Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Given how ubiquitous 401(k) plans are these days, you might assume that they are practically legally mandated. The fact remains, however, that employers in the United States do not have any obligation to offer a retirement savings benefit to employees though many opt to do so now that employee pensions have all but disappeared.
By Rachel Ravary and Philippe Lacoursière McCarthy Tetrault Earlier this year, we reported on the decision of the Alberta Court of Appeal in Chiasson v. Kellogg Brown & Root (see the January 22, 2008, blog entry titled Ruling helps Alberta employers defend preemployment testing challenges), which upheld an employer’s right to perform mandatory preemployment alcohol […]
Although defined benefit pension plan sponsors have engaged investment managers for years, it’s only recently that defined contribution plan sponsors have begun exploring this option to limit liability risk for their fiduciary role. “Because employers want to avoid litigation, which could result in personal liability for investment committee members, many plan sponsors are seeking ways […]
The program supports the creation of in-person, hands-on training and educational programs and the development of materials for workers and employers in small businesses; industries with high injury, illness and fatality rates; and workers who are underserved, have limited English proficiency, or are temporary workers. The grants will fund training and education for workers and […]
February is American Heart Month, the perfect time to conduct a wellness training session on heart health. In order to reduce the risk of heart attack, employees must first understand the causes and contributing factors. That’s where safety and health training come in. Explain to employees how the heart receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs […]
As the traditional role of HR continues to evolve, one thing is clear: HR pros want to be more productive and involved by handling bigger issues that directly impact the company and its bottom line.
That was among the findings of “The Accenture Skills Gap Study,” an online survey of more than 1,000 employed and unemployed workers recently conducted by Accenture (www.accenture.com). The study also found that 52 percent of survey participants have acquired technology skills in the past 5 years, but significantly smaller percentages have updated their problem-solving skills […]
by H. Mark Adams “Much ado about nothing” is just one literary turn of phrase that comes to mind when considering the initial uproar over Section 342 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the long wait for its implementing regulations. Here’s some background to add some perspective to that observation. […]
Wage and hour just shouldn’t be that hard, but the lawsuits keep coming, and the dollar amounts are staggering—especially when class actions amplify fees, fines, and judgments. What’s the problem? A number of factors make wage and hour a challenge: Many of the decisions about overtime, break time, meal time, and hours of work are […]