Topic Updates
Ethics
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; Federal Sentencing Guidelines; addresses and contacts. Note: Learn more about the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including the definition of "code of ethics," penalties for corporate officers, and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Learn more about how to comply with the requirements of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines to create an effective ethics program.
Health Care Benefits
HSA requirements. Note: Find out about how Congress has changed HSA requirements, including increased contribution limits.
Business/Travel Expenses
New survey data concerning air travel and automobile mileage reimbursement. Note: Get updated survey data concerning air travel and automobile mileage reimbursement.
Civil Rights
Retaliation. Note: Learn about how a U.S. Supreme Court decision may increase retaliation claims by employees.
Affirmative ActionContracts of $25,000 or more: veterans requirement, census data, affirmative action and the EEO-1 Report, EO surveys, self-evaluation of pay practices, OFCCP's new guidelines. Note: New requirements for federal government contractors are explained.
Commuting
Income tax exclusion.
Credit Unions
Updated survey information; addresses and contacts. Note: Get updated survey information on employers offering credit unions.
Employment Contracts
Arbitration agreements. Note: According to a recent NLRB ruling, unfair labor practice charges must be specifically excluded from mandatory arbitration agreements.
Ergonomics
Industry-specific guidelines; medical management programs. Note: Learn about industry-specific guidelines and the medical management component of effective ergonomic programs.
ERISA
Selecting investment advisors and savers credit cut-offs. Note: Find out about the DOL guidelines for selecting and monitoring investment advice providers and the 2007 cut-offs for savers credit eligibility.
Exempt Personnel
Administrative, professional, and computer employee exemptions. Note: Learn additional information about exempt administrative and professional employees, and about certain computer employees who are not exempt.
Health Care Insurance
HIPAA nondiscrimination. Note: Learn about the details of the HIPAA nondiscrimination regulations and the requirements for wellness programs.
Homeworkers/Telecommuters
Security, emergency planning. Note: Telecommuting is a cost-effective alternative to traditional work arrangements, but now employers are looking at it as a process to keep business going during emergencies.
Job Posting
Job Postings and Affirmative Action Note: Learn how the OFCCP's new rules affect an employer's job posting and recordkeeping obligations.
Layoff
USERRA Note: Regulations issued under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 now directly address an employer's obligations in the event of a layoff or reduction in force.
AIDS/Disease
Pandemic flu. Note: Learn more about resources employers can use to prepare for a flu pandemic.
Maternity & Pregnancy
Contraceptive devices. Note: Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decision regarding health insurance coverage of contraception and the PDA is explained.
Military Service
Effect of Pension Protection Act (PPA). Note: The effect of the new federal Pension Protection Act (PPA) on pension distributions for reservists is explained.
Moonlighting
Moonlighting and Internet use. Note: Learn how employers can prevent cyber-moonlighting.
NLRA
Supervisors Note: The NLRB issues landmark decision explaining supervisor status under the NLRA.
OSHA
OSHA alliances. Note: OSHA has created alliances with businesses to help OSHA develop high-quality compliance assistance and resource tools.
Records
Revisions to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Note: Revisions to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure effective December 1, 2006, mandate the preservation of electronically stored information when an employer reasonably anticipates litigation.
Application Forms
Questions to avoid. Note: Learn more about avoiding unlawful and inadvisable inquiries on employment application forms.
Shift OperationShift differentials. Note: New survey data on shift operations.
Termination (with Discharge)
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Note: Employees can now bring whistleblower retaliation claims under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Unemployment Compensation
Tax rates; eligibility requirement. Note: Keep up to date on an upcoming change to the federal tax rate, and learn about a new regulation concerning the "able and available" requirement for receiving benefits.
WithholdingSocial Security and Medicare withholding; supplemental wages; electronic filing. Note: Keep up to date on the amount of wages subject to Social Security and Medicare tax, learn about new requirements for employees earning supplemental wages exceeding $1,000,000, and learn about electronic filing.