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America’s Workforce is Aging, and That Could Be Good News

It’s true, none of us is getting any younger. But what’s especially interesting is that our workforce is becoming significantly older. In fact, it’s projected that by the year 2030, the number of people 65 years or older in the U.S. will represent 20% of the U.S. population, and many of them will still be […]

New Maryland Law Restricts Use of Credit Checks

By David M. Stevens During its 2011 legislative session, the Maryland Legislature passed the Job Applicant Fairness Act, which was signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley on April 12. The law imposes significant restrictions on employers’ ability to perform credit checks on job applicants and employees. It goes into effect October 1. For many […]

Senate Confirms Sotomayor to U.S. Supreme Court

The U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court today in a 68-31 vote. As expected, the Senators voted along party lines, with all Senate Democrats and only nine Republicans voting to confirm President Barack Obama’s nominee. The final step in Sotomayor’s road to the Supreme Court will be a White House […]

Accommodation: What Should We Consider When Addressing Employees with Disabilities?

We’re encountering challenging disability accommodation situations because of differences in California and federal law. Is the California definition of “disability” always going to be more favorable to employees than federal law? I also don’t understand why whether a person has a disability is determined under California law without considering mitigating measures. If a person is […]

New Limits Placed on ‘Bad Faith’ Damages in Terminations

by Helen Gray McCarthy Tetrault A recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal places new limits on a trial judge’s ability to award damages for conduct on the part of an employer during the termination process that is said to amount to “bad faith.” While it’s an Ontario decision, it can be expected to […]

Prepare Your 20-Something Employees for Career Success

Just My E-pinion By Guest Columnist Alexandra Levit If, as shown on TV’s “60 Minutes last week, you’re perplexed by the differences new 20-something employees display from Baby Boomers in their job behaviors, you’re not alone. But don’t despair. Because author, business conference speaker, and Huffington Post advice columnist Alexandra Levit, an expert on Generation […]

TPA Is Not Fiduciary in Dispute Over Benefits Error, Judge Rules

By Jane Meacham Employers should exercise oversight of third-party administrators, to ensure they distribute accurate plan notifications and information about beneficiary distributions. That’s because in the case of certain errors, the TPA may end up not being defined as a fiduciary, as Judge James Graham in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, ruled in Stark […]

Developing a Recruiting Strategy? Don’t Forget Employer Brand

It’s comes as no surprise that HR professionals consistently name recruiting top talent and retaining valued employees among their toughest challenges. Developing a strategy to meet those challenges may entail a number of elements, but establishing and communicating the employer’s “brand” should never be overlooked.

New HHS website provides tips for accommodating lactating employees

by Kate DeForest A lesser-known provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers that are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to provide a private area for mothers to nurse or express breast milk during the workday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is making the requirement known with […]