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Agencies Would Broaden Exceptions to Required Benefits

Employee assistance programs and certain “limited wraparound coverage” would be added to the set of “limited excepted benefits” exempt from most of the requirements of the Affordable Care Act, under proposed rules in the Dec. 24 Federal Register (78 Fed. Reg. 77632). The proposal also would make it easier for dental and vision benefits to […]

Lactation Challenges in the Workplace

In yesterday’s Advisor, breastfeeding consultant and expert Michele Griswold, MPH, RN, IBCLC, helped employers understand their obligations to breastfeeding mothers. Today, questions about refrigeration and sound issues, plus an introduction to the all-in-one HR website, HR.BLR.com. Griswald who is chair of the Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition, shared her remarks during an interview with BLR Editor Elaine […]

Hot List: Bestselling “Work Life Balance” Books on Amazon.com

Amazon.com updates its list of the bestselling books every hour. Here is a snapshot of what is hot right now, this Monday morning, July 26, in the “Work Life Balance” subsection of the “Business Life” section in the “Business and Investing” category. 1. The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key […]

Does Your Organization “GET IT”? How To Make Your Company “Cool”!

By Dr. Jan Ferri-Reed All we seem to hear in the news is the doom and gloom of unemployment and the continuation of the economic downturn in housing, industrial expansion and job growth.  On the other hand, there are still good news stories out there of companies that are expanding, hiring and growing.  And, even […]

Definition of ‘Excepted Benefits’ Would Expand under ACA Proposal

Two specific types of limited wraparound coverage could qualify as “limited excepted benefits,” under health care reform rules proposed Dec. 19 by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury. “Excepted” status would be available on a temporary “pilot” basis to coverage that: wraps around a Multi-State Plan offered by the U.S. Office […]

Supreme Court in McCutchen: Clear Plan Terms Prevail Over Broad Equitable Remedies

Clear plan document terms in ERISA group health plans are the best defense against legal claims asserting broad equitable remedies, the U.S. Supreme Court reinforced in an April 16 decision. In its holding, the Court affirmed that equitable theories, such as make-whole, common fund, unjust enrichment and double-recovery doctrines should not be allowed to override […]

Chicago Sleeps Off Stanley Cup Celebration

Sporting events have been known to take a hit on companies. Some employers dread the Super Bowl, March Madness, and the World Cup. From gambling, to bandwidth issues, to increased absences, sporting events can be a serious disruption to businesses. The latest to learn this lesson—Chicago. According to CBS Chicago, the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup victory […]

California Employer Abandons Appeal—A Costly Mistake!

By Michael Futterman and Jaime Touchstone An employee filed a wage claim against her former employer for unpaid commissions and was awarded nearly $30,000 by the labor commissioner. The employer appealed the decision to the superior court … but then withdrew the appeal. The employee then sought reimbursement of the amounts she had expended in […]

Quebec Employer Not Entitled to Review Employee’s Email to Union

By Antoine Aylwin A month ago, we reported on the Ontario Court of Appeal’s surprising decision in R. v. Cole.  In that decision the Court of Appeal said that a high school teacher was protected against searches on his work computer by the police absent a search warrant. The Court of Appeal based its decision […]