Tag: DOL

DOL Issues New Guidance on Investments Made by Retirement Plans

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued new guidance regarding economically targeted investments (ETIs) made by retirement plans covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. ETIs are investments that are selected for the benefits they create in addition to the investment return to the employee benefit plan investor.

Enforcement of DOL home healthcare rule starts November 12

by Judith E. Kramer November 12 marks the date the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will begin enforcing regulations extending the minimum wage and overtime protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to almost two million home healthcare workers who are employed by third parties and provide either companionship services or live-in care for […]

DOL Rescinds ERISA Guidance Discouraging Sustainable Investments

The U.S. Department of Labor on Oct. 21 reversed 2008 guidance that discouraged retirement plan fiduciaries and their investment advisers from considering environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors when choosing companies for their portfolios. The reversal, made through a new interpretive bulletin that reinstates 1994 guidance, recognizes a growing consensus that fiduciary duty may in […]

Training Time—To Pay or Not to Pay?

When it comes to training time, usually compensation isn’t called into question. But what if a prospective employee’s offer of employment is contingent on whether he or she passes certain training classes? Can these preliminary training classes be unpaid? In a situation like this one, employers may be reluctant to shell out compensation for time […]

Ask the Expert: ‘Claw back’ of Former Employee’s Bonus

An employee got a signing bonus last year, but has left the organization. We want to ‘claw back’ the bonus. How do we do this? Signing bonuses can be a helpful tool when hiring employees in difficult job markets or to fill jobs requiring very specific skill sets. The biggest issue with a signing bonus […]

The Risks of Contingent Workers

In yesterday’s Advisor, business consultant Bridget Miller presented some of the benefits of recruiting contingent workers for your organization. Today, Miller highlights the risks involved. What Are the Risks? There can be downsides to having contingent workers. Here are some of the concerns: Employee morale may be affected. Depending on the implementation of a contingent […]

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Almost 250,000 Public Comments on Proposed Overtime Rules

By Susan Prince, JD, Legal Editor The public comment period for the Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed changes to the overtime regulations ended on September 4th, 2015. Almost 250,000 comments were received, which represent the diverse views on the proposed changes—particularly the steep increase to the salary level required for exemption.