By Steve M. Cohen bio Office managers can be excused for pulling their hair over government regulations, but here are some you shouldn't overlook. Every state has a human rights commission that is tasked with investigating charges made by employees against their employers in issues of fairness. The federal government has its own human rights commission that … [Read more...] about Human rights: the scoop on state and federal monitoring
Risk management
Is firing employees for medical marijuana discrimination?
All seven of the courts that have confronted this issue in the past decade have ruled that employers can enforce zero tolerance drug policies to fire employees for lawful use of medical marijuana. Here’s the rundown: 2013: COLORADO (Federal Court) What Happened: Brewery employee with hepatitis C, fired after testing positive for marijuana, claims use was legal under … [Read more...] about Is firing employees for medical marijuana discrimination?
How to deliver bad news to 3 kinds of underperforming employees
The talk of management isn't easy. Here are three especially difficult conversations to be prepared for: the poor performance discussion, the no-raise-for-you discussion, and the we're-having-layoffs discussion. Business consultant, corporate trainer, and psychotherapist Linnda Durre, PhD, of Winter Park, FL, outlines what to say, and what not to say, to get the message … [Read more...] about How to deliver bad news to 3 kinds of underperforming employees
Model Policy: Medical marijuana
Why you need this policy: Now that medical marijuana is legal in many states, it’s important that you adjust your zero tolerance drug policy to address, if not accommodate, it. How this policy helps you: This model policy provides the appropriate language to use for your state. How to use this policy: Modify your existing workplace drug policy to include medical marijuana … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Medical marijuana
Can your medical office employees be fired for using legal medical marijuana?
Testing positive for cannabis is a ticket for termination under the kind of "zero tolerance" policy that has come to pervade the American workplace. But what if employees are medical cannabis patients? Situation Reggie Sturd, an employee of ABC Corporation, tests positive for marijuana. He denies using or being high at work and claims he has permission under the state medical … [Read more...] about Can your medical office employees be fired for using legal medical marijuana?
Start local managers group to make job easier
"It doesn't matter if there are three people or five or 20," says the manager of an internal specialty medical office in Tennessee. It's worth the effort to set up a local management group. She did that in her area years ago and still finds it useful. The setup was not difficult. It was just a matter of calling the other managers and saying, "Why don't we get together and … [Read more...] about Start local managers group to make job easier
Safety Briefing: Prevent needlestick injury and exposure to bloodborne pathogens
Why you need this safety briefing: Health care workers are at risk of exposure to deadly bloodborne pathogens through needlestick injuries and injuries from other sharps. How this safety briefing helps you: This is a safety talk that you can present to your medical office staff. This safety briefing is an introduction to the topics of needlestick injuries and bloodborne … [Read more...] about Safety Briefing: Prevent needlestick injury and exposure to bloodborne pathogens
What happens outside the office is still relevant
By Steve M. Cohen bio Whether it's an after hours party or sporting event far from work, incidents that are away from the office may still be relevant to managers. One of my clients had an employee who was attending a son's baseball game on a summer evening. The employee was in the stands, enjoying a few too many beers, and became very vocal, profane, and … [Read more...] about What happens outside the office is still relevant
Model Form: Hepatitis B vaccine declination
Why you need this form: Employees may decline being vaccinated against Hepatitis B and you must prove you offered the vaccination. How to use this form: Use this model form, which comes right out of the OSHA standard, to comply with the written declination rules. … [Read more...] about Model Form: Hepatitis B vaccine declination
Medical leave gets formal for 50 employees and up
By Steve M. Cohen bio When it comes to sick leave in your office of 50 or more employees, you have to follow the doctor’s orders regardless of whether or not you think the reason for the leave is justified. Because most office managers are so singularly focused on their practice, they are appalled to learn of all the limitations placed upon them by … [Read more...] about Medical leave gets formal for 50 employees and up