Author: Chris Ceplenski

4 Common Employer Mistakes in EEOC Position Statements

Have you ever faced an EEOC investigation? What is the best course of action—hire a lawyer, or navigate the process in good faith on your own? Obviously the answer depends on the specifics of the situation, but you may be surprised to learn that sometimes handling it on your own can have a better outcome […]

How Does ACA Impact Employee Wellness Programs?

Did you know that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) contains provisions related to the implementation of employee wellness programs? The latest information– the final rule that appeared in the Federal Register – defined new parameters for employee wellness programs. It directs how they must be designed and administered to make sure they are equally available […]

Essential Job Functions as a Component of ADA Compliance

Well-written job descriptions can be a key component to ADA compliance. This is because the essential functions of the job come into play when determining reasonable accommodations for disabled individuals. This connection highlights the importance of really thinking through the essential functions and keeping them updated for every position. Let’s take a look at some […]

Depression: 7 Employer Considerations for Reasonable Accommodations

Dealing with employees suffering from depression is a delicate topic. The number of people seeking treatment for depression in the U.S. is now 27 million a year, and the CDC notes that the most likely groups to suffer from depression are adults in the 40 to 59 age range. With these statistics, most employers will […]

Incorporating Anti-Harassment into Your BYOD Policy

In today’s technological landscape, it’s becoming more and more common for employees to use personal devices while on the job—commonly referred to as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Employers often promote this practice because it reduces out-of-pocket expenses for the employer, since they no longer have to foot the bill to purchase new technology. However, […]

EEOC

Avoiding Discrimination in the I-9 Process

On one hand, employers have to comply with the law and be sure they’re not hiring someone who does not have work authorization in the US. This means taking care to be very diligent during the I-9 process and making sure to “dot your i’s and cross your t’s.”

Mental Illness and the Workplace: How Might DSM-5 Changes Affect You?

Ever heard of DSM-5? It’s the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. It is the latest update to the American Psychiatric Association’s classification and diagnostic tool. This update was published on May 18, 2013 and includes some significant expansions to definitions of a few mental disorders. “This is the diagnostic manual that […]

4 Types of Workplace Violence

According to SHRM, workplace violence is defined as “a spectrum of behavior—including overt acts of violence, threats, and other conduct—that generates a reasonable concern for safety from violence, where a nexus exists between the behavior and the physical safety of employees and others (such as customers, clients, and business associates) on-site or off-site, when related […]

What Can Employers Do to Prevent Workplace Violence?

Workplace violence and homicides are ongoing threats for employers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the 4,547 workplace injuries resulting in death in 2010, 506 were homicides. While there is no federal law that establishes an employer’s duty to prevent workplace violence against employees, companies must comply with the general duty clause of […]