Bulletin Item: HIPAA Compliance Nears
On April 14, employers with small health plans must be in compliance with HIPAA privacy rules. If you aren’t yet in compliance, you must take steps immediately to avoid potential fines and criminal penalties.
Category: HR Management & Compliance
There are dozens of details to take care of in the day-to-day operation of your department and your company. We give you case studies, news updates, best practices and training tips that keep your organization fully in compliance with ever-changing employment law, and you fully aware of emerging HR trends.
Workers’ Compensation: Court Rejects PG+E Worker’s Stress Claim That Was Based On Employer’s Financial Problems
For employers who have had to deal with hard economic times these past few years, there’s a bit of good news: a California appeal court has rejected an employee’s plea for workers’ compensation benefits stemming from stress over the employer’s poor financial situation and downsizing.
Health and Safety: New Alliance To Encourage Safe Forklift Use; A Look At Your Training Responsibilities
Every year, thousands of forklift-related injuries occur in the United States. According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), these injuries are often attributed to a lack of safe operating procedures and safety rule enforcement as well as insufficient training.
Meal And Rest Periods: Employers Settle Lawsuits Claiming Back Overtime For Missed Breaks; Know The Rules–And The Penalties
Do you know when you’re required to provide employees with meal and rest breaks? Are you following the rules? If not, you could be headed toward an expensive legal battle. And a recent spate of wage and hour lawsuits charging employers with violating meal and rest break provisions is focusing attention on these rules.
Religious Accommodation: Court Upholds Discharge Of Employee Who Posted Bible Verses In Response To Diversity Campaign
Many employers try to combat workplace bias with diversity programs that emphasize the company’s commitment to respecting differences, such as sexual orientation. But suppose an employee with strong religious beliefs posts messages offensive to a protected group. What are your obligations—to the employee and co-workers—in this situation? A new case addresses this problem.
Employment Litigation: Court Reverses Big Verdict For Employee, Finds Testimony Of HR Expert On Employer’s Motive For Discharge Went Too Far
Overturning a hefty retaliation verdict, an important California appeal court ruling has put the brakes on testimony from human resource experts that usurp a jury’s role to decide your motives for terminating an employee.
Disability Discrimination: Request For Accommodation Protected Even Though Employee Wasn’t Disabled
Most employers know the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires you to provide a reasonable accommodation for a qualified disabled employee. But did you know that even if an employee doesn’t have an ADA-covered disability, their request for a reasonable accommodation may still be a protected activity?
Wage And Hour: Ninth Circuit Examines When You Have To Pay Workers For Donning And Doffing Protective Gear
Production line employees at the IBP Inc. meat processing plant in Pasco, Washington, are required to be at their workstations as the first piece of meat comes down the line. Before taking their positions, the employees must prepare their work tools and change into protective gear, such as sanitary aprons, metalmesh leggings, Kevlar gloves, and […]
News Notes: HIPAA Rules For Small Health Plans Go Into Effect Soon
In April 2003, comprehensive new privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act went into effect for large group health plans. Now, on April 14, 2004, the rules will also apply to small group health plans—which includes insured plans with total annual premiums of less than $5 million or self-insured plans with total […]
News Notes: Clothing Retailer Settles Wage Claims
Clothing retailer The Wet Seal Inc. has agreed to shell out up to $1.3 million to settle a dispute with as many as 500 California store managers who claimed they were improperly classified as exempt from overtime pay because they performed primarily nonexempt work, such as stocking and helping customers. In a separate development, The […]