International News
United Kingdom: Seven Steps Employers Can Take To Reduce The Risk Of Being Sued For Stress At Work - Dale Langley & Co
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 10, 2010.
What steps can employers take to reduce the risk of being sued by employees claiming "stress at work"?
 |  |
United States: Hidden Ramifications of the Employee Free Choice Act - Williams Mullen
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 10, 2010.
Ever since the Presidential primaries ended, a storm has been gathering in the business community. Talk of the Employee Free Choice Act, or EFCA, legislation by then candidate Barack Obama energized labor unions and terrified businesses both large and small across the country.
| |
United States: 409A Relief For Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan Document Failures - Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 10, 2010.
The IRS has issued a notice providing methods by which employers who have nonqualified deferred compensation plans may voluntarily correct specific types of failures to comply with plan document requirements under Code Section 409A and, in some cases, avoid or reduce the amount includible in a plan participant's income and additional taxes under 409A.
| |
Canada: Child Pornography Reporting Soon To Be Mandatory For Employers - Bird Richard
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 10, 2010.
Bill 37, the Child Pornography Reporting Act, 2008, received Royal Assent on December 10th, 2008. The Bill places potentially onerous reporting obligations on employers.
| |
Canada: OH&S Corporate Criminal Liability Rears Its Head Again In Canada - Heenan Blaikie
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 09, 2010.
In what should serve as a stark reminder for both employers and individuals, police in Ontario recently charged a corporate employer and two individuals with criminal negligence causing death after a fatal workplace accident at a construction project.
| |
United States: Having It Your Way: Employers’ Challenges To Remaining Union-Free In A Potentially Radically Changed Legal Environment - Fisher & Phillips LLP
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 09, 2010.
This is the second in a series of articles designed to alert employers to the challenges employers will face who wish to remain union-free in a potentially radically changed legal environment
| |
Canada: Canadian Federal Budget Announces Changes To Employee Stock Option Rules - Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 09, 2010.
The federal budget, announced on March 4, 2010, includes significant changes to the taxation of employee stock options.
| |
United States: COBRA Subsidy Extended Again - Reed Smith
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 09, 2010.
On March 2, 2010, the president signed into law H.R. 4691, the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 ("TEA of 2010"), which provides a short-term extension of the COBRA subsidy initially established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA") and set to expire February 28, 2010.
| |
Canada: Employee Life And Health Trusts - Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 09, 2010.
On February 26, 2010, the Department of Finance released proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the ITA). The proposed amendments provide for a new type of employee benefit trust, to be known as an "employee life and health trust" (ELHT).
| |
United States: Recent Developments In Employee Benefits And Executive Compensation - Blank Rome LLP
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 09, 2010.
This newsletter briefly discusses several recent developments in employee benefits and executive compensation that may be of interest.
| |
Romania: Open Questions Regarding The Transfer Of Undertakings - Schönherr Rechtsanwälte
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 09, 2010.
When Romania joined the EU it accepted the Acquis Communitaire, meaning that European and national provisions on the transfer of undertakings are applicable in Romania. However, because of the Romanian legislation, various open questions remain.
| |
United Kingdom: Definitive Sentencing Guidance For Corporate Manslaughter Confirms Rejection Of Turnover Test - Clifford Chance
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 09, 2010.
As foreshadowed in our last client briefing and following the close of the consultation period early last month, the Sentencing Guidelines Council ("SGC") published its final definitive guideline on 9 February, setting out principles to guide courts in dealing with companies and organisations that cause death through a gross breach of care or where breach of health and safety requirements are a significant cause of the death.
| |
United States: The Ninth Circuit Clears The Way For Tip-Pooling Arrangements March 2010 - Littler Mendelson
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 09, 2010.
Hospitality and tourism employers should greet news of a favorable Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision with joy and a big sigh of relief.
| |
43% say they have less than $10k for retirement
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Mar 09, 2010.
