Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Background screening is a step in the employment process that involves analyzing past and present details about a prospective employee before hiring. In the past, a background check was not necessary for the hiring process as companies were more concerned about the skills and qualifications of a potential employee. However, due to the drastic changes […]
The Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA) and Hawaiian Airlines have been negotiating toward a new pilots’ contract for approximately two years. Recently, ALPA has engaged in an extensive media campaign alleging that Hawaiian Airlines hasn’t made up for past wage cuts during the period the company was in bankruptcy several years ago. Contrary to […]
Participation in high-deductible health plans and health flexible spending accounts grew at a strong pace, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The findings in “Health Insurance Coverage: Early Release of Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, January–March 2013” suggest that employees’ interests in consumer-directed health plans is growing, information employers may find useful in […]
Nearly three-quarters of newly hired corporate executives are now treated like their rank-and-file when it comes to retirement benefits, with few being offered the traditional “top-hat” defined benefit plan that used to be as common as a company car and stock options for senior managers. In making this transition away from DB plans, however, some […]
Most employers are aware that it’s illegal to retaliate against an employee who complains about discrimination. But did you know you are also at risk if you discipline or fire someone who merely supports a co-worker’s bias complaint? A Los Angeles employer recently learned this costly lesson when it was hit with a big jury […]
By Kate McGovern Tornone, Editor While courts have held that various employer actions may constitute retaliation under federal employment laws, coworker “discourtesies” do not rise to that level under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a federal judge ruled recently.
If an employee’s name or Social Security number differs from information in the federal Social Security Administration’s records, the agency sends out a “no-match” letter to notify the employer of the discrepancy. The letter, which can list one or more employees, asks that correct information be submitted within 60 days.
By Jennifer Carsen, JD, Legal Editor On March 1, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the state of Vermont in an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) case that could have broad implications for states’ ability to regulate healthcare practices and reforms within their borders.
A Catholic church’s music director is a “minister” and therefore ineligible to bring employment discrimination claims against the Church, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, implementing a new U.S. Supreme Court precedent. Phillip Cannata worked as the music director for St. John Neumann Catholic Church, part of the Catholic Diocese of Austin. He […]
Eligibility for medical services at an Indian Health Service (IHS) facility does not disqualify an individual from being able to establish a health savings account (HSA) — but actually receiving such services can. That is what the IRS said in Notice 2012-14, which it issued on Feb. 1. The IRS said that individuals who are […]