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Employment Law Tip: Direct Deposit—Don’t Force It
Direct payroll deposit can be a real timesaver for employers and employees alike. But did you know that California law prohibits employers from requiring employees to use direct deposit for their paychecks? Specifically, Labor Code Section 213 makes it clear that employers can use direct deposit, but only when the employee voluntarily authorizes it. Additional […]
Can You ‘Bribe’ Employees Not to Smoke?
Yesterday’s Advisor talked about smoking bans. Today we’ll discuss antismoking “bribes”—more politely, incentives–and a guide that has helped thousands of companies to develop wellness programs of their own. Under federal law, employers may establish employee health assessment and promotion programs as long as the programs meet the following requirements: Employee participation is voluntary; Information obtained […]
You’re the Expert: Is it a good idea to stay in touch with employees who have left the organization?
Is it a good idea to stay in touch with employees who have left the organization in the hope that we can hire them back? How To Survive an Employee Lawsuit: 10 Tips for Success With lawsuits against employers becoming ever more common—and jury verdicts skyrocketing—your risk of getting sued has increased dramatically […]
DOL Seeking Comments on Lifetime Income Proposal for Retirement Plans
Regulatory guidance is closer to fruition that may help 401(k) and 403(b) plan sponsors better educate plan participants on lifetime income options, and may allay their concerns about the expense and legal risk of doing so. On May 8, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking […]
Health Care Reform: One “Check Up” You Shouldn’t Miss
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) passed but left many implementation details unclarified, says Michael P. Aitken. Significant regulatory process will continue for years, he says. What is clear is that HR managers will be dealing with PPACA issues all the way along. Use this article as a checklist or reminder of all […]
News Notes: Big Child Labor Settlement
Sears Roebuck & Co. has agreed to pay a $325,000 fine to settle allegations that it violated federal child labor laws. Investigators allegedly found violations involving a total of 227 minors at over 60% of the Sears stores that were investigated. The violations included allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to operate power-driven equipment and letting teens […]
Compensation: Government Report Looks at Average Employer Costs for Employee Compensation
Employee Travel: Protecting Employees Far from Home; A 10-Point Checklist
When business demands send employees around the world, employers face a range of unique safety concerns—political unrest, illnesses such as SARS, and even unfamiliar local customs. And as an employer, you’re expected to extend your umbrella of care as far as your employees go. Although it’s impossible to plan for all possible contingencies, here’s a […]
Governor Vetoes Minimum Wage and Other Bills
Governor Schwarzenegger has vetoed A.B. 48, which would have boosted the minimum wage for California workers to $7.75 an hour by July 2007. In a veto message, the governor stated that he supports an increase in the minimum wage–which hasn’t been boosted since 2002–but that he isn’t in favor of legislation, like A.B. 48, that […]