Summer’s here, and coincidentally, it’s a hot time for legal and regulatory developments affecting human resources and benefits professionals!
Many companies trying to make ends meet also should expect new laws and regulations in these five areas.
- The perils of not heeding leave and disability law. Employers struggle with determining what a “reasonable accommodation” is under the ADA. They also bristle at government revisions to rules on how to handle intermittent leave under the ADA and FMLA. The number-one goal is avoiding lawsuits and penalties, even if that seems to fly in the face of what you think is fair.
- Why cafeteria plan administration is so tricky. Cafeteria plan administration is always complicated. An employer can offer a wide range of benefits through such a plan, but those benefits are subject to strange government rules that are constantly in flux. Plus, the fate of perpetually delayed IRS final cafeteria plan rules is still unclear!
- How health benefits programs are faring in light of legal and industry changes. The U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act holds major implications for health plans. Tremendous uncertainty will follow in all scenarios — whether the court: (1) allows the law to survive intact; (2) strikes down the law in its entirety; or (3) strikes portions of the law.
- Key wage-and-hour requirements for employers. DOL and the courts are scrutinizing whether employers are complying with wage-and-hour laws. DOL is hiring more investigators and even using new technology in its enforcement efforts. Courts are ruling more aggressively on employee classification issues.
- Why the government is setting stricter standards for retirement plans. In what pundits are calling “the Great Recession,” how plan funds are invested and managed is a major concern. The government is setting tougher standards and rules for what information must be provided to participants and the government itself.
Free Webinar on HR and Benefits Administration
Gwen Cofield and John Iekel of Thompson Publishing Group will discuss these five issues and take questions in a free, 90-minute webinar, Hot Topics in HR and Benefits Administration, attendees can choose to sign up for the webinar on July 9, 11 and 13, 2013. Webinar time is 1:00 to 2:15 pm, Eastern Time.
Gwen Cofield is an associate publisher at Thompson Publishing Group, overseeing Thompson’s line of HR products. She also edits Mandated Health Benefits —The COBRA Guide.
John Iekel is a senior managing editor at Thompson Publishing Group. He also edits Thompson’s Employer’s Handbook: Complying With IRS Employee Benefits Rules.
Go to http://e.thompsonmediagroupllc.com/HotTopicsinHRandBenefitsAdministration.html or call 800 677-3789 for your free registration.