Some businesses are unsure how to handle privacy compliance in regards to HIPAA regulations. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 has created more work for businesses in that they have to spend endless hours researching … [Read more...] about Privacy Compliance – Disclosing Health Information Has its Consequences
ERISA 401(k) Violations Can Include Both Civil and Criminal Penalties
According to the US Department of Labor, The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) is a federal law that sets minimum standards for retirement and health benefit plans in the private industry. ERISA requires that those who establish … [Read more...] about ERISA 401(k) Violations Can Include Both Civil and Criminal Penalties
Age Discrimination Lawsuits Carry Great Financial Penalties
Image via Wikipedia The Supreme Court's ruling in Smith v. City of Jackson, Mississippi, has upheld the notion that persons who sue for age discrimination do not need to prove that an employer intentionally discriminated based on age. Instead, a … [Read more...] about Age Discrimination Lawsuits Carry Great Financial Penalties
Sexual Harassment Suits – Not Just Limited to Big Business
The liabilities of a sexual harassment suit are not just limited to big business. Employers of 15-100 employees can be liable for up to $50,000 in compensatory and punitive damages, and management personnel can also be sued personally for sexual … [Read more...] about Sexual Harassment Suits – Not Just Limited to Big Business
New Justice Department Guidelines – Discrimination during Employment Verification
All employers are required to make certain that their workers are authorized to work in the United States. The Justice Department has recently issued guidelines to make certain that employers are not using the verification process to discriminate … [Read more...] about New Justice Department Guidelines – Discrimination during Employment Verification
I-9 Violations Bring Stiff Penalties
Employers can face stiff penalties for I-9 violations which include substantial fines and also debarment from government contracts. Penalties can be imposed for hiring unauthorized workers as well as simply for committing paperwork violations even if … [Read more...] about I-9 Violations Bring Stiff Penalties
Avoiding Layoffs in a Down Economy
Everyone is feeling the pain of the poor economy, particularly small businesses. Keeping your valued employees is especially critical at this time. You can't afford to alienate your customers by eliminating employees and diminishing customer service. … [Read more...] about Avoiding Layoffs in a Down Economy
First Line Supervisors – the “Achilles’ heel” in Discrimination Cases
Having the correct human resources policies and procedures in place is not sufficient to prevent findings of unlawful discrimination if your supervisors are not properly trained. Often someone is promoted into supervision without any experience … [Read more...] about First Line Supervisors – the “Achilles’ heel” in Discrimination Cases
Update to Is Your Worker Really an Independent Contractor.
One of our readers pointed out that the IRS recently updated its test for determining whether or not an employee is an independent contractor. The following information was copied from their … [Read more...] about Update to Is Your Worker Really an Independent Contractor.
Is your worker really an independent contractor
Employers who call their workers "independent contractors" merely to avoid unemployment, workers compensation insurance, and federal and state tax withholding etc. are headed for serious trouble with the Department of Labor (DOL) and/or the Internal … [Read more...] about Is your worker really an independent contractor