Assignment:
Discussion 1
Within the Discussion Board area, write 400 to 600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.
Federal and state taxes are not the only items withheld from your paycheck. There are other options such as benefits, the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and Social Security. Watch the videos A Primer on Social Security and A Primer on the FICA Tax located in this week's M.U.S.E. to get a better understanding of both FICA and Social Security.
Please respond to the following questions:
- What role does Social Security play in employee retirement?
- What is the relationship between FICA, ERISA, and Social Security?
- What are some real world examples of retirement planning programs?
- What would be considered an example of fiduciary responsibility under ERISA?
Discussion 2
In the workplace, employers should create a safe and healthy environment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created to ensure this environment. This week's reading assignment and the M.U.S.E. item OSHA Standards may be helpful in completing this assignment.
For this assignment, you will create a report of at least 750 words. In your report, address the following:
- Summarize the history and purpose of OSHA
- Provide examples of three OSHA standards and how they are observed in the workplace.
- Describe a real-world example of an organization that violated OSHA standards and the consequences of the violation.