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Compensation & Benefits

Take a tax-free ride to work

11/24/2008

Good news: The federal bailout law created a new transportation fringe benefit for using old-fashioned muscle power. An employer can pay employees up to $20 per month tax-free for commuting by bicycle.

The HR I.Q. Test: December ’08

11/23/2008

Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz …

Economic woes force changes in staffing, salaries, benefits

11/21/2008

As the impact of the global economic crisis takes hold, one-fifth of U.S. employers have instituted layoffs and another 26% expect to shed jobs in the next 12 months, according to a survey by global consulting firm Watson Wyatt.

‘Sweeping’ changes in store for HR & employers

11/21/2008

Change. America voted for it, and the HR world will certainly receive its fair share next year. The arrival in Washington of President-elect Obama and a firmly Democratic-controlled Congress will spark an array of legislative and regulatory proposals that could rewrite the employment law rule book.

How to merge workers’ comp and FMLA

11/21/2008

Q. One of our employees was injured on the job. She went to the hospital the same night, had surgery and was out of work for eight days. Can we apply FMLA leave or sick leave to that time, even if she ends up being paid through workers’ comp?

Ballot initiatives in several states and cities usher in employment law changes

11/21/2008

While the Obama victory grabbed the headlines on Election Day, voter referendums in several states and cities ushered in important employment law changes. Here are some key results.

Can we make employees use sick leave for FMLA?

11/21/2008

Q. Our employees earn paid sick and vacation leave. Can we require them to use their paid leave at the same time they take unpaid FMLA leave? Otherwise, it seems as if they could use up paid leave and still take 12 unpaid weeks off.

Must we pay for hours lost due to power failure?

11/21/2008

Q. We recently had a power outage and called employees who weren’t in yet to tell them to come in when the power was back up. We then gave these people a chance to make up the lost time by working late or using paid time off. Do we have to pay them for the hours they missed?

California labor laws apply to nonresidents who perform work in the state, court rules

11/21/2008

If your organization sends employees into California to do work, take note of an important new 9th Circuit ruling.

Union fights Wayne County over health care changes

11/20/2008

The AFSCME secured a court order to prevent Wayne County from changing its retiree health care benefits. A redesign proposed by the county would have tripled prescription drug co-pays for employees who retired under the 2000-2004 contract.