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Was It OK to Insist that Employee Receive Alcohol Treatment?

This content was originally published in April 2009. For the latest FMLA regulation changes, visit our FMLA article archives or try our practical FMLA compliance guide. If an employer requires an employee to complete an inpatient alcohol treatment as a condition of keeping his job, does it regard him as an alcoholic? What happened. “Clark” […]

Will the iPhone™ Add to Workplace Tech Woes?

Yes, the new Apple® wonder will do everything but stand on its head. But will it answer any of these tech-based workplace challenges? If not, what is the solution? Earlier this summer, after a massive publicity buildup, Apple (no longer Apple Computer, if you please) introduced the iPhone. This handy new device brought new talents […]

Getting a handle on emotional intelligence can smooth the way for a diverse workplace

by Tammy Binford Proponents of a diverse workforce understand that an employee group made up of all ages, races, and cultural backgrounds has a lot to offer. In spite of the advantages of diversity, though, employees’ differences can lead to a lack of understanding that holds everybody back. But is there a secret to capitalizing […]

Stepping Up Security with Panic Buttons

Wisconsin lawmakers and others working in the state capitol in Madison now have access to panic buttons. The devices have been installed underneath the desks of legislators, aides, and other officials. Reportedly, the buttons were introduced with the arrival of a new capitol police chief who has also increased the numbers of citations and arrests […]

Private Sector Criticizes DOL Proposal to Let States Run Retirement Plans

The U.S. Department of Labor laid the groundwork for states to run ERISA-covered auto-enrollment individual retirement accounts and multi-employer retirement plans for people without workplace savings options, issuing proposed rules and an interpretive bulletin for that purpose. The so-called open MEPs give employers that don’t want to offer their own 401(k) plan a way to join with other companies […]

Security Among Questions Dogging Exchange Rollout

New concerns about data security on the health care reform exchanges are being raised by Republican lawmakers, who cite an internal agency memorandum that warned of inadequate testing on the eve of the exchanges’ Oct. 1 rollout. The security control assessment required by the Federal Information Security Management Act “was only partially completed” because the […]

Arizona Medical Marijuana Vote Too Close to Call

By Dinita L. James As of Thursday morning, the outcome of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act remains too close to call. The no votes on Proposition 203 outnumbered the yes votes at one point late this morning by a slim 6,700-vote margin, with three precinct results incomplete and an unknown number of early voting ballots […]

‘Hi, I Need Copies of All Your Files’: Taming Discovery in the Age of the E-File

“Hi, I just need to see every electronic file and e-mail relating to Steve Smith and his employees, colleagues, bosses, and customers from the last year, please.” Arrrgh! Discovery should be easy in an age of electronic wizardry, but it’s a nightmare. If your company is sued over an employment (or any legal) matter, the […]