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Effective Wellness Programs Combat Worker Burnout

Seventy percent of U.S. office workers and managers report working more than 40 hours a week, and the majority consider the office the most productive place to get work done. But employers need to take action to ensure it remains an inspiring, motivating environment. This, according to the second annual Workplace Index conducted by Staples […]

Rise in Mental Health Parity Enforcement Calls for Review of Plan Documents, Practices

By David Slaughter, JD, Senior Legal Editor Enforcement of mental health parity requirements is on the upswing, so plan sponsors and administrators need to be reexamining their plan documents and claims review processes for signs that mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits are being handled differently from other coverage.

Value vacation in 2017

by Dinita L. James In this digital age, I keep a paper calendar. It’s a letter-size one with a black cover and tabs for each month that folds open to display a full week, with appointment time slots under each day. I know I could set up Outlook to display the digital calendar I also […]

Ensuring the Ongoing Strength of Canada’s Retirement Income System

By Lyne Duhaime There are lots of recent activities in the pension field at the federal level in Canada. The government’s actions in the past 12 months constitute the most important reform of federal pension laws since the 1980s. Here’s a quick overview. It started on January 9, 2009, when the government of Canada released […]

Changing FMLA Policy? Could Be ‘Worst Mistake’

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady You’ve been diligently following the sweeping—and confusing—changes to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). You’ve even instituted changes to your policies to make sure you’re in compliance. It could be the worst mistake you’ve made all year, says Attorney […]

Idaho: Last Democrat Standing Is Defeated

by J. Kevin West, Hall, Farley, Oberrecht & Blanton, P.A. Before the election, Idaho’s four-member congressional delegation had two Republican senators and a representative from each party. The lone Democrat, Blue Dog Walt Minnick, lost to Raul Labrador, a Tea Party-endorsed underdog (and attorney), who pulled off the unexpected win against the incumbent. So now […]

Disability and Group Insurance Plans? How Do You Rate?

No one plans on becoming disabled. But accidents and illnesses happen, and they can confine workers to bed for weeks … or longer. A serious disability takes away more than workers’ earnings—it can take away their sense of control over their own lives. Do your employees understand the importance of ensuring that they receive a […]

NLRB’s GC Says McDonald’s on the Hook for Franchisee Violations as Joint Employer

McDonald’s parent company would be liable as a joint employer in any proceedings by the National Labor Relations Board on labor and wage violations at McDonald’s franchises, the NLRB’s general counsel said in a July 29 determination. The franchisees’ alleged violations of the National Labor Relations Act relate specifically to a spate of lawsuits filed […]

WSJ’s Top Small Workplaces—and Why They Won

What makes a great smaller company, especially from the HR point of view? The Wall Street Journal’s 15 Top Small Workplaces seem to know. Here are their secrets. Winning Workplaces, an Evanston, Illinois-based nonprofit that helps companies create better work environments, recently teamed up with The Wall Street Journal to select 15 winning small companies […]