The percentage of American workers with virtually no retirement savings grew for the third straight year, according to a survey released Tuesday.How Uncle Sam wants to boost your retirement
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Mar 09, 2010.
Usually I cringe when our leaders in Washington try to help improve our finances. I'm afraid their efforts may do more harm than good. But two new ideas being discussed inside the Beltway could actually make it easier to prepare for retirement. Both center on the income you'll generate from your 401(k).United States: Interim Final Regulations On The Mental Health Parity And Addiction Equity Act Of 2008 - McDermott Will & Emery
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 09, 2010.
Employers that offer mental health/substance use benefits should evaluate the design of their group health plans to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the interim final regulations.
| |
United States: Staying Out Of The EEOC's Line Of Fire - Fisher & Phillips LLP
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 08, 2010.
The last place you want to see your company listed is on the EEOC's website under "Press Releases." Hospitality employers continue to make this list with reports of high-dollar settlements of discrimination and harassment allegations.
| |
United States: COBRA Subsidy Extended And Expanded March 2010 - Littler Mendelson
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 08, 2010.
On March 2, 2010, President Obama signed into law further amendments to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) subsidy provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
| |
United Kingdom: Fire-Officers Arrested For Health And Safety Offences - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 08, 2010.
It is an employer’s duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees. For all employers, the duty of ensuring health, safety and welfare will often fall to those individuals in a managerial role, and this has become particularly significant in the recent arrest of certain individuals within the emergency services.
| |
Australia: Worker’s Compensation: Restricting Entitlements v Increasing Employer Costs - HopgoodGanim Lawyers
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 08, 2010.
A discussion paper recently released by Queensland’s Department of Employment and Industrial Relations, The Queensland Workers’ Compensation Scheme: Ensuring Sustainability and Fairness, has contemplated major changes for Queensland’s workers’ compensation scheme.
| |
Enhanced pension annuity sales rise
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Mar 08, 2010.
Sales of enhanced annuities in the UK rose 24 per cent to £1.79bn in 2009United States: U.S. Department Of Labor’s Proposed 2011 Budgets Reflects An Increased Emphasis On Enforcement - Morgan Lewis
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 08, 2010.
On February 1, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis released the Obama administration’s proposed fiscal year 2011 budget for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL or the Department).
| |
United Kingdom: Disability And Discipline Give Pause For Thought - Withers LLP
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 08, 2010.
Employers are not liable to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees unless they know, or ought to know, that the employee is both disabled and likely to be at a substantial disadvantage.
| |
New Zealand: Developments to Personal Grievance Laws Proposed - DLA Phillips Fox
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 07, 2010.
The Government is considering revamping personal grievance laws. Changes will aim to eliminate frivolous claims and control advocates who take on cases on a no win/no fee basis.
| |
New Zealand: Workplace Bullying - DLA Phillips Fox
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 07, 2010.
In February this year, fines were handed down to three workers in Victoria, Australia, who physically and emotionally bullied a teenage co-worker who later committed suicide.
| |
New Zealand: Are you Socially Adjusted? Dealing with Employee Behaviour on Social Media Sites - DLA Phillips Fox
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 07, 2010.
This issue has yet to be fully tested in New Zealand, but overseas decisions give us some insight as to how to tackle the misuse of social networking sites and blogs. Generally if the conduct damages the employer’s reputation or business relationships, or internal employment relationships, then the employee’s employment may be in jeopardy. Each case should be dealt with on its own merits.
| |
New Zealand: Social Media, WorkplaceBullying and Personal Grievance Laws - DLA Phillips Fox
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 07, 2010.
The NZ Employment Bulletin is designed to keep you up to date and informed on the latest legal developments and legislative changes in workplace relations and employment.
| |
United Kingdom: The Bridge Decision - Money Purchase Or Defined Benefit? - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP
From Mondaq.Com - feed of articles on Labour and Employment. Published on Mar 07, 2010.
