Feature of the Month

Maintaining accurate and well-organized records is of vital importance to the success of any organization. A comprehensive records management program affects the ease with which companies do business, may result in cost savings, and is necessary to comply with applicable law. It is also a best practice for minimizing litigation risks and preserving information critical to the company’s defense if a charge of discrimination is filed or an agency audit commences. In this month’s Featured Service, HEC provides several resources, including an updated Checklist for Maintaining Employee Files and Record Retention Requirements and an HR Practices Review Tool, for members to use in reviewing their record retention practices.

Resource Links

DOL issues Guidance on Employer Notices of Health Exchanges

On May 8, 2013, the federal Department of Labor ("DOL") issued technical guidance to employers on required notices to employees of the existence of health exchanges (now called the "Health Insurance Marketplace") under the Affordable Care Act.

( Categories : ACA )

"What you need to know about FLSA Exemptions” Training at HEC on June 20

Exempt or non-exempt? That is the question! Wage and hour claims continue to plague employers, who risk financial penalties due improper classification of workers and failure to pay non-exempt employees for all hours worked.

HEC to offer Complimentary Legislative Update on June 21

The 2013 legislative session has ended, and while most of the controversial employment-related bills failed to pass this year, there are still some changes of which employers should be aware.

OSHA to focus on Protecting Temporary Worker Safety

Citing recent cases of temporary worker fatalities, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration has announced a new enforcement, outreach, and training initiative aimed at protecting these workers from workplace hazards.

( Categories : OSHA | Safety )

IRS issues 2014 Inflation-Adjusted HSA Amounts

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that for calendar year 2014, the annual limitation on deductions for high deductible health plans is $3,300 for an individual plan and $6,550 for a family plan.

( Categories : HSA and HRA )

DC Appeals Court holds that NLRB Poster Rule is Invalid

On May 7, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia voided a NLRB rule requiring employers to display a “Notification of Employee Rights under the National Labor Relations Act” poster on company bulletin boards and intranets.

( Categories : NLRA | NLRB )

Employee cannot proceed on USERRA Claim filed more than Four Years after Accrual, according to Fourth Circuit

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently held that an employee could not proceed on a USERRA Claim were he failed to file suit within four years of the time that the claim accrued.

( Categories : USERRA )

EEOC obtains $240 Million for Disabled Employees at Turkey Processing Facility

On May 1, an Iowa federal jury awarded a class of 32 men with intellectual disabilities with individual punitive damage awards of $2 million and compensatory damage awards of $5.5 million for a total of $240 million.

( Categories : Disability | EEOC )

Deloitte Survey finds 401(k) Balances up, but More Work Needed on Retirement Readiness

Most 401(k) plan sponsors agree that employee retirement readiness is of critical importance, according to a recent Deloitte survey featured in CCH Daily Document Update.

( Categories : Benefits | Retirement )

Ceridian offers Tips on Three PPACA HR Compliance Challenges for 2013 and Beyond

With the Supreme Court decision to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) now nearly a year behind us, employers have moved full-speed ahead, spending this year proactively strategizing and preparing to ensure that their health care plans and benefits administration are in full PPACA compliance heading into 2014.

( Categories : ACA | Benefits )

HEC offers Final Bill Summary for 2013 Session

The legislative session closed on a quiet note as numerous controversial employment-related bills stalled out and only a few measures were passed on to the Governor.

“Preparing for Safety Inspections: What will you do when OSHA and HIOSH knock on your door?” Training at HEC on May 30

In partnership with HIOSH, OSHA has taken the lead in conducting general industry inspections and issuing citations and penalties.

HEC hosting Training on “Creating a Drug Free Workplace” on May 23

While companies train managers to raise a red flag when they note that a worker is experiencing performance shortcomings or engaging in erratic behavior, a comprehensive approach to creating a drug-free workplace involves much more.

Hawaii Judge issues Permanent Injunction against Enforcement of Sick Leave Discrimination Law for Unionized Employers

On May 1, 2013, U.S. District Court Judge Susan Oki Mollway permanently enjoined the State from enforcing the sick leave discrimination law passed in 2011.

( Categories : Employment Laws )

Second Circuit dismisses HR Manager’s Retaliation Claim based on Complaints of Executive’s Affair with Subordinate

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit recently dismissed a Title VII claim brought by the former HR Manager in a family business who quit after complaining about sexual favoritism showed by her brother, a company executive, toward a subordinate paramour.

( Categories : Retaliation )