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DOL Issues Long-Awaited Proposed FMLA Regs

After many years of promising changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) last week issued new proposed regulations in an attempt to address some of the most common criticisms employers have about the previously issued final FMLA regulations. (You can view the proposed regulations at www.HRhero.com/fmla_update.pdf.) […]

Employer Reporting under Health Reform — How Much Is Too Much, IRS Wants to Know

Beginning in 2014, employers that sponsor health plans will have to watch closely if any employees qualify for a premium tax credit, triggered whenever the employer-sponsored coverage is unaffordable, or does not provide minimum value. On April 26, the IRS requested comments on how to determine whether a health plan provides “minimum value.” It did […]

What I Learned from My Own Mistakes

In the movies the leading man often was portrayed as the strong, silent type. A man of few words, but those words carried a lot of weight. Think Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry muttering, “Go ahead.  Make my day.” But as I was reminded recently, in business being a man of few words isn’t such […]

New FMLA Certification Forms Available

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released new certification forms for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The new forms carry an expiration date of February 28, 2015, and replace forms that had a December 31, 2011, expiration date. The new forms appear to be identical to the old forms except […]

Avoid the Hazards of E-Cruiting

Recruiting online is fast, easy, cheap, and even fun, but dangers lurk within. This article, and a special May 1 BLR audio conference, will teach you how to navigate around them. Have you done any e-cruiting lately? No, not recruiting. That’s old hat! E-cruiting. E-cruiting, of course, is the buzz word flying around HR these […]

News Flash: New Affirmative Action Rules Coming

The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs is expected to propose rules that will change how federal contractors write affirmative action programs. Currently, employers with more than 50 employees andmore than $50,000 in annual federal contracts must maintain affirmative action plans. The proposed changes will reduce contractor paperwork and streamline the […]

SHRM 2011: Employees’ Friends and Family Can Land You in Hot Water, Too

Before terminating or taking any other adverse action against an employee, employers must consider not only whether the employee is in a protected category, but also whether the employee’s friends or family are, too. Lawsuits alleging discrimination or retaliation by association appear to be on the rise, an attorney warned attendees at the Society for Human Resource […]

Tweet, Tweet! New Trouble for Employers

Yesterday, we looked at the issue of how — and when — text messaging can get you into recordkeeping trouble. But work-related text messaging isn’t the only concern for employers — your employees also might be using Twitter on the job.

An HR Bonus for Each Dropped EEOC Charge?

In yesterday’s CED, Hunter Lott of Please Sue Me fame offered his lawsuit avoidance tips. Today, his advice on legal exposure in 2011, plus an introduction to an upcoming event you won’t want to miss.   What percent of charges did the EEOC drop last year? Lott asks. More than 64 percent. “That’s us!” Lott […]