By Mike O’Brien Is it a problem for a medical office suddenly to have an unplanned, unexpected, and perhaps undesired branch office when an employee moves to another state? Yes! The United States has a national government, state governments, and local governments. They each have powers over employers and make laws that typically apply to and protect people subject to the … [Read more...] about 6 things to do when remote workers want to move to another state
telework
Model Code of Conduct for Virtual Meetings
Far from eliminating workplace harassment, telecommuting has only caused it to morph into digital forms. As a result, medical offices and other employers need to tweak their harassment policies to deal with the new face of harassment. The virtual meeting, in particular, has become the digital age version of the holiday office party where employees feel emboldened to do and say … [Read more...] about Model Code of Conduct for Virtual Meetings
Making hybrid work: Charting a new playbook for a future-ready workplace
By Lynne Curry Employers thought employees would want to come back to their offices, where they had easy access to equipment, coworkers, and managers. They were wrong. COVID-19 untethered us from our traditional workplaces and many employees don’t want to return. Employees enjoyed the flexibility and freedom, sometimes from micro-managing supervisors, they had when working … [Read more...] about Making hybrid work: Charting a new playbook for a future-ready workplace
Watch for vaccine mandate and outcome of remote work lawsuit
By Mike O’Brien Watching for OSHA’s new vaccine mandate rule President Joe Biden has instructed the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop an emergency rule that will require private-sector employers with 100 or more employees to mandate that their employees be vaccinated or receive a weekly negative COVID-19 test. … [Read more...] about Watch for vaccine mandate and outcome of remote work lawsuit
Beware of privacy pitfalls when remotely monitoring telecommuters
Before the pandemic, most US employees worked primarily from an external workplace; today far fewer do. While employers continue to try coaxing employees back to the workplace, it's an uphill battle, with many remote workers preferring to spend at least some of their working hours at home. In short, as with other employers, medical offices need to adjust to the realities of … [Read more...] about Beware of privacy pitfalls when remotely monitoring telecommuters
Model Medical Office Employee Remote Monitoring of Telecommuters Policy
Letting employees telecommute poses significant operational and management challenges to employers, not the least of which is ensuring that employees are actually doing their jobs and meeting expected productivity standards when working from home. Software, apps and other monitoring technology can go a long way in meeting this goal; but it can also get you into hot water under … [Read more...] about Model Medical Office Employee Remote Monitoring of Telecommuters Policy
1 in 3 remote workers may quit if required to return to the office full time
More employers are calling workers back to the office, but will they readily return? A new study by a global staffing firm shows that about one in three professionals (33 per cent) currently working from home due to the pandemic would look for a new job if required to be in the office full time. What workers want More than half of all employees surveyed (51 per cent) said … [Read more...] about 1 in 3 remote workers may quit if required to return to the office full time
Are employers responsible/liable for an employee’s home ergonomics, safety and expenses?
By Lynne Curry bio Question: The work from home shift that started with COVID-19 continues as many employees and their employers find the arrangement works well. What is the employer’s responsibility/liability for workplace ergonomics and safety when the home becomes the workplace? Does the employer need to compensate the employer for expenses in upgrading Wifi and getting a … [Read more...] about Are employers responsible/liable for an employee’s home ergonomics, safety and expenses?
Before you let your employees work remote
By Paul Edwards bio In light of growing concerns surrounding coronavirus, many businesses are wondering if they will be faced with a decision to send employees home and/or close their doors for a period of time. One popular idea to address these concerns is to offer remote work (or ‘telework’) options. If you don’t regularly have remote workers, this may not be something … [Read more...] about Before you let your employees work remote