Articles

Retirement plans can present challenges for both the plan sponsor and the participant. Historically, one of the salient dilemmas has been the lack of information provided to participants and sponsors regarding fees. Although that might seem to be an easy fix, it has proven to be more difficult to resolve than one might think. Without a clear understanding of fees associated with the services being provided to them and their plans, the sponsor and participants cannot make informed decisions related to their investment options and other plan-related issues. Read more

FMLA regulations can be particularly problematic for HR professionals, not least because of the fact that the company is obligated to realize when someone is eligible for FMLA leave, as opposed to the employee themselves having to specifically request it. The new changes to the FMLA laws make the job even more complicated for businesses and their HR departments. Read more

One of the hottest topics for employers right now-- and one that employers need to make sure they “get right”-- is the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Department of Labor has promised to wage an all out war of enforcement on misclassification of employees, targeting employers in coming years that misclassify employees as independent contractors rather than employees and/or as exempt when, in fact, they should be non-exempt. Read more

The holiday season is upon us – a time when many companies (and/or managers) may be organizing holiday parties, decorating offices, throwing off-site parties or holding secret gift exchanges between coworkers. Many employers, however, don’t realize the risks involved with celebrating the holidays and its festivities. The following are five key issues employers should proactively watch and plan for during this holiday season. Read more

There are many Ontario companies still not in compliance with the laws for employers. Regardless of where your company is based, this article will give you insight and help you become compliant— to a degree. This is not an easy task, as laws change often. If your research is not up-to-date, you risk having the wrong information. Read more

Earlier this week of November 18, 2011, the United States District Court, District of Columbia ruled that a federal contractor will be required to produce additional compensation data as requested by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. What does this decision mean for employers? Get ready to produce your compensation data to the OFCCP, even if initial threshold analyses don’t indicate any discriminatory practices. Read more

Managers often get promoted to their positions without any formal training as to how to be an effective leader. Even more important today is for managers to understand the legal implications of their actions and know how to protect your organization from liability. Read more

Some organizations may be considering a reduction in force. When exploring the option of a reduction in force, it is important that corporate counsel is involved. Corporate counsel will be able to advise on the legal implications of the reduction, to protect the interests of both the employer and the employees. The following ten points are designed to facilitate the discussion with your legal department when having a reduction in force conversation. Read more

In our society, weight matters. But did you know that employers have internalized this idea as well? A few extra pounds could lead to a lighter paycheck. There may be a need for new legislation addressing weight discrimination. Read more