beyond layoffs: controlling payroll costs in creative and legal ways bob blackstone holly m. hearn...
TRANSCRIPT
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Beyond Layoffs:Beyond Layoffs:
Controlling Payroll Costs in Controlling Payroll Costs in Creative and Legal WaysCreative and Legal Ways
Bob BlackstoneBob BlackstoneHolly M. HearnHolly M. Hearn
Lawton HumphreyLawton HumphreyHolly Wylam KleinHolly Wylam Klein
March, 2009March, 2009
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Overview of ProgramOverview of Program
Introductory Comments
Reducing Hours, Pay and PTO
Job Sharing and Work Share Programs
Benefit Issues: PTO, COBRA
Voluntary Buy-Outs, Early Retirement and Key Lessons Learned from RIFs
Questions?
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Effects of the Economic DownturnEffects of the Economic Downturn
Management Distraction
Rapidly Changing Priorities
Risk of Losing Focus
Limitations on Resources
Strain, Stress, and Uncertainty in Workforce
Increased Complaints, Claims, Charges, and Lawsuits (“Leave v. Grieve”)
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Laws/Considerations Affecting Laws/Considerations Affecting Salary Expense Reduction EffortsSalary Expense Reduction Efforts
WARN
OWBPA
Wage and Hour Laws
Discrimination Laws
Labor Relations Considerations
Contractual Obligations/Promissory Estoppel
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Reduced Hours and PayReduced Hours and Pay
Reduce hours worked
Reduce number of work days
Shut down facility temporarily
Reduce pay without reducing hours
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Reduced HoursReduced Hours
Pros
► Reduction in payroll
► Alignment of labor and demand
► Retention of talent
► All share in pain
► Reduced work load mitigates lost pay
Cons
► Employee morale lowered
► Risk loss of strong performers
► Reduce ability to serve customers
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Reduced PayReduced Pay
Pros
► Reduction in payroll► Alignment of cost
and revenue► Retention of talent► All share in pain ► Increase ability to serve
customers
Cons
► Employee morale lower
► Risk loss of talent
► No extra time off to mitigate the pain of lost pay
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Legal Issues To Watch ForLegal Issues To Watch For
Wage & Hour
► Non-Exempt: Minimum wage
► Exempt: Salary basis test -
impermissible deductions
Breach of Contract
► Written agreements
Individual contracts
CBAs
► Implied agreements
Handbooks
Commission plans
Benefit plans
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Strategies: Reduced Hours Strategies: Reduced Hours
Non-Exempt Employees
Shorter days
Reduced work week (individual or company-wide)
Voluntary personal days
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Strategies: Reduced Hours Strategies: Reduced Hours
Exempt Employees
Eliminate entire work week (“Furlough”)
Adopt reduced work week schedule
Voluntary personal days off
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Strategies: Reduced Hours Strategies: Reduced Hours
For All
Check agreements, handbook, offer letters
Document new arrangement
Check impact on benefits coverage
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Reduced Pay (Same Hours)Reduced Pay (Same Hours)
Check agreements, handbook, offer letters
Confirm at-will employment
Consider fluctuating work week method for non-exempt employees
Consider retention bonuses &deferred compensation
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Mandatory/Voluntary Use of PTOMandatory/Voluntary Use of PTO
Reduce PTO accruals and accounting liabilities Use to mitigate effects of wage loss from salary
reductions, reduced number of workdays or work hours
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Mandatory/Voluntary PTO UseMandatory/Voluntary PTO Use
Pros
► Reduces employer’s accounting liabilities► Mitigates employees’ pain from furloughs, reduced workweeks and hours’ reduction► May allow for less than full workweeks for exempt employees if PTO covers guaranteed salaries
Cons
► Does not help employees with no/low PTO accruals► Employer loses productivity without recognizing any immediate “savings”► May negatively impact morale if employees forced to use PTO
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Strategies: Mandatory PTO Use Strategies: Mandatory PTO Use
Check agreements, handbook, offer letters
Adopt a written leave/PTO bank policy if you don’t have one
Clearly document dates and circumstances when PTO use will be required
Consider reducing workweeks/hours and mandating PTO use when employees typically take time off, i.e. holiday weeks.
