We have all heard about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But one of the biggest questions I get from my clients is "how to comply with the regulations in order to avoid litigation?" Unfortunately, ADA continues to be a liability for employers with 15 or more employees because it presents complex requirements for employers in working with and managing employees with disabilities.

Compliance around FLSA laws and regulations is in the spotlight and will remain there for a while from the look of the current landscape. The old adage applies, ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’ Anyone watching events unfold can agree, the Dept. of Labor sees the smoke. The fallout from non-compliance is costly.

As a manager, I’m sure you have brought on quite a few new hire employees. Some of these employees, when beginning employment, can “jump right in” and become a part of the team. However, others may take some time to adjust to the new culture. To assist in culture assimilation and the learning of company policies and procedures, I always recommend creating a mentor or buddy program for my client's new hires. They've already invested a lot of time and resources in finding the best candidates, so by instituting this as part of their onboarding program, they are ensuring a smooth transition and investing in their future success.

So here we are in mid-January and most likely your new benefits plan year began January 1st. This cartoon conjures up memories of the myriad of phone calls an HR department receives as soon as the new plan year begins. Questions such as “what is my co-pay?” and “do I need a referral for services other than preventive care?” And how about the dreaded call from an employee at the doctor’s office telling you that the carrier says he is not covered! Ugh! While these questions are not uncommon, there are things you can do (and must do in some instances) to ensure all bases are covered.