By Tammy Binford, Contributing Editor
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is on its way to issuing a new rule to determine what workers are eligible for overtime pay, and employers are expected to see a salary threshold higher than the one that’s been in place since 2004 but considerably lower than the one previously sought.

The percentage of private-sector employers offering group health coverage rebounded slightly in 2017 after a long gradual decline, according to an issue brief from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).

By Charles M. Russman and Deanna L. Forbush
September 2018 was a big month for employee benefits issues. First, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) asking the U.S. Department of the Treasury to investigate several aspects of retirement plans for small businesses. Second, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) updated the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace notices to provide more information to employees.

By Brian M. McKeegan
The New Jersey Senate Labor Committee is reviewing a bill that would allow employees to request work schedule changes without fear of retaliation. If enacted, the bill would place a new administrative burden on HR professionals and dramatically impede New Jersey employers’ ability to set their workers’ schedules.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is issuing rules to implement its authority to facilitate mergers of multiemployer pension plans. Mergers of multiemployer plans can help protect the benefits earned by workers and retirees and extend the solvency of troubled plans. This rulemaking also updates the general rules on plan mergers and transfers.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) updated its special per diem rates for the transportation industry, incidental expenses and the “high-low” substantiation method. These rates, announced September 26 in Notice 2018-77, apply to allowances paid to employees on or after October 1 for travel on or after that date.

By Amelia J. Holstrom
Employers throughout Massachusetts use temporary staffing agencies to fill vacant, temporary, per diem, seasonal, and other positions. Those staffing agencies must comply with certain laws, including Massachusetts General Law Ch. 149, § 159C.