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When is Cancer a Disability?

Is cancer considered to be a disability when it comes to ADA protections? The short answer is yes. The longer answer will depend on the specific circumstances of the employee. So, when is cancer a disability? It will be when: Cancer or its side effects substantially limits one or more of a person’s major life […]

Are You on Track with GHS Training?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has given businesses the following timetable for complying with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). May 25, 2012 to November 30, 2013 All employers that use, handle, and store chemicals must train employees how to read and interpret chemical labels and (material) safety […]

Walgreens to provide employees with healthcare subsidy while ACA public exchange deadline looms

Walgreens has announced it will provide eligible employees with employer-sponsored health insurance coverage in 2014 through its proprietary “Live Well Benefits Store,” a marketplace that is an outsourced solution through Aon Hewitt Corporate Health Exchange. The new program allows Walgreens to continue offering health insurance and wellness benefits to its employees as the plan administrator […]

Medical Certs and the FMLA: No One’s Happy

Under FMLA regulations, an employer may utilize DOL certification forms designed for this purpose (and why not use them, since you aren’t permitted to ask for any information not on those forms anyway?): Certification of Health Care Provider for Employee’s Serious Condition (WH-380-E) Certification of Health Care Provider for Family Member’s Serious Health Condition (WH-380-F) […]

Employee handbooks: Are they really necessary?

by Ann Kontner Even though it isn’t a state or federal law requirement, many employers have an employee handbook or at least a few written company policies. Exactly where do those policies come from? The answer to that question is easy—the HR department. But where does HR get the policies that govern the company? The […]

Alert: CA minimum wage expected to increase

Last week, the California legislature passed a bill (AB 10) that will increase the minimum wage in California to $9.00 per hour effective July 1, 2014, and to $10.00 per hour effective January 1, 2016. Before the bill was passed, Governor Jerry Brown had indicated that he would sign it. The minimum wage in California is currently $8.00 per hour.

Train Leaders to Avoid These ‘Enemies of Success’

Diane Egbers, president of Leadership Excelleration, Inc., (LEI Consulting) (www.lei-consulting.com), warns that “it’s often what leaders don’t know that can harm them.” In The Ascending Leader: Conquer the Seven Enemies of Success—A Strategic Guide for the Newly Promoted, Egbers and coauthor Karen Schenck outline seven common failures of newly promoted leaders, as well as strategies […]

Cancer as a Disability: The Interactive Process to Accommodation

“One of the key factors of the ADA is not only the non-discrimination component, but the requirement that an employer reasonably accommodate the individual with a disability – in this case, someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.” Jonathan R. Mook explained in a recent BLR webinar. The duty to accommodate is a very broad […]

EBSA Reform Compliance Webcast Focuses on 2015 Employer Rules

In spite of the suspension of employer penalties under health care reform, the government strongly encourages employers to:  (1) maintain or expand coverage; and (2) report on minimum affordable coverage under Section 6055 and/or 6056 rules. It’s important for employers to get experience gathering data and setting up systems for that reporting, Rachel Levy, an […]

How Do You Rate on the 9 Essential Skills of HR Managers?

Yesterday’s Advisor introduced the first 5 of our “9 Essential Skills of HR Managers”; today, the rest of the skills, plus an introduction to the all-things-HR-in-one-place website, HR.BLR.com. [Go here for skills 1 to 5] HR Manager’s Key Skill #6—Discrete and Ethical HR professionals are the conscience of the company, as well as the keepers […]