Category: Benefits and Compensation

This topic provides guidance on how to handle compensation issues in a way that attracts and retains the best talent and advances the strategic goals of your business. You get news and tips on what’s going on nationally and in the states, and updates on changes in regulations, possible governmental action, and emerging compensation trends.

Childcare Benefits as a Prime Employee Perk

The importance of work-life balance and flexibility in the workplace has become increasingly important for today’s workforce. One critical aspect of this balance is the growing cost of childcare, which has become a significant financial burden for many families. Recent data reveals that childcare prices, when adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars, range from $4,810 […]

The Generational Shift Underway in the American Labor Force

The workplace is on the cusp of a significant transformation, driven by a generational shift that promises to redefine the professional environment. As Gen Z workers are poised to overtake baby boomers in the full-time workforce, their distinct priorities and values are set to shape the future of work. Gen Z Brings Unique Perspectives Gen […]

NLRB’s New Joint-Employer Rule Takes Effect on Feb. 26th…What You Need To Know

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) adopted a new standard for evaluating joint employers that takes effect February 26, 2024. The rule greatly expands when two or more entities may be considered joint entities. As a result, certain employers will now be mandated to participate in collective bargaining and can be found liable for unfair […]

Cracking the Code: How to Attract and Retain Hourly Workers

For many employers, attracting and retaining hourly workers seems like a puzzle with no solution. Employers often feel like the struggle to hire never stops. And even when people are hired, they’re often on the job barely long enough to be properly trained before they leave for what they think will be greener pastures somewhere […]

Ask the Expert: Can Time Increments Play a Role in Company PTO Policies?

Question: What’s the minimum amount of time we can require exempt employees to use their paid time off (PTO)? Under our benefits policy, a half day (four-hour deductions) for exempt employees is usually OK, and our nonexempt employees can take PTO one hour at a time, but could we require a similar two-hour increment for […]

Case Study: TCU Aces FMLA Quiz

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is riddled with all sorts of employer obligations and therefore with all sorts of potential violations. Recently, TCU gave a seminar on dodging an FMLA interference claim. FMLA Interference? The FMLA forbids employers from retaliating against an employee for seeking FMLA leave. It also (unlike most other employment laws) […]

Employee Benefit Rules: Gifts That Keep On Giving

With a new year underway, there are so many compliance-related items to consider relating to your employee benefit plans. The rules you’re supposed to comply with keep growing and growing—they seem like the gifts that keep on giving (and changing). Here are some of the key items to consider as we head into 2024. Health […]

Cracking the Code: Adding Bonuses to FLSA Overtime Calculations

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to pay overtime to nonexempt employees based on their regular pay rate and the number of hours worked in a workweek. While this sounds straightforward on paper, employers commonly fail to realize that nondiscretionary bonus payments must be included in calculating the regular pay rate and, ultimately, […]

HR Works Podcast: Show Me The Money! The Rising Trend of Pay Transparency

Guest: Lauren Winans, CEO and Principal HR consultant of Next Level Benefits How has the growth and embrace of pay transparency impacted the hiring process in 2024? Does pay transparency offer more to organizations than just checking-box for compliance, and what are the common concerns that accompany pay transparency for HR teams? In this latest […]

Long-Term, Part-Time Employees Become Eligible to Make 401(k) Deferrals

Effective January 2024, long-term, part-time employees will become eligible to contribute pre-tax earnings to 401(k) plans. Read on to learn more. Facts This is a change from current rules which give employers the option to limit plan participation to employees who have completed a year of service (usually the preceding 12 months), working 1,000 hours […]