Compliance Bulletin – How the DOL’s New Overtime Rule Could Impact Employee Benefits
A recent U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) final rule increases the salary thresholds used to determine whether executive, administrative and professional (EAP) employees are exempt from overtime pay under federal law. While the increased thresholds are likely to result in a significant number of employees who were previously exempt now qualifying for overtime pay, employers must also consider how the increased thresholds may indirectly affect their benefit offerings.
Legal Update: 3rd Circuit Rules USERRA May Require Paid Leave
On May 21, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit held that short-term military leave may be comparable to jury duty leave and bereavement leave and therefore may be subject to payment if the employer compensates jury duty and bereavement leave. The 3rd Circuit has jurisdiction over Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The opinion was issued in Scanlan v. American Airlines, Inc., reversing a lower court’s summary judgment ruling in favor of the airline and reinstating and remanding the plaintiff pilots’ class action suit for further proceedings. The plaintiffs claim their employer, American Airlines, violated The Uniformed Services Employee and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) by denying paid leave for short-term military absences (of no more than 16 days) from Jan. 1, 2013, through Oct. 31, 2021.
Live Well, Work Well – Explore the Great Outdoors (June)
Spending even a few moments outside daily can significantly improve your physical health by reducing muscle tension,regulating sleep and improving your work performance. Experiencing the outdoors—specifically, green spaces—can also provide some mental health benefits, including reduced anxiety and depression symptoms, decreased stress levels and improved overall mood.
The Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average American spends only 7% of their life outdoors, with the rest spent inside.
View and download the latest Live Well, Work Well newsletter
Benefits Buzz – HSA/HDHP Limits Will Increase for 2025
On May 9, 2024, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2024-25 to provide the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2025. The IRS is required to publish these limits by June 1 of each year.
Effective Dec. 23, 2024, the final rule prohibits regulated entities from using or disclosing PHI for the criminal, civil or administrative investigation of (or proceeding against) any person in connection with seeking, obtaining, providing or facilitating reproductive health care where such health care is lawful under the circumstances in which it is provided.
National Safety Month (June)
Preventable injuries, also known as accidents, are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Since accidents can happen anytime, safety is important all the time.
Compliance Tracker – June
Upcoming Compliance Dates:
A | Deadline for RxDC Reporting – June 1, 2024
Group health plans must annually submit detailed information on prescription drug and health care spending to the federal government.
B | Deadline EEO-1 Reporting – June 4, 2024
Private-sector employers with 100 or more employees and federal contractors with 50 or more employees meeting certain criteria must submit demographic workforce data to the EEOC each year as part of the EEO-1 data collection.
News Brief: Most College Graduates Are Confident They’ll Get a Job But Are Concerned About Job Security
According to Monster’s 2024 State of the Graduate Report, 82% of graduates are confident they’ll receive a job offer shortly after graduating, a 6% dip from 2023. Although most graduates think they’ll get a job, 77% are concerned about job security while they look for a new role. Since U.S. employers cut more than 90,000 jobs in March alone, layoffs are increasingly a concern for workers regardless of experience level.
“Some of the workplace aspects that this year’s graduates are most adamant about are work flexibility, mental health and career development.”
Scott Gutz, CEO of Monster
Career Elevator: 6 Soft Skills That AI Can’t Replace (May)
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) continues to shape today’s workplaces, often making learning technical and hard skills easier. However, soft skills can’t be outsourced to AI. Soft skills are important for everyday life and can help drive your career development and growth.
HR Compliance Bulletin: Group Health Plan Fiduciary Litigation on the Rise
Enforcement of the strict standards of fiduciary conduct set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) has traditionally been reserved for retirement plan sponsors. However, a new class action lawsuit highlights the importance of employers’ adherence to their fiduciary duties when managing their group health plans.
Click here to view and download the latest HR Compliance Overview
Client and Employee Resources
The more your employees understand your benefit plans the more they become educated, empowered consumers. The programs you provide will also gain an enhanced value.
As your strategic partners in employee benefits, we can provide multiple avenues of ongoing support, including:
- Employee Meetings (English and Spanish)
- Webcasts
- Payroll Stuffers
- Poster Campaigns
- Newsletters
Carrier Directories
E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Click the image below to begin.
