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The IRS, taking pity on drivers fueling up at increasingly costly pumps, has upped the mileage reimbursement rate to 55.5 cents per mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2011, through Dec. 31, 2011. This is an increase of 4.5 cents from the 51 cent rate in effect for the first six months […]
As temperatures rise across California, Cal/OSHA is stepping up enforcement of heat illness prevention requirements at outdoor worksites across the state. The agency targets employers who evade the law, which protects employees from heat-related illness. Enforcement efforts include statewide traveling “heat sweeps.” These are local district actions launched when temperatures soar and workers are at […]
by Gary S. Fealk Businesses often find it advantageous to hire independent contractors to perform a variety of duties in place of employees. Using independent contractors can reduce expenses for payroll taxes and benefits, avoid the impact of laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and […]
Premium subsidies for health insurance coverage under the Health Care Tax Credit (HCTC) program may get a boost due to an agreement being negotiated between the White House and Congress. The HCTC program was enacted as part of the Trade Act of 2002. As originally enacted, it provided a 65-percent tax credit for qualifying health […]
As you’ve undoubtedly heard by now, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently issued a proposal that would amend the procedures it follows both before and after conducting a secret ballot election.
Special from World at Work, San Diego In yesterday’s Advisor, we covered three of David Cichelli’s “sticky wickets” for sales compensation pros. Today, sticky wicket number four—end-of-period sales push—plus an introduction to the all-in-one compensation website. Cichelli, who is Sr. Vice President at The Alexander Group, offered his tips at World at Work’s Total Rewards […]
In a special report from the SHRM 2011 Conference, Steve Bruce Reports on the 5 tips to consider before disciplining an employee for social media usage. Attorneys Chad Richter ad Cynthia Sandoval presented why it’s not always easy to comply when technology changes every day and the laws are archaic. The two Jackson-Lewis attorneys (Richter […]
In a special report from the SHRM 2011 Conference, Steve Bruce reports on Zappo’s Tony Hsieh, who spoke in a presentation about company culture, customer service, and a unique method for reducing employee turnover. Focus on your culture, and the profits will follow, says the Zappo’s CEO and author of Delivering Happiness: A Path to […]
A three-judge panel from the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals just upheld health reform’s controversial mandate that all individuals buy a minimum of health insurance or pay a penalty, saying that individual mandate is a valid exercise of Congress’ authority. This is the first appeals court ruling on such a challenge. … so 1-0 for […]
The kind of information exchange that’s necessary before and during a merger or acquisition can raise thorny HIPAA privacy issues, and federal guidance on the subject is sparse at best — especially for employers and other plan sponsors, Senior Editor David Slaughter writes. In such a transaction between companies that are themselves covered by HIPAA […]