Month: March 2014

WA County Will Pay $215,000 to Quell HIPAA Allegations

A county government in Washington state agreed to pay $215,000 in a settlement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, after its report of a minor breach led to an HHS investigation that found “general and widespread noncompliance” with HIPAA privacy and security rules. The incident originally reported by Skagit County, Wash., in […]

Firing of Formerly Drug-addicted Pharmacist Okay Under ADA

Wal-Mart has successfully defended a putative class action alleging that its failure to employ former drug addicts as pharmacists violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. The retailer was able to show that the lead plaintiff was fired because he was previously charged with forging prescriptions — not because of his history of addiction. The suit […]

Partner or Police: How Is your HR Department Perceived?

Human Resources is as complex as the customers it serves. But, when HR Practitioners lose perspective on where their allegiance should reside, it sacrifices the integrity of the profession and potentially alienates customers. This article will provide tips and suggestions on how HR can gain and maintain trust to gain the ultimate reward of that valued “Seat at the Table.”

FLSA Failures: Youth, Records, Interns, and Deductions

Yesterday’s Advisor covered the first five sins of wage and hour; today, more sins, plus we offer a free white paper that shows you how to focus your compliance training for maximum effect. [Go here for sins 1 to 5] Sin #6. Inappropriate deductions Just because you’re a manager, it doesn’t mean you can come […]

Do You Train Supervisors to, Well, Supervise?

“Sure, you’ve got handbooks, but you need to train your supervisors on the material provisions of your policies and rules, says Attorney Mark Schickman. And they need to understand that policies must be fairly and consistently applied.” While you are at it, Schickman adds, make sure that your practices match your policies. Schickman is a […]

Wage and Hour Simple? The 10 Sins

Sin #1. Failure to pay the minimum wage We’ll pay you $5 an hour until you learn the ropes; then you move up to $7 an hour. Virtually all employees are entitled to receive at least the minimum wage (the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour; many states have higher minimum wages) for all […]

Obama pushing to make more workers eligible for overtime

The latest development in President Barack Obama’s continuing effort to boost pay for low-wage workers is coming in the form of a plan to increase the number of workers who  are eligible for overtime pay. A March 11 report on The New York Times website says Obama will direct the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) […]