January 2013

Late last week, the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services issued a new Frequently Asked Question (“FAQ”) page addressing implementation questions under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”).  Of particular note in the latest FAQ is the Departments’ announcement is the delayed effective date for the written notice of

On December 28, 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued long-awaited proposed regulations regarding the “shared responsibility” penalty provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”). In addition to consolidating prior IRS guidance on the subject, the proposed regulations also contain some surprising interpretations of PPACA’s penalty provisions. Employers will likely be pleased by some of these interpretations and disappointed with others.
Continue Reading IRS Proposed Regulations On PPACA’S Shared Responsibility Provisions Full of New Year Surprises (Some Good For Employers – Some Not)

A client shared an interesting article that appeared recently in BusinessWeek which highlights a growing emphasis among H.R. professionals and job interviewers in finding job candidates that are a good “cultural fit” for an organization, even when that means a less qualified candidate is ultimately selected for a particular job. The article focuses on a comprehensive study conducted by Northwestern University professor, Lauren Rivera, who found that many employers are making hiring decisions “in a manner more closely resembling the choice of friends or romantic partners.” According to the study, while qualifications and accolades will usually help a candidate get their foot in the door, more and more people are being asked questions in interviews about their hobbies, pop culture interests, and world views in an effort to determine whether a prospective employee will be compatible with current employees.
Continue Reading Many Companies Placing Emphasis on Cultural Fit Over Qualifications When Hiring New Employees

For Pennsylvania employers, 2012 was another eventful year in the world of wage and hour law. Even in the absence of new federal legislation, a number of noteworthy developments occurred at both the federal and state levels, confirming that wage and hour compliance remains a moving target for employers. This complimentary white paper summarizes ten of the more significant wage and hour developments in 2012 for Pennsylvania employers
Continue Reading Top Ten Wage & Hour Developments in 2012 for Pennsylvania Employers

This post was contributed by Eric N. Athey, Esq., a Member in McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC’s Labor and Employment Practice Group.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA") requires "large employers" (i.e., those regularly employing 50 or more full-time equivalents) to provide "affordable" health coverage of "minimum value" to "full-time employees" and