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Ignoring the ‘Regular Rate’—DANGER Zone

Employers who ignore or miscalculate the “regular rate” make an easy, but costly, mistake. Here’s what the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) requirement is and how to make the calculation. What’s the Deal with the ‘Regular Rate’? First of all, overtime, at the rate of at least time and one half, must be paid on […]

communication

Improving Interdepartmental Communication

Communication is key to the success of any organization. The challenge is often that there are different groups within organizations that have more or less ability to communicate with one another.

Ask the Expert: Cash Allowances for Employees to Select from Benefits Suite?

Question: Our CEO would like to establish a “benefit bucket”–an allowance of cash for each employee that can be utilized to pick from a suite of health and welfare benefits that are provided through the employer. It would include things like medical, dental, 401k, Life, Disability, supplemental insurance etc. Would this just be an old […]

COBRA Coverage—Qualifying Event Determines Length

Length of COBRA coverage varies according to the type of qualifying event. The following events qualify an individual for COBRA continuation coverage if the event causes loss of coverage for a qualified beneficiary: Termination or reduction of hours of a covered employee other than because of the employee’s gross misconduct Death of a covered employee […]

bed, bath & beyond

Bed, Bath & Beyond Learns Wage and Hour Compliance Is No Bed of Roses

Exempt vs. nonexempt is a question that continues to trip up even the most sophisticated employers. Recently, Bed, Bath & Beyond was sued in Illinois federal court by assistant store managers who claim the company incorrectly classified them as exempt and improperly denied them overtime pay. With overtime claims on the rise, employers can’t afford […]

Are Cliques Common in Your Workplace?

In general, cliques are associated with high school. Cafeteria tables for “the jocks,” “the nerds,” the “popular girls,” and so on. However, a new survey suggests this culture carries over into later in life—even into the workplace. A new CareerBuilder survey found that 43 percent of workers say their office or workplace has cliques and […]

Summer Dress Codes at Work

Workplace Dress Codes and Hot Weather

Q: Now that it’s getting warm (or should I say “hot”), some employees are wearing less and less to work every day. It doesn’t really bother me, but I believe some employees may be a little uncomfortable with the skimpy attire of their coworkers. A: As with most things that fall under the heading “best […]

passive

Expert Tips for Recruiting Passive Candidates

In the dating world, you often hear, “Why are all the good ones taken?” It seems like a lot of dating analogies can be applied to recruiting, as well. And it makes sense because finding the right guy or gal for a relationship is equally as difficult as finding the right candidate for the role […]

Predictive Scheduling Provides Shift Notice and Income Consistency for Employees

Imagine having difficulty scheduling childcare or attending classes after work to further your education, because your schedule was constantly changing from day to day and from week to week. People who work in the retail, food services, and hospitality industries often face this issue when trying to plan their life outside working hours.

Why Pet Insurance Is Gaining Popularity as an Employee Benefit

The open enrollment period for 2024 health insurance coverage has commenced, and employers are presented with a unique opportunity to enhance their benefits packages. While health insurance remains a cornerstone of these packages, a rapidly growing trend is emerging: the inclusion of pet insurance. The rise of pet insurance, one of the fastest-growing insurance segments […]