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,
Looking for Alternatives to Cash-in-Lieu Benefits for Employees? New Health Reimbursement Arrangements Available for Current Employees, Starting in 2020
Employers and employee organizations are often looking for new, creative ways to expand, streamline, or restructure employees’ health benefits. Starting in January 2020, employers may offer two different health reimbursement arrangements (“HRA’s”) to their current employees. Typically, employers offer HRAs for retirees through collective bargaining agreements but do not offer them for current employees because
Ninth Circuit Denies En Banc Review Of Flores v. City Of San Gabriel – A Landmark Case On FLSA Regular Rate And Health Benefits Plans Remains The Law: Are You Really Ready Now?
On August 23, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an order declining to reconsider en banc its decision in Flores v. City of San Gabriel. That case, decided in June of 2016, has had far-ranging and significant impacts on the way public agencies compensate employees and provide benefits. The
The Ninth Circuit Holds that Cash Payments Made to Employees in Lieu of Health Benefits Must be Included in the Regular Rate for Overtime Purposes under the FLSA
On Thursday, June 2, 2016, the Ninth Circuit issued a long-awaited decision in a case called Flores v. City of San Gabriel, which involved a group of police officers who sued their City employer for three years of unpaid overtime and liquidated damages under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The primary issue on appeal