Survey Shows Hourly Wage Rates on the Rise
June 18, 2004—The numbers are in, and BLR's 2004 Survey of Nonexempt Compensation reveals increasing wages in most of the hourly jobs examined. The big winners: drivers and guards.
New Final Regs Update Administrative Exemption from Overtime
June 15, 2004—The administrative exemption has changed under final regulations that will become effective on August 23, 2004. In one respect
the changes hurt employers, but in another respect they may be a help.
Human Resources Outsourcing Comes of Age
June 08, 2004—Like green-thumbed gardeners, those of us in the human resources arena for
more than a few years have nurtured a variety of ideas, tended them, and watched them take root. Sometimes the ideas die on the vine. But sometimes they come to fruition; people are better served by our harvest, and corporate money is saved.
Do You Have Your Record-Retention Act Together?
June 01, 2004—Record retention is complex and time consuming. But in addition to complying
with various federal and state laws, keeping good, well-organized records can
be very helpful in documenting and supporting an organization?s employment
actions.
Wellness Program Is Its Own Reward
May 25, 2004—When a participant in a Destiny Health wellness plan returned from a trip to
Florida, one could almost smell coconut-scented tanning lotion on the e-mail
she sent to the health plan's offices. Not only was she feeling great physically,
perhaps because of participation in Destiny's Vitality program, but she
had earned the trip through that participation.
Mutual Funds in Pension Investments: What Should Fiduciaries Do Now?
May 18, 2004—It's no secret that investigations into unscrupulous practices by mutual
fund investment firms are continuing. Market timing, late trading, Enron, WorldCom—all
are words and phrases that give 401(k) plan sponsors the vague feeling they
should be doing something. But what?
Work/Life Programs Net Positive Return
May 11, 2004—During these difficult economic times, you’re likely asked to justify
every penny you spend on employee programs. Benefits like dry-cleaning services
and resource referrals may make you feel a bit, well, sheepish, when facing
your boss. Before you stammer and look at your feet, though, take a look at
what some companies are discovering when they calculate the return on their
investment in work/life programs.
Streamlining Payroll: An Award Winner Shares Her Secrets
May 07, 2004—Briggs & Stratton Corporation won the American Payroll Association's Prism Award in 2003, thanks in no small part to payroll manager Michelle Ganzer, who shared some of her secrets in an interview.
Defining Administrative Exemption Under Overtime Rules
May 04, 2004—Historically, the most confusing of the regulations is the administrative exemption under which an employee employed in an administrative capacity is exempt from overtime.
Final Overtime Regs Make Their Debut: What They Mean for Employers
April 21, 2004—The U.S. Department of Labor has finally issued new regulations for the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Now employers have only 120 days to bring their companies into compliance. But don't have a heart attack - we're here to help.
