Most Popular

October Corporate Pension Funding Levels Slip but Stay Above Record Low

Funding gains by U.S. corporate pension plans in September were erased in October, according to data Mercer Investment Consulting Inc. released Nov. 5.  Mercer reports that the aggregate deficit in pension plans S&P 1500 companies sponsored increased by $26 billion during the latest month, to $619 billion. This deficit corresponds to an aggregate funded ratio […]

News Notes: Assembly Proposes Higher Fines For Gender-Based Pay Discrimination

The California Assembly has approved a bill, A.B. 2317, that would hike the penalties for employers who violate the state’s prohibition against gender bias in pay for employees who perform jobs of equal skill, effort, and responsibility. Under the current law, employees who suffer pay discrimination can sue to recover the wage differential plus an […]

Setting Up a Telecommuting Program and Managing Offsite Employees

Telecommuting has gained in popularity in the past few years as employers look for ways to keep their businesses going during natural disasters and to help employees have a better work-life balance and cope with high gas prices. Telecommuting also can be a benefit to keep good employees when there isn’t enough money for raises […]

Employer Without Proper FMLA Policy and Procedures Must Face a Jury

The 6th Circuit—which covers Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee—recently ruled that an employee who was allegedly laid off while she was on leave covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was entitled to a jury trial because the employer’s lack of written policies left unresolved questions about her status. Read more.

10 Tips for Retaining Top Performers

Start by re-recruiting your best workers. Remind them of the unique benefits provided by your company. Emphasize what your firm has to offer. Then, invest in professional development. 1. ‘Re-recruit’ your best workers. Remind them of the unique benefits provided by your company. Emphasize what your firm has to offer. 2. Invest in professional development. […]

News Notes: Worker With No Desk And No Duties Can Sue For Age Bias

Although many employers don’t realize it, you can be sued for wrongful termination even if the person quit instead of being fired. That’s because employees can claim they were ‘constructively discharged’ when working conditions become so intolerable that a reasonable person would be compelled to quit. In one recent case, a 56-year-old country club secretary, […]

News Notes: Court Expands Coverage of Federal Anti-Bias Law

Soo Cheol Kang, a U.S. citizen of Korean national origin, sued his employer, U. Lim America Inc. for national origin discrimination and harassment under Title VII, the federal anti-bias law. The company argued that it wasn’t covered by Title VII because it only had six employees, rather than the statutory minimum of 15 employees. But […]

News Bulletin: Job Protection Efforts For Returning Reservists, Guardsmen

A plan to streamline and strengthen enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), has been signed by U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and Attorney General John Ashcroft. The document delegates the Department of Labor’s USERRA responsibilities to the Veterans’ Employment Solicitor, and the Attorney General’s USERRA responsibilities to the […]