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Mental disorders: How will DSM-5 affect California employers?

By Chris Ceplenski Feb 26, 2014 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: May 18, 2015

What is DSM-5? It is the new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, released by the American Psychiatric Association on May 18, 2013. This is the first substantial update to the DSM since 1994, and it reorganizes the classification system and changes the names of some disorders to simplify diagnostics for practitioners. The DSM is primarily used by psychiatrists and other mental health professionals in diagnosing patients, but its influence extends to the courts and the development of employment law.

5 Ways to Protect Trade Secrets During, After Pandemic

By Christopher Cole, Attorney, Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green Apr 6, 2021 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Apr 6, 2021

As we hopefully head toward widespread COVID-19 vaccinations and back to some sort of new normal, employers should remember business information is often valuable because it’s secret, and it’s secret and protectable only when you use reasonable efforts to preserve its confidentiality. Almost every business relies on trade secrets that, if properly preserved, can be […]

Top 5 Employee Recognition Myths

By Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR Nov 3, 2009 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Nov 3, 2009

The biggest obstacle to building an effective employee recognition strategy is false assumptions, says Mike Byam, managing partner of the Terryberry Company, an employee recognition firm. His five myths appear in his new book, The WOW! Workplace. Myth #1. "They’ll Think I’m a Softie’ Byam’s first myth is that if you go out of your […]

There’s No Accounting for Termination Based on Cable Complaint

By Melissa Morse Oct 20, 2014 HR Strange But True

Updated: Sep 20, 2017

Cable companies sometimes get a bad rap. They make you sit at home, all day, waiting for them to come fix your connections. They charge you outrageous prices for things you can watch on Hulu the next day for just $8. And, they can call your boss and tell him you complained about their service, […]

A Shorter Commute Can Be Very Accommodating under the ADA, 2nd Circuit Says

By Kathryn McGovern Sep 23, 2011 Benefits and Compensation

Updated: Sep 23, 2011

Perhaps employers have been mistaken in assuming they never have to worry about a worker’s commute when accommodating a sickness or disability. In certain circumstances, an employer may be required to assist with an employee’s commute, the 2nd Circuit says in a recent opinion (Nixon-Tinkelman v. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene). […]

No Deal: Let Candidates ‘Sell Themselves' on an Offer

By Melissa Blazejak, Editor Jan 29, 2019 Benefits and Compensation

Updated: Jan 29, 2019

Imagine this: You’ve found your purple squirrel! She has all the right skills, answered the interview questions exactly how you wanted, and would be the last part of the puzzle to make your team whole. You extend an offer of employment … and she declines.

The Checklist Manifesto

By Dan Oswald Jan 31, 2011 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Jan 31, 2011

I had been thinking recently about the importance of a good “to do” list, so when I stumbled upon the Atul Gawande’s book The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right. I decided it was fate and bought a copy. Now I must admit, I had not heard anything about the book despite the fact […]

New NLRB General Counsel Identifies Possible Changes

By by Ryan J. Funk, Matthew A. Fontana, and Carita Austin, Faegre Drinker Sep 29, 2021 HR Management & Compliance

Updated: Sep 29, 2021

Those of you who have watched the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)—the nation’s primary enforcer of labor law—over the years no doubt expect it to reshuffle its priorities when the White House changes parties. The Board swore in Jennifer Abruzzo as its new general counsel (GC) on July 22, 2021, and three weeks later, she […]

Supporting Employees Through Infertility and Pregnancy Loss with Family-Forming Benefits

By David Adamson, MD, Founder and CEO ARC Fertility Feb 11, 2025 Benefits and Compensation

Updated: Feb 11, 2025

The period following the holidays and the start of a new year can be a time of reflection and planning. For individuals coping with infertility or pregnancy loss, it can also bring emotional challenges. Family-centered festivities from the holidays and conversations about children may linger, amplifying feelings of grief, isolation and frustration. These challenges, coupled […]