United States: NLRB Issues Complaints Against McDonald’s as a Joint Employer, Threatening the Future of Operating Under a Franchise System

On December 19, 2014, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Office of the General Counsel issued 13 complaints that involve 78 charges against McDonald’s and several of its franchise operators, alleging that they violated the rights of individuals working at various McDonald’s restaurants around the country. Specifically, the complaints allege that McDonald’s and the franchisees took action against individuals for engaging in activities meant to improve their wages and working conditions over the past […]

By | December 29th, 2014 ||

United States: New York Times Discusses The Growth Of Whistleblower Programs

As federal agencies dole out record-breaking awards to tipsters (such as the SEC’s recent $30 million award), whistleblower programs remain a topic of public interest.  Earlier this month, The New York Times published an articleabout the growth of the whistleblower programs operated by the S.E.C., Justice Department, and I.R.S, which financially incentivize the reporting of misconduct.

The Times article notes that the Justice Department reported a record-high recovery in civil fraud cases under the False Claims Act in […]

By | December 29th, 2014 ||

United States: Cash Balance Plans A Bright Spot In Dreary Defined Benefit Landscape

There are two primary types of pension plans: defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. Defined benefit plans provide each eligible employee with a specific benefit at retirement, while defined contribution plans specify the amount of contributions to be made by the employer toward an eligible employee’s retirement account.

A cash balance plan is a defined benefit plan that defines the benefit in terms that are more characteristic of a defined contribution plan. As recently […]

By | December 29th, 2014 ||