Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
In July 2002, we reported on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that an employer can defend against a disability discrimination claim by showing the individual poses a direct threat-that is, a significant risk to the health and safety of the individual or others that can’t be eliminated by reasonable accommodation. Now, in a new development […]
In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney Leslie Silverman discussed HR responses to the recently-passed Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Today, we’ll cover her suggestions for insuring pay equity, and we’ll take a look at a unique checklist-based audit system. Silverman noted that the law does not require “equality,” but it does require “equity.” Equity can be encouraged […]
And then there were seven: Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) on Feb. 13 signed a measure making same-sex marriage legal in that state. Washington joins Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, Iowa and the District of Columbia as U.S. jurisdictions with that distinction. The Washington law goes into effect on June 7. The Washington […]
When an employee complains that a supervisor or co-worker is harassing or bullying them, or engaging in discriminatory or other illegal conduct, an investigation is often required to resolve the matter. However, few managers are trained in how to conduct them.
If you’ve thought about firing employees for things they post to social media websites, a recent decision by a federal jury sends a clear message that you should think again.
Two indicators of U.S. corporate pension health topped 90-percent funding ratios for September, a significant sign of improvement in the vitality of defined benefit plans. Mercer’s S&P 1500 Indicator Rises Funding levels of DB plans sponsored by Standard & Poor’s 1500 companies monitored monthly by human resources consultant Mercer improved in the latest month, reaching […]
The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) has issued a new section in its compliance manual on religious discrimination in the workplace. The agency concluded that the sharp rise in the number of religious discrimination charges, the growing religious diversity in the United States, and requests for guidance from stakeholders warranted the new compliance manual section. […]
Nearly 75% of minimum-wage paying firms in the United States say they would reduce current or future employment if the minimum wage is raised to $15 per hour, according to a recent survey of senior finance executives. The Duke University/CFO Global Business Outlook survey has been conducted each quarter for two decades. The latest survey […]
Employers with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) that make it possible for employees to open health savings accounts (HSAs) have plenty of lead time to prepare for 2013. The IRS on April 27 issued Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2012-26, which contains the HSA and HDHP limits for calendar year 2013. The HSA annual limits and the […]