State Minimum Wage Increases for 2018 (Map)
Minimum wage increases will affect numerous states across the country in January 2018.
Author: Susan Prince, J.D., M.S.L., Legal Editor
New Survey Finds Increased Business Transparency Leads to Engaged Employees
An overwhelming majority (75%) of American workers care a great deal about the overall business performance of their employer, but very few lack the full insight that leads to increased motivation and engagement. This is according to The Business Performance and Buy-In Report, released by Kimble Applications, which analyzed the attitudes of full-time employees throughout […]
Pregnancy Accommodation: A Q&A with Susan Fentin
The EEOC just settled a case against a convenience store chain operator with stores in Texas and New Mexico for a whopping $950,000. The EEOC claimed the company had discriminated against pregnant workers by subjecting them to different working conditions—and also told the workers they would not have been hired had the company known about […]
Employer’s Cautionary Tale: The ‘Ever-Growing’ List of Termination Rationales
The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals—which covers Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin—recently issued a decision sending a race discrimination case back to the district court for trial.
Software Glitch Causes $100K Benefits Shortfall, DOL Says
A recent U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division investigation of Alabama-based government contractor InfoPro Corp. found an unintentional software glitch caused employee health and welfare benefits to be underpaid from July 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016. Division investigators determined that InfoPro owed $126,329 in health and welfare benefits to 84 employees […]
Sexual Harassment: No Surprises in Harvey Weinstein Affair
The public is currently fixated on our business, sexual harassment in employment. Taking center stage is Harvey Weinstein, whose case is straightforward quid pro quo sexual harassment—a powerful employer expecting sex from women he promises to promote. Is that news in the film industry? Hardly.
Fedex Miscalculated Pension Benefits for Employee Who Took Military Leave
The 6th Circuit—which covers Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee—recently heard a claim by an employee who alleged that his pension credits were improperly calculated and did not give him sufficient credit for compensation he received during military leave.
How Digital Transformation is Opening Up Opportunities for HR
As the old saying goes, “The only thing that is constant is change.” Thanks especially to technology advancements—from cloud computing, mobility, big data, and now, artificial intelligence—each technology brings different challenges and opportunities for every organization. In fact, with worldwide IT spending expected to total $3.5 trillion by the end of this year, organizations are […]
HSA Use Grew 23% Between 2016 and 2017, Report Finds
The number of health savings accounts (HSAs) surpassed 21 million, holding about $42.7 billion in assets, according to a research report by Devenir. The investment advisor firm noted that represents a year-over-year increase between June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2017, of 23% for HSA assets and 16% for the accounts.
PBGC Reaches New Agreement with Sears
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) and Sears Holdings Corporation have reached a new agreement that will provide, upon closing, approximately $500 million in funding for Sears’ two pension plans, including contributions already made by Sears since August 2017. The pension plans cover about 100,000 participants. Closing on the agreement should occur in about 3 […]