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Compensation & Benefits

Technology bytes; the FLSA bites harder

02/22/2016
Odds are your company has a website. If you’re thinking of enhancing that website, say, with employee-written blogs, be careful. A federal trial court provided a stark reminder of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s rule that nonexempts can’t volunteer any time to their employers when it ruled that a nonexempt who volunteered to write a company blog can pursue her claim for unpaid overtime.

Ignore new IRS notices at your peril

02/19/2016
Last fall, the IRS launched a new pilot program, called the Early Interaction Initiative. This initiative is designed to help employers catch up on their payment and reporting responsibilities.

10 companies raise the bar on great benefits

02/18/2016
With more than half of employees reporting that benefits are a top consideration when deciding to accept a job, employers are raising the bar on the perks they offer.

DOL seeks bigger 2017 budget for wage-and-hour enforcement

02/17/2016
The Obama administration wants more money for wage-and-hour enforcement next year, even as it asks for less funding overall for the Department of Labor.

IRS releases a potpourri of ACA guidance

02/17/2016
The IRS has released guidance covering an assortment of issues under the Affordable Care Act, including how certain cafeteria plan flex contributions affect affordability, adjustments to the affordability safe harbors and penalty relief for failing to file correct Forms 1095-C/1094-C or 1095-B/1094-B.

‘Ghosts’ on payroll haunt HR, but not hallways

02/15/2016
Here’s a new worry for employers: “Ghost” employees who receive paychecks and benefits but never actually show up for work.

DOL targets West Coast fast food franchises for wage enforcement

02/13/2016

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has launched an enforcement initiative on the West Coast aimed at ensuring workers at fast food establishments are being paid the proper minimum wage and receiving overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours per week.

DOL sues to wind down old 401(k) in Eagan

02/12/2016
We’ve all seen those commercials asking if employees have left something behind at an old employer such as an old 401(k) plan. Well, if the U.S. Department of Labor allegations are true, Carr Freight Systems forgot about its plan as well.

A couple tips on unemployment

02/12/2016

No do-overs on resignation reason … Employer deserves chance to fix problem

2015 W-2s cast their last shadows

02/12/2016
Groundhogs scurry back home after they see their shadows. You have no such luxury. Paper W-2s are due to the Social Security Administration by the end of the month; e-filed forms are due by March 31. This checklist applies to e-filers who are using the SSA’s EFW2 filing specs.