As a medical office manager, ensuring that your practice is accessible to all patients, regardless of their physical abilities, language skills, or other needs, is not only a legal requirement but also a moral and ethical responsibility. Accessibility means creating an environment where every patient feels welcome and can easily navigate your office, receive the care they need, … [Read more...] about Ensuring Accessibility for All at Your Medical Office
ADA
What does the Americans with Disabilities Act require of your medical office?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires medical offices to make reasonable modifications to their policies, practices, and procedures to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue burden or fundamentally alter the nature of the services provided. This includes ensuring that the facility is physically accessible to … [Read more...] about What does the Americans with Disabilities Act require of your medical office?
Civility & conduct rules, marijuana, and website access & ADA on the HR radar
By Mike O'Brien Get ready to take a new look at your employee handbook. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is widely expected to issue a decision soon that will mean increased scrutiny of common types of workplace rules, including civility and conduct rules. In a case pending before the Board, its General Counsel submitted a brief last month urging a return to an … [Read more...] about Civility & conduct rules, marijuana, and website access & ADA on the HR radar
“Long COVID” looms ahead as leading ADA claim?
By Mike O’Brien Legal commentators are already predicting that the condition now known as “long COVID” may displace back conditions as the leading impairment asserted in charges brought under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). CNN recently reported, “A large study has revealed that one in three Covid-19 survivors have suffered symptoms three to six months after … [Read more...] about “Long COVID” looms ahead as leading ADA claim?
Disability discrimination and lookism in the workplace
By Mike O’Brien EEOC sues a work placement agency on behalf of disabled workers for disability discrimination The EEOC announced this week that it has filed suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) against a Hawaii work placement agency for disabled workers. The suit alleges that the agency refused to provide sign language interpreters for deaf employees, despite … [Read more...] about Disability discrimination and lookism in the workplace
Trap to avoid: Asking employees about their latex allergies
"Are you allergic to latex?" It seems like a perfectly legitimate thing to ask, especially to an employee who's expected to wear latex gloves on the job. The problem is that asking the question may expose you to risk of liability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Risk The ADA bans employers from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. EEOC … [Read more...] about Trap to avoid: Asking employees about their latex allergies
How to create a good mental health work environment for employees
Most people are aware that employees with a physical illness or disability are entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). But it's not as commonly known that those with mental disabilities are also covered by the ADA and FMLA, according to a new XpertHR report on mental health … [Read more...] about How to create a good mental health work environment for employees
Can you require your medical office workers to get a flu shot?
Vaccination is the most effective defense against flu viruses. So it behooves you to ensure that your medical office workers get flu shots every year at the start of every flu season. But what if your staff members neglect or just plain refuse to be vaccinated? Can you require them to get a flu shot? Bottom Line: Yes, a mandatory flu vaccination policy is legally justifiable … [Read more...] about Can you require your medical office workers to get a flu shot?
When an opioid crisis hits your medical practice
By Lynne Curry bio The first time you saw "Bill" appear to nod off during a staff meeting, you pulled him aside after the meeting. When you asked if he was okay, he said he was. You gave him the benefit of the doubt because he'd worked for you for three years and been a good employee. You knew he'd recently gone through a divorce and thought maybe he'd had a hard … [Read more...] about When an opioid crisis hits your medical practice
Here’s my latest Employment Law update prepared for many HR professionals
By Mike O'Brien bio Lots of ADA Facility Lawsuits in Utah: Here is an interesting legal news update from my partner Mike Judd: Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires places of "public accommodation" to remove all architectural and structural "barriers to access." Under the ADA, "public accommodations" include hotels, restaurants, theaters, … [Read more...] about Here’s my latest Employment Law update prepared for many HR professionals