Posting Labor Law Posters in Other Languages

Mike ScheererHuman Resources, Uncategorized

Many employers wonder if they need to provide all (or even any) of their postings in languages other than English. The simple answer is: it depends on the State or issuing agency, and even on the specific posting. It’s important to distinguish between: Statutory requirements that a Spanish-language poster be posted; versus Mandatory posters issued in a multilingual format at the discretion of an issuing agency. To give an example of how vague posting requirements can be in regard to languages other than English, we need not look any further than the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (subpart C, § 825.300): (c) Where an employer’s workforce is comprised of a significant portion of workers who are not literate …

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Sherri HebdaHuman Resources, News

For people with bipolar disorder, mental illness feels like a balancing act. In order to stay healthy, people with this disorder need to take their meds, get enough sleep, and stay attuned to their mood. They are always aware of the potential for their symptoms of mania and depression to recur, and must be prepared to manage them. This illness and other mental health illnesses could very well affect your current employees without you being aware of it, especially depending on the level of severity. A healthy workplace environment is paramount for these employees to manage symptoms at work and it involves many of the same supports that your employees appreciate, such as: access to employee assistance programs (EAPs), health …

Recruitment: How Do I Find the Right People?

Sherri HebdaHuman Resources

The following article by Lori Kleiman appears on the website HR Topics*. Recruitment of top talent is an important issue for small business owners as it’s critical to the success of any operation. The full process of recruiting is time consuming and can be fraught with errors. Organizations that do not possess a full-time HR resource find that the time required to identify and engage a new team member can be overwhelming. When there is a single team member responsible for the HR function, recruiting can become a priority leaving other business critical activities to fall to the side. Juggling phone screens, interviews and reference checks can take time away from other critical HR functions. Regardless of who is responsible, …

When Do Related Companies Get Combined for Purposes of FMLA?

Bob WerkheiserHuman Resources

Consider this example: Company A has 30 employees in Lancaster and Company B has 30 employees in Bethlehem. Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) analysis is easy, right? Neither company has 50 employees, and, therefore, neither is covered under FMLA. Not so fast! Related corporations may have their employee counts aggregated for purposes of determining whether they have 50 or more employees under the FMLA through the “single integrated employer” test. The FMLA requires an employer to comply with its regulations if it employs 50 or more workers within a 75-mile radius. Under the single integrated employer test, Company A and Company B may be regarded as a single employer for FMLA coverage (and have their employee counts aggregated) depending on …

Workplace Violence

Angela MackleyHuman Resources, Risk Management

Workplace violence has emerged as an important workplace safety and health issue. It is defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site”. Although there is not a single risk factor that can predict when a workplace violence situation may arise, companies need to be aware of behaviors and job tasks that may increase employee exposure. When it comes to employee behavior, managers need to be on the lookout for tell-tale signs that a staff member might go down a darker path. Some examples of these behaviors include becoming increasingly belligerent, threatening colleagues, displaying outbursts of anger, and being …

As Opioid Epidemic Rages, Worksite Policies Overlook Prescribed Drugs

Matt OlphinHealth Benefits, Human Resources, Large Group Benefits (100+), Risk Management, Small Group Benefits (2-50)

Opioid use in our communities, is an issue that is exploding at an exponential level.  As opioid abuse becomes more prevalent, it’s presence in the workplace is an increasing concern for all employers.  As stated below, most employers want to be part of the solution, meaning that they want to help employees return to work at the appropriate time in their recovery process.  Having the appropriate policies in place is critical to the success of that effort.  Please contact us if you would like assistance modifying your existing drug and alcohol policy, or creating a new policy to deal with these issues. Questions? Contact Matt Pfeiffenberger, Vice President, Health Benefits Solutions, or Matt Olphin, CPCU, CSP, ARM, Vice President, Risk Control …

More Employers Turn to Outsourcing for Leave Management

Tom HenschkeHealth Benefits Administration, Human Resources

The Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act have been around for decades, but today’s employers continue to struggle with managing employee leave. That’s why, in response to overlapping state and federal laws and expanded mandates for disability leave coverage, more employers are outsourcing their paid leave plans by a rate of double digits in the last two years according to the Website “ebn”. This was the finding of the 2016 DMEC Employer Leave Management Survey, a study of more than 1,100 employers of various-sized American businesses. The study was sponsored by the Disability Management Employer Coalition, and was conducted by Spring Consulting Group. Read the full article >>> For more information, contact Tom Henschke, Assistant Vice …

Why HR Managers Should Review Their HIPAA Procedures

Matt PfeiffenbergerHealth Benefits, Human Resources, Large Group Benefits (100+), Small Group Benefits (2-50)

According to the website “ebn”, HIPAA audits are on the rise, and so are associated fines. In 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Civil Rights collected $23 million in fines, a 300% increase over 2014, the previous record year for fines. Tell me more >>> An increase in audits and associated fines serve as a good reminder for employers to revisit training often to ensure compliance. For more information, contact Matt Pfeiffenberger, Vice President, Health Benefits Solutions.

How Repealing the ACA Could Affect Employer-Sponsored Health Plans

Matt PfeiffenbergerHealth Benefits, Human Resources, Large Group Benefits (100+), Small Group Benefits (2-50)

Overview Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted in 2010, employers and health insurance issuers have had to make numerous changes to employer-sponsored group health plans offered to employees. If the ACA is repealed, many plan terms may no longer be required. These changes may be beneficial for employers, but could be confusing or, in some cases, unwelcome for employees. The ultimate impact of repealing the ACA will depend on the specific details of the repeal, and any replacement, that is enacted. While steps have been made toward repeal, it is unclear what impact those steps may have or what an ACA replacement will look like. Action Steps The initial steps, including an executive order issued by President Donald …

Opioid Abuse Takes a Toll on Workers and Their Employers

Matt OlphinHealth Benefits, Human Resources, Risk Management

Three decades ago, the treatment Michele Zumwalt received for severe headaches involved a shot of the opioid Demerol. Very quickly, Zumwalt says, she would get headaches if she didn’t get her shot. Then she began having seizures, and her doctor considered stopping the medication. Read the full article on NPR’s Website. If you have questions about drug addiction with regard to safety, contact Matt Olphin, CSP, ARM, Vice President, Risk Control Services, Program Solutions.