Safety/Health

Think odd employee might benefit from mental exam? Talk to a lawyer first

04/30/2013

Let’s face it: Some employees are a bit strange. Sometimes, their behavior may even be an indication of serious mental health problems. But before you rush to demand the employee get counseling or see a doctor, remember that the ADA prohibits such requests unless there is a clear business necessity for the exam.

Use chemicals? Heed new training, labeling rules

04/19/2013

OSHA has released two new compliance assistance tools to help employers meet requirements of the agency’s revised Hazard Communication Standard.

State moves closer to mandatory nurse/patient ratios

04/11/2013

A bill requiring hospitals and other health care facilities to meet target nurse-to-patient ratios has made it out of a Minnesota House of Representatives committee. The Standards of Care Act requires hospitals to meet staffing levels recommended by professional nursing specialty organizations.

Appeals court upholds whistle-blower’s award

03/29/2013

Federal appeals courts are becoming more sympathetic to employees who report workplace dangers. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has backed a plaintiff who says he suffered retaliation for claiming he was traumatized by a workplace accident.

Avoid OSHA: Post injury/illness summary until April 30

02/11/2013

Starting Feb. 1 each year, many U.S. employers are required to post a summary of the number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred in the workplace the previous year. The posting must typically stay up until April 30.

Why bother with job descriptions? 3 reasons

01/11/2013

Writing job descriptions for all of the positions in your company may sound like a lot of work, especially when they are not required by any law. But there are plenty of legal reasons why you should have them.

How to cope with dope: Marijuana & the Minnesota workplace

01/11/2013

Minnesota employers are stuck in the middle of the battle between state and federal law. The tension may create confusion for employers trying to legally enforce their policies, including drug-free workplace policies.

Disaster averted: Make emergency preparedness part of your job

01/09/2013

Hurricane Sandy … the derecho last June … employers must be prepared for a variety of disaster scenarios. Two very practical matters employers must deal with in the aftermath of a disaster: workplace cleanup and paying workers. Federal law affects both.

SOX doesn’t protect safety whistle-blowers

12/19/2012

A federal court in North Carolina has refused to add another legal avenue disgruntled employees can use to sue. The court said even after recent amendments that expanded the scope of the law, the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act doesn’t protect whistle-blowers who report what they believe are serious safety violations at work.

Can we terminate worker to keep domestic violence from spilling over into our workplace?

12/12/2012

Q. We have learned that one of our employees has been subjected to domestic violence and has a restraining order against her boyfriend. We are concerned that the man might become violent in our workplace. We are considering terminating the employee to make sure that our other employees are safe. Does such a termination raise any legal issues?