403(b) Plan Documents Available From
ftwilliam.com
March 6, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Plan document
provider ftwilliam.com has released two new 403(b) plan
documents, updated with the 2007 final regulations.
The documents, which include context sensitive help
buttons, all forms and amendments, streamlined data
import and export and extensive online error correction,
are:
a full-scope 403(b) plan document with an
ERISA/non-ERISA option that allows sponsors to
provide matching, non-elective contributions and
elective deferrals.
a limited-scope, non-ERISA 403(b) plan document
which allows for elective contributions.
The documents are included in the ftwilliam.com
annual retirement plan document subscription or may be
purchased on a per plan basis for $175/plan.
March 5, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.COM) - The number of
private-sector workplace discrimination charges leaped by 9%
during the last fiscal year over the prior period - the
highest volume of charges since 2002 and the biggest annual
hike since the early 1990s, the government
reported.
A news release from the U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) about its FY
2007 statistics indicated it received 82,792
private-sector discrimination charge filings. The agency
said it also recovered $345 million in monetary relief
for job bias victims.
“Corporate America needs to do a better
job of proactively preventing discrimination and
addressing complaints promptly and effectively,” said
Commission Chair Naomi C. Earp in the news release. “To
ensure that equality of opportunity becomes a reality in
the 21st century workplace, employers need to place a
premium on fostering inclusive and discrimination-free
work environments for all individuals.”
According to the EEOC’s FY 2007 data,
allegations of discrimination based on race, retaliation,
and sex were the most frequently filed charges,
continuing a long-term trend. Additionally, nearly all
major charge categories showed double-digit percentage
increases from the prior year — a rare
occurrence.
Last year, for the first time,
retaliation was the second highest charge category
(behind race), edging out sex-based charges in total
filings with EEOC offices nationwide, the agency
said.
Also, during FY 2007, pregnancy charges
surged to a record high level of 5,587, up 14% from the
prior fiscal year’s record of 4,901, the EEOC said.
Sexual harassment filings increased for the first time
since FY 2000, numbering 12,510 – up 4% from the prior
fiscal year’s total of 12,025 – and a record 16% of
sexual harassment charges were filed by men, up from 9%
in the early 1990s.
Other year-end statistics released today
show that the EEOC:
Recovered approximately $345 million
in total monetary relief for charging parties, up 26%
from the prior year’s total of $274 million.
Resolved 72,442 private-sector
charges, with a historically high merit factor rate
of 23%. Merit factor resolutions include mediation
and other settlements and cause findings, which, if
not successfully conciliated, are considered for
litigation.
Resolved a record 8,649 charges
through its voluntary National Mediation Program (up
5% from the prior year’s record high).
Filed 336 merits lawsuits (direct
suits, interventions, and other enforcement actions),
including 116 class cases involving multiple
aggrieved parties or victims of discriminatory
policies.
EEOC data are available
here
. The latest EEOC announcement is
here
.