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News Notes: Military Service Members Eligible For New Savings Plan

The federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan, a 401(k)-type program previously available only to federal civil service and postal workers, will now be open to uniformed members of the armed services while on active duty and to reservists while on military-pay status. A special enrollment period runs through Jan. 31. More information is available at the TSP […]

Vermont Minimum Wage Rising to $8.46 Per Hour

The minimum wage in Vermont will increase to $8.46 per hour from $8.15 per hour on January 1, 2012, according to a statement from the Vermont Department of Labor. The state minimum wage increases at the same rate as the Consumer Price Index, as calculated in August, for the preceding year or at five percent, […]

Managing Base Compensation with Pay Grade Planning

The economic environment presents comp managers with many challenges, but base pay management is at the head of juggling act, says compensation consultant Mary A. Rizzuti, CCP, PHR. How can we remain competitive with smaller budgets? In today’s Advisor, Rizzuti, who is a principal at PHR Compensation Resources, Inc. in Upper Saddle River, NJ, shares […]

Disabilities: California Court Goes ‘Where No One Has Gone Before’

By Cathleen S. Yonahara, Freeland Cooper & Foreman LLP A California Court of Appeal has found that an employer may be liable under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) for failing to accommodate a nondisabled employee’s request to modify his work schedule to care for a disabled family member. The court’s interpretation of […]

ADA Amendments: Supremes Get a Reprimand

By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady BLR CEO Bob Brady says the new ADA amendments are likely to create some HR headaches, at least in the short term, but that the legislation shows that our system of government works as intended. Overruling the U.S. Supreme Court Congress has issued the U.S. Supreme Court an […]

Workplace Fatalities Continue Downward Trend in California

Preliminary workplace fatality statistics for 2014 were recently released by California’s Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)—and they reflect a 16% decrease in workplace fatalities from the previous year. This is encouraging when compared with the preliminary data for the whole United States, which shows an increase of 2%.

How Much Family Leave Is Too Much?

The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period to recover from their own serious health condition, among other things. But what if an employee takes more than 12 weeks of leave? The California Court of Appeal recently answered that critical question.

Thou Shalt Not Unreasonably Question Employees’ Religious Beliefs

By Mark G. Jeffries Q: If an employee asks for time off based on her religious beliefs, can I legally question her about her religion (e.g., what her religion is and why she needs time off)? A: Yes, you may question an employee about her religious beliefs if you have an objective basis for questioning […]

Employees on the autism spectrum: guidance for employers

by Tammy Binford Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) – a group of developmental disabilities that can cause social, communication, and behavioral challenges – affect one in 88 children and one in 54 boys, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That makes autism the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States, […]