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6 Compliance issues for qualified retirement plans to check on by the end of 2011

With the year’s end fast approaching, employers that sponsor tax-qualified retirement plans should assess whether they may require amendments or administrative changes. To help with that process, Todd A. Solomon, a partner in the Employee Benefits Practice Group of McDermott Will & Emery’s Chicago office, and Brian J. Tiemann, also a member of that office, […]

News Notes: Republicans Maneuver To Stop Use Of Undercover Employment Testers

Republicans in Congress have said they will support a budget increase for the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission—but there’s a catch. They’re demanding that the agency promise to stop using undercover “testers” who pose as job applicants for the sole purpose of scoping out whether your hiring practices are legal. The lawmakers also want to […]

NAFE Announces Top Companies for Executive Women

In a recent press release, the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) named its Top 70 Companies and 10 Nonprofits for Executive Women. “While there are still too few women at the top of our nation’s corporations, NAFE is proud to spotlight trailblazing companies that prepare, promote and push women to executive levels,” the release said.

Employee Onboarding 101

When a new hire is brought on board, it feels like there are a million things to do. Beyond the obvious things like completing all the necessary paperwork and informing the employee of the basics (like when and where to show up!), there are a lot of onboarding activities that are crucial to long-term success […]

IRS Announces Special Per Diems, High-Cost Locales for FY 2017

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) updated its special per diem rates for the transportation industry, incidental expenses, and the “high-low” substantiation method. These rates, announced September 26 in Notice 2016-58, apply to allowances paid to employees on or after October 1 for travel on or after that date.

Tennessee Senate OK’s ‘guns in parking lots’ bill

Legislation giving handgun carry permit holders the right to keep guns in their vehicles in public parking lots, including their employer’s parking lot, passed the Tennessee Senate Monday evening, 28-5. The bill, which will go to the House Civil Justice Subcommittee Wednesday afternoon, would give civil immunity to employers for deaths, injuries, or damage involving […]

Quick Knockouts of Some Human Rights Complaints in Canada

by Hadiya J. Roderique Human rights claims are an increasingly common occurrence for Canadian employers. Employees or former employees can initiate these claims at little or no cost in most Canadian jurisdictions (the various provinces, territories, or the federal sphere). An employer must defend human rights claims to avoid an award of damages or other […]

Indiana employers need to be ready for religious freedom law

by Angela Johnson and Martha Lemert The new Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act (IRFRA) is set to take effect July 1 after being signed into law in March and then amended in April because of objections that the statute would be used to discriminate, particularly on the basis of sexual orientation. In its amended form, […]

Is Obesity a Disability? Jury’s Still Out, but It’s a Serious Matter

Even though there’s no definitive rule on whether obesity is a disability under the amended, more employee-friendly Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you should be careful about how you treat overweight and obese employees. One in every three Americans age 20 and up was obese between 2007 and 2008, and about the same percentage was […]