Jul
01
2013
Employee Benefits
Health care reform: Guidance issued on notice requirements
The federal agencies in charge of issuing guidance on the federal Affordable Care Act’s requirements have been busy.
Read More…Vigilant Blog
News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp
Mar
15
2013
Alert: Portland adopts sick leave ordinance
On March 13, 2013, the Portland City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance requiring sick leave for employees who work at least 240 hours per year within the City’s geographic boundaries. It takes effect on January 1, 2014.
Read More…
Feb
26
2013
Q&AEmployee Benefits
Employer may have a duty to speak up when considering ERISA plan changes
Q: An employee recently gave notice that he is planning to retire at the end of the year. It has not yet been announced to employees, but the company is seriously considering implementing a new, more generous retirement plan early next year. I know that this employee would benefit if he stayed employed long enough to take part in the new plan. Do I have an obligation to tell him that?
Read More…
Dec
04
2012
Q&AEmployee Benefits
Electronic SPD Distribution Subject to DOL Rules
Q: It’s time consuming and expensive to print and distribute the summary plan descriptions (SPDs) and other plan materials for our medical and dental plans. Can I just e-mail them to employees, or better yet, post them on our company intranet site?
Read More…
Nov
09
2012
Alert: Initiatives on recreational marijuana and same-sex marriage raise questions for employers(WA)
Now that Washington voters have voted to legalize recreational marijuana use (I-502) and endorse same-sex marriage (R-74), employers have been asking whether these laws will impact their employment policies. Here’s Vigilant’s take on these two issues. Recreational marijuana use We don’t expect I-502 to affect employers’ ability to enforce their drug policies. The new law doesn’t…
Read More…
Aug
07
2012
Q&AEmployee Benefits
Employers should steer clear of Medicare incentives
Q: Can we pay our Medicare-eligible employees extra cash if they agree not to enroll in our health plan?
Read More…
Jun
12
2012
Employee Benefits
HIPAA violations can mean prison time
Think the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rules are just an exercise in compliance on paper? Think again.
Read More…
Jun
05
2012
Employee Benefits
Don’t delay COBRA election notices
A recent court case shows why it’s so important to promptly send a COBRA notice to a qualified beneficiary after he or she experiences a COBRA qualifying event.
Read More…
Apr
12
2012
Employee Benefits
Supreme Court hears challenge to federal health care reform law
The U.S. Supreme Court has concluded hearing arguments about the constitutionality of various parts of the federal health care reform law known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
Read More…
Feb
17
2012
Employee Benefits
Health care reform: new guidance issued
The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Treasury (IRS) and Labor (DOL) have jointly issued new guidance on a variety of topics under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) .
Read More…