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Strategies: Mandatory PTO Use (II) Strategies: Mandatory PTO Use (II)
Exempt employees:
Deduct PTO only in full day or week increments
Consult counsel before taking any partial day deductions
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Job SharingJob Sharing
Employees who would otherwise work part time in separate jobs instead share a single full-time position’s duties and responsibilities
Allows employer to retain skilled employees while reducing salary and benefit costs
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Job Sharing ArrangementsJob Sharing Arrangements
Pros
► Allows employers to cut payroll expenses without cutting jobs
► Many employees desire part-time schedules and flexible work schedules
► Employer maintains skilled workforce for when business improves
Cons
► Presents unique challenges to administer
► Potential loss of productivity caused by need for increased communication and some duplication of efforts
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Strategies: Job Sharing Strategies: Job Sharing
Consider trial period at start
Look for incumbents who are good team members, consultative and have strong communication skills
Create position description showing shared and individual responsibilities of each job sharer
Define work hours
Consider physical restrictions and possibility of telecommuting
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Strategies: Job Sharing (II)Strategies: Job Sharing (II)
Employ a workable communication system
Consider how performances will be evaluated
Document circumstances under which job sharing arrangement will automatically end
Confirm employers’ discretion to modify or end job sharing arrangement
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WA ESD Shared-Work ProgramWA ESD Shared-Work Program
Allows hourly employees to obtain unemployment benefits when hours are reduced in times of temporary economic downturn
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ESD Shared-Work ProgramESD Shared-Work Program
Pros
► Allows employer to reduce payroll costs while retaining a skilled workforce
► Employees to recognize more income than if they were laid off
Cons
► Hourly employees only
► Must be adopted on a company-wide or division-wide basis and apply to at least 10% of employees in that unit
► Reductions in hours must fall between 10 -50% and not more
► Employer must still provide full time benefits
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Shared-Work Program – Key ProvisionsShared-Work Program – Key Provisions
Program designed to help employers avoid temporary layoffs
Can involve entire company or specific sections or divisions
At least 10% of employees in unit must participate; 100% can participate
Approved plan can be in effect for 52 weeks Full-time, hourly employees are eligible to
participate
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Shared-Work – Key Provisions (II)Shared-Work – Key Provisions (II)
Employees workweek can be reduced by at least 10% but not more than 50%
Employee receives UI benefits in corresponding percentage to hours reduction
Employees receive benefits for maximum of 26 weeks
Health benefit coverage to participating employees must continue at full-time level
Union representing employees in affected units must approve plan in writing
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ESD Shared-Work ProgramESD Shared-Work Program
Information and application available at:
http://www.esd.wa.gov/uibenefits/faq/shared-work.php
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Employee Benefits: Employee Benefits: Opportunities and ChallengesOpportunities and Challenges
General Benefits Structure
Qualified Plans
Reduced Employer Match
Plan Loans and Hardship Withdrawals
Relief from RMD Requirements
Health and Welfare Plans
Compliance with New COBRA Subsidy Law
Compensation and Severance Arrangements
Code Section 409A Compliance
Severance and New COBRA Subsidy
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Opportunity: Opportunity: Assess General Benefits Structure Assess General Benefits Structure
Review benefits structures for tax-advantaged enhancements
Examples: Cafeteria plans, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), 401(k) plans, profit sharing plans
Maximize tax advantages of existing programs by:
1) educating employee participants, and
2) ensuring efficient administration
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Opportunity: Opportunity: Reduce Employer ContributionsReduce Employer Contributions
Pros
► Potential for large reduction in employer cost► Employees willing to accept reduced or no match in lieu of other cuts
Cons
► Employee morale lower
► Remove plan from IRS “safe-harbor” 401(k) plan model
► Administrative burden of notifying employees and implementing change
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Opportunity: Opportunity: Plan Loans and Hardship WithdrawalsPlan Loans and Hardship Withdrawals
Do your plans provide for loans and hardship withdrawals?
