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Articles at a Glance

Welcome to Council’s HR Watch for June/July 2004. In this issue you will find valuable information on:

Breaking News top

Epilepsy Foundation Right to Representation for Nonunion Employees Overruled by NLRB

Four years after the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) extended the Weingarten rule to nonunion employees in Epilepsy Foundation, the NLRB, in a 3-2 decision, has reversed direction, overruling Epilepsy Foundation and holding that nonunion employees do not have the right to have a representative present during an investigatory interview. Read More

Legislative Efforts Afoot to Block New FLSA Final Rule on White-Collar Overtime Exemptions

As you know, the Department of Labor’s (DOL) final rule on the white-collar exemptions to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is scheduled to take effect on August 23. However, opponents of the FLSA revisions are fervently contesting the application and effect of these regulations. Read More

DOL Collects Over $182 Million for Wage and Hour Violations in 2003, Up 27%

The 2003 fiscal year was a record-breaking year for the Employment Standards Administration’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the investigative and enforcement arm of the Department of Labor (DOL). In total, 314,660 affected workers (up 30.2 percent from FY 2002) received $182,119,413 in back wages (up 27.4 percent from FY 2002). Read More

Upcoming Events in Your State top

Below are some of the seminars being held in your area! To find out more about upcoming seminars in your area and for full agenda information go to www.counciloned.com.

Upcoming Annual Industry Events top

California Workers’ Comp Forum
October 27-29, 2004 – Huntington Beach

Break Down the New Legislation - Discover Cost Containment Solutions

You can do all of this and more at the California Workers' Comp Forum, taking place October 27-29, 2004, in Huntington Beach! Join other workers’ comp and risk management professionals who are looking for strategies to the skyrocketing costs and a practical look at how the new legislation will impact your organization.

Senator Poochigian Confirms Keynote Address
On April 19, 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a landmark bill that will dramatically reshape California workers’ compensation. Sen. Chuck Poochigian was at the forefront of the push toward reform and authored the new legislation, SB 899. Discover exactly how the overhauled system will provide cost savings for employers and quality care for injured employees. Sen. Poochigian will provide you with an in-depth look at the new legislation and bring you up to date on the latest steps taken in the reform process.

Ensure you have all the latest details on the most comprehensive California workers' comp event of 2004! Click here to receive more information as it becomes available.

Texas Workers’ Comp Forum
September 22-24, 2004 – Dallas

Providing Proven Strategies to Gain Control of Your Workers’ Comp Program

Are you looking for strategies to reduce your medical costs? Wondering what will happen to the Texas workers’ comp system in the future? The Texas Workers' Comp Forum will deliver presentations on the most critical issues you are facing each day. An incomparable lineup of risk managers, workers’ comp professionals, attorneys and industry experts have committed to spending two days with you uncovering workable solutions!

Receive practical advice and tips from the experiences, accomplishments and perspectives of Texas organizations that are facing the same challenges you are. Take away practical skills that will inspire you to successfully tackle your own workers' comp challenges. Click here to find out more about this exciting event.

Complete HR, National Forum & Exhibition
February 16-18, 2005 – Palm Springs

“I brought a list of questions and things to learn and got answers to all of them!”
Michelle King, FedEx Freight West Inc.

Complete HR, featuring the 3rd annual HR & The Law Forum, will provide you with the latest updates on employment law, benefits and compensation and business strategy – all tailored for you and your priorities as a busy HR professional! You will be able to choose sessions from three comprehensive tracks: Benefits & Compensation, California Employment Law and Federal Employment Law.

Receive California-specific and federal employment law updates and answers to all your legal questions from the nation’s leading attorneys
Obtain practical advice on the latest strategies in benefits and compensation
Discover best practices and cost-cutting strategies to reduce your organization’s health care spending
Exchange ideas with fellow HR and benefits professionals from both private and public sector organizations

To find out more details about this national forum click here.

Employment Law Update top

Reducing Workers’ Compensation Costs

In 2003, employers across the country spent more than two percent of payroll on workers’ compensation costs. Employers can significantly reduce this amount, however, by implementing innovative ways to return employees to work and reduce work-related injuries. Read More

Compensating Employees for On-Call Time

On-call time may be compensable depending on the circumstances. Let's look at some frequently asked questions regarding compensation for on-call time. Read More

On-Site Training

Is your company ready to improve its team's performance and increase ROI through effective training activities?

Click here for more information on how On-Site can be an effective tool for your organization.

Subscribe to Council's Employment Law Newsletters top

Wondering how to protect yourself from employer liability for customer-initiated sexual harassment or exposure to workplace smoke? Find out more about these cases and others by requesting a FREE 3-month subscription to one of Council’s newsletters. Each newsletter is specifically tailored to provide you with “best practices” in today's highly complex legal environment and help you avoid employment law problems in your workplace. Click here for your free trial.

HR Tips From the Trenches top

Want to Know What Employees Think? Conduct an Attitude Survey

Surveying your employees is a good way to get your finger on the pulse of what they are feeling. Too often you might have a sense or gut feeling that employees are dissatisfied at work but cannot quantify the condition in any tangible terms. The attitude survey is one way to measure employee satisfaction. Done well, it can increase employee morale and involvement and can be used as a communication tool. Done poorly, it can worsen any issues that are present and destroy employee morale, leading to low productivity and low employee retention. Read More

Council's Web Tip of the Month top

The Departure Dilemma: Handling Voluntary Resignations

Parting is always such sweet sorrow. A multitude of issues arise when an employer must terminate an employee. Even voluntary employee resignations force employers to make tough choices. In almost every instance, the first decision the employer must make is whether to allow the employee to work through his or her notice period or, instead, to terminate the relationship immediately. Not surprisingly, differing viewpoints exist on the most appropriate course of action. Read More

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DISCLAIMER

The articles contained in this publication have been abridged from laws, court decisions and administrative rulings and should not be construed or relied upon as legal advice. If you have questions concerning particular situations or specific legal issues, please contact your labor attorney.

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