ERISA, Other DOL Penalties Increased for 2018
Maximum penalties for violating many employment and benefits laws were increased as part of an inflation adjustment rule published January 2 (83 Fed. Reg. 7) by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Tag: DOL
Real Benefits to Hiring Ex-Convicts
In yesterday’s Advisor, we looked at some risks perceived by employers that consider hiring ex-convicts. Today, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the potential benefits.
DOL’s Reissuance of 17 Opinion Letters Called Step in Right Direction
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) decision to reissue 17 opinion letters first issued during the George W. Bush administration is a welcome move and “a step in the right direction,” according to an attorney who represents employers.
3rd Circuit: Employees Entitled to Pay for Short Breaks During Day
In a recent precedential decision, the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals—which covers Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania—held that employers are obligated to pay employees for breaks of 20 minutes or less under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Company’s Invalid Employment Contract Dooms Noncompete Claims
The New Jersey Appellate Division recently affirmed a lower court’s dismissal of a noncompete claim against a former employee, finding it was based on a contract that was otherwise invalid.
DOL Extends Transition Period for Fiduciary Rule Exemptions
On November 27, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced an 18-month extension—from January 1, 2018 to July 1, 2019—of the special Transition Period for the Fiduciary Rule’s Best Interest Contract Exemption and the Principal Transactions Exemption, and of the applicability of certain amendments to Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84-24 (PTEs). This extension follows public comment […]
Software Glitch Causes $100K Benefits Shortfall, DOL Says
A recent U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division investigation of Alabama-based government contractor InfoPro Corp. found an unintentional software glitch caused employee health and welfare benefits to be underpaid from July 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016. Division investigators determined that InfoPro owed $126,329 in health and welfare benefits to 84 employees […]
Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an ideal time for employers to become more familiar about the abilities people with disabilities bring to the workplace.
Update Your Disability Benefits Claims and Appeals Procedures Before 2018 Deadline
HR employees typically begin planning for next year before autumn of the current year because choices about the next year’s benefits are made months before it begins. Whether you’re making many or few changes to the benefits you offer, your preparations for open enrollment provide a good opportunity to confirm that your benefits plans are […]
BICE and Related Exemptions: Limiting Providers’ Liability Until Full Implementation
For all their many faults, the exemptions, especially the full BICE, provided compliance professionals with a long checklist of specific compliance items. The Impartial Conduct Standards are somewhat more vague and do not necessarily lend themselves to easy compliance checklists.