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Montana: Few Surprises in Big Sky Elections

by Jeanne M. Bender, Holland & Hart LLP Lone congressman Republican Denny Rehberg was reelected by a large margin after a somewhat nasty campaign. The big changes came with the legislative races, in which Republicans did very well and a number of incumbent Democratic legislators lost their seats. Republicans here are pretty conservative, so we […]

For Marijuana Workers’ Union, Hope Sprouts Eternal

by Mark I. Schickman You may have heard that California is going broke. As we look for more ways to generate revenue, one idea keeps cropping up: Move marijuana out of the underground economy and develop a new tax-generating agricultural product. Medical marijuana clubs have sprouted all over the state, and the November general election […]

BP Litigation: Plan Sponsor Not Liable for Employees’ Failure to Inform

Fiduciary status under ERISA “is not an all-or-nothing concept,” according to a recent federal district court ruling that found BP and its North American unit were not liable for their retirement plan employees’ breaches of fiduciary duty. The lawsuit arose from a BP company stock plan available as investment to plan participants that plunged in […]

immigration

What bipartisan group’s immigration reform proposal means for employers

by Tammy Binford A bipartisan effort to reform U.S. immigration policy includes what the proposal’s authors say is a plan to “create an effective employment verification system” as well as a way to “establish an improved process for admitting future workers to serve our nation’s workforce needs, while simultaneously protecting all workers.” Eight U.S. senators—Republicans […]

Is HR Too ‘Soft’ for Six Sigma? It Works for Hiring, Experts Say

Just My E-pinion By BLR Editor Susan E. Prince, J.D. and Shane D. Gerson, Six Sigma Master Blackbelt Six Sigma—the popular methodology used to drive process improvements—has helped many organizations in their manufacturing and other functions. Will it work for HR, or is HR too “soft” a science? Our experts say, give it a try. […]

Rx for Healthcare Costs? ‘PBM, here’s what we’re willing to pay …’

In yesterday’s Advisor, benefits consultant Scott Haas, CLU, RHU, offered his tips on negotiating reduced pharmacy costs; today, how to manage generic drugs, plus how do download a free white paper that will help you strategize for the coming “workforce meltdown.” Haas, who is vice president of Wells Fargo Pharmacy Consulting, spoke to BLR about […]

DOJ is the latest federal agency to extend Title VII protection

by Leslie A. Sammon Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits workplace discrimination by all private employers, state and local governments, and educational institutions with 15 or more employees. We are all familiar with Title VII’s prohibition against sex discrimination in the workplace. In recent years, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), […]