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Database hazards: What’s safe when conducting background checks?

No one wants to get burned by hiring a bad apple, so it’s common for employers to conduct background checks to lessen the chance of bringing a dishonest employee into the workplace. But as hazardous as it is to have shady employees, it also can be dangerous to step out of line when checking people […]

Plaintiff’s Attorney Fined for Withholding Evidence in ADA Suit

An employee’s attorney must pay $5,000 for omitting important information in an Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled. In Kempter v. Michigan Bell Telephone Co. , No. 13-1036 (6th Cir. Aug. 26, 2013), the plaintiff’s attorney failed to mention that that his client, Cathie Kempter, had been permanently restricted […]

DOMA is unconstitutional, but many questions left unanswered

Over the summer, the Supreme Court decided in the landmark case of United States vs. Windsor that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, which now paves the way for same-sex couples to potentially enjoy many federal benefits that they weren't entitled to before. Let's take a closer look at DOMA, what the ruling did, and what questions remain.

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Appeals Court Case Discusses Role of Job Description in ADA Claims

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990 to prevent discrimination against employees based on disabilities. This does not mean that employers violate the ADA if they terminate or refuse to hire employees with disabilities. Rather, the law provides an exception if the employee is unable to perform the essential functions of the job without […]

No HIPAA Exception for Cybersecurity Information Sharing, HHS Warns

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA’s) privacy rule does not exempt the sharing of information on cyber threat indicators, so HIPAA-covered entities and their business associates may not share protected health information (PHI) for this purpose unless HIPAA otherwise allows it, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) warned recently.

Study: Among European Nations, Britain Prioritizes Training the Most

A major survey of private-sector companies in Europe has revealed that British managers are the most ambitious when it comes to training their workforces. The study was conducted by the Cegos Group, a worldwide leader in training and development whose “blended learning” approach aims to provide the best learner experience by combining multiple learning formats […]

Judge strikes down Alabama workers’ comp law

by Al Vreeland In a potentially monumental decision, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Pat Ballard struck down the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act as unconstitutional on May 8. Specifically, Judge Ballard held that 1989 limits on compensation payments to injured workers and fees for their attorneys were so low that they violated the Alabama Constitution. Currently, compensation […]