The Court of Appeal handed down an important judgment in Bridge Trustees v Yates today relating to the interpretation of the phrase "money purchase benefits" under pensions legislation.
| |
Employees face more pension cuts
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Mar 05, 2010.
Investors are being urged to take more control of their retirement savings, as workplace pensions come under increasing pressure.The retired couple's guide to livin' the dream
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Mar 05, 2010.
Question: My husband and I have been happily married for 28 years. Careful spending and sound planning over time has provided us with a very comfortable financial future. Although we're compatible in many ways, our outlook differs when it comes to enjoying our money. I'm more of a saver and I hate to shop. I'm already retired, and when my husband retires in a year we'll begin drawing on our retirement savings. Can you suggest some tips on how we can communicate effectively about spending our money? How do we assure that we'll both have the independence to decide how we want to spend "our share" without judgment? --Margaret M.Retire early, save for a home
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Mar 04, 2010.
Like many households, Wener and Tieun Vieux have suffered a few financial jolts of late.Rise in people retiring early
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Mar 04, 2010.
Many people aged between 50 and 54 are retiring now ahead of the forthcoming rise in minimum retirement age to 55.Women at risk of financial gap in retirement
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Mar 03, 2010.
Half of married men purchase a single life annuity instead of a joint one at retirement, leaving their spouses no pension income if the men were to pass away earlier, according to a latest Standard Life research.4 smart fixes for your 401(k)
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Mar 01, 2010.
With stocks up more than 60% since hitting bottom last March, the red ink is finally fading on the typical 401(k) account. Yes, it's safe to look at your statement again: Balances for boomers who have worked 10 to 20 years at the same company are now down less than 3% on average, compared with pre-crash levels; younger employees and 45- to 64-year-olds with less tenure are solidly back in the black.Beware hidden costs on Sipps
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Feb 26, 2010.
Investors seeking to boost their retirement savings through low-cost Sipps should look beyond the headline chargesCompanies slash pension funding
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Feb 26, 2010.
Nearly one in ten companies cut contributions into employee pension plans last yearMake the best of a bad 401(k)
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Feb 24, 2010.
You're probably feeling a lot better about your 401(k) these days, and not without reason. The average balance for experienced workers, after declining 19% in 2008, bounced back 29% last year, including new contributions.Retired early, coming up short
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Feb 23, 2010.
Question: I lost about 40% of my retirement savings after taking early retirement. I'm now 55 and have $650,000 left. Can you suggest a portfolio that provides capital appreciation, income and growth? I require about $6,000 a month to live on. --Bill, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaEmployees offered pension alternatives
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Feb 19, 2010.
Changes to the pension tax rules for high earners are pushing once- obscure investment schemes into the mainstreamWith-profits bonuses frozen
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Feb 19, 2010.
Legal & General is the latest life insurer to freeze annual bonus rates for with-profits policyholders401(k) flub: Turning down free money
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Feb 18, 2010.
Question: I'm 24 and my 401(k) plan matches $1.25 for every dollar I contribute up to 6% of salary. I currently contribute 3% of my salary and then put $75 a month into a Roth IRA. I do that because I don't want all my eggs in one basket. I'm wondering, though, whether I should stop the IRA contributions and take advantage of the company match instead? What do you think? --Matthew, Sacramento, Calif.What you need in retirement: friends
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Feb 17, 2010.
My wife is always chiding me that I spend too much time working and not enough keeping up with friends. "You'll be sorry when you retire and don't have anyone to do things with besides me," she warns. I hate to say it, but she's right. It's easy to assume retirement planning is all about the bucks, but nonfinancial issues matter too.More flexibility in third way pensions
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Feb 12, 2010.
Pre-retirees looking for alternatives to conventional annuities, where rates are at near-record lows, have more options with growth in the "flexible" pension market.Should I contract in to the state pension?
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Feb 12, 2010.
I have a personal pension with Prudential worth £40,000 that I used to contract out of Serps for the past 20 years. Prudential has told me there is a "high risk" I will be worse off if I stay out of the state schemeHow much to contribute to a 401(k)
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Feb 11, 2010.
