Attorney Claudia Allen presented a learning session on Human Resources Legal Issues for the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky (VNA) on November 5, 2015. The seminar was held at the Health Collaborative and improved understanding of the legal aspects of the employment process, employee relations and HIPAA.
Tag: human resources
DOL Audits Can Expose Illegal Cost Shifting in Employee Benefit Plans
Your employee benefit plan might be hiding a problem. The payments made by your employees for optional insurance benefits might – without your knowledge – be used to subsidize or reduce your cost for other insurance benefits. If this problem is found during an audit by the Department of Labor (“DOL”), monetary penalties could be significant.
Attorney John Fischer Served As Contributing Editor To Labor Law Text Book
Strauss Troy Attorney John Fischer was a contributing editor to the multi-volume Sixth Edition of The Developing Labor Law and to its just published 2014 Cumulative Supplement.
How To Reduce Your Risk Of Wage, Hour And Overtime Investigations Or Lawsuits
As businesses wrap-up the year and celebrate the holidays, owners may not be thinking too much about 2015. But, there’s a Grinch lurking that may try to steal your joy and put a kink in your works. Government investigations and employee lawsuits are on the rise for wage and hour violations. Small and mid-sized businesses …Read More
Three Strauss Troy Attorneys To Present At National Business Institute Seminars December 8th
Three Strauss Troy Attorneys will present at upcoming National Business Institute (NBI) seminars.
IRS Announces Change to the“Use It or Lose It” Rule for FSAs
Amend Your Cafeteria Plan Now To Allow for a $500 Rollover The IRS has announced that Cafeteria Plans (also known as 125 Plans, FSAs and Flexible Spending Accounts) can permit up to $500 to be “rolled over” into the following year – softening the “use it or lose it” rule that had been the hallmark …Read More
When Are Unpaid Internships Legal & Right? Learn How Both Organization& Student Can Benefit
Internships are great avenues toward a career – they give you experience, training and an impressive block of text on your resume. Are these benefits really worth free labor from the student’s perspective, and is the free labor legal? Here’s what you need to know. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), there are six different circumstances under …Read More
Could Safer Screening & Hiring Practices Have Prevented Navy Yard Shooting?
Employers Are Ultimately Responsible For Safe Hiring When tragedy strikes, we all ask why? In the recent case of the Navy Yard shooting, many are asking, “why did the background screening of Aaron Alexis tragically fail?” “I don’t think the background check failed; I think the process failed,” Jason Morris, president of background-screening provider EmployeeScreenIQ, …Read More
Implementing An Effective Workplace Violence Program
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is committed to using all of its inspection and enforcement authority to compel employers to anticipate and avoid incidents of workplace violence. OSHA’s past and present inspections, citations and large fines demonstrate that it is not hesitant to use that authority. The prudent employer acts in advance. That employer protects …Read More
Important Employer Benefits Withholding Changes Take Effect September 16For Married Same Sex Couples
As of September 16, 2013, employers must treat lawfully married same sex couples as married for purposes of withholding and benefits. Individuals may amend their open tax returns (generally 2010 through 2012) to change their filing status if validly married during that year. Individuals may file for a refund of any taxes paid on “imputed …Read More
Supreme Court Ruling On Spousal Rights Raises More Benefits Questions For Employers
Guidance Needed From Federal Agencies The Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor finding Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) unconstitutional has implications in many facets of law beyond domestic relations. That Section of DOMA defined “spouse” as “only a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or wife” …Read More
New I-9 Form Now RequiredFor All New Employees
Beginning May 7th, employers are required to use a revised, two-page I-9 Form for all new hires. With immigration reform on the front burner in Washington, D.C., Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may increase the number of companies it audits. Employers who fail to comply with the new form will be subject to significant fines and …Read More
Explosive Growth: Friend Or Foe?
It’s 2:00 a.m., and there you are, wide awake. You’re worried about how to manage the business that you have under contact. How are you going to adequately staff the projects? Where are you going to put all of the people to do the work? Even more alarming is how did it come to this? …Read More
401(K) Plan Fee Disclosure Requires Closer Look By Employers
Employers sponsoring 401(k) plans have been hearing from their investment advisors about “fee disclosures” that have to be given to plan participants who choose their own investments in the company plan. The goal of these IRS regulations, now effective July 1, 2012, after having been delayed several times, is to arm investors with information about …Read More
Business-Oriented Human Resources Audits Are Both Preventive And Proactive
The most successful companies foresee, plan for, and take advantage of business opportunities before their competition. They also identify and make sure that they are well-prepared to avoid, or manage successfully, potential future problems, including legal problems, which could sabotage their taking full advantage of current or future business opportunities. Strauss Troy’s approach to conducting …Read More