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Construction Employee Relations
and Benefits
Timely articles covering the most
pressing issues facing construction firms in the Midwest
Deferred Compensation Arrangements Must Be Updated By End of 2008
In late 2004, Congress passed legislation adding a new Section 409A to the Internal Revenue Code. This new statute represents a significant change in the tax rules governing executive compensation plans, employment agreements and severance agreements. Now, a deadline has been set and all existing plans and agreements must undergo a review, and many must be revised by that date, to avoid severe tax penalties....
Military Family Leave Amendments Take Shape
All indications are that the Department of Labor (DOL) intends to issue final revisions to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations simultaneously with final regulations implementing the amendments to the FMLA that provide expanded leave benefits for military families, as authorized by Section 585(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008 (PL 110-181) (NDAA)...
FMLA Proposals Draw Mixed Reactions
It's been six years since the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a provision of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations that prohibited employers from counting an employee's time off as FMLA leave and notify the employee of the designation. Long-awaited proposed changes to the FMLA regulations address this and many others issues that have been raised over the 15 years since the FMLA was enacted...
Non-Competes Are Alive and Well . . . But Stay Tuned
By: Francis X. Neuner, Jr.
When it comes to the viability and reach of non-compete agreements in Missouri, a recent decision by the state’s highest court offers something encouraging for both sides - employers who enforce them and employees who challenge them.
Contractors: Another reason for undertaking harassment training for your employees
Contractors: Another reason for undertaking harassment training for your employees. A $4,100,000 judgment award a plaintiff in South Dakota...
Employment Law When
distance is no object
As employee turnover rises and technology improves, companies must
rethink competition clauses
November 24, 2003
In today's economy of fierce global competition, high employee
turnover and amazing technological advances, former employees are
increasingly able to move hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away.
. .
Forget retirement: Plan to die on
the job
By:Daniel D. Doyle
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 16, 2005
Anyone considering an offer of early retirement from a
private-sector employer had better read the fine print. Whipsawed by
the questionable economy and the rising cost of health care, more
companies are reserving unilateral rights to terminate the
health-benefit plans of retirees.
Employment Law When
distance is no object
As employee turnover rises and technology improves, companies must
rethink competition clauses
November 24, 2003
In today's economy of fierce global competition, high employee
turnover and amazing technological advances, former employees are
increasingly able to move hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away.
. .
Latest Spitzer
Investigations Raise ERISA Issues
By:Gregory L. Ash
The most recent in a series of investigations and lawsuits brought
by New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer may cause ERISA
fiduciaries to ask additional questions of their brokers and
consultants. Mr. Spitzer’s current investigations, which have been
widely reported in the press, are aimed at certain practices in the
insurance and brokerage industries..
New
Cafeteria Plan Regulations
By:Gregory L. Ash
Last year the IRS issued final and proposed regulations governing
when cafeteria plan participants are allowed to modify their salary
deferral elections during the plan year. In a new set of final
regulations published January 10, 2001, the Service adopted the
proposed regulations and revised some of the final regulations.
DOL Clarifies Permissible Plan
Expenses
By:Gregory L. Ash
One of the most often discussed topics among employee benefits
practitioners recently has been the Department of Labor's heightened
scrutiny of the payment of expenses out of plan assets. The DOL's
enforcement efforts on this issue were concentrated in the Agency's
Kansas City regional office, causing area employers even greater
concern. In an effort to clarify its position and assuage some
Communication smooths
the path to change
by Helen Wilkie
Productivity almost always suffers in times of
great change, because employee stress
dramatically increases due to the universal fear
of the unknown. In these times, communication
becomes more important than ever. So how do you
know what is important to employees and what to
tell them?
Retain your best people
by Dr. Dorene Lehavi, Ph.D.
How do you deal with employees in a way that will
maximize their potential, create loyalty and
respect, and cut down on high turnover and
destructive behavior in the workplace? The key is
to show a keen personal interest in each person.
Researching employee
selection tools
by Nick Roy, MBA, MAHRM
The failure rate of small businesses is extremely
high, and business success depends on the people
you hire into your organization. That’s why
it’s important to become familiar with human
resources journals.
Employee background
checks: Security checks on the increase
by Fred Appleyard Jr.
The demand and need for employee background
checks and security checks are now greater than
ever. Employee background checks are required by
federal or state law for certain occupations.
It’s safety vs. privacy, and safety seems to be
the winner.
6 tips on how to hold short staff
meetings
by Steve Kaye
Most staff meetings should last less than an
hour. You want your staff to spend their time
working on things that earn money for your
business, not sitting in meetings. Keep meetings
positive. Keep them interactive. Solve problems.
Plan a time budget for each component of your
meeting.
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