NLRB reports on overbroad, unlawful social media policies

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 01, 2012 - 1:39pm CST

The National Labor Relations Board has issued another report on social media policies in which it cites six cases where it contends employers' policies and rules were overbroad and unlawful.

IT company reaches settlement in DOJ's retaliation lawsuit

By: Matt Dunning

Published June 01, 2012 - 12:24pm CST

WASHINGTON—A New Jersey-based information technology staffing company agreed this week to settle a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit accusing the company of firing an employee for pointing out its allegedly biased hiring practices.

CSU increases Atlantic hurricane prediction for 2012

By: Mark A. Hofmann

Published June 01, 2012 - 11:36am CST

FORT COLLINS, Colo.—The hurricane forecasting team at Colorado State University has increased the number of hurricanes it expects to form in the Atlantic basin this hurricane season to five from the four predicted in April.

Defense of Marriage Act struck down by U.S. appeals court

By: Matt Dunning

Published May 31, 2012 - 4:07pm CST

BOSTON—The controversial federal law that effectively denies married same-sex couples the same federal benefits afforded to heterosexual couples violates constitutional guarantee of equal protection, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.

Abacus Federal Savings Bank indicted for mortgage fraud

Published May 31, 2012 - 2:30pm CST

NEW YORK (Reuters)—Abacus Federal Savings Bank, which caters to Chinese immigrants in New York and other communities, has been charged with selling hundreds of millions of dollars worth of fraudulent mortgages to Fannie Mae.

Employee's coffee-break injury not compensable: Court

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 31, 2012 - 1:38pm CST

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.—The Missouri Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that workers compensation benefits should be denied for a Missouri woman who twisted her ankle while making a pot of coffee for herself and her coworkers.

New York City Transit Authority settles religious headwear dispute with DOJ

By: Judy Greenwald

Published May 31, 2012 - 10:36am CST

NEW YORK—The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a $184,500 settlement with the New York City Transit Authority over charges it engaged in religious discrimination with respect to workers' headwear.

IRS relaxes health reform law $2,500 limit for noncalendar-year FSAs

By: Jerry Geisel

Published May 30, 2012 - 5:36pm CST

WASHINGTON—The Internal Revenue Service on Wednesday provided regulatory relief for health care flexible spending account participants and also said it is reconsidering its longtime use-it-or-lose-it rule for FSAs.

Top insurer pulls cover for exports to Greece

Published May 30, 2012 - 9:47am CST

FRANKFURT/LONDON (Reuters)—The world's biggest trade credit insurer, Euler Hermes, has stopped covering exporters shipping to Greece because of the mounting risk of them not getting paid in the event the debt-laden nation is forced out of the euro.

GALLERY: Preparing for hurricane season

Published May 30, 2012 - 6:00am CST

The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, and businesses and employees can prepare for storms by making their property safe and more resistant to hurricane hazards. In our latest gallery, you'll find tips for companies to better prepare for a hurricane.

South Shore Hospital to pay $750,000 in data breach settlement

By: Matt Dunning

Published May 29, 2012 - 1:18pm CST

WEYMOUTH, Mass.—A June 2010 data breach will cost Weymouth, Mass.-based South Shore Hospital $750,000 in fines and remediation costs, according to a civil settlement with the state Attorney General's Office announced last week.

Willis’ 2012 D&O Dictionary

Published May 29, 2012 - 1:17pm CST

The latest edition of Willis North America’s D&O Dictionary, containing more than 100 terms and phrases commonly used to describe Directors and Officers exposures and insurance coverage, is available now.

Small companies may face greater scrutiny when buying D&O coverage under JOBS Act: Report

By: Bill Kenealy

Published May 29, 2012 - 12:13pm CST

Small companies utilizing provisions of the recently passed JOBS Act may face greater scrutiny when purchasing directors and officers liability insurance, according to a new report from Marsh Inc., an unit of New York-based Marsh & McLennan Cos.

After workplace violence, mental health resources a must

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 27, 2012 - 6:00am CST

Physical attacks on employees are rare but when they happen, employers should be ready to provide psychiatric resources for victims as they work to cope with trauma.

Workplace violence rare but can be costly for businesses

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 27, 2012 - 6:00am CST

Workplace violence is a rare event, but it can have costly impacts on organizations, according to a study released in January by NCCI Holdings Inc., a Boca Raton, Fla.-based workers compensation ratings and research agency.

Opioid painkillers should be monitored electronically: N.Y. grand jury

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 25, 2012 - 12:19pm CST

NEW YORK—A New York grand jury investigating an epidemic of controlled substance abuse has called on pharmaceutical manufacturers to help fund electronic monitoring of opioid pain medication prescribing.

Developers not obligated to tell home buyers about nearby WWII bombing range: Court

By: Matt Dunning

Published May 25, 2012 - 12:17pm CST

ATLANTA—Four developers of an Orlando, Fla., housing subdivision were not obligated to inform buyers that their homes were built near the site of a World War II-era bombing range, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Calif. workers comp claims show sharp increase in medical costs: Study

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 25, 2012 - 11:01am CST

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—California has seen a “steep” increase in medical costs for workers compensation claims despite reforms to the system in the last several years that initially reduced costs, according to the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

2012 Atlantic hurricane season near normal, NOAA predicts

By: Mark A. Hofmann

Published May 24, 2012 - 1:28pm CST

WASHINGTON—The Atlantic Basin should experience near-normal hurricane activity during the hurricane season that begins June 1, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a prediction released Thursday.

Willis updates Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Dictionary

By: Anna Gaynor

Published May 24, 2012 - 12:29pm CST

NEW YORK—Willis North America has published a new version of its Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Dictionary, the unit of Willis Group Holdings P.L.C. announced Thursday in a statement.

Democrats cite potential conflict of interest by Chamber of Commerce arm

By: Mike Tsikoudakis

Published May 23, 2012 - 5:33pm CST

WASHINGTON—Two Democratic congressman are investigating the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's effort to weaken the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, saying they are concerned about potential conflicts of interest as many of the chamber's Institute for Legal Reform board members are affiliated with companies that have been investigated under the FCPA.

Early tropical storms form simultaneously in Atlantic, Pacific

By: Bill Kenealy

Published May 23, 2012 - 2:10pm CST

OAKLAND, Calif.—Tropical storms in the north Atlantic and eastern Pacific basins are marking the earliest simultaneous start of a hurricane season on record, according to catastrophe risk modeling firm EQECAT Inc.

Civil rights protections don't extend to wife of illegal immigrant: Court

By: Judy Greenwald

Published May 23, 2012 - 2:09pm CST

CHICAGO—Civil rights law does not protect workers or their spouses against employer discrimination based on their alien status, says an appellate court.

Medical marijuana use not protected by ADA: Appeals court

By: Judy Greenwald

Published May 23, 2012 - 11:29am CST

SAN FRANCISCO—California cities are not violating the Americans with Disabilities Act when they crack down on marijuana dispensers, said a federal appellate court in a case brought by disabled California residents.