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Compensation & Benefits

No need to accommodate those who want to work overtime

01/01/2005
You’re required to reasonably accommodate employees when their religious practices conflict with their job requirements. But what if an employee asks for an accommodation just so he can work overtime? Must …

Be consistent when bending policies to suit elder care needs

01/01/2005
Issue: Most organizations lack formal elder care benefits or policies. Instead, they assist employees by making exceptions to other policies.
Risk: Unless you apply those exceptions fairly, you’ll risk complaints …

Do your leave benefits entice employees to stay?

12/01/2004
Issue: Are your employee-leave policies too stingy, too generous or just right?
Benefit: Knowing how your organization compares to others helps you attract and retain top employees.
Action: Review …

What are your services worth? More than you think

12/01/2004
Issue: The 2003 upturn in HR salaries picked up pace in 2004.
Benefit: Such robust pay growth provides more bargaining power with your boss and on the open market.
…

New definition of ‘dependent’ sparks benefit-law confusion

12/01/2004
Issue: A new law simplifying the federal government’s definition of “dependent” will make your benefits compliance more complex.
Risk: A greater threat of noncompliance and tax penalties.
Action: Check …

Unemployment claim hangs on seasonal staff duration

12/01/2004

Q. If our company hires seasonal employees for the holidays and then releases them after the Christmas rush, are we responsible as the last employer that will have an unemployment insurance claim placed against it? —B.B., New York

Whip your COBRA notices into shape for the new year

12/01/2004
Issue: If your health plan operates on a calendar-year basis, it must meet new COBRA notification rules starting Jan. 1.
Risk: Using outdated notices could result in fines up to …

You can offer, but not force, light duty as an option for FMLA leave

12/01/2004
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows certain employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year. But, as the following case shows, you can …

Sick-leave ‘buyback’ compensation should count toward overtime tally

12/01/2004
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), you must pay employees time-and-a-half overtime pay based on the workers’ “regular rate of pay.” That regular rate includes the person’s salary or wages, …

Reinstate employees right after leave; don’t delay

12/01/2004
Issue: Employees’ right to immediate reinstatement when returning from leave covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Risk: Any delay in returning employees to their jobs after FMLA …