Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
By Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR Managing Editor, HR Daily Advisor Just My E-pinion Big surprise—health care costs are going up. In our recent survey, 56% reported annual costs per employee in the $5,000-10,000 range (compared to 47% in last year’s survey), and 18% reported costs of over $10,000 per year (compared to 12 % in […]
Pension and welfare benefit plans are generally required to file a yearly return report, which can usually be completed by using the 5500 form that is updated each year. This is an important compliance and research tool for the DOL, and part of ERISA reporting and disclosure rules. For the 2004 form and more information, […]
We employ a number of workers in outdoor jobs during the summer. With summer heat coming on, are there Cal/OSHA requirements we need to comply with in this regard? —Sarah G., HR Manager in Marina del Rey
In an effort to head off a sweeping living wage initiative in the November election, San Francisco has negotiated an alternative proposal with business and labor groups that would boost wages for thousands of low-paid workers. If the plan is adopted, San Francisco would be the 46th municipality in the nation to require a living […]
Poor economic conditions are contributing to a rise in workplace theft by employees, according to a new survey of 392 employers conducted by the Institute for Corporate Productivity. Twenty-four percent of all respondents and 31 percent of respondents at large companies (10,000 or more workers) reported an increase in theft of office supplies, products produced […]
The White House recently instructed federal agencies to put the brakes on rulemakings related to employment. That same day, the House Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would prohibit significant rulemakings until the nation’s unemployment rate improves. The White House’s March 20 order came out of its Office of Management and Budget and was sent […]
This content was originally published in January 2000. For the latest in HR management, visit our archives or try our online compliance portal, HR.BLR.com. While Melinda Stark was assembling auto parts at King Auto Plant, she noticed a strong smell of pine-scented cleaning fluid coming from the break room. “What are they doing—cleaning in there?” […]
On June 30, the Industrial Welfare Commission finished a series of hearings intended to finalize new wage orders that will be issued in October. At the hearing, the commission adopted new rules on a variety of wage and hour issues, including clarification of alternative workweek election and repeal regulations, changes to the meal period rules, […]
The Internal Revenue Service has just issued temporary and proposed regulations designed to reduce the tax filing burden for small business owners. As of Jan. 1, 2006, eligible small employers will be able to file the new Form 944 (Employer’s Annual Federal Tax Return) once a year, rather than filing Form 941 (Employer’s Quarterly Federal […]