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News Notes: EDD Rescinds New Pregnancy Disability Policy

Last month we reported that the California Employment Development Department announced it would pay maternity disability benefits only for the time period a woman is actually disabled from working rather than for the four weeks before childbirth and six weeks after (or eight for a cesarean). The agency has now abruptly reversed itself-and reinstated the […]

Special from BLR’s Advanced Employment Issues Symposium

Aggressive NLRB Has Surprises in Store for HR Unions are desperate, says attorney Kevin McCormick, because their numbers are down and many of the things they once promised workers (like safer workplaces) are now mandated by government agencies. The result? They’re getting aggressive in new ways. McCormick, a partner at Whiteford, Taylor, and Preston LLP […]

Illinois Court Finds Chicago Eatery’s FLSA Claims Unappetizing

By Steven L. Brenneman, Fox, Swibel, Levin & Carroll, LLP Does your organization use independent contractors or other workers labeled “owners” or “partners” who aren’t considered employees? If so, a recent decision by a federal court judge in Chicago that shows the danger in misclassifying employees may give you indigestion.

News Notes: On-Site Child Care Survey; New Resources Available

A new survey of 400 mid- to large-sized employers by human resource consulting firm William M. Mercer and child care consultant Bright Horizons Family Solutions found that many employers are offering on-site child care as a recruiting and employee retention tool. Twelve percent of respondents had an on-site facility, 8% used a nearby center and […]

Inconsistent Wage/Hour Laws Lead to Confusing Enforcement, Study Says

According to a recent study, uneven enforcement of the Fair Labor Standards Act — lax in some places and more stringent in others — leaves employers confused about the extent of their liability for wage and hour violations. The study, released by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, calls for more enforcement consistency to […]

Disabled Americans in the Workplace

Here are some facts from the U.S. Census Bureau about disabled Americans and how they are represented in the workplace: In America, there are 54 million people with disabilities. That represents 19% of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Five percent of children ages 5 to 17 have disabilities; 10% of people 18 to 64 have disabilities; […]

DHS Shifts Worksite Enforcement Strategy to Employers, Not Illegal Workers

On April 30, the Department of Homeland Security distributed its Worksite Enforcement Strategy describing how it plans to step up its efforts to enforce immigration laws. The new strategy focuses on reducing the demand for illegal employment by targeting employers that knowingly hire illegal workers as well as the workers themselves. Last week, updated guidance […]

Termination Lawsuit Risks Reduced? Check!

Terminations are breeding grounds for expensive lawsuits. Yesterday’s Advisor presented the first 7 of 10 questions you should ask before terminating employees. Today we’ll cover questions 8 through 10, plus look at a handy terminations checklist from HR.BLR.com®. 8. Do you have a well-documented business reason for the termination? Generally, if you can produce a […]

House to Vote on Bill to Repeal OTC Rules

Legislation that would repeal health reform rules limiting the reimbursement of over-the-counter medications is inching closer to passage. On June 5, the Restoring Access to Medication Act (H.R. 5842) was placed on the House calendar, so the full House will soon vote on the measure. The Ways and Means Committee on May 31 ordered the […]

Corporate Health: HR’s Route to the C-Suite?

“Corporate health” is that elusive state that leads to the C-Suite’s holy grail—sustained growth. But, says top consultant McKinsey & Company, it may also be HR’s entry into a strategic planning role. Does your company seek sustained, profitable, healthy growth? According to top consultants, writing in the McKinsey Quarterly, there are five key factors that […]