Month: December 2008

Booze, Porn Addiction, and Interventions: What a Holiday Party

Litigation Value: $1,000,000 The folks at Dunder Mifflin must have felt like giving because they were essentially writing checks on the “Moroccan Christmas” episode of The Office. As always, there was plenty of inappropriate conduct going on this week, but rarely does it rise to this level. Michael served excessive amounts of alcohol to Meredith, […]

New Law Addresses Mental Health Coverage Parity

Among the add-ons to the $700 billion financial rescue package that Congress recently passed was a measure that will affect many employers whose health plans offer mental health benefits. The Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 builds on and closes employer-friendly loopholes in the limited mental health parity measure […]

Update on FCRA: New Court Decision, New FACTA Regs

by Sam Fulkerson A new decision from the Tenth Circuit makes an important distinction about what constitutes a “consumer report” under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). In addition, new amendments under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) designed to prevent identity theft amended the FCRA effective November 1, 2008. Let’s look at […]

Give Feedback—Good or Bad—to Get Peak Performance

By Jay ForteJust My E-pinion We have all seen the Olympic gymnasts and American Idol contestants anxiously wait for scores from the judges. That’s feedback, and whether it is good or bad, we always want information about how we are doing. Employees are no different. They need to know if they are making good decisions […]

Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis

President-Elect Barack Obama has chosen former South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle as his Secretary of Health and Human Services and health care czar. Daschle lays out his ideas about how to fix the ailing U.S. health care system in his book Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis, which was published in February […]

What You Must Do Now—FMLA Notice and Certification

Yesterday’s Advisor covered policy revisions required by the new FMLA regs. Today we’ll look at changes required in notice and certification procedures, and we’ll introduce the complete guide to the new regs. Some of the biggest changes in the final FMLA regulations were to the provisions for FMLA notice and medical certification. General Notice Obligations […]

Amazon’s Best Management and Leadership Books of 2008

Trying to think of a good stocking stuffer for someone you know (or yourself)? The powers that be at Amazon.com have put together their “Best of 2008” lists. Here are their editor’s choices for best management and leadership books. 1. The Management Gurus: Lessons from the Best Management Books of All Time by Chris Lauer. […]

IRS Lowers Standard Mileage Rate for 2009

The IRS standard-mileage-reimbursement rate for 2009 will be 55 cents per mile for all business miles driven, down from the rate of 58.5 cents a mile that was in effect in the second half of 2008. The IRS had made a special adjustment for the second half of 2008 in response to a spike in […]

New FMLA Rules—Steps to Take Now

Yes, many of the changes to the FMLA will help employers in the long run, but in the meantime, it’s a hassle—the feds didn’t allot much time for putting the new rules into effect. Here’s what BLR editors recommend you do first. Family Military Leave: Add and Revise Policy Provisions The National Defense Authorization Act […]

“Day Without a Gay” Nationwide Protest May Result in Work Shortage

Some gay rights advocates are calling for “A Day Without a Gay” protest and boycott across the United States on Wednesday, December 10, to show opposition to California’s Proposition 8 and to show the power of the gay and lesbian community. Organizers are encouraging people to strike by “calling in gay” to work, taking the […]