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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 […]

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 […]

Significant Pension Changes Coming

By William Duvall After years of consultations, the Canadian government has announced significant changes to the legal framework for federally regulated pension plans. In addition, proposed changes to the Income Tax Act would affect all defined benefit plans whether regulated federally or provincially. While we can’t cover all the contemplated changes in this article, we […]

When Employee Privacy and Social Media Collide

By Lyne Duhaime An IBM employee from Quebec made headlines last month when her disability benefits were cut off by the insurance company after it saw pictures of her on Facebook. Despite being off work for depression, the employee had posted photos of herself on vacation at the beach and at a Chippendale’s show. When […]

Connecticut employers need to be ready for new social media law

by John Herrington Connecticut employers need to prepare for a new law taking effect October 1 limiting how they can access social media accounts belonging to employees and applicants. The new law prohibits an employer from: Requesting or requiring employees or applicants to provide a username, password, or any other authentication means for accessing a […]

Ask the Expert: If an exempt employee has no leave time and he is sick for 2 full days, can we deduct these 2 days from his pay?

October 24, 2009 As you know, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, exempt employees must receive their full salary for any week in which they perform any work, without regard to the number of days or hours worked. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Sickness and disability deductions are an area of confusion […]

Federal Defense of Marriage Act Found Unconstitutional … Again

Employers with employees who seek coverage under their benefit plans for their same-sex spouses would be justified in wondering exactly what they should do under federal law. The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is still in force, but the Obama administration will not enforce or defend it. And now another court has found it […]