Most Popular

Encourage Workplace Experiences that Inspire, Motivate Employees

I had a conversation about Christmas the other day with my 15-year-old son. We were talking about the gifts he might like to get when our conversation turned to things he’d like to do. Might he prefer tickets to a concert or a ballgame instead of a new iPod or video game? The idea seemed […]

ERISA Rules Do Not Forbid Dropping Fund Transfer Option, Another Court Finds

Eliminating a participant option to switch to a defined benefit plan from a defined contribution offering does not violate ERISA anti-cutback provisions, even if participants’ accrued — but unclaimed — benefits are reduced. The recent ruling in Andersen v. DHL Retirement Pension Plan (Case No. 2:12-cv-00439-MJP WL 5389141, U.S. Dist., Western District of Washington Nov. […]

Managing the risks posed by distracted driving

by Carla Oliver We’ve all seen it. Maybe when looking around while stuck in stop-and-go traffic on a highway. Maybe when noticing that a car in front of us doesn’t move when the traffic light turns green. It’s the distracted driver—texting away on his or her handheld device instead of paying attention to the traffic […]

Advocacy groups challenge Trump’s 2-for-1 regulation requirement

Three liberal advocacy groups have filed a lawsuit alleging that President Donald Trump’s 2-for-1 regulation mandate violates the U.S. Constitution and directs agencies to violate federal law. In a January 30 Executive Order, Trump instructed federal agencies to cut two regulations for every new one issued during the current fiscal year. He said the order […]

CBO: Fewer employers would offer insurance under Obamacare replacement

On March 13, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its cost estimate of the effects of the proposed Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal and replace legislation. Deficits down, but number of uninsured up According to the CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT): The legislation would reduce federal deficits by $337 billion from […]

ERISA Advisory Council Told Most ‘Derisking’ Payouts are Relatively Small

Concerns about the effect of lump-sum retiree distributions on the funded status of defined benefit pension plans with ongoing obligations to future beneficiaries were prominent as members of the ERISA Advisory Council tackled issues of “derisking” at a June 5 open meeting at the U.S. Department of Labor. There was high interest in the topic […]

Many Employers Plan to Invest in Big Data Training

Strong demand is expected for Big Data training, according to a recent study. Among other issues, the survey probed the need for analytics training and what companies are doing to fill the skills gap. The global survey by American Management Association, “Conquering Big Data: A Study of Analytical Skills in the Workplace,” asked respondents, “Does […]

Training On Employee Meal Break Rules Can Help Avoid Legal Trouble

Supervisors who ask employees to perform work during unpaid meal periods could be putting their employer at risk for a wage and hour lawsuit. However, training can help educate supervisors about federal and state law regarding the compensability of meal periods and, in the process, minimize the risk of such lawsuits.