Why you need this policy: Although not specifically required by OSHA, Best Practices and unofficial OSHA guidance suggests that employers develop a written program to prevent workplace violence that includes, among other things, a written statement from management expressing the organization’s policy on workplace violence. How this policy helps you: Although it requires … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Workplace violence statement
Risk management
What are the rights of transgender employees?
By Steve M. Cohen bio I'm disappointed, but not surprised by many reactions to Caitlyn (formerly Bruce) Jenner's recent revelation. I am not transgender, but I am concentrating on this population because, along with others, I see the transgender population as representing the next frontier in social justice. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but in the … [Read more...] about What are the rights of transgender employees?
New Orleans jury convicts two doctors, a nurse, and an office manager for roles in $50 million fraud scheme
A jury in New Orleans has convicted four employees of medical service clinics for their roles in a $50 million Medicare fraud scheme. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite of the Eastern District of Louisiana, Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Anderson of the FBI's New Orleans Field … [Read more...] about New Orleans jury convicts two doctors, a nurse, and an office manager for roles in $50 million fraud scheme
Social media sabotage: what managers should know
By Steve M. Cohen bio I've commented previously on social media and how employees, prospective employees and employers should view it with both interest and caution. Anyone involved in hiring should be aware of the social media presence of prospective employees and even current workers. This is especially true on business networking sites such as LinkedIn, but … [Read more...] about Social media sabotage: what managers should know
Compliance and protection top employers’ list of concerns in background screening trends survey
Employers say the single most important employment screening-related challenge they face in 2015 is compliance with ever-changing laws, and the primary reason they conduct background checks is to protect their clients and customers. These are just two of dozens of findings in a recently released report, "Employment Screening 2015: Background Screening Trends & Practices," … [Read more...] about Compliance and protection top employers’ list of concerns in background screening trends survey
Stupidity outside of work
By Steve M. Cohen bio I often end up addressing some of the sadder aspects of human behavior in and around the workplace. I have frequently been called by clients to help deal with issues such as sexual harassment and bullying, an employee who uses the n-word at work and someone who gets so drunk after work that they become incredibly obnoxious in public. … [Read more...] about Stupidity outside of work
Clichés aside, don’t cross ethical lines
By Steve M. Cohen bio Many of our most difficult decisions come down to ethics, and some of the most difficult ethical decisions are doubly difficult because they seem so ordinary. But no matter the external trappings, you should always use caution with ethical packages because they usually contain serious potential. One of my clients experienced a classic … [Read more...] about Clichés aside, don’t cross ethical lines
10 tips to manage employee leave
The environment for leave management has become increasingly complex. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and employee awareness of rights under these laws and others have made managing leave while remaining in legal and regulatory compliance more difficult than even. Terri Rhodes, executive director of the Disability Management … [Read more...] about 10 tips to manage employee leave
8 pitfalls of letting employees work from home
Contrary to what you might have heard in HR circles, refusing to let employees work from home will not make your medical office a dinosaur that nobody will ever want to work for. In fact, it will put you in the same position as the nearly 65 percent of employers that don’t allow telecommuting. But telecommuting does offer significant business advantages. And to the extent … [Read more...] about 8 pitfalls of letting employees work from home
Mundane issues can break your organization
By Steve M. Cohen bio After more than 35 years in what I call "mess management," I've learned that human resources is often a major headache for managers, and sometimes an organization-killing disaster. Employee management can be extremely rewarding. A well-run organization with management and staff invested in their jobs is more than a way to make money—it's a … [Read more...] about Mundane issues can break your organization