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| Patients' advocates say some
companies, squeezed by rising insurance costs, are finding reasons to fire workers with long-term
illnesses. Statistics aren't available on how often this happens, but increasingly, health-care
costs are driving a "wedge" between employers and their employees, said Jerry Flanagan with Consumer
Watchdog, a California-based advocacy group. |
| (Source: Orlando Sentinel,
2008-07-19) |
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| A growing number of employers
are adding a controversial element to their job applications: a waiver in tiny print that says
employees can sue the company only within six months of a particular incident. That waives their
rights to any contrary statute of limitations provided under state and federal laws, a tactic that
is stirring yet more workplace controversy and litigation. |
| (Source: law.com, 2008-07-21) |
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| With commodity, fuel and
insurance costs hitting record highs, small-business owners are anxious about the federal minimum
wage hike, which will require employers in 26 states and the District of Columbia to raise their
base to at least $6.55. |
| (Source: CNNMoney.com, 2008-07-18) |
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| Americans are raiding their
already fragile retirement piggy banks to weather financial hardships such as unemployment, medical
emergencies and buying a home. A study by the Center for American Progress found workers in 2004 had
$31 billion in outstanding 401(k) loans, a fivefold increase from $6 billion in 1989. Between 1998
and 2004, an average of 12 percent of families with 401(k) plans borrowed from them. |
| (Source: ABC News, 2008-07-16) |
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| Senate lawmakers are concerned
that the House-approved ADA Amendments Act is too ambiguous and that certain terms should be
clarified to ensure congressional intent. Senate-sponsor Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, specifically said he
was concerned about the use of the words "materially restricts" in the definition of disability
during a recent hearing on the legislation. |
| (Source: Human Resource Executive Online,
2008-07-21) |
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| Social networking sites are
banned by nearly a quarter of all companies, many of which see them as a drain on productivity and a
haven for idleness, according to a new survey. |
| (Source: Pacific Business News,
2008-07-17) |
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| Computer maker Dell is now
facing a class action lawsuit that alleges the company underpaid 5,000 call center employees. The
lawsuit was filed in February 2007 by two employees claiming they were not properly paid for
overtime, training, or work preparation time. |
| (Source: CNET News.com, 2008-07-16) |
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| A regulation that the Labor
Department plans to propose would require employers to disclose more information -- and in a clearer
format -- to workers about fees and investments in 401(k) plans, now the main retirement-savings
vehicle for millions of Americans. The regulation covers 65 million participants in 437,000 401(k)
and similar plans. |
| (Source: USA Today (free reg. req'd),
2008-07-22) |
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| A three-year-old enforcement
campaign against employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants is increasingly resulting in
arrests and criminal convictions, using evidence gathered by phone taps, undercover agents and
prisoners who agree to serve as government witnesses. But the crackdown's relatively high costs and
limited results are also fueling criticism. |
| (Source: The Washington Post (free reg. req'd),
2008-07-21) |
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| As travel costs rise and
airlines cut service, companies large and small are rethinking the face-to-face meeting -- and
business travel as well. At the same time, the technology has matured to the point where it is often
practical, affordable and more productive to move digital bits instead of bodies. |
| (Source: The New York Times (free reg. req'd),
2008-07-22) |
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| Michael
Dalrymple |
English-only rules in the workplace are a growing trend. Although there may be various
legitimate business needs for such rules, companies interested in implementing an English-only rule
must be cautious of the legal issues involved. If they are not written and enforced
reasonably, English-only rules could lead to claims of national origin discrimination, resulting in
damages to the company along with other intangible losses.
Read the entire article on English-only
rules in the workplace.
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Avoid Lifting Injuries
Put material that can be manually handled in small containers and material that should be
mechanically handled in very large containers, so that employees have no confusion about the
two. Train your employees to use mechanical lifts and don't tolerate shortcuts.
Please contact Kathleen Shortridge or Ann
Stewart if you have questions on this topic or any other worker's comp issue.
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