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Illinois same-sex marriage law will spawn employment issues

by Steven L. Brenneman On November 5, both houses of the Illinois General Assembly passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriages. Governor Pat Quinn is expected to sign the bill into law. If he does, it will take effect in June 2014. The new law will affect Illinois employers in several ways. Regarding employee benefits, employers […]

The Critical Step Harried Hiring Managers Leave Out

“I need this job filled, and I want it posted today!” No surprise that managers who are short an employee want a new hire instantly, but that’s a dangerous approach. Slow down, step back, and figure out what you are looking for. In their eagerness to start interviewing, many managers launch their search before they […]

Bulletin: NIOSH Produces Free Workplace Violence DVD for Employers

The National Institute for Ocupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has produced a new training tool about preventing workplace violence. “Violence on the Job” is a 27-minute video (in two separate programs) that discusses practical measures for identifying risk factors for violence at work, and it offers recommendations and resources to help keep workers safe. The […]

CareFirst Is Latest Insurer to Suffer Major Cyberattack

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield has become the latest major health insurer to acknowledge having suffered a large-scale cyberattack on its member data. Information on about 1.1 million individuals was affected by the breach, which CareFirst discovered during an information technology security review conducted in the wake of the attacks on Anthem and Premera. In June 2014, […]

5 'Don'ts' When Using Recruiters to Scout Top Talent

In yesterday’s post, we uncovered the three “do’s” when using a recruiter to find top talent. Today we’ll focus on a few things you’ll want to avoid when using recruiters to scout top talent for your organization.

Workplace Safety: Suspect Arrested For Impersonating Cal/OSHA Inspector

A sting operation resulted in the arrest of a paroled felon for impersonating a Cal/OSHA inspector and victimizing employers in the Los Angeles County area. Mark Dwayne Jackson allegedly threatened to impose severe fines for non-existent safety violations unless the business owners agreed to a cash settlement. The suspect was arrested after accepting marked money […]

House Nod on Repealing OTC Rules, Easing ‘Use-it-or-Lose-it’

The rules on how expenditures for over-the-counter drugs are reimbursed and governing health flexible spending account balances still unused at the end of the year could change if a bill the House passed on June 7 is enacted. In a 270-146 vote, the House approved H.R. 436, the Health Care Cost Reduction Act of 2012. […]

Keeping Older Workers Engaged

The logic of engagement is simple for HR managers and recruiters: If you keep employees engaged, you don’t have to fill as many vacancies. Engagement isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for the various generations in your workforce. Today we’ll focus on how to keep your older workers from wandering off due to lack of engagement.

Was Nurse Immunized from Discipline by Taking FMLA?

By David M. Stevens, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston Employers frequently experience heartburn when employees who have recently taken leave protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) engage in conduct that warrants discipline or even termination. You are rightly concerned about the possibility that an employee in that situation may allege retaliation if you […]