Public agency employers in California are facing increasing pressure to offer competitive, flexible, and legally compliant employee benefits. But there is one foundational document many agencies still overlook or perhaps do not fully understand—the Section 125 cafeteria plan. Without it, certain popular and tax-advantaged benefits cannot be offered, and agencies may inadvertently run afoul of
This post appeared in November 2017. It was reviewed in September 2024 to provide the most up-to-date legal information.
This principle used to be clear – paid administrative leave was outside the scope of adverse employment action. This was based on court holdings that an employee suffers no substantial or material change in terms and
As public agencies head into the end of the 2020-2021 fiscal year and prepare for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, it is the perfect time of year for agencies that contract with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) to refresh their knowledge about upcoming deadlines and requirements. Below are the key CalPERS deadlines and requirements
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the work environment in many ways, including a significant impact on employer-sponsored health benefits. The past year has resulted in changes to how frequently individuals visit the doctor (or do not visit the doctor), purchase eligible medical expenses, and need dependent care. In response to the pandemic, the IRS, Congress,
The article was reviewed January 2021 and the information is up-to-date.
The holiday season is a festive time to be shared with family, friends and even co-workers. Many employers also join in the celebrations by allowing employees to put up decorations and exchange gifts. Employers also like to host holiday parties filled with food, music,
As more businesses start to reopen, the COVID-19 pandemic will have long-term effects on the work environment beyond temperature checks and social distancing protocols. One impact is that it may be harder for employers to justify denying a disabled employee’s request for an accommodation to work from home. Whereas employers previously may have been reluctant
This blog post originally appeared in February 2016 and was revised in February 2020.
With Valentine’s Day upon us, cupid may have left a few arrows in the workplace. People spend a lot of time with coworkers, including time at work and at social events, so it is not unheard of for workplace relationships to
With Valentine’s Day upon us, cupid may have left a few arrows in the workplace. People spend a lot of time with coworkers, including time at work and at social events, so it is not unheard of for workplace relationships to evolve into romantic relationships. A U.S. workforce study found that 36 percent of workers