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Civil Unions Available Now in Illinois, and Soon in Delaware
Employers in Illinois that have not done so may need to adjust their plan documents to reflect the new legality of civil unions in that state. Civil unions are legal in Illinois, Hawaii and New Jersey — and will be available in Delaware next year. The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act went […]
Study Lists Abilities HR Must Have for Success
A study of senior executives lists the skills and qualities human resources leaders must gain to reach full strategic partner status in their businesses, starting with “credible activism.” There’s good news and bad news in the world of human resources. The bad news is that according to a study of more than 468 companies worldwide […]
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Michigan Firm Wins Reprieve From Contraceptive Mandate
In other legal action over health reform’s inclusion of reproductive services as mandated benefits, one company blocked the government from forcing it to include contraception coverage in its health plan coverage. The injunction in Legatus v. Sebelius, 2012 WL 5359630 (E.D. Mich., Oct. 31, 2012) was at the request of Weingartz Supply, a for-profit outdoor […]
Tool of the Week: Prehire Screening Dos and Don’ts
Once you’ve identified the best candidate for the job, prehire screening can help you make sure you’ve got the best possible fit. Prehire screening takes a number of different forms and can include reference hecking, license and education verification, medical or psychological testing, drug screening, skills testing, and credit checks. Each of these processes can […]
A More Flexible Contraceptive Mandate? Carve-outs for Religious Organizations Look Likely
After increasing hammering from conservatives, the White House looks like it is ready to compromise on health reform’s contraception mandate. The administration had included contraceptives and sterilization in its list of preventive services all (except the few grandfathered) plans must cover starting plan years in August 2012. It had offered a year-long delay to religious […]
Telecommuting, Flex, Dress—What’s Actually Happening?
By BLR Founder and CEO Bob Brady For years, BLR® has surveyed HR and benefits professionals to see what benefits they are actually offering to employees. This year, we are expanding our survey program by conducting a series of brief, targeted benefits surveys. The findings of these surveys are analyzed and presented free to all […]
Defined Contribution Plans: Socially Responsible Investment Options on the Rise
By 2010, 60 percent of defined contribution plans will offer a socially responsible investment (SRI) option, according to a study released this past summer by Mercer Investment Consulting, a global provider of HR and related financial advice and services, in conjunction with the Social Investment Forum, a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible investing. Nineteen percent […]
Short Takes: Jury Duty
Do I have to pay employees who go on jury duty? What about court appearances?