Most Popular

When Harry left Sally: employers’ obligation to offer insurance postdivorce

by Kathryn M. Grigg Although employers may want to avoid the uncomfortable topic with employees, you can’t avoid your legal obligations to an employee’s former spouse postdivorce. For a period of time after a divorce, you’re required to offer health insurance continuation and conversion benefits to an employee’s former spouse and dependents. Here’s a summary […]

Watch Your Mouth

Forgive me for repeating myself, but The Office was a repeat last night. Thankfully it was the last repeat before next week’s season premier, Thursday, Sept. 23 on NBC. Moving on. This was the episode where Jo sought to uncover who blew the whistle on Sabre’s faulty explosive printers. There really didn’t seem to be […]

The New Pension Protection Act: What You Need to Know

The nation’s new retirement plan law puts additional compliance burdens on employers, and especially on HR. Here are some of the key changes. The 1990s were boom time in America. The stock market surged and billions were made in the blink of an eye. “Greed is good” was the mantra of the day. But, as […]

401(k) Fee Cases: Hot Area for Litigation

In the past year, litigation filed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) has exploded, and it’s quickly becoming an ever-present reality for employers. One of the most recent and fastest-growing areas of this litigation involves 401(k) fee cases. Because the lawsuits are very new and still not well publicized, they catch many employers […]

Time to Move to Electronic Recordkeeping? (Hint: You Already Have)

Think it might be time to move to electronic recordkeeping? You already have! says attorney Marc Jacuzzi. Look at what you already are doing electronically: E-mail Spreadsheets Website E-documents Presentations Voice mail Payroll And just look at what else is potentially keeping an electronic record: Telephone extension detail Computer/network system log-on, log-off times Scantron® security […]

Survey Says: Most Offer Disability Insurance, but with Longer Waiting Periods

By Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR Just My E-pinion LOGO Our ongoing BLR/HR Daily Advisor Employee Fringe Benefit Survey Series recently queried readers about disability and group insurance. Seventy-seven percent of respondents offer short-term disability, and 82 percent offer long-term disability. Meanwhile, 5 percent offer group auto insurance, 5 percent offer group homeowners’ insurance, and 13 […]

Don’t Leave Your Success to Fate

Over the weekend, I watched a movie with my wife. I won’t say which movie because my guy friends will make fun of me. But in my defense, this past weekend included Valentine’s Day. Anyway, the movie talked a lot about fate and destiny and got me thinking about how much of what happens to […]

Survey: 1 in 3 Management Teams View HR as a Strategic Partner

It’s a given that HR professionals are actively involved in many areas of an organization, but where exactly? A recent BLR® survey looks at how HR plays a role in strategic business planning and other key strategic areas.