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News Note: Government Increases Cost Estimate For Use Of Unemployment Insurance Funds For Family Leave

The federal Department of Labor has increased its projections of the cost of allowing states to pay unemployment insurance benefits to employees out on family leave. Original estimates were as high as $68 million based on the four to six states that initially expressed interest. But now the agency says that the new program could […]

Employee Lawsuits: Workers’ Comp Release Bars Harassment Claim; 3 Tips On Drafting Releases That Stand Up In Court

No longer limited to back injuries and broken bones, workers’ comp claims have taken on new meaning over the past decade as stress-related claims have become commonplace. While some employers throw their arms up in frustration, a new California Supreme Court ruling demonstrates how handling this kind of claim wisely can limit your exposure to […]

Summer Will Be Sweltering for 1,000 Employers Caught in Latest ICE Crackdown

Temperatures aren’t the only things heating up this week. On Wednesday, June 15, the Obama administration shifted the ever-intensifying immigration dialogue back to federal turf when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that it will begin conducting its second round of immigration audits this year. Authorities with ICE, a division of the Department of […]

Ban Cell Phones While Driving? Could Backfire

Yesterday’s Advisor looked at a tragic—but all too frequent—case of an employee using a cell phone while driving and causing an accident with serious injuries. The employer settled for millions of dollars. Today we look at how an appropriate policy can reduce that liability. Wouldn’t a ban on cell phone use while driving be a […]

Ergonomic Update—Enforcement, but No New Legislation

Guest Post by: Elaine Quayle Editor Business & Legal Resources, Inc. Ergonomics issues may have been on back burner, but there is new interest in reducing injuries caused by inferior ergonomic practices. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health finds that health problems associated with poor ergonomics compose the most prevalent lost-time injuries and […]

ACA: Expect Flex, Delay, and Some Hassle in 2013

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) involves a lot of moving parts, says Attorney Martin Simon. As the various pieces of the ACA come into play, we can expect some flexibility, some postponing of deadlines, and a delay of penalties, he adds. In fact, the delays have already started, says Simon, Senior Legal Editor […]

News Notes: September 2004

New Paid Family Leave Regulations Released As most California employers know, the new Paid Family Leave (PFL) law kicked into action this summer, providing partial wage-replacement benefits for workers who take time off to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a new child. At the same time, the state Employment Development […]

A Tool to Track Jan. 1 State Employment Law Changes

Jan. 1 is the effective date for new employment law in many states. Here’s a widely used tool to help you keep up with the changes. As of this week, if you allowed smoking in your company’s lobby or stairwells, you can’t anymore, if you operate in California. As of this week, if you operate […]