Daly D.E. Temchine, a Member of the Firm in the Health Care and Life Sciences and Litigation practices in the Washington, DC office, was quoted by Human Resource Executive magazine on a recent Supreme Court ruling in an employee-benefits case, MetLife vs. Glenn.
In the case, the court ruled that companies that administer health and disability benefit plans and also decide claims filed under the plans, may have a conflict of interest.
The article, "Avoiding Conflicts of Interest," quotes Temchine as saying the court's decision should motivate HR leaders to evaluate whether any clear conflicts exist among those making benefits determinations.
"HR departments need to make sure whoever makes benefits determinations has no responsibility for, and does not benefit from, the economic performance of their employer," Temchine said.