Author: Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR

How Can I Avoid Suits Related to Hiring Practices?

In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney Allison West offered tips for avoiding defamation and fraud lawsuits. Today, her tips on recruiting, plus an introduction to a unique, web-based, turnkey employee training system. West, principal of Employment Practices Specialists in Pacifica, CA, gave her advice at SHRM’s Employment Law and Legislative Conference, held recently in Washington, DC. Here […]

IRS on How 401(k) Administration Is Affected by Excess Compensation

When an employee’s compensation exceeds the annual limit, how does that affect 401(k) salary deferrals and what employers and plan administrators have to do? In the March 20, 2012 edition of Employee Plans News, the IRS provides an answer. The IRS says that unless plan terms provide otherwise, the 401(k) salary (elective) deferral limit is […]

Office Romance in the Real World

Office romances are one of the biggest legal risks managers can take, says attorney Jonathan Segal. Even when relationships appear to be totally consensual, they’re dangerous from a legal standpoint.

Beyond Discrimination: What Else Can You Be Sued for?

Most employers are all too aware of the danger of discrimination lawsuits, but there are many other legal threats in the HR arena. In today’s Advisor, attorney Allison West SPHR briefs employers on defamation, negligence, and fraud lawsuits . West, principal of Employment Practices Specialists in Pacifica, CA, offered her tips at SHRM’s Employment Law […]

Final Health Reform Exchange Rules Flesh Out Privacy and Security Requirements

Final rules that will govern the state-based insurance exchanges created by health reform include more detailed privacy and security requirements for the exchanges themselves and participating insurers. These restrictions also will apply indirectly to agents, brokers and others involved in this process. In the rules, published March 27 (77 Fed. Reg. 18310), the U.S. Department […]

In a Rare ADA Case Involving Bipolar Disorder, Worker Is Awarded $56K

A worker with bipolar disorder was awarded more than $56,000 after a federal district court found that his employer fired him because of his disability, in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The case is one of the first bipolar disorder suits the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has brought to trial. […]

Successful Wellness Programs Require Ongoing Commitment, Tailoring to Employees

Getting good results from an employee wellness program requires a continuing organizational commitment and understanding of what motivates individual employees, wellness expert Brad Cooper told a recent Thompson Interactive webinar. He warned of some common wellness program pitfalls. One is a “check-the box” approach — such as setting up a biometric screening and distributing a […]

GSA Chastened Over ‘Lavish’ Conference Expenses

Federal offices have to follow federal travel guidelines, and federal rates form the basis of tax treatment of private sector business travel reimbursements as well. But what happens when the federal government agency that develops travel policy goes astray from its own guidelines? The report by GSA Inspector General (IG) Brian D. Miller said that […]