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Safety/Health

Coronavirus & HIPAA: What can you divulge?

03/31/2020
Your employees are understandably nervous about health risks at work these days. For those who must be physically present at your workplace, any news of a sick co-worker will spur concern. You must be prepared to answer employees’ questions without violating privacy laws.

DOL offers Q&As addressing coronavirus and FLSA, FMLA

03/12/2020
The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has released new guidance on how coronavirus and COVID-19 affect compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and the FMLA.

Filthy bathroom, blocked exit cost $300,000

03/12/2020
Make sure supervisors tend to basics like keeping bathrooms clean and exits free of clutter that blocks doors. OSHA has recently stepped up inspections looking for common workplace hazards like those. For repeat offenders, OSHA penalties can quickly escalate.

EEOC issues guidance on coronavirus & ADA

03/12/2020
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already issued extensive guidance for employers on how to handle the coronavirus outbreak. The EEOC has issued its own guidance for employers grappling with how to deal with a potential pandemic while also complying with the ADA.

Active shooter: Prepare for workplace attack

03/05/2020
Employers must anticipate the possibility that an employee will go on the attack. Fortunately, there are resources available that may prevent an attack or stop one in progress.

CDC offers advice for limiting coronavirus exposure at work

03/03/2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says employers have an important role to play in managing the novel coronavirus outbreak that has sickened increasing numbers of Americans. The CDC offers this advice for preventing COVID-19, which is caused by the coronavirus.

Telemedicine could take off as coronavirus spreads

03/03/2020
The coronavirus outbreak could be the tipping point that finally popularizes the telemedicine option many health insurance plans offer, according to Mary Kay O’Neill, clinical services consultant for the Mercer consulting firm.

Flu could cost employers $13 billion this year

02/25/2020
Never mind the COVID-19 coronavirus that has dominated headlines for weeks. Old-fashioned influenza could wind up dealing a knock-out blow to employers this year, with a price tag that could exceed $13 billion.

Comply with the law when requiring employees to work overtime

02/18/2020
In general, employers have the right to require employees to work overtime, as long as they are properly paid for the additional hours. However, that right is not unlimited.

OSHA publishes coronavirus guidance for employers

02/04/2020
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched a web page full of links to help employers handle the coronavirus outbreak.