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Compensation & Benefits

Intended workers’ comp bid stops at-will firing

10/18/2017
In Pennsylvania, employment is presumed to be at-will, meaning employers can terminate workers for any legal reason or no reason at all. There is one exception, however. The so-called public policy exception provides protection from termination if an employee files a workers’ compensation claim.

Master compliance challenges that follow natural disasters

10/18/2017
Unless planned and executed properly, employers’ emergency procedures may run afoul of many federal, state and local employment laws.

Trump order OKs health insurance associations

10/17/2017
After Congress failed to pass legislation repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, President Trump decided to take matters into his own hands. On Oct. 12, he issued an executive order directing the Department of Labor to write new rules allowing employers to buy health insurance benefits for employees through multi-state, multi-employer associations.

Snapshot: 51% of employers oppose repealing, replacing the ACA

10/11/2017
Republican efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act have stalled for now. A slight majority of employers want it to stay that way.

Trump administration initiatives to affect HR

10/11/2017
Three Trump administration policy reversals issued over the course of two days in early October could quickly begin affecting the HR practices of employers nationwide.

What can I do about an employee who files a workers’ compensation claim?

10/06/2017
Q. May I terminate an employee for filing a workers’ compensation claim?

Frequently asked questions about COBRA and Cal-COBRA

10/03/2017
Five questions about COBRA and Cal-COBRA regulations.

Emeryville, Calif. adopts minimum wage, paid sick leave regs

10/03/2017
Two years ago, Emeryville, Calif. passed its Minimum Wage, Paid Sick Leave, and Other Employment Standards Ordinance. Now the city manager has released the regulations implementing the ordinance.

Stress lawsuit OK’d even after workers’ comp

10/03/2017
The workers’ compensation system is supposed to make it easy for employees who are injured at work to get benefits. They don’t have to sue: If they can prove they were hurt at work, they receive benefits.

2018 FICA wage base, withholding allowances, retirement contributions

09/28/2017

The Social Security Administration has announced that the taxable wage base for the Social Security portion of FICA will increase to $128,700 in 2018. The amount employees can contribute to 401(k) and 403(b) retirement accounts will increase to $18,500 for 2018.