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News Flash: California Employer Pays For Retirement Plan Violations

As part of its ongoing ERISA enforcement, the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration recently investigated Walnut, Calif.-based Avacon Corporation’s 401(k) ERISA compliance. As a result of the investigation, the PWBA filed acomplaint, charging that four Avacon plan officials and trustees had failed to forward employee contributions to the plan in a timely fashion. During the […]

Consider Extra Harassment Training Before Hiring Teens

Summer is upon us, and that means an influx of seasonal teen workers at many workplaces throughout the state. You may have already looked into the special safety rules for these workers, as well as the restrictions on the hours they can work, but there’s another key issue you may not have considered: sexual harassment.

Michigan Indoor-Smoking Ban Takes Effect Saturday

Effective May 1, 2010, smoking will be prohibited in most Michigan workplaces, restaurants, and bars. The law, known as the “Dr. Ron Davis Law,” was signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm on December 18, 2009, and bans smoking indoors in Michigan “public places.” Under the law, “public places” are defined to include most places of employment, […]

Federal Agency Urges Changes to FLSA Subminimum Wage Provisions

A federal disability policy agency sent a report and letter to the Obama administration on Aug. 23 urging a phase out of a controversial provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act that allows certified employers to compensate persons with disabilities at wages below the federal minimum wage. The FLSA section in question — section 14(c) […]

Social media policies vs NLRB: Where does conflict arise?

Social media policies may seem like an odd choice for investigation by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). However, the two have become increasingly intertwined because the NLRB has become very aggressive with social media policies in recent years. The NLRB is particularly concerned with any policies and disciplinary actions that infringe on employees’ rights […]

Wage and Hour: Retail Giant Socked with Another Unpaid Overtime Verdict; How to Sidestep Similar Problems

Just two years ago, Wal-Mart reportedly shelled out $50 million to settle a dispute with Colorado employees who claimed they were forced to work off-the-clock. Now the retail giant is embroiled in a string of 30 lawsuits across the country brought by employees who charge that managers required them, too, to work unpaid overtime. In […]

Trump Signals Potential Place for Skilled Foreign Workers

President Donald Trump has turned much of traditional American politics on its head, and many of his policies have put some traditional Republican allies in a tough position. While these traditional allies may support some of the president’s policies, they cringe at others. Case in point: the business community.

Train Supervisors: ‘You’re Going to Be Talked About on Social Media’

In yesterday’s Advisor, Employers Counsel Network attorneys briefed readers on new NLRB developments; today, their take on social networking, plus an introduction to the HR audit system that makes sure supervisors and managers are following policy. A common thread in social media cases is that the supervisors have overreacted, says attorney Molly DiBianca. Supervisors aren’t […]

The Amazon Example: Can AI Discriminate?

Instinctively, it would seem that using a machine, data, or artificial intelligence (AI) to review job applicants would create a process that is fairer by default.