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Although the Paycheck Fairness Act has passed the U.S. House, its fate in the Senate is doubtful. But employers are being advised to examine their pay practices anyway. The Act passed the House on a 217-210 vote on April 15, with one Republican joining the Democratic majority in voting for the bill. The purpose of […]
With 44 million Americans owing an estimated $1.7 trillion in student debt,[1] policymakers in Washington, D.C., have been focusing on how to help people pay down their balances—and the good news is, they are making it easier for employers to make a difference.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) announcement of plans to rescind final rules related to independent contractors and joint employers should put employers on notice that a less employer-friendly day is coming, attorneys who advise employers say. In announcing the effort on March 11, the DOL said the action is needed because the rules weaken […]
DEI is an acronym you’ve probably seen a lot lately. It stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. While these concepts aren’t new, they’ve taken on renewed focus for employers that want to proactively ensure everyone feels welcome and safe and is treated fairly in their workplace. This country has a long history of marginalizing entire […]
One of President Joe Biden’s latest executive orders calls for the federal government to begin planning how to move toward instituting a $15-an-hour minimum wage for federal employees and private-sector workers that work on federal contracts. Such a move is in line with recent calls from the labor movement for a nationwide federal $15 minimum […]
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) are important tools for the more than 70 million people who currently use these accounts to pay for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses or save for healthcare needs in retirement, all while reducing taxable income.
Staffing and hiring during the pandemic are especially chaotic. Many employers that don’t traditionally use temporary staff are seeking to fill short-term gaps in the workforce or simply want employees for a short time because it’s unclear what the business structure will look like once the pandemic business issues have shifted.
For many employers, the telework experiment necessitated by COVID-19 has been a surprising success. Many are considering whether to continue the work-from-home option for at least a portion of the workforce. One lingering concern, however, is how best to track time for nonexempt workers who are away from the physical workplace.
Health insurer Premera Blue Cross agreed to pay $6.85 million to settle alleged violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) related to a major data breach that the company reported in 2015.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently published guidance addressing employer obligations to track employee hours while teleworking. Even though the guidance is being issued in part because of the increase in teleworking arrangements during the COVID-19 crisis, the agency emphasized it applies to all telework or remote work arrangements, not just […]