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Did I say that?

Satya Nadella’s job was tough enough from the start. He followed Microsoft lifer Steve Ballmer and founder Bill Gates into the CEO role at a time when the company is looking to keep its businesses rolling in the face of a changing industry, slower PC sales, and serious pressure on its bread-and-butter Windows and Office […]

Millions of Older Workers in Physically Demanding Jobs

Hard Work? Patterns in Physically Demanding Labor Among Older Workers, a study from the Center for Economic and Policy Research, examines the population of older workers and how raising the retirement age affects those in jobs with difficult working conditions. The study notes that high physical demands are a major reason for “early labor-market exit […]

Despite Title, New DOJ Anti-DEI Guidance Not Just for Federal Funds Recipients

It’s no secret that 2025 has seen a dramatic shift in the federal government’s view of the value and legal validity of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives. The latest guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) is directed at recipients of federal funding, but all businesses can use it to learn about […]

5 Bottom-Line Compensation Cost-Savers

Special from Atlanta—SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition In yesterday’s Advisor, Payscale, Inc.’s Stacey Carroll, M.B.A., CCP, SPHR. offered key charts for evaluating compensation levels. Today, one more chart and Carroll’s cost-saving suggestions, plus an introduction to the checklist-based audit system that helps you find problems before the feds do. Here’s a chart that will help […]

Misclassifying Employees as Independent Contractors: Front-Burner Issue Again

by Kara E. Shea Independent contractors, by definition, are self-employed. Because they aren’t employees, they aren’t covered by employment, labor, and related tax laws. As a result, some employers may be tempted to reclassify employees as independent contractors to avoid taxes, benefits, record-keeping requirements, overtime, and other expenses. Wage and Hour Compliance Manual Contractors are […]

Texas AFL-CIO seeks to join fight to save overtime rules

A group of labor organizations is attempting to save the new overtime rules from almost certain death under the Trump administration. The Texas AFL-CIO on December 9 moved to join a lawsuit challenging the rules, saying that if the president-elect drops the government’s defense of the regulation as predicted, the union group will see it […]

DOMA Invalidation Complicates Surviving-spouse Beneficiary Matters

Now that the federal Defense of Marriage Act has been invalidated, some same-gender surviving spouses are asking retirement plan sponsors to take a second look at their previously denied eligibility for a death benefit. A favorable court ruling in a newly filed case could further complicate beneficiary matters for plan sponsors. The case was recently […]