Human Resources


FMCSA Won't Preempt California CMV Rest and Meal Break Rules

The agency said the petition filed in July for 11 motor carriers doesn't qualify because the California laws are not CMV safety dictates, but rather regulations applied generally to the state's employers.

Bush Signs 401(k) Tax Suspension Bill into Law

The Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act, H.R. 7327, was introduced by the chair and ranking member of the House Education and Labor Committee and two other House members. It suspends for one year the IRS tax penalty for holders of 401(k)-style plans if they don't withdraw a minimum amount of money yearly after reaching 70 1/2 years of age.

SHRM, U.S. Chamber Join Suit Against E-Verify Changes

"Given the current economy, now is not the time to add more bureaucracy and billions of dollars in compliance costs to America's businesses," the chamber's VP for labor issues said.

Pacific Northwest Supercenter to Pay $485,000 for Sexual Harassment, Retaliation

The company also agreed to provide anti-discrimination training for the owner, managers, supervisors, and employees and allow EEOC to monitor the work site for the next two years.

Survey: Companies Providing Bonuses, Parties Despite Weak Economy

"Today, more and more companies are tying incentives directly to performance in order to give employees a vested interest in the success or failure of the company and to take away the entitlement mentality that comes with bonuses that are given arbitrarily," said Ken Abosch of Hewitt Associates.

2008 Labor Hall of Fame inductee Leonard F. Woodcock

Former UAW President to be Inducted into Labor Hall of Fame

Leonard Woodcock spent the first decades of his career working to improve the lives of America's autoworkers and the final decades constructing an enduring relationship between the United States and China that would serve the vital interests of both countries' citizens. He and Marriott founder J. Willard Marriott will be posthumously inducted Wednesday.

AARP Seeks Best Companies for Older Workers

As more and more boomers turn 60, attracting and retaining skilled workers will become increasingly critical for employers seeking to retain a competitive edge.

Survey Highlights Complexity of Employee Absence Management

In an effort to simplify the leave of absence (LOA) process, a new survey by Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company, reveals that more employers are streamlining the management of employee absenteeism by shifting the administration of their LOA programs to internal, dedicated groups or to an outsourcing partner.



NIOSH to Co-Sponsor Conference on Aging Workforce

According to the agency, by 2050, the population of people age 45 and over in the United States is projected to grow to more than 170 million people, from 93 million today.

Basic Safety Steps for Health Care Workers During Flu Season

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) is urging health care workers and their employers to follow three basic steps this flu season to help prevent influenza infections in the health care workforce.

An image of someone filling wine glasses.

DOL Offers Tips for Office Celebrations

During the holiday season, employers and workers frequently get together to unwind and celebrate. Typically, workplace parties involve plenty of food and drinks. If the drinks include alcohol, however, there is potential for unfortunate consequences.

Wal-Mart Settles Wage Lawsuit Involving 100,000 Minnesota Workers

The settlement announced today could cause the retailer to pay as much as $54.25 million, "including a substantial payment to the State of Minnesota," the parties said in a joint statement.

doctor treating a patient

Do Employers Know How They're Paying Medical Providers?

An online survey about workers' compensation policies and practices found nearly 60 percent of respondent employers weren't sure how their third-party administrators or managed care organizations are compensated for medical provider network development.

Study Explores Light Exposure Therapy Effectiveness for Shift Workers

A new study finds the use of light exposure therapy, dark sunglasses, and a strict sleep schedule can help night-shift workers create a "compromise circadian phase position," which may result in increased performance and alertness during night shifts while still allowing adequate nighttime sleep on days off.

Sixteen Organizations Commit to Review under New Wellness Accreditation

This evaluation program will help employers and others compare wellness programs using standardized results and select a wellness program with demonstrated value and quality.

U.S. Navys suicide prevention campaign logo

DoD Ramps Up Social Networking and Suicide Prevention

One of the largest U.S. employers announced initiatives this week that are letting employees help one another in new ways.

Temp Agency Agrees to Pay More Than $1.8 Million in Back Wages

DOL's suit was filed following an investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division which disclosed that the company had misclassified as exempt from FLSA's overtime requirements, four employees at its headquarters, and 969 temporary placement employees across the country.

Postal Union's 10-4 Talks Stall

President William Burrus told members of the American Postal Workers Union that no significant progress has been made in talks about the Modified Work Week, where employees would work 10 hours per day, four days per week.

medical resident sleeping

Days Off, Safe Transport Recommended to Reduce Residents' Fatigue

A 15-month study produced this week's Institute of Medicine report that found medical residents' work schedules can hamper their performance and increase errors.

U.S. Employees Earned $6.4 Trillion in 2007

Benefits--namely retirement and health benefits--cost employers another $1.5 trillion, for a total of nearly $8 trillion in employer compensation by year's end, according to a report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

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