Category: Benefits and Compensation

This topic provides guidance on how to handle compensation issues in a way that attracts and retains the best talent and advances the strategic goals of your business. You get news and tips on what’s going on nationally and in the states, and updates on changes in regulations, possible governmental action, and emerging compensation trends.

Mutual Fund Companies Tend to Favor Own Funds in 401(k) Menus

Who has the most influence on an employer’s 401(k) retirement plan investment menu — you as the plan sponsor? Participants? The company’s ERISA attorneys or investment committee? Chances are, it’s the plan’s mutual fund manager. A new study from two U.S. university business professors and an economist for the U.S. Federal Reserve concludes that fund […]

What Laws Does the EEOC Administer?

While nearly everyone has heard of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), not everyone knows how many laws and regulations fall within their purview. When pressed, many would guess that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is within EEOC responsibility—and they would be right—but that’s not all.

Crafting an Effective Salary Structure: Art or Science?

Yesterday, we got some insights on the importance of a well-structured approach to compensation at your organization, courtesy of J. Timothy O’Rourke. Today, we look at his take on whether building an effective salary structure is more of an art or a science.

Pay Grades Are Key to Fair, Competitive Compensation

Whether you want to reward performance, time, knowledge, skills, or competencies, determining pay grades is the first step to creating an equitable, competitive compensation system. Without accurate pay grade determination, it won’t matter how valid the pay survey data you acquire are—your internal compensation will likely be too high or too low.

What’s the Scoop on Employee File Management?

Is your HR team currently spending way too much time managing documents? Are you struggling to comply with changing laws? What’s happening with document management in the real world? What are your competitors up to? Help us find out!

What Employee Benefits Are Required by Law?

When it comes to employee benefits, surprisingly few are required by law in the United States. For example, the United States, unlike most other countries, does not mandate that employers provide vacation days, sick days, or maternity or paternity leave.

Want Happier Workers? Consider Flextime.

Yesterday, we revealed tips on how to organize flextime (even when every employee has to be physically on-site every day) courtesy of Megan Lee, SPHR, SHRM-SCP. Today, we present more about Lee’s program—as well as the extraordinary results she achieved.

The Logistics of Offering Flextime

Flextime is one of the most highly rated perks for attracting top talent to your organization. However, it isn’t always easy to offer—what about a company where every employee has to be on-site, in person, every day? Today, Megan Lee, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, shares how she did it.

IRS Fleshes Out Plans for Applying ‘Cadillac Tax,’ Seeks Input

New IRS guidance spells out more issues the agency plans to address in imposing the excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health coverage (commonly known as the Cadillac tax). These include: (1) identifying taxpayers who may be liable for the excise tax; (2) aggregating several employers under one plan sponsor’s payment; (3) allocating the tax among […]