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HRAs With Individual Policies Will Violate Reform Ban on Limits, HHS States

Health reimbursement arrangements that are not integrated with group health coverage will violate health reform’s prohibition on annual benefit limits, the federal government recently clarified. HRAs that are integrated with individual policies will be seen as “nonintegrated,” thereby violating the ban on annual limits, the agencies implementing health reform stated. And if employees don’t sign […]

Save the white males!

For decades the most heated gender-related dispute in the world of Archie Comics was whether Archie was more into Betty or Veronica. But a recent lawsuit by five white male executives of Archie Comics against the company’s female co-CEO is enough to whiten Reggie Mantle’s hair. The five men (and one woman) allege that Nancy […]

New CHIPRA Notice You Must Provide Employees–Soon!

Under the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA), any employer who offers group health coverage to employees must provide notice to those employees of state health insurance premium assistance for dependents that employees may be eligible for. This notice must be provided by the later of (1) the first day of […]

The Clock is Ticking: Why Statutes of Limitations Matter

Many business disputes are effectively lost long before a lawsuit is ever filed. With only 24 hours in a day and constant operational demands competing for attention, business owners frequently postpone addressing emerging conflicts, often under the mistaken belief that “we can deal with it later.”  In reality, delay can be costly. By the time […]

Workers’ Comp Throws Its ‘Employer’ Nets Wide

A British Columbia Court of Appeal decision has worrisome implications for companies that control elements of the operations of subcontractors or franchisees. Although it was about a franchise situation in B.C., it could have repercussions in other provinces and other business relationships. What happened In 2005, there was a robbery of a Petro-Canada service station. […]

Is Motherhood Under Attack in the Workplace?

Just in time for Mother’s Day comes news that workplace discrimination based on parental status may be increasing. If your mom hasn’t already reminded you of it (subtly, of course), this Sunday is Mother’s Day. It’s a time when society traditionally extols the values of motherhood. But in the workplace, according to growing numbers of […]

Training and Development Survey—What’s New?

Training—it’s how you mold promising new hires and start creating your company’s future leaders. What’s happening with training and development in the real world? What are your competitors up to? Help us find out!

Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness, but Maybe Volunteering Does

According to a recent study, 27% of U.S. travelers are planning to volunteer on a trip this year. Volunteerism, thankfully, is becoming a stronger trend, and in the case of potential employees in the Millennial generation, who, as a group, highly value volunteerism, it’s important to recognize this need in a benefits program. In fact, companies […]

Pay Budget Survey Indicates Modest Rises for 2012 and 2013

BLR’s 2012-2013 Pay Budget Survey results suggest modest increases for another year, with 40% of employers awarding merit increases of up to 2.5%, 36.5% awarding increases of more than 2.5% and 2% awarding increases above 5%. Among employers awarding merit increases in 2012, the most commonly cited increases ranged from 2.5% to 3.0%. This corresponds […]