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News Notes: Court Considers Empoyee Eligibility For Calipers Benefits
A California Court of Appeal is currently reviewing an important ruling by a lower court affecting eligibility of state contract workers to receive CalPERS benefits. Employees of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California brought a class action lawsuit contending that agencies bound by the Public Employees’ Retirement Law must enroll all employees for CalPERS […]
Supreme Court to Decide When Title VII’s Anti-retaliation Protections Apply
The U.S. Supreme Court is now weighing arguments in a case with important ramifications for the many employers that have been accused of retaliation — or who fear being accused of retaliation — when they discipline or fire an employee. For workers, the case raises questions about the strength and scope of Title VII’s anti-retaliation […]
Solis, Trumka Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Today the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) hosted a live webcast interview with Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. During the webcast, both parties made the case for the necessity of comprehensive immigration reform, decrying individual state movements such as the controversial immigration law in Arizona as a means for racial profiling […]
ADA Amendments Act Expands Definition, Interpretation of Disability
President Bush signed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) into law on Sept. 25. It will expand interpretation of the American with Disabilities Act’s coverage, reversing a trend toward narrow construction that began with a string of U.S. Supreme Court decisions starting in 1999. The amendments become effective January 1, 2009. Learn more from […]
Corporate Pensions’ Funded Status Continued to Improve in September
Corporate pensions’ September funding levels continued to recover, gaining ground on rising interest rates that reduced the funds’ liabilities. Three benchmark measures of the funded status of typical corporate retirement plans all showed improvement from August and record-low levels recorded earlier this year. Pension liabilities, or benefit obligations, of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit […]
FMLA Changes Announced: What’s New, What to Do
In light of important new rules on the FMLA that government announced Monday, we’re foregoing our usual column to bring you this HRDA News Extra. At a recent HR conference, a speaker said, “Let’s talk about how to manage intermittent leave.” He paused, and then laughed, as did the audience. That’s been the prevailing attitude […]
Attracting Seasonal Talent Ahead of the Holiday Rush
Did you know that over 1.5 million teens are currently working in the United States? And a lot of them are minors (aged 13 to 18 years old) who prefer seasonal work because it’s more compatible with their school schedules and other commitments. With the holiday hiring season coming up quickly, here are a few benefits to […]
Workplace Violence: Why Action Now Can Save Lives Later
Donnell Roberts had recently been terminated from his job at the Barona Resort and Casino in San Diego County. Last week, he walked into the casino and killed his former manager with a shotgun before taking his own life.
Workplace Violence: College Policy Barring Statements With Violent Overtones Violated Professor’s Free-Speech Rights
Highly publicized incidents of on-the-job violence have prompted many employers to adopt a workplace violence policy. But a recent federal appeals court ruling in California demonstrates the problems that can arise—particularly for public employers—if your policy goes too far.