ACA’s New Math: Employers are Cutting Part Time Hours Instead of Adding Benefits for Part Time Workers

ACA’s NEW MATH

By Chad Terhune, Los Angeles Times

Many part-timers are facing a double whammy from President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act.   ACA requires large employers offering health insurance to include part-time employees working 30 hours a week or more. But rather than provide health care to more workers, a growing number of employers are cutting back employee hours instead.   … Continue Reading

Employee Wellness Programs: When do they cross the legal line?

Employee Wellness programs could cross legal line.

Massachusetts Contingent Workers Law Goes Into Effect in January

By Susan G. Fentin

Massachusetts’ new law requiring staffing agencies to provide temporary workers with more information regarding their employment will go into effect on January 31, 2013.  The Temporary Workers Right to Know Act (H. 4304) requires staffing agencies to provide workers with written notice of the agency’s name, its workers’ compensation carrier, and the name of the worksite employer. … Continue Reading

Minnesota: Veterans Armed with New Job Preference Law

Federal law has provided job preferences for veterans since the Civil War. Minnesota added more protection this year.

By Marshall Tanick

Are Domestic Partner Benefits Legal In Texas?

By Laurie Johnson

ERISA: Can Informal Complaints Provide the Foundation for Retaliation under ERISA?

By Brian L. McDermott

Section 510 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) prohibits retaliation “against any person because he has given information or has testified or is about to testify in any inquiry or proceeding related to this [Act].” There has been substantial disagreement over whether section 510 protects informal complaints and inquiries. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently resolved this issue and concluded that section 510 protects both informal and formal complaints and inquiries. George v. Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, Inc., No. 11-3291 (7th Cir. Sept. 4, 2012). … Continue Reading

Introduction To Incentive Stock Options

[Editor's Note to HR Professionals:  You want your boss to think you are an HR rockstar?  Be able to talk sense about Stock Purchase Plans.  No lie.  Mary Wright, Editor]

Investopedia, Contributor

One of the major benefits that many employers offer to their workers is the ability to buy company stock with some sort of tax advantage or built-in discount. There are several types of stock purchase plans that contain these features, such as nonqualified stock option plans. These plans are usually offered to all employees at a company, from top executives down to the custodial staff.  However, there is another type of stock option, known as an incentive stock option, which is usually only offered to key employees and top-tier management. These options are also commonly known as statutory or qualified options, and they can receive preferential tax treatment in many cases. … Continue Reading

Salary Satisfaction May Affect Work-Family Relationships, Says Study

By Charlene J. Owen

How do you feel every time you get your salary–gratified or disappointed? According to researchers, pay satisfaction really depends on what you think is “just enough,” and is a factor that can affect your life both in and out of the office. … Continue Reading

A Tax-Favored Method Employers Can Use to Assist Employees Affected by Sandy

By Stephen A. Riga

For those caught in the path of Hurricane Sandy, the past few days represent a life-changing event. Many employers are eager to find a way to assist employees as they address the damage and destruction. Tax provisions passed in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks provide employers a simple, direct option: qualified disaster relief payments. … Continue Reading

5 Top Articles on Employee Compensation Issues

By Monster Thinking

This week’s 5 for Friday rounds up five stories about the latest trends in employee benefits and compensation. … Continue Reading