Resources
Nov 26 2013
Kenneth Wagner

Our Deal Trumps My Bargaining Rights Only if I Said So | Employment Law

Kenneth Wagner | Employee Benefits | Individual Employment

The National Labor Relations Board (Board or NLRB) has applied its “clear and unmistakable” waiver standard in unilateral change cases for several decades.

Nov 26 2013
admin

Severance Memorandum | Employment Law

admin | Employee Benefits | Individual Employment

Paying severance raises unique legal issues and pitfalls that employers and their advisors often fail to recognize.

Nov 26 2013
admin

DOL Issues Guidance on Apprenticeship Plans Graduation Ceremonies and Program Marketing

admin | Union Labor

On April 2, 2012, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2012-01, which provides guidance on the use of Apprenticeship and Training Plan assets for program graduation ceremonies and marketing.  Under the guidance, the DOL will not consider a plan’s payment of expenses associated with a “modest graduation ceremony” attended by graduating […]

Nov 26 2013
admin

Federal District Court Holds Plan Fiduciaries Liable for Excessive Investment Fees and Imprudent Investments

admin | Union Labor

In one of the first 401(k) fee class action cases to be decided on the merits, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri recently ruled in Tussey v. ABB, Inc., that 401(k) plan fiduciaries breached their ERISA fiduciary duties by failing to monitor recordkeeping costs and revenue-sharing payments, selecting more expensive share […]

Nov 26 2013
admin

Social Media Activities May Be Concerted/Protected Activity Under Labor Law | Employment Law

admin | Individual & Executive Disputes

Jules Smith, a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice of Blitman & King, recently discussed the latest pronouncements of the National Labor Relations concerning employer applications of rules restricting employee use of Social Media, which are generally measured against the rights contained in Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.  Section 7 provides that employees not only […]

Nov 26 2013
admin

IRS Provides W-2 Reporting Relief

admin | Union Labor

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 amended the Internal Revenue Code to require, beginning January 1, 2011, that employers report the aggregate cost of employer-provided health coverage on Forms W-2 issued to employees.  This requirement was later delayed by the IRS, in Notice 2010-69, to January 1, 2012.  On September 19, 2011, […]

Nov 26 2013
admin

CMS Issues Technical Guidance Confirming that Self-Insured Plans are Not Subject to Medical Loss Ratio Reporting Regulation

admin | Union Labor

On April 20, 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued Technical Guidance CCIIO 2012-02, which contains a set of Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) regarding the PPACA’s requirement that health insurance insurers issue a Medical Loss Ratio Report (“MLR”) to the Secretary of HHS and provide rebates to enrollees if at least 80% […]

Nov 26 2013
admin

IRS Releases Proposed Rule on Comparable Effectiveness Research Fees

admin | Union Labor

On April 12, 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) released a proposed rule implementing the comparative effectiveness research fee, which was enacted under the PPACA to fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (“Institute”).  The Institute will conduct research to evaluate and compare health outcomes, and the clinical effectiveness of various medications, treatments, and medical services.  […]

Nov 26 2013
Nov 26 2013
admin

Agencies Issue Additional Guidance on Summary of Benefits and Coverage Requirement

admin | Union Labor

On March 19, 2012, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury jointly issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) providing additional guidance on the PPACA’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage (“SBC”) requirement.  Group health plans must begin providing the SBC, which includes a four page summary of the plan’s material […]