article about the UAW losing a recent election at VW and how it may be a sign of the end for the union. As unions struggle in some traditional areas, they are reaching out into previously uncharted territory, making headlines this week with the story of college football players […]

Best Defense Against Leave Fraud? Continuous Performance

Continuous Performance Management Is Your Best Potential Defense Always start dealing with the productivity or performance issue, says Eyres. Let the employee bring up the disability. Eyres, who is managing partner of Eyres Law Group, LLP, offered her tips at a recent BLR-sponsored webinar. Consider the following, she says: Employees should not be genuinely surprised […]

What Changes Are Employers Making to Retirement Benefits?

Yesterday’s Advisor began the results of our 2014 Retirement Benefits Survey. Today, more survey results plus good news—we’re able to offer reader a free webinar on Affordable Care Act strategies. Changes Contemplated Our survey shows that 9.8% plan to add or make changes to their 2015 retirement benefits package, 64.9% of employers have no additions […]

Train Workers to Prevent Falls This Spring

Craig Galecka is a fall protection specialist with LJB, Inc., a facilities and infrastructure design firm in Dayton, Ohio. Galecka is a professional engineer and certified safety professional. He designs conceptual and final fall-hazard solutions for public and private clients. Recent projects include an assessment of 40 Michigan government buildings for roof fall hazards and […]

If Bill Cosby is wearing a garish sweater, this must be 1980s TV!

A few weeks ago, I saw a news story about how the last of the baby boomers are turning 50 in 2014. “Wow, that’s old,” I thought, until I realized that I’m 53. Then, as if I needed any further reminders of my elder statesmanship, one of the legal assistants in our office, a 20-something, […]

NLRB regional director orders union election for Northwestern football players

A regional director of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled that football players at Northwestern University are entitled to a union election because they’re essentially employees of the private university located in Evanston, Illinois. Peter Sung Ohr, Region 13 director of the NLRB, issued an order on March 26 that a union representation […]

DOL Gets a Slap or Two, but Litigation Threats Abound

The DOL has gotten a few “slapdowns” from the courts recently, but while that may make employers feel a little better, wage and hour problems are still a major threat. The agencies—and the attorneys—are looking at most employers, and, sooner or later, they’ll look at you. In her recent presentation at the Advanced Employment Issues […]

ABB Excessive Fees Ruling Affirmed, Fidelity Cleared of Float Interest Charge by 8th Circuit

A series of new decisions in Tussey v. ABB Inc. handed down by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 19 brought good news about allegations of excessive fees for all parties—the suing retirement plan participants, the employer plan sponsor and especially the administrator, Fidelity. The ruling did not provide a clear judicial […]

IRS Gives 403(b) Plans More Time to Get Pre-approved, Expands Eligibility

After hearing concerns from the retirement plan industry, the IRS issued modifications on March 25 to its pre-approved program for 403(b) plans, in Revenue Procedure 2014-28. These welcome changes will provide another year — until April 30, 2015 — to apply for the program and will increase the number of entities that can take advantage […]