Archives

Latest Data Shows Rise in 401(k) Assets; Equities Still Dominate

The average 401(k) account balance at the end of 2012 was 8.4 percent higher than the year before, but increased assets weren’t typical for all defined contribution plan participants studied, according to a December 2013 brief by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. While equity investments through stock mutual funds comprised the bulk of 401(k) assets […]

Crystal Ball—HR Trends and Traps 2014

We had dramatic changes in HR in 2013 and that’s going to continue, says attorney Mark Schickman of Freeland Cooper & Forman LLP in San Francisco. However, he points out, quoting Sir Winston Churchill, “To improve is to change. To be perfect is to change often.” What Are the Big Changes for the 21st Century? […]

American Idol’s ‘cold-hearted’ background check practices

by Kylie Crawford TenBrook The new season of American Idol begins tonight. While viewers are getting acquainted with a new panel of judges and group of contestants, Fox attorneys are battling charges from former contestants.  In July, 10 black former American Idol contestants filed a 429-page discrimination complaint against Fox and the show’s production company […]

What Is Section 503? What Is VEVRAA? What Federal Contractors Should Know

People with disabilities and veterans both have disproportionately high levels of unemployment compared to the rest of the population, but there are laws on the books aiming to reduce that gap. In fact, two of those regulations – Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) […]

Q&A on Affirmative Action Plans for Federal Contractors

Federal contractors have an obligation to create affirmative action plans (AAPs) with the goal of ensuring that both disabled individuals and protected veterans are appropriately represented in their workforce. The regulations that dictate this – Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans Rehabilitation Assistance Act (VEVRAA) – are changing […]

Wellness Plans Discriminate, Union Official Says

Wellness benefits have exploded in the past decade because they purportedly make employees healthier and save employers money, but they have found a detractor in at least one labor union.  John Borsos, secretary-treasurer of the National Union of Healthcare Workers, told reporters in Washington, D.C., Dec. 17, that wellness programs are a $6 billion industry […]

Train Your HAZWOPER Responders in Their Specific Duties

Hazardous materials specialists are workers who respond and provide support to hazardous materials technicians. Their duties parallel those of the hazardous materials technicians, but they require more-specific knowledge of the various substances that must be contained. Hazardous Materials Specialists The hazardous materials specialist also acts as the site liaison with federal, state, and local authorities […]

Your Rep’s ‘Perceived Symbols of Wealth’ Derail Mediations

Marcus offered her tips on succeeding with mediation at a recent meeting of the Employers’ Counsel Network (ECN) in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Employers’ Counsel Network includes the attorneys from each state who write BLR’s state employment law newsletters. Marcus is one of the EEOC mediators based in the Boston office of the EEOC. Sometimes it’s […]

OFCCP—Out of Nowhere to New Aggressive Stance

In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney David Fortney briefed on OFCCP’s new affirmative action regulations. Today, more on the OFCCP plus links to a free 21-page OFCCP compliance guide. With the OFCCP (Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs), it’s not only the two new challenging requirements concerning veterans and employees with disabilities, but it’s also a new […]

Christie bridge scandal raises questions for managers

by Dan Oswald If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’ve undoubtedly heard about what is now being called “Bridgegate.” (I, for one, am tired of “gate” getting added to every controversy and scandal, but I’ll leave that rant for another day.) It seems that one of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s top aides, […]