Most Popular

Special from BLR’s National Employment Law Update: The Surprising Security Risk Posed by Your Photocopier

Your photocopier may be keeping copies of your records that have been scanned into the copier’s hard drive. You can access those records easily—and so can anyone else who knows how to work the copier’s hard drive. “That’s something everyone should be aware of,” said attorney Catherine Moreton Gray, speaking at BLR’s National Employment Law […]

Employment Law Tip: How to Avoid Common Retirement Plan Missteps

It’s no secret that retirement and pension plans have come under increased scrutiny in recent years, amidst allegations that benefits are often miscalculated and underpaid. Here’s a checklist to help you avoid some of the most common plan mistakes:   Check your plan documents to determine the types of covered compensation. Be sure all relevant […]

Arbitration Of Disputes: Court Upholds Mandatory Arbitration Without Employee’s Signature Or Advance Acknowledgment; Impact On Employers

Following on the heels of a recent California Supreme Court ruling that approved mandatory arbitration agreements for employment disputes, California appellate courts continue to enforce arbitration provisions between employers and employees. In the latest case, a California Court of Appeal required the arbitration of an employment claim even though the employee had never signed an […]

Attorneys, HR Pros Participate in Public Hearing on NLRB Election Rules

Often a source of interest and concern for employers and unions alike, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has been particularly top of mind in recent weeks. Observers have noted uncertainty over whether the agency will be able to muster a quorum as terms end this year for two of the five members. Additionally, business […]

Employment Law Tip: Shopping for a Retirement Plan Consultant

Under federal employee benefits law, fiduciaries of employee benefit plans must administer and manage their plans prudently and in the interest of the plan’s participants and beneficiaries. In carrying out these important duties, plan fiduciaries often rely heavily on pension consultants and other professionals for help. But sometimes these consultants fail to disclose potential conflicts […]

News Notes: Compensation Social Security Taxes

The Internal Revenue Service has postponed indefinitely a plan to begin collecting Social Security taxes on two types of stock options. Industry groups had complained that the proposed 15.3% tax would be detrimental to incentive stock options and employee stock purchase plans. The payroll taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare, would be divided between […]

Benefits Communication: Most Frustrating Job in HR?

By Stephen D. Bruce, PHR Managing Editor, HR Daily Advisor Just My E-pinion For years, BLR® has surveyed HR and benefits professionals to see what benefits they are actually offering. This year, we have expanded our survey program by conducting a series of brief, targeted benefits surveys. Today’s topics: Benefits Communication. (Survey results will be […]

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 […]