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Reformed Benefit Summary Will Make Comparison Shopping Easier, Regulators Claim

The summary of benefits and coverage (SBC), while still a work in process, will improve plan participants’ ability to comparison-shop for coverage. That fills a currently unmet need, federal regulators told a recent conference. They were responding to concerns that the SBC — mandated by the health reform law — is redundant, confusing or even […]

The more things change, the more they stay the same

by Mark Schickman After what seems like two years of constant campaigning and over $1 billion in advertising, we are exactly where we were after the 2010 elections: Democrats control the White House and Senate, and Republicans control the House of Representatives. Unless something drastic changes, this remains a recipe for continued gridlock—a conclusion Wall […]

Administration Proposes FLSA Coverage for Home Health Aides

By Liza Casabona In a long anticipated move, the Department of Labor today proposed extending coverage under the Fair Labor Standards Act to 1.79 million workers providing in-home care services to the elderly and infirm. Workers categorized as “companions” are currently exempt from the minimum wage and overtime protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act. […]

Employer Shining Beacon During Economic Slump

For the third year, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) teamed up with Winning Workplaces to create its list of Top Small Workplaces for 2009. As the article notes, when faced with tough economic times, many employers try to cut just about everything that may be considered nonessential, including employee benefits, wellness plans, and other innovative […]

Learning About the Job

On April 26, thousands of your future job candidates learned about career opportunities by participating in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. While it is a once-a-year event, the program can serve as a model for encouraging young people to explore careers.

What to Do When Your Diversity Dinosaur Is Your Top Producer

Last issue we talked about Imus, Dog, and supervisors who are “diversity dinosaurs.” But how about the case where your dinosaur is also your best producer? Here’s help from a program that can keep the productivity, while losing the negative attitudes. Initially, it sounds like a difficult choice—your rules on discrimination and harassment or your […]

Sexual Harassment: High Court Clarifies Law on Constructive Discharge in Harassment Cases; Lawsuit Prevention Strategies

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a constructive discharge—in which the work environment becomes so intolerable that an employee is forced to quit—can amount to an adverse employment action in a hostile environment sexual harassment case. And, depending on the circumstances, you could be held automatically liable in this situation if the harasser is […]