Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Under flexible benefit or cafeteria plans, once the plan year starts, employees are locked into their benefit elections and can’t make changes except in a few limited situations. But in a move that will be welcomed by employees, the IRS has recently announced rules that take effect immediately and greatly expand your employees’ ability to […]
Wellness benefits have exploded in the past decade because they purportedly make employees healthier and save employers money, but they have found a detractor in at least one labor union. John Borsos, secretary-treasurer of the National Union of Healthcare Workers, told reporters in Washington, D.C., Dec. 17, that wellness programs are a $6 billion industry […]
As the transition period for amending business associate agreements draws to a close, HIPAA experts have highlighted some issues for plan sponsors to keep in mind. Under last year’s HIPAA/HITECH omnibus rules, all contracts with business associates must be compliant with the rules by Sept. 22. Obviously, group health plans and other HIPAA-covered entities that […]
Health reform has got women covered. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in rules implementing the reform law’s mandate, has enumerated a host of preventive services for women that (non-grandfathered) insurers and plans must cover the services consistent with the rules, without cost sharing, in the first plan year that begins on […]
Last year, Gov. Davis signed into law some controversial state consumer report rules. And now the governor has signed two new laws, A.B. 1068 and A.B. 2868, that revise the complicated consumer reporting process. The changes have taken effect immediately—and impact how you conduct workplace investigations, background checks and reference checks. Internal Background Check Rules RepealedUnder […]
Every year, thousands of forklift-related injuries occur in the United States. According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), these injuries are often attributed to a lack of safe operating procedures and safety rule enforcement as well as insufficient training.
Finding just the right person for a job is the constant challenge for recruiters. Even when they have the benefit of up-to-date training, high-tech tools, and good common sense, they often face an uphill struggle. They’re either inundated with applications—many from unqualified candidates—or they’re left with such a small number of suitable applications that they […]
In yesterday’s Advisor, Dr. W. Smith Chandler offered tips on drug testing. Today, he’ll show how to prevent liability when testing, and we’ll introduce a unique all-in-one HR problem solver that helps with drug testing and most every other HR challenge. Chandler, an SPHR and physician who is board-certified in occupational medicine, has helped many […]
By Brian J. Kurtz, JD, FordHarrison LLP