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Access to information in labor relations: jurisdiction of arbitrators

By Édith Charbonneau and Antoine Aylwin One of your unionized employees files a complaint for psychological harassment and requests to access your investigation report several years later. When you refuse, the employee turns to the Quebec information and privacy board to get that access. But does the information and privacy board have jurisdiction, or could […]

Arizona Surgery Practice to Pay $100,000 in HIPAA Settlement

A heart surgery group practice agreed to pay $100,000 to settle federal allegations that it chronically neglected standard HIPAA requirements such as risk assessment, training and business associate contracts, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced April 17. This settlement, coming hard on the heels of HHS’ $1.5 million agreement with BlueCross […]

Cultural Considerations for Global Communications

Yesterday we addressed how to write English for a global audience. For example, using simpler sentences (no semicolons!), avoiding contractions, and writing in present tense are all good form. However, there are also cultural issues to recognize when sending communications internationally. Here are a few reminders:

Sexual Harassment: Harassment Escalates into Violence When Employer Delays Responding to Complaint; Would Your Managers Have Taken Action?

Trouble began between Betra Thompson and Tina Sheffield, two clerks for the Los Angeles County Department of Social Services, when Thompson allegedly called Sheffield at home, said she liked her “like a man likes a woman,” and asked for a date. Sheffield said no and hung up. The next day, a Friday, Sheffield told her […]

News Notes: Computer Tampering Lands Employee In Jail

A systems administrator has been ordered to serve one year in jail for destroying computer files worth $237,550 at Digital Link, a Sunnyvale engineering firm. An Chi Tran quit his job after his supervisor gave him a written reprimand. The company then changed its passwords to block his access to its central computer system. But […]

Train Your Supervisors to Be Teambuilders

Workplace teams can do wonders, but only if they’re led by a “resourceful leader.” A new program trains your supervisors to be just that. Recently, Ford Motor Company ended production of the Taurus. Over a 21-year run, some 7 million units were produced. It was a very popular car. But the Taurus will also be […]

EEOC Settlements a Reminder ADA May Require Extended Leave as Accommodation

Two employers entered into settlement agreements with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in February after the federal agency alleged the companies had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Both employers, the commission said, fired employees who were entitled to leave as accommodations for their disabilities. The first involved Doneen King, an employee with the […]

‘Poor’ employer’s termination obligation not reduced

by Hannah Roskey There has been some controversy in Canadian law on the issue of whether the financial circumstances of the employer should play a role in deciding what constitutes reasonable notice of termination or pay in lieu of notice. Since multiple factors go into deciding what’s reasonable in many circumstances, why not this one? […]