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Stay one Step Ahead of DOL’s Misclassification Efforts

What do short stories by O. Henry and independent contractor analysis have in common? You’re left guessing the outcome until the very end, says attorney Deanna Brinkerhoff. DOL is cracking down on classification, and that makes it a good time to evaluate your organization’s classification decisions. DOL estimates that 30 percent of employers misclassify some […]

News Flash: Update On Interim Wage Order Developments

On March 31, the Industrial Welfare Commission held a hearing to address amending the Interim Wage Order that took effect on March 1. Among other things, the IWC appointed members to two new wage boards but tabled for the time being a controversial proposal to exempt highly paid workers from overtime. And it appears as […]

News Notes: OFCCP’s Revised Affirmative Action Rules Take Effect

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has issued new affirmative action regulations for federal contractors, the first major overhaul of the program in 30 years. The new rules, which took effect Dec. 13, 2000, simplify some affirmative action plan requirements. But they also mandate that every other year all nonconstruction employers fill out an […]

Employer Fears Lead to Discrimination Against Disabled Workers, Agency Charges

Employers need more guidance on their responsibilities under the ADA Amendments Act, according to the National Council on Disability, an independent federal agency. “NCD’s stakeholders consistently list discrimination as one of the primary barriers keeping them out of the workforce,” according to a progress report released by the NCD in October. Because of employers’ fears […]

Small Amounts Left in Retirement Accounts Add up to Big Sponsor Costs

As U.S. employment mobility has increased, one result of an estimated 9.5 million job changes a year has been a large number of defined contribution retirement accounts left behind at former employers. These often are small in dollar value, but can become a more costly and “insidious” problem than many plan sponsors realize. Small accounts […]

The Legal Risks of Using Social Networking Websites for Background Checks

Social networking websites—such as Facebook, Friendster, and MySpace—allow users to post information about themselves, to stay in touch with friends and meet new ones. A typical member profile might include photos; education; career interests; lists of family, friends, favorite music, television shows, and films; weekend activities; political leanings; personal musings; and more.

Benefits: DOL Issues Final Rules on COBRA Notice Requirements

Employees whose group health coverage terminates may have COBRA continuation rights to coverage in certain circumstances. Now the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released its final rules on notice requirements under COBRA, which covers employers with 50 or more employees. Because the final rules differ in some respects from the proposed rules, it’s a […]