Tag: benefits

Employee Lawsuits: Older “Unemployable” Worker Receives $603,000 For Future Lost Wages; Why You Need To Use More Caution When Older Workers Complain

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

Updated: May 18, 2015

As the baby boom generation enters its 40s and 50s, the number of workers protected under age discrimination laws continues to skyrocket. And while you’re probably aware of the most common legal issues involving older employees – such as discrimination and mandatory retirement – one recent ruling points out an unexpected and potentially expensive threat. […]

News Notes: Cash-Balance Retirement Plans Spark Controversy And Legislation

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Nov 1, 1999 Uncategorized

Updated: Nov 1, 1999

IBM¹s recent announcement that it was converting from a traditional pension plan to a cash-balance plan triggered angry employee protests and age discrimination allegations. Now, government agencies and federal legislators are vowing to take a closer look at the impact cash-balance plans have on older workers. Unlike traditional pension plans in which workers earn most […]

News Notes: Telephone Company Will Pay $25 Million To Settle Pregnancy Discrimination Claims

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

Updated: May 18, 2015

Pacific Bell has agreed to pay $25 million to settle charges that it didn’t credit pregnancy leave toward an employee’s service when calculating retirement benefits. As many as 10,000 women who took leave before 1979, when Congress passed the federal law banning pregnancy discrimination, may share in the settlement. The class action suit was filed […]

Disabled Workers: High Court Says Employees Can Make Inconsistent Statements About Disabilities; Impact On Employers

By HR Daily Advisor Staff Jul 1, 1999 Uncategorized

Updated: Jul 1, 1999

Can workers who swear to be totally disabled on an application for Social Security benefits turn around and sue you under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), contending they’re qualified to work despite their disability claim? Two recent court decisions – one from the United States Supreme Court and the other involving a Northern California […]

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 […]