Our team of experts fields real-life, everyday questions from HR managers and gives practical answers that can be applied by any HR pro in the same situation. Today’s question: Do employees on FMLA leave qualify for perfect-attendance bonuses? 

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Tags: absenteeism, bonuses, FMLA

Most of us assume that in tough economic times, employees tend to contribute less to their retirement funds, and maybe that’s what you’re seeing in your organization. But what really is normal during tough times? And how can you tell if your employees contributions are in the range of normal? Fidelity Investments looked at 17,000 plans and came up with an answer.

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Tags: 401(k), Fidelity Investments, retirement

The U.S. Dept. of Labor has set a deadline of Sep. 11, 2008, for companies to submit comments on the proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Here’s how to comment - and what to focus on.

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Tags: fair labor standards act, federal register, FLSA, U.S. Dept. of Labor

This month, Congress will consider the Paycheck Fairness Act (PFA) as an update to the Equal Pay Act that was signed into law more than 40 years ago.  If the PFA passes, employers will be subject to some new key mandates — not to mention tougher penalties for violations.

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Tags: eeoc, Equal Pay Act, Paycheck Fairness Act, PFA

Our team of experts fields real-life, everyday questions from HR managers and gives practical answers that can be applied by any HR pro in the same situation. Today’s question: An employee sits in on hiring interviews but doesn’t make the final decision. Is he exempt or nonexempt?

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Tags: exempt, FLSA, nonexempt, overtime, Pay

Last month, President Bush signed the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (HEART Act) into law to provide enhanced benefits for military personnel.

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Tags: 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), active duty, flexible spending account, Form 1099, HEART Act, Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008, W-2

Our team of experts fields real-life, everyday questions from HR managers and gives practical answers that can be applied by any HR pro in the same situation. Today’s question: How do I know if my state has laws governing overtime pay that are different from federal laws?

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Tags: fair labor standards act, FLSA, overtime

Periodically, we ask three HR managers how they’d handle a difficult situation at work. Today’s problem: Another company is unfairly raiding us for talent.

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Tags: exit interview, fire, hire

A survey of HR managers on their staffing plans for the upcoming quarter reveals that, indeed, the job market is in the doldrums — but not in the tank.

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Tags: careerbuilder.com, consumer price index, layoff, USA Today

Hardly anyone can be certain about complying with all the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act relating to overtime and white-collar exemptions. But you can adopt good policies that protect your company from penalties if someone does make a compliance blunder.

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Tags: fair labor standards act, FLSA, jackson lewis, overtime, safe harbor