Question: I'm 42 years old. What percentage of my weekly paycheck should I contribute to my 401(k)? --Gary, Bronx, New YorkQ&A: End of tax year pension planning
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Feb 10, 2010.
Ask the expert: Tom McPhail, head of pensions research at Hargreaves Lansdown, answers readers' queries on end of year tax planning for your pension and retirement optionsOver 55s 'fail to save' for retirement
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Feb 10, 2010.
Many older people will enter retirement in poor financial shape with two fifths of pre-retirees not saving anything for when they will no longer be in work, according to a new report.Protect yourself from a double-dip recession
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Feb 09, 2010.
Question: We're in our late 60s, retired and have a comfortable amount of money in retirement accounts, mostly mutual funds. My husband wants to liquidate most of our holdings and put the proceeds in money market funds, laddered CDs, maybe an annuity, as he fears the political situation will lead to another recession. Is he right? --Sharon, Kennewick, WashingtonPension income falls by more than 70%
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Feb 09, 2010.
Older individuals will struggle to fund a comfortable retirement unless they dramatically increase their pension contributionsPensioners sent wrong tax codes
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Feb 08, 2010.
Thousands of pensioners may have been sent the wrong tax code following the introduction of a new computer system at HM Revenue & Customs.Pension tax break at risk
From FT.com - Pension. Published on Feb 05, 2010.
Wealthy families are being urged to snap up a little-used tax break by making pension contributions for non-working spouses and childrenThe price of procrastination: $455,000
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Feb 04, 2010.
Question: I'm 34 and have yet to begin saving for retirement. I'm considering participating in my company's 401(k) plan, but I'm unsure whether to do so since my employer doesn't match my contribution. What do you advise? --Nikia, New York, New YorkMaking $300,000 last a lifetime
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Feb 02, 2010.
Question: My mother-in-law, who's in her early 60s, was recently widowed. She now has Social Security and approximately $300,000 from a life insurance policy to live on. She's not comfortable taking on much, if any, risk but she does need to generate income from the life insurance proceeds. Any recommendations for how she should invest this money? --Chris, Atlanta, GeorgiaInvest $900k in a variable annuity?
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Jan 22, 2010.
Question: I'm 62 and have accumulated about $2.6 million in retirement savings, which is invested in stocks and bonds. My adviser suggests that I take a third of this money and invest it in a guaranteed 6% income variable annuity. The cost of the 6% rider is 0.95% of the account balance per year. Do you think this is a good idea? --J.H., Lansing, MichiganA retirement plan for the laid off
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Jan 07, 2010.
Question: I'm 57 and I think there's a good chance I'll be laid off this year. If that happens, I'll have to move my 401(k) balance to an IRA. On the recommendation of a finance professional, many of my former co-workers have transferred their 401(k) savings into annuities. Do you think this is the way to go? -- E.Z., Deer Park, N.Y.Writing off losses in your portfolio
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Dec 29, 2009.
Question: If I sell a mutual fund to write off the loss on my tax return, do I face any restrictions on reinvesting the money? -- Tom M., St. Paul, Minn.Ready, set, convert to a Roth
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Dec 21, 2009.
You've probably heard that the restriction barring those earning more than $100,000 from converting a traditional IRA to a Roth will soon be history. This means that as of January, anyone with an IRA can create tax-free income in retirement.3 easy ways to start saving now
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Dec 10, 2009.
Question: I'm 22 and want to get an early start on saving and investing for retirement, but I don't know where to begin. How do I start a retirement plan? --Jacklyne S., Kileen, TexasRetire without taxes
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on .
Living it up in retirement
From Retirement advice and news - CNNMoney.com. Published on Feb 13, 2009.
There's retirement living, and then there's living it up in retirement. The latter is part of the draw of one of the fastest-growing retirement options - the continuing-care retirement community. These CCRCs, as they're called, often look a lot more like four-star resorts than old folks' homes.