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News Notes: Government Says It’s Illegal To Exclude Contraceptive Coverage

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has ruled in two separate cases that it is illegal to exclude coverage for contraceptive prescriptions in an employer-provided health plan that also covers a wide variety of other preventative services, including vaccinations, preventative dental care and surgical sterilization. Prior to these rulings, the issue of whether excluding female contraceptives […]

Bulletin Item: Question Of Whether Employers Are Liable For Harassment When An Employee Quits Before Filing A Complaint Is Before The Supreme Court

By agreeing to review the case of Pennsylvania State Police v. Nancy Drew Suders, the Supreme Court will now determine whether employers will face the same liability in these situations as they do for supervisor harassment. We’ll keep an eye on the court and give you a thorough analysis of its decision when it becomes […]

News Notes: Employee Benefits Data Now Available

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has just released a new survey showing the latest trends in employee benefits. The study describes what medium and large private employers offer in terms of paid leave, health and retirement benefits, and life insurance, and it provides a useful benchmarkfor comparing your own employee benefit plans. When it […]

Domestic Partners: New Legislation Expands Workplace Rights, Benefits; Review Your Employee Handbook

Two new bills extending the rights and benefits provided to spouses to domestic partners were recently signed into law. We’ll take a look at the new laws. State Contractors Can’t Discriminate Under AB 17, certain state contractors have to provide employee benefits for registered domestic partners on the same basis as they do for spouses. […]

E-Alert Item: New Employer Sued for Unfair Competition Can’t Delay Arbitration Between Employee and Former Employer

After Nancy Duitch left her position as president of One World Networks Integrated Technologies to work at Buckhead Marketing, she entered into arbitration with One World over a series of disputes involving wages owed to her, and unfair competition claims by One World. One World also sued Buckhead Marketing for unfair competition. Buckhead Marketing then […]

Ergonomics: CAL/OSHA Considering Petition To Alter Ergonomics Rule

On February 20, 2003, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board held a public meeting to consider a petition filed by the California Labor Federation to alter the requirements of the state’s ergonomic rule. At the meeting, the standards board voted to convene an advisory committee to consider the petition, which seeks to drop […]

California Supreme Court to Review Meal Period Issue

In recent months, the California appeals courts have grappled with whether the extra one-hour’s wages an employer must pay an employee for a missed meal or rest period amounts to a penalty or wages. A penalty carries a one-year time limit for an employee to file a claim; wages carry a three-year time limit. Now, […]

You’re the Expert: Do you think exit interviews are helpful?

Do you think exit interviews are helpful? We just had a case in which an ex-employee, during the exit interview, accused a manager of discrimination. The manager blew it off, saying, “Oh, she’s just a disgruntled employee who’s letting off steam on her way out,” and nothing came of it. I don’t know whether it’s […]