Tag: benefits

Investigating Sexual Harassment Complaints: Why Utilizing Outside Investigators Is Becoming More Complex—And Controversial

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Jul 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 19, 2015

Employers are frequently reminded of their legal obligation to promptly and thoroughly investigate all sexual harassment complaints and, as a result, often call in lawyers or specially trained consultants to conduct a complete and objective inquiry. But a controversial new government opinion suggests that using outside investigators could result in your inadvertently breaking a federal […]

Unemployment Compensation: Contested Claim Backfires Into $1.3 Million Lawsuit; 4 Must-Know Guidelines For Handling Claims

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Jun 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

Some employers routinely protest claims for unemployment benefits without much consideration of the facts of each case. But one company recently discovered that an automatic challenge can boomerang into a costly lawsuit. We’ll look at what happened and offer some practical legal tips on how to approach unemployment insurance claims.

Terminating And Disciplining Employees: Employer To Pay Four Years’ Back Wages For Firing One-Man Striker; Important Tips For Avoiding Labor Law Problems

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Jun 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

If an employee makes unjustified complaints about wages and hours, you may be tempted to brand the person as a troublemaker. You might even take disciplinary action if the griping continues. But a new National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruling cautions that even a one-employee protest can be a protected activity under federal labor law-landing […]

Hiring Temps And Independent Contractors: Employers Brace For Fallout From New Microsoft Ruling; How To Avoid Owing Benefits

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Jun 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

The federal appeals court covering California ruled several years ago that software giant Microsoft Corp. had to pay certain retroactive employee benefits to workers improperly classified as independent contractors. Now, the same court has made clear that its earlier ruling will require Microsoft to provide millions of dollars in stock-purchase rights not only to contractors, […]

News Notes: Pension Reform May Be Coming; IRA Payroll Deductions Urged

By HR Daily Advisor Staff May 1, 1999 Uncategorized

Updated: May 1, 1999

Several bills pending in Congress could impact your pension plans. HR 1102 would increase the amount workers can contribute to 401(k) accounts and require faster vesting of matching employer contributions. It would also introduce new Roth 401(k)s and 403(b)s, allowing employees to contribute after-tax dollars but receive tax-free retirement benefits. Another measure, S 659, would […]

Military Leave: New Ruling Addresses Rights Of Employees Who Serve—Do You Know Your Obligations?

By HR Daily Advisor Staff May 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

As thousands of reservists are being called to military action in the Balkans and taking leave from their jobs, it’s a good time to brush up on the intricacies of the federal law that protects the rights of workers who serve in the armed forces. And a new federal court decision upholds the special benefits […]

News Notes: Employee Benefits Data Now Available

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Mar 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has just released a new survey showing the latest trends in employee benefits. The study describes what medium and large private employers offer in terms of paid leave, health and retirement benefits, and life insurance, and it provides a useful benchmarkfor comparing your own employee benefit plans. When it […]

Pension Plans: Supreme Court Restores Employer Discretion Over Surplus Assets

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Mar 1, 1999 Uncategorized

Updated: Mar 1, 1999

Because of the huge stock market gains in recent years, many defined benefit pension plans contain more assets than are needed to pay out benefits. Since 1997, however, a ruling from the federal appeals court that covers California has sharply limited employers’ discretion in how to use that “extra” money. But in a recent unanimous […]

Salary Surveys: New Wage and Occupation Guides For California Employers Now Available

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Mar 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 19, 2015

When hiring a new employee, promoting an existing worker or reviewing compensation packages, it always helps to know what your competitors are paying. You don’t want to shell out too much or discourage the best talent by paying too little. California employers have just gotten some new tools to assist them. The California Employment Development […]

Health Benefits: New COBRA Rules Announced

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Mar 1, 1999 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

After a 13-year wait, the Internal Revenue Service has just released its comprehensive regulations covering COBRA health benefits continuation coverage. The new regulations-which are a complex mix of final and so-called proposed rules-clarify several gray areas of the law but don’t change the basic COBRA mandates, including the detailed notice requirements. Even though the rules […]