Push for ACA 40-hour work week definition heats up
Republicans, industry organizations and a coalition of employer groups are ramping up their efforts to change the ACAs definition of full-time employment from 30 hours a week to 40 hours a week.
Compliance
Benefits Think Outlook 2015: Disability and absence management
The disability and absence management landscape continues to undergo significant change. Here are five trends to watch for in 2015.
Terri L. Rhodes
Disability Management Employer Coalition
Supreme Court limits search of data stored on cell phones
In light of a recent Supreme Court ruling, employers should review and possibly update their policies surrounding the use of cell phones for work purposes. Here are seven tips.
CMS names counties requiring health plan language assistance
CMS has released the 2015 list of counties where health plan carriers and some employers must provide information in a language other than English.
NLRB poised to relax standard for establishing joint employment
The National Labor Relations Board General Counsels office recently issued complaints against McDonalds and 13 of its franchisees, alleging that they jointly retaliated against workers who participated in the many fast food minimum wage protests from earlier this year.
Jimmy Johns non-compete agreements come under fire
New York Attorney General Eric Schneidermans office is requesting information about employee non-compete agreements used by Jimmy Johns, a national sandwich shop chain.
Missouri lawmaker calls for employee work authorization check
A new piece of legislation would require all Missouri-based employers to use a federal verification system to ensure that employees are legal residents or face steep fines and even business license suspensions.
Legal groups file EEOC pregnancy charge against Walmart
Three legal organizations allege in a new Equal Employment Opportunity Commission charge against Walmart that the retail giant did not go far enough to offer reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers with temporary disabilities. The National Womens Law Center, A Better Balance and Mehri & Skalet, PLLC highlight in a Dec. 17 statement that the charge is on behalf of Candis Riggins, a former Walmart employee, whose job tasks caused her to become ill when she was
Understanding ban the box laws
Numerous states and cities have already passed ban the box laws. Generally, the laws prohibit employers from asking about an applicants criminal-background history until later in the interview process.
Lockheed reaches settlement agreement in 401(k) fee case
Lockheed Martin, the global security and aerospace company, is in settlement talks with former employees that alleged the company imposed excessive 401(k) plan fees.
Benefits Think Carriers struggle with distribution plans
Without a well-conceived distribution strategy and enough methods of distribution, your carriers will find themselves with a dwindling customer base and shrinking revenues. So where does that leave you and your business? This is something brokers seriously need to consider, says columnist Jack Kwicien.
Jack Kwicien
Daymark Advisors
Supreme Court halts employee pay for workplace security screenings
A new ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court has employers across the country breathing a sigh of relief, as they will not be required to modify their pay practices in favor a challenge to require employee compensation during security screenings.
Re-examine definition of ‘spouse’ in all plan documents
Following the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in United States v. Windsor, and subsequent guidance from the federal government, legal advisers recommend that employers sift through their benefit plans and employee policies to ensure compliance for 2015.
The top news stories of 2014: ACA law and best practices
This year saw not only more implementations of President Barack Obamas signature health care law, but already some changes to it by both the legislative and judicial arms of government. Additionally, new technologies and outlooks are changing how benefit decision-makers are strategizing wellness programs.
By
Phil Albinus
Benefits Think Why the Utah Insurance Dept. is wrong about Zenefits
Commentary: Zenefits is definitely more open about what they are giving away, but industry technology adviser Joe Markland guarantees they arent the only benefit firm that may in some way be breaking the Utah rebating laws.
Joe Markland
Nfor1
Illinois approves private sector retirement solution
Lawmakers in Springfield, Ill., decided this week to green light a new statewide private sector retirement program that will consist of individual retirement accounts to be funded by automatic employee payroll deductions.
Critical labor and employment law decisions of 2014
This year, a number of rulings and hearings relating to labor and employment issues were decided at all judicial levels, up to the Supreme Court, that many say will have significant ramifications for employers and benefit plans in the coming years.
By
Phil Albinus
Small businesses slow to adapt to ACA tracking technology
Despite enhanced compliance and tracking requirements in the post-ACA world, benefits administrators are still reluctant to adopt to new, time-saving technology, especially at small businesses.
Proposed ACA changes could offer navigators ‘unfair advantage’ over brokers
HHS proposes making some significant changes to the ACA in 2016, including controversial new requirements for brokers and agents that some say put them at an unfair disadvantage.