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.

IRS Proposes New Benefit Fees on Employer Health Plans

About a year from now, employers and plan administrators will be preparing to pay a fee to fund the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The IRS on April 17 (77 Fed. Reg. 22691) issued proposed regulations on the fee. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) created the PCORI fee to promote research […]

Can You Explore Employees’ Personal Devices at Work?

Legality of Accessing Personal Devices Your company can manage the risks associated with BYOD by adopting policies and agreements that fit your risk tolerance, trust assessment, and regulatory context, says Chapman, who is an associate with DiMuroGinsberg in Alexandria, Virginia and a contributor to Virginia Employment Law Letter. However, she adds, the only way to […]

It Takes Three—Creative Type, Business Type, and ?

Now, I’m not sure you actually need three people, but you definitely need all three skill sets in the top people in the company, says Oswald, CEO of BLR, who offered his thoughts on the three key management skills in a recent edition of The Oswald Letter. As I recall, Oswald says, the argument went […]

BYOD—Must HR Be the Device Police?

A majority of businesses now allow employees to bring their own electronic devices to use at work, notes Chapman. With the rapid evolution of technology, this policy has quickly become the go-to standard in most workplaces. However, commingling personal and professional usage, data, and ownership of electronic devices creates challenging legal and security implications. Who […]

DOL Audits Health Reform Compliance of Employer Plans

It may seem paradoxical that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) should begin auditing health plans for compliance with the health reform law’s mandates, given that the U.S. Supreme Court could very well strike down the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for being unconstitutional in early summer. But it’s better that plans be ready to demonstrate […]

Arizona Surgery Practice to Pay $100,000 in HIPAA Settlement

A heart surgery group practice agreed to pay $100,000 to settle federal allegations that it chronically neglected standard HIPAA requirements such as risk assessment, training and business associate contracts, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced April 17. This settlement, coming hard on the heels of HHS’ $1.5 million agreement with BlueCross […]

How Can I Avoid Suits Related to Hiring Practices?

West, principal of Employment Practices Specialists in Pacifica, CA, offered her tips at SHRM’s Employment Law and Legislative Conference, held recently in Washington, DC. Here are West’s tips for avoiding hiring lawsuits: Use application forms Ask about felony convictions READ the completed application Look for and ask about gaps in employment, missing information Check references […]

401(k)s, Free Food, Pet Insurance—What Benefits Are Best Employers Offering?

For years, BLR has surveyed HR, compensation, and benefits professionals to find trends in benefits. We appreciate your participation in our series of brief, targeted benefits surveys. Today’s survey topic: Benefits Other than Health Insurance. (We’ll publish the results in a future issue.) Complete the Benefits Other than Health Insurance Survey now Please participate in […]