9 HR Policies are Legal Again, Says NLRB General Counsel | Virginia Benefit Brokers

Workplace rules are back, baby! Peter Robb, General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (and my new hero), issued a memorandum on Wednesday that employers should love. Mr. Robb has declared that nine standard employer policies will now be presumed lawful under the National Labor Relations Act. The memorandum was based on the Board’s decision in The Boeing Company, … Continued

What We’re Reading this May | Virginia Benefit Advisors

At ThinkHR, knowledge makes us tick. We are always on the lookout for the latest workplace and human resources news, trends, research, and law. Here are some of the stories that caught our eye this month. A Blow to #MeToo? In a 5-4 ruling,  the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declared that employers can force workers into arbitration, … Continued

What Is the Importance of OSHA in the Workplace? | Virginia Benefit Advisors

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, was established in 1970 to encourage employees and employers to decrease workplace hazards. OSHA recommends that both parties cooperatively establish workplace-specific safety standards. The agency also establishes training programs for occupational safety and health personnel. Finally, OSHA oversees research to find new approaches to workplace safety and … Continued

Has the Supreme Court invalidated almost two years of actions by the NLRB Acting General Counsel? | Virginia Benefit Advisors

For the second time, the U.S. Supreme Court has handed a setback to the efforts of the Obama Administration to make appointments to leadership positions in the National Labor Relations Board. In Noel Canning (2014), the Supreme Court invalidated three of President Obama’s “recess” appointments to the NLRB. This past Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court held … Continued

What Is Employer Paid Term Life Insurance? | Virginia Employee Benefits

Employer-paid life insurance can be an important part of protecting your family in the event that you die prematurely. Companies offer the program on top of other benefits, such as health insurance. The coverage is generally term insurance, meaning there is no investment or cash-value component. If you pass on unexpectedly, depriving your family not … Continued

Federal Employment Law Update – December 2016 | Virginia Employee Benefits

President Obama Signs 21st Century Cures Act into Law On December 13, 2016, President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 6) into law. The law allows certain small businesses to use qualified small business health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) without Affordable Care Act (ACA) related penalties. Certain limits to the accounts would apply, including … Continued