Advantage of providing support to employees at minimal cost
Compliance Issue: Ensure that loans/withdrawals are administered according to plan documents
Show support to employees by circulating notice of opportunities and procedures
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Opportunity: Relief from Minimum Opportunity: Relief from Minimum Distribution RequirementsDistribution Requirements
For 2009, don’t have to make minimum distributions to individuals age 70 ½ +
Applies to defined contribution plans like 401(k) plans and IRAs
Allows older individuals to continue to accumulate savings without requiring cash-out near market bottom
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Challenge: Health/Welfare PlansChallenge: Health/Welfare Plans Understand new COBRA subsidy rules effective
February 17, 2009
Employees only pay 35% of COBRA premiums for 9 months
Employer pays remaining 65% and is reimbursed by IRS
Must provide DOL notice by April 17, 2009
Resources at: www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.htm
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Opportunity: Opportunity: Reduce or Cap PTO AccrualsReduce or Cap PTO Accruals
Pros
► Potential for large reduction in employer cost
► Company policy may already provide for this
► May quickly eliminate large liability on books
Cons
► Employee morale lower, especially among long-time employees
► May decrease productivity if allowed to phase out use
► Must comply with state laws that protect accrual of PTO as “wages”
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Challenge: Comply with New Code Challenge: Comply with New Code Section 409ASection 409A
New law effective January 1, 2005 applies to all deferred compensation
Prohibits discretion to accelerate or further delay payments
Review severance payments and deferrals of bonus payments for compliance
Avoid harsh penalty tax of 20%: Structure compensation and severance agreements to comply
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Opportunity: Opportunity: Severance and New COBRA SubsidySeverance and New COBRA Subsidy
Employers who pay COBRA premiums may be excluded from eligibility for reimbursement from federal government under new COBRA subsidy legislation
Restructure severance agreements to maximize employer reimbursement from IRS
Examples
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Voluntary Buyouts and Early Voluntary Buyouts and Early Retirement IncentivesRetirement Incentives
Pros► Voluntary departures are better than involuntary departures► Less damage to employee morale► Can avoid restrictions on layoffs in labor contracts► Can legally secure voluntary departure of employees who would otherwise be risky to lay off
Cons► Uncertain savings – may not work► Can be harder to target► May lose good people► Potential discrimination issues► Potential fraud claims by previous retirees
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Legal Issues to Watch ForLegal Issues to Watch For Constructive discharge - program not really
voluntary IRS discrimination issues under qualified
retirement plans Availability to persons on FMLA or other leaves? Potential misrepresentation or fraud claims Potential age discrimination issues under ADEA
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Layoffs 2.0 – WARN Layoffs 2.0 – WARN
Federal and state WARN and “mini-WARN” Act concerns Examples:
• New York: 50 employee coverage threshold and 90 days notice
• Wisconsin: Applies to layoffs at single site or within same city
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Layoffs 2.0 – Release AgreementsLayoffs 2.0 – Release Agreements
Release agreement issues Exclusion of claims that can’t be released Confirmation of being paid for all hours worked No knowledge of whistleblower issues “Covenant not to sue” issues Unique state law release requirements
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Layoff 2.0 – OWBPALayoff 2.0 – OWBPA
OWBPA issues for release of Federal age discrimination claims: “Going bare” Definition of “decisional units” How much information do you give? Employees who are offered other positions Handling phased layoffs – aggregate data Correcting errors in statistical information Description of eligibility factors
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Questions?Questions?
Thank you!Thank you!