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Trump proposes ‘substantial’ DOL budget cut

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) would see a nearly 21 percent reduction in funding under the White House’s proposed 2018 discretionary spending budget, which was released March 16. “A 21 percent cut is very substantial,” according to H. Juanita Beecher, of counsel with Fortney & Scott in Washington, D.C., and an editor of Federal […]

California employers must adjust to new laws on leave, pay, criminal history

Pay equity, parental leave, and criminal history are hot topics that have been grabbing attention for some time, and employers in California now need to prepare for three newly signed laws addressing those issues. The new laws include restrictions on employers asking applicants questions related to salary history and criminal history and impose new parental […]

Re-Acting Koi

Additional (Hypothetical) Litigation Value: $225,000 to Michael Scott for workers’ compensation benefits and medical expenses. Neck deep in an August hot enough to boil cement, and we’re dealt yet another repeat. In fact, I extensively covered this episode last October (see Acting Koi), and I’m unsure what else can be said of Michael Scott’s unrelenting tomfoolery. […]

What Smaller Companies Want: 7 Needs for Effective Benefits Management

By VJ Bala, senior vice president and head of marketing,  hCentive When going up against larger competitors for a limited pool of highly qualified employees, small to midsized companies often find themselves at a disadvantage, particularly when it comes to benefits. Big businesses typically have access to a wider range of benefits and can offer […]

‘Unable to Socialize’ Doesn’t Necessarily Mean ‘Unable to Work’

by Jonathan C. Sterling If an employee whose job involves talking on the phone and using a computer states under oath that he is unable to perform those tasks because of a disability, it’s logical to assume he can’t do his job. However, as a recent federal appellate court decision demonstrates, that may not always […]

Supreme Court ruling eases the way for certain class actions

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled March 22 that the use of statistical evidence to create a class action lawsuit against Tyson Foods was proper, an action that may make it easier for employees in certain situations to band together to sue their employers rather than suing as individuals. The Court ruled 6-2 in Tyson Foods […]

Can You Fire A Policy Violator Who’s Out on CFRA Leave?

The California Supreme Court issued a recent decision on whether courts may vacate (toss out) an arbitration award in which the arbitrator applied the “honest belief” defense to uphold the employer’s termination of an employee for engaging in outside employment in violation of company policy while on an approved leave of absence under the California […]