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Cutting Workers’ Comp Expenses: Employer Wins $6.3 Million From Insurer For Unfair Claims Practices; How To Monitor Reserves

How your workers’ compensation insurer manages your claims can have a big impact on your premiums. In a recent case, an employer whose premiums skyrocketed and dividends dropped for several years sued its insurer for overestimating the amounts needed to be held in reserve to pay claims—and won. This case underscores that keeping an eye […]

Parental Leave Newest Addition to FMLA Family

Yesterday’s Advisor featured attorney Susan Shoenfeld’s summary of the changes in the new FMLA regulations; today, more detail on the new parental leave requirement under military exigency leave, plus an introduction to the all-HR-in-one website, HR.BLR.com. The Final FMLA rule makes four changes (or clarifications) to the listed qualifying exigencies, says Schoenfeld, Senior Legal Editor […]

When Good Meetings Go Bad (Hint: It’s Almost All the Time)

Yesterday, we looked at one of author and entrepreneur Jason Fried’s biggest gripes about the modern workplace: Interruptions, including those caused by managers who check in at inopportune times. But those interruptions are small potatoes compared to the most disruptive thing managers tend to do: Call meetings.

Family and Medical Leave: Two New Cases Highlight Tricky Issues to Watch Out For

Although many employers know the Family and Medical Leave Act’s basic requirements, unusual circumstances can trip up even the most savvy. We’ll look at two recent cases involving your duty to inform employees of their leave rights and the importance of determining an employee’s “worksite” for FMLA purposes. No FMLA Notice for Injured Employee Richard […]

Free Retirement-Planning Resource from DOL

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has published a new resource to help workers calculate the financial resources they’ll need to ensure a secure retirement. The new publication, “Taking the Mystery Out of Retirement Planning,” is specially designed to assist workers who are within 10 years of retirement to calculate their […]

The No-Cost Key to Retention and Productivity?

“Flexible work arrangements provide enhanced employee performance while offering an inexpensive and effective way to motivate and retain top talent,” says Rose Cook, president of FlexPro Staffing in Eagleville, Pennsylvania. What Is Meant by ‘Flexible Work’? Simply put, flexible work arrangements are alternate arrangements or schedules that differ from the traditional workday and workweek. Flexible […]

Overhauling overtime

by Adam P. Boyd The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes basic rights and wage protections, including overtime pay requirements, for American workers. The majority of workers covered by the Act must be paid 1 1/2 times their regular pay rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 per workweek.  On March 13, President […]