Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
With the DOMA ban on same-sex marriage being ruled unconstitutional, what does this mean for healthcare benefits—will a same-sex marriage be recognized in the same way as other marriages, thus allowing the same-sex partner to receive spousal healthcare benefits paid for at the pre-tax rate? This is just one of the many questions employers are […]
Combating FMLA abuse can be frustrating, but there are some straightforward actions employers can take to limit abuse before it happens. It all starts with proper administration of FMLA leave, including the use of medical certifications and recertifications as allowed within the FMLA regulations. These tools not only provide clarity for FMLA leave eligibility, but […]
In yesterday’s Advisor, we offered guidance on FMLA certifications; today, we’ll cover when you can “clarify” or “authenticate” those certifications, and we’ll introduce the unique checklist-based audit system that lets you find problems before the feds and the lawyers do. Authentication and Clarification of Medical Certifications Employers are entitled to authenticate or clarify information received […]
With the DOMA ruling so recent in our minds, employers have more unanswered employee benefits questions than ever before. Is it now illegal to tax healthcare benefits for a same-sex spouse? How should multi-state employers react if the final ruling comes down that only same-sex couples who reside in a state that recognizes same-sex marriages […]
FMLA certification can serve multiple purposes. It not only helps employers determine whether a request for leave qualifies as FMLA-protected leave, but it also can be one of the most effective tools an employer can use to reduce FMLA abuse.
FMLA abuse is one of the biggest concerns for employers when complying with FMLA leave regulations. One example of potential FMLA abuse is questionable leave use. This is when someone is out on leave and they are doing something that seems inconsistent with the leave. For example, what happens when an employee is found to […]
Managing intermittent leave can cause confusion and headaches, yet it is a required aspect of compliance with the FMLA. However, the proper use of medical certification is one of the ways to both manage the leave properly and reduce the risk of intermittent leave abuse. “Medical certification is a powerful tool to control and monitor […]
FMLA leave provides enough regulations for HR to contend with—no one wants to add a fraud investigation into the mix. However, it’s an unfortunate reality that some employees try to abuse the system, especially when it comes to intermittent leave. What can an employer do when fraud is suspected? What Constitutes FMLA Fraud “What constitutes […]
Addressing depression and related mental disabilities and meeting reasonable accommodation requirements is a delicate balance. Often, employees who are in this situation will have a preconceived idea of what work restrictions would benefit them as an accommodation, and they ask their healthcare providers to state those things as a work restriction when they obtain medical […]
What financial metrics should HR be using? What is most important to track? Which metrics measure effectiveness? Should the metrics vary depending on what industry your organization is in? Teri Morning fielded all of these questions and more in a recent BLR webinar. Check out the sample questions and answers below to learn more. Q. […]