As Election Day nears, employers across the country may be wondering how they can properly address political discussions in the workplace. This article provides employers simple and straightforward strategies for managing potentially tense workplace discussions.
Archives for October 27, 2020
HIPAA Enforcement Remains Strong in 2020
It seems like every aspect of healthcare is changing during these uncertain times, but one thing remains the same – HIPAA enforcement is going strong. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), responsible for enforcing HIPAA regulations, has been active this year in terms of settlements of potential HIPAA privacy and security violations. More than $12.2 million has been recorded this year in resolution agreements, despite the Notification of Enforcement Discretion related to COVID-19 issued by HHS.
IRS Releases 2021 Benefit Plan Limits and Thresholds
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced cost-of-living adjustments that affect limitations on qualified retirement plans and health plans. The increases take effect on January 1, 2021, and are modest when compared to prior years.
Executive Order Bans Certain Diversity Trainings for Federal Contractors — May Also Impact Private Employers
On September 22, the president issued an Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, which prohibits certain types of diversity trainings for federal employees and federal contractors. The Order prohibits federal contractors from using “any workplace training that inculcates in its employees any form of race or sex stereotyping or any form of race or sex scapegoating.” The prohibition on these types of training applies to any training that would ascribe “character traits, values, moral and ethical codes, privileges, status, or beliefs to a race or sex.”
Demystifying President Trump's Executive Order on Diversity Training
Littler’s David Goldstein and James Paretti join Alyesha Asghar Dotson to talk about President Trump’s Executive Order, “Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping,” which curbs the discussion of certain topics from diversity and inclusion training provided by federal contractors and grantees.
Michigan Provides Employers and Employees COVID-19 Protections
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed into law four bills that encourage employers to resume business in compliance with all COVID-19 safeguards required under the various federal, state, and local statutes, rules, regulations, executive orders, and agency orders. The new laws provide a significant reward for an employer’s compliance: insulation