Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
by Dan Oswald If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’ve undoubtedly heard about what is now being called “Bridgegate.” (I, for one, am tired of “gate” getting added to every controversy and scandal, but I’ll leave that rant for another day.) It seems that one of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s top aides, […]
By Celine Vignal, cofounder of Zenytime Over the last decade, employee health has been a major focus for HR professionals, with initiatives like nurse hotlines, weight loss programs, and on-site vaccinations becoming the norm. While wellness benefits have been on the rise, the types of benefits have clearly shifted to become more inclusive and less […]
By BLR Legal Editor Jennifer Carsen, JD As a part of its continued efforts to assess compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has begun a round of audits of covered entities and their business […]
You know that personal problems can have an adverse effect on employee performance. And one of the biggest personal problems is often finances–a burden which can sometimes come into stark focus at this time of year when holiday spending binges may occur. But even ongoing financial responsibilities can sometimes get out of hand–sometimes through no […]
Medical marijuana laws at the state level create a bit of a conundrum for employers. How can an employer enforce a drug and alcohol policy when there is a drug on the market that is legally prescribed for medicinal use in their state but still illegal for any use at the federal level? Can employers […]
Basic FMLA/CFRA compliance is hassle enough, but employees keep finding new ways to make it just a little bit harder. Today, answers to tricky “during leave” issues…because “out of sight” is not “out of mind.”
For some people, summer evokes thoughts of sunshine and long walks on the beach with sand under their bare feet (sounds like the setting of a Nicholas Sparks novel … or so I’m told). For me, I think of baseball. As an annual subscriber to MLB Extra Innings, I think of the plethora of games […]
In February, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a long-awaited proposal to update and retool Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations. The lengthy proposal covers notice requirements, medical certifications, eligibility, the definition of “continuing treatment” for a serious health condition, fitness for duty, and more. The changes are generally welcome news for employers.
by Matthew H. Parker A series of amendments to Rhode Island law and the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 26 decision in United States v. Windsor have changed how most Rhode Island employers must treat same-sex married couples. Under the amendments, which go into effect on August 1, anyone who is eligible to marry in Rhode […]
by Megan Rolland It may be convenient and easy to use, but you cannot find the answer to everything on the Internet. As one Canadian employer recently learned, Google research on a medical condition is not a proper substitute for individualized accommodation.