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EEOC Reaches Record ADA Settlement with Sears

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced a record-setting settlement resolving a class-action lawsuit against Sears, Roebuck and Co. under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for $6.2 million and significant remedial relief. The consent decree, approved on September 29, represents the largest ADA settlement in a single lawsuit in EEOC history. The EEOC’s […]

UAW trying different approach to unionize Volkswagen plant

Despite two failed attempts to unionize the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the United Auto Workers (UAW) on July 10 announced the creation of Local 42, a local that Chattanooga VW workers can join voluntarily. “We’ve had ongoing discussions with Volkswagen and have arrived at a consensus with the company,” Gary Casteel, the UAW’s secretary-treasurer, […]

Train Your Supervisors to Be Teambuilders

Workplace teams can do wonders, but only if they’re led by a “resourceful leader.” A new program trains your supervisors to be just that. Recently, Ford Motor Company ended production of the Taurus. Over a 21-year run, some 7 million units were produced. It was a very popular car. But the Taurus will also be […]

Another Ruling in the Business Tryst Injury Case

Earlier this year, we reported on a business trip tryst that ended up in court. If you missed it, here’s what happened. An Australia public servant (we’ll call her “Susan”) worked in the human relations section of a government agency. On a business trip, Susan had a rendezvous with a male friend in her motel […]

Employee Leave: Court Says FMLA Doesn’t Bar Changes To Benefits

In 1998, Wells Fargo Bank merged with Northwest Bank. Under Wells Fargo’s sick leave policy before the merger, employees earned one sick day a month, and unused sick days could be carried to the next year. At the time, employees also earned a certain amount of paid vacation days a year, which could be carried […]

Dependent Coverage Can Pose Challenges

Many, perhaps most, employers provide some coverage to employees’ dependents under the benefit plans they offer. But an employer needs to be careful when it does so. Many factors can complicate this coverage. Following are examples that highlight complicated situations that can arise for an employer that covers employees’ dependents and how an employer should address […]

New Supervisors: Two Critical Success Factors

New supervisors have a lot to learn about managing their people, and that’s to say nothing of the numerous compliance challenges they face. Compassionate but untrained supervisors can quickly create surprisingly expensive liabilities.

Commuting for Creativity

By Kyle Emshwiller To get creative juices flowing, Jonah Lehrer, author of Imagine: How Creativity Works, , suggests quick and easy ways to rest your brain and maximize productivity. Among other relaxation techniques, he suggests making the most of your commute to work. In Lehrer’s book, highlighted in American Express Open Forum, he advises workers […]

Shift of Accounts to QDIA From Stable Value Fund Allowed by Courts

By Jane Meacham A plan sponsor’s immunity from financial losses that resulted from its shift of retirement plan participants’ investments into qualified default investment alternatives was upheld by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in its decision in Bidwell v. University Medical Center Inc., Case No. 11-5493 (June 29, 2012). Facts of